This guide answers the question “How do I import nodes into sing-box?” It’s for users who already have free nodes, a subscription link, or an individual share link. Follow the steps to import a node and connect, then learn how your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect what you can access.
1. Before you import
sing-box is a proxy core. On different systems, it’s usually used through a graphical client, such as SFA on Android or a sing-box GUI wrapper or compatible client on Windows or macOS. Before you begin, check what type of node information you have:
- Subscription link: Usually a URL beginning with https. Useful for updating multiple nodes at once.
- Individual node link: For example, vless://, vmess://, trojan://, or ss://.
- JSON configuration: Usually a complete sing-box configuration file, ready to import directly.
The free nodes page on this site may include subscription links or node links. When copying, make sure not to include extra spaces, line breaks, or Chinese descriptions.
2. Common ways to import nodes into sing-box
Button names vary slightly between clients, but the process is generally the same. A subscription is recommended because it can be updated with one click.
- Open the sing-box client and go to “Configuration,” “Profiles,” or “Subscription Management.”
- Click “Add,” “Import,” or the “+” button.
- For a subscription link, choose “Import from URL,” paste the subscription address, save it, and click Update.
- For an individual node link, choose “Import from Clipboard” or “Import Share Link.”
- For a JSON file, choose “Import from File” and load the local configuration file.
- Return to the home screen, select an available node from the node or outbound list, and start the connection.
After connecting, open a browser and visit an IP lookup site to confirm that your exit IP has changed. If it still shows your local network, the proxy may not be routing system traffic, or your browser may not be using the proxy.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
IP determines the location websites see for your connection; DNS determines where domain names are resolved; your browser environment includes information such as cache, cookies, WebRTC, language, and time zone. A successful node import doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to access a site: DNS leaks, old cookies, or browser cache may still interfere.
If your IP has changed but some websites still show a location mismatch, try clearing cookies for the site, closing and reopening the browser, or testing in a private window. If the client has DNS settings, it’s best to use the client’s default remote DNS or rule-based DNS rather than changing them to an unfamiliar address.
4. Troubleshooting connection issues
- Subscription update fails: Check whether the link has expired and whether you need to disable the system proxy before updating.
- Node imports but won’t connect: Try another node and check that your device’s time is correct.
- Web pages won’t load in the browser: Check whether the client’s system proxy or TUN mode is enabled.
- Only some websites have problems: Clear the DNS cache, browser cache, and site cookies, then try again.
- It doesn’t work on your phone: Make sure you’ve allowed VPN connections and close any other VPN apps.
In short, importing nodes into sing-box starts with identifying whether you have a subscription, a share link, or a JSON configuration. After importing, make sure your system proxy, DNS, and browser environment are set up correctly for reliable access through the proxy.