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What a torrent-client backup needs to include
Decide what you need to recover before copying anything. These parts can be stored separately:
- Preferences: settings such as interface and connection options.
- Torrent metadata and resume state: the torrent files and the client’s record of loaded jobs, progress, or saved data paths.
- Downloaded data: the completed or partially completed files, usually stored outside the client profile.
Copying the profile can preserve the client’s bookkeeping, but it does not protect files in a separate download directory. Back up that directory separately if the files themselves matter.
Before you copy or restore
- Identify the exact setup. Note the client and version, operating system, and packaging method—for example, a standard installer, Flatpak, Snap, or a daemon deployment. Find the actual profile used by that installation rather than assuming a default path.
- Stop the client cleanly. Close the application or stop its service before copying or changing configuration files. Transmission documentation warns that edits made while it is running can be reverted.
- Copy the relevant profile and state folders. Preserve the original folder structure and copy the backup to separate storage. If you need the downloaded files, back those up separately.
- Keep the backup unchanged. Do not overwrite it during recovery; retain a second copy until you have verified the restored setup.
Where common clients store their profiles
These are documented locations and file names, not universal paths. Custom profiles, package formats, services, and version differences can change the location.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
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qBittorrent
The project FAQ lists separate preference and data locations on several platforms. On Windows, preferences are typically under %APPDATA%qBittorrent, while torrent files, logs, and other data are under %LOCALAPPDATA%qBittorrent. On GNU/Linux, the listed locations are ~/.config/qBittorrent/ for preferences and ~/.local/share/qBittorrent/ for data; a legacy data location is ~/.local/share/data/qBittorrent/. Flatpak has separate paths under ~/.var/app/org.qbittorrent.qBittorrent/. The FAQ also describes Snap and macOS cases, so check it for the relevant installation rather than applying one path to every system. See the qBittorrent FAQ.
qBittorrent portable mode can place configuration in a chosen profile directory, but a moved profile may contain paths tied to the original machine. The project warns that path-dependent settings may not work unchanged when paths differ. Treat portable mode as a future portability option, not a guarantee that an existing profile will transfer without adjustment. See qBittorrent’s portable-mode documentation.
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Transmission
Transmission’s documentation describes a configuration folder that typically contains settings.json for preferences, torrents/ for added torrent files, and resume/ for per-torrent resume information. Resume data can include downloaded-piece information and the folder used for the downloaded data. The documentation also gives daemon and command-line paths, notes that environment variables can override defaults, and cautions that distribution service scripts may use different locations. Identify the active configuration folder for your installation before copying it. See the Transmission documentation.
Deluge
Deluge 2.1.1 documentation advises backing up configuration before a major-version upgrade to guard against data loss; it does not provide one restore sequence for every operating system or deployment. Project code places torrent state and resume data in its configuration state area, including torrents.state and torrents.fastresume. Because code and paths can vary by installed version, verify the actual configuration directory before copying. See the Deluge 2.1.1 documentation and Deluge project code.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
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BitTorrent Classic
BitTorrent’s support article gives %AppData%BitTorrent as the default Windows configuration location. It identifies resume.dat as information about currently loaded torrent jobs and settings.dat as containing most settings; dht.dat and optional rss.dat may also be present. Confirm that you are using the product variant covered by the article and check the actual path before applying these details to µTorrent or another edition. See BitTorrent’s backup-settings support article.
How to restore a profile and reconnect transfers
- Install the same client where possible. Matching the original client and version reduces avoidable compatibility differences. Do not assume a configuration is interchangeable between different clients.
- Close the new installation. Stop the client before placing saved files in its profile, so it cannot write over them while you restore.
- Copy the saved profile into the matching location. Use the active profile location for the new installation and preserve the folder structure. Do not overwrite your only backup.
- Restore or locate the download data. If the files are back at their original paths, the saved torrent entries may find them. If paths changed, point the relevant torrents to the correct files or folders before resuming.
- Start the client and inspect the transfer list. Look for missing-data warnings and confirm that each torrent points to the intended content.
- Recheck data when needed. Run the client’s file-integrity check before resuming or seeding if paths changed or the files’ integrity is uncertain. Keep the backup until the list and data have been verified.
If you need to rebuild the torrent list
For completed torrents re-imported into qBittorrent, the project FAQ describes adding the .torrent files and selecting the original download or seed path. It also offers “Skip file checking and start seeding immediately.” Choosing that option trusts the local files rather than checking them. Use a recheck instead when you are uncertain about file integrity or paths. Re-importing torrent files can rebuild a list, but it is not the same as restoring a complete qBittorrent profile, which may include preferences and other state. See the qBittorrent FAQ.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Choose the backup scope that matches the recovery
| Backup scope | What it preserves | What it does not preserve by itself | When it helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferences only | Client settings stored in the preferences files. | Torrent list and resume state, unless those are included in the copied files; downloaded payload. | Recreating client preferences when transfers are not needed. |
| Profile and torrent state | Preferences and, depending on the client, torrent metadata and resume information. | Downloaded payload stored outside the profile. | Restoring the client’s transfer list and bookkeeping. |
| Profile, torrent state, and download data | Client configuration and transfer files, plus the copied downloaded or partial content. | Automatic path compatibility if the destination uses different locations. | A more complete move or recovery; paths may still need reconnecting and data may need rechecking. |
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