Torrents and Usenet Downloading with an iPhone

No idea if this is a new feature introduced with a newer version of Dropbox, but it is possible to download nzb and torrent files through the Mobile Safari app.

What you need is the following (for a complete downloading system):

  • A Dropbox account (the 2GB version is free!!!!)
  • A torrent application with the possibility of using a so-called watch-folder (e.g. Vuze)
  • An usenet application with a watch-folder capability (e.g. SabNZBd+)
  • An iPhone with the Dropbox app.

First you need to setup Dropbox. This is the easiest part. Just create two folders called 'NZB' and 'Torrent'. These folders will contain the downloaded torrent and nzb files.

After that you need to configure the Vuze and/or NZB download application to use a watch-folder.
I use these apps on my Mac Mini server. So it's operational 24/7.

I won;t get into the usage and/or installation of the torrent / NZB download application. There is excellent documentation available on the developers website.

Vuze

Add / configure the Watchfolder in the Vuze options / preferences under the 'Files' section. Make sure you point the location to the created torrent Dropbox folder.

Vuze Download Watchfolder Configuration Location

SabNZBd+

The configuration of SabNZBd+ is done through the webinterface (like everything else).

SabNZBd+ Download Watchfolder Configuration LocationAfter you've set this up the application (when running) will watch the appropriate folder. If it 'sees' a torrent or NZB file it will pick it up and process it further.

iPhone

Install the Dropbox iPhone app on the iPhone. This will give you the possibility to view the created folders in the Dropbox (after it has synchronized).

Just open your favorite torrent (or NZB) website and search e.g. for the latest Backtrack security DVD. In my case I used the Piratebay torrent website.

Select the appropriate download link. In the case of the Pirate Bay you need to click the 'DOWNLOAD THIS TORRENT' link. Not the 'Magnet Link', since that one won't work.

Normally you would get an error that the file can't be downloaded, but since you've installed Dropbox, you have the option to save the torrent (or NZB file) in your Dropbox.

Select the appropriate folder. Torrent if your download is a torrent file, and the NZB folder if it's a NZB file.

After selecting the folder and clicking 'Upload', the file get downloaded in the selected folder.

Now that the file is downloaded it will be synchronized by the Dropbox app to the folder on your PC / server. This could take a while, depending on the filesize and the available Internet.

I tested this also with a Linux download through the NZBIndex.com website. Works the same, only the originating website is different.

This should also work on an iPad.

Posted on May 19, 2011 and filed under Apple, Internet, Software, Tips'n Tricks, iPhone.