  We discuss detection strategies for fractional topological insulators (FTIs)
realizing time-reversal invariant analogues of fractional quantum Hall systems
in the Laughlin universality class. Focusing on transport measurements, we
study the effect of magnetic perturbations on the edge modes. We find that the
modes show unexpected robustness against magnetic backscattering for moderate
couplings and edge interactions, allowing for various phase transitions
signaling the FTI phase. We also describe protocols for extracting the
universal integer m characterizing the phase and the edge interaction parameter
from the conductance of setups with magnets and a quantum point contact.
