Learn how to – Motrix – Best Download Manager for Linux | macOS | Windows

Learn how to – Motrix – Best Download Manager for Linux | macOS | Windows.

In our interconnected globe thanks to the internet, there is a lot to learn, a lot to watch for entertainment, a lot to read, a lot to ponder and thus a lot worth keeping beside you in case you would wish to quickly re-visit. For that matter, most people are armed with a download manager that helps them retrieve those files, pictures, videos or courses that captured their hearts.

In todays guide, we present another unique download manager that you can consider adding or making it the main go to tool when a download is more than necessary. If you are an outdoors person, chances that you rarely get access to a Wi-Fi hotspot or an option that will enable you watch a video or read a course online. In such circumstances, having a copy nearby is worth the while and Motrix is here to replace your toolbox. Allow this new broom to sweep your downloads clean.

Motrix is a full-featured download manager that supports downloading HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent, Magnet and others and we are going to install and use it in this session.

Features of Motrix Download Manager

At a glance, Motrix offers the following features for everyone to enjoy

• Motrix is multi-platform: It can be installed in Linux, macOS and Windows
• Motrix boasts a simple and clear user interface
• There are extensions such as Motrix WebExtension which allows you to automatically download all the files via Motrix Download Manager instead of your browser’s native download manager
• Support BitTorrent & Magnet
• BitTorrent selective download
• Update tracker list every day automatically
• UPnP & NAT-PMP Port Mapping
• Up to 10 tasks concurrently download
• Single task maximum support 64 thread download
• Mock User-Agent
• Download completed Notification
• Ready for Touch Bar (Mac only)
• Resident system tray for quick operation
• Dark mode
• Delete related files when removing tasks (optional)

Installing Motrix on Linux | Windows | macOS

Motrix team has provided packages for most platforms. Whether your system is DEB-based, RPM-based, macOS or Windows, then you are sorted. You can download the AppImage (for all Linux distributions) or snap to install Motrix.

Installing Using Packages

We shall cover installation of Motrix using packages on this section. To get the packages, visit Motrix’s GitHub Releases page and download the one for your platform.

For RPM Linux systems

curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/agalwood/Motrix/releases/latest | grep browser_download_url | grep rpm |  cut -d '"' -f 4 |  wget -i -
sudo rpm -ivh Motrix-*.x86_64.rpm

For DEB Linux Systems

curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/agalwood/Motrix/releases/latest | grep browser_download_url | grep deb |  cut -d '"' -f 4 |  wget -i -
sudo dpkg -i Motrix_*_amd64.deb

For Windows

Head over to Motrix’s GitHub Releases page and download the EXE file.

After the file is downloaded, double-click on it to begin the installation process as illustrated below.

After double-clicking, the process will start installation. Click “Next“

Hit “Install“

Then finish installation

And your Motrix should be okay.

Installing Using Snap

Motrix is listed on Snapcraft store and thus can be retrieved and installed through it. Make sure you have SNAP Package installed. If you’re running Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) or later, including Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Bionic Beaver) and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa), you don’t need to do anything. Snap is already installed and ready to go.

Installing snapd on CentOS

Add EPEL repository then install snapd as follows:

sudo yum install epel-release
sudo yum install snapd -y
sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

To enable classic snap support, enter the following to create a symbolic link between /var/lib/snapd/snap and /snap:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

After SNAP is installed, Motrix can be setup using snap by running the command below:

sudo snap install motrix

Installing on Arch Linux | Manjaro

If you are on Arch and you prefer AUR over snap, then you can install Motrix as follows

yay -S motrix

Installing on macOS

macOS users can install Motrix using brew cask, thanks to PR of Mitscherlich. Run the following command.

brew update && brew cask install motrix

Using Motrix

Case 1: Download Files

We now have Motrix installed in the various platforms. We shall continue to see how Motrix can be used to download your favorite videos, files and such. First, let us demonstrate downloading the new Fedora 33 using Motrix. Visit Fedora 33 Downloads page, then right click on the “Download” link to get the url.

After you have copied the link address, head over to your Motrix application and click on the + sign.

Clicking on the sign automatically copies the link to the link text area. If not, simply paste the url on the text area then click “Submit“.

Case 2: Download from Magnet (Torrent)

If you have a torrent file you would wish to download, then Motrix is the place to land once again. We shall demonstrate this using CentOS 8 .torrent file. I copied the file from one of its mirrors then copied it over to Motrix. Click on “Submit” thereafter.

And the image downloads

Case 3: Download files from Git

We know you love the plenteous release packages available on Git. We shall use Motrix package as an example to download. Copy Motrix AppImage and use Motrix app to download it as follows:

Then let the file download

Case 4: Download pictures

Motrix can also be used to download images and any other file that is downloadable via a url.

Case 5: Add it to Chrome

You can add a plugin to Chrome known as Motrix WebExtention that will replace the browser’s native download aplication with Motrix.

For more information about Motrix, visit their Official Website as well as their GitHub Page

Closing Words

Having a download manager that handles torrents, files and music downloads at the same time is something worth having at your disposal. Install Motrix and have a personal feel of it then decide if you will keep it. Otherwise, it has been a wonderful time and we hope the tool presented here will be helpful to you. For other guides check below:

Find out how to use the best movie downloader for Windows

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Install wtfutil Personal Information Dashboard for your terminal