The best way to use PIA with uTorrent is by connecting to a VPN server before enabling the torrent client for downloads. Alternatively, you can set up its SOCKS5 proxy to bypass the VPN’s encryption and enjoy better download speeds.
The best part is that PIA also offers port forwarding on most servers, ensuring you can seed torrents or secure faster peer connections for improved torrenting performance.
Continue reading for the juicy details on setting up PIA with uTorrent without exposing your downloads to your ISP.
How to Setup Private Internet Access With uTorrent?
You can easily set up Private Internet Access with uTorrent on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.
I’ll set up PIA with uTorrent on my Windows laptop for the following demo.
- Get a PIA subscription. Find the best PIA deal here!
- Select a plan.
- Enter your payment details and follow the steps to activate your PIA account.
- Log in to your PIA online account and click “Downloads” to download and install the correct app on your device.
- Launch the app and sign in with your credentials.
- Click the three dots on the overview menu. Then, click Settings > Privacy to enable the VPN Kill Switch.
- Click “VPN SERVER” to search for a low-latency server for the best uTorrent speeds. I chose South Africa.
- Click the large connect button on the app home screen to secure the connection.
- Use ipleak.net to do a leak test to ensure your IP’s not leaking.
- Download or launch the uTorrent app at this stage.
- Open a torrenting site to download the file(s) you want. I used The Pirate Bay to download a copyright-free version of “The House of the Rising Sun.”
- Click the magnetic download link and “Open uTorrent” in the prompt.
- Click “OK” to activate the download.
- Your file will connect to peers, and the download will continue under the radar of your ISP to avoid throttling!
Use this VPN connection for safer, private torrenting on uTorrent.
How to Set up PIA Port Forwarding With uTorrent?
The best way to use PIA’s port forwarding to get faster uTorrent download speeds or seeding is by setting up the ports directly in the uTorrent app.
To activate this functionality and connect it to uTorrent
- Get a PIA plan and download the PC app. You can only activate its port forwarding on a PC.
- Launch your app and enable the kill switch for leak-proof torrenting.
- From the settings menu, click “Network,” then check “Request Port Forwarding.”
- Connect to a server. Ensure the globe icon is highlighted in green, which confirms that port forwarding is working.
- Copy the port number found below the VPN IP address.
- Open your uTorrent app and click Options > Preferences > Connection.
- Check “Enable UPnP port mapping” and “Enable NAT-PMP port mapping.”
- Enter the VPN port number in the port window.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Refresh the app by closing it and opening it again.
That’s how to use PIA port forwarding for remote access to your torrenting client/device.
For custom port numbers for uTorrent, try PureVPN.
How to Use PIA SOCKS5 Proxy With uTorrent?
You can use the PIA SOCKS5 proxy with uTorrent by entering your VPN host number in the torrenting client’s proxy server field. Here’s how:
- Use my discount offer for a Private Internet Access plan.
- Download and install the PIA Windows app.
- Open the app and click the three dots.
- Then, click Settings > Protocols and ensure the OpenVPN toggle is green since only OpenVPN supports SOCKS5 on PIA.
- Connect to a server.
- Search for your device’s terminal. Using my Windows PC, I right-clicked on the Windows start icon and searched for “cmd.”
- Click “Run as administrator.”
- Enter ping proxy-nl.privateinternetaccess.com
- Press the enter key.
- You will receive an IP address associated with the proxy server. Copy or note this IP.
- Click Settings > Multi-Hop and enable “Multi-hop and Obfuscation.” Click “SOCKS5 Proxy.”
- Enter the proxy IP you copied/saved (step 10) in the SOCKS5 Proxy Server IP Address field and add “1080” as a port number. Click “OK.”
- Note the SOCKS5 proxy host.
- Click the connect button to apply the new settings. You’re now connected through PIA SOCKS5 and not the VPN.
- Open uTorrent.
- Click Options > Preferences > Connection.
- Select “Socks5” from the Proxy Server Type drop-down menu.
- Enter the PIA VPN SOCKS5 Proxy number into the uTorrent Proxy field.
- Enter “1080” as your port number.
- Ensure all the Proxy Server check boxes are ticked.
- Click Apply > OK.
You should now be able to download torrents faster using the PIA-uTorrent SOCKS5 connection.
I tested it and the same file downloaded 60 seconds faster on the SOCKS5 connection than it did using the regular South Africa PIA VPN server connection.
My normal VPN connection:
PIA SOCKS5 connection on uTorrent:
Can You Bind the PIA Interface to uTorrent?
Unfortunately, you can’t bind the PIA interface to uTorrent.
Both apps offer the settings for IP binding, but if you switch servers (IPs) or turn the VPN off after following binding steps, uTorrent downloads don’t stop.
In this regard, qBittorrent is an option since you can successfully bind the PIA interface to this client.
Alternatively, use PIA’s kill switch, a bulletproof solution to prevent IP leaks for safer, under-the-radar torrenting.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using uTorrent With PIA?
Private Internet Access is one of the best VPNs for downloading music, movies, and games via uTorrent. However, if you make a mistake while using the VPN, your IP address can be leaked, defeating the purpose of getting one.
To keep that from happening, follow the pointers below:
- Never let uTorrent start before PIA
- Never close/disconnect from PIA before exiting uTorrent
- Never leave the kill switch off
- Avoid using SOCKS5 unless you want speed over privacy
- Don’t forget to do an IP leak test before using uTorrent
Start Downloading With Private Internet Access and uTorrent
My guide explains how easy it is to use PIA with uTorrent.
Plus, with servers spanning 91 countries, you can connect to a nearby high-speed VPN IP and mask your torrenting activity without slowing downloads.
The best part is that you can use this exclusive discount to get Private Internet Access for uTorrent now.
And, FYI – you can use PIA for qBittorrent, too!
