This article explains how to add a v2rayNG subscription. It walks you through installing the app on an Android phone, adding and updating a subscription, and testing the connection. It also explains how your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect the results. Menu names may vary slightly between versions, so refer to the interface on your device.
1. Before you add a subscription: Check the app and subscription link
Download an installation package that matches your phone’s architecture from the official v2rayNG project release page or another trusted source. Avoid modified versions from unknown sources. After opening the app, have the subscription URL provided by your service provider ready. It usually starts with https://.
A subscription link is not the same as a link to an individual node: a subscription URL is used to retrieve and update a set of configurations. Content starting with vless://, vmess://, or similar prefixes is usually for a single node and should be imported using the clipboard import feature. Subscription URLs may contain personal tokens, so don’t share screenshots or forward them.
2. How to add a subscription in v2rayNG
- Copy the full subscription URL. Check that no spaces, line breaks, or Chinese punctuation have been added at either end.
- Open v2rayNG and go to “Subscription group settings” in the side menu, or a similarly named subscription management page.
- Tap “＋” to add a subscription. Enter a name that will help you identify it, paste the subscription URL into the address field, and save. If you’re unsure about the other options, leave them at their default values.
- Return to the configuration list and select “Update subscription” or “Update current group subscription” from the menu. Adding the URL alone does not automatically download the nodes.
- Once the update is complete, select a node and tap the start button on the main screen. The first time you connect, Android will show a VPN connection request. Confirm it to continue.
- Open a browser and visit a familiar website. Use the app’s connection test as an additional check. A latency test is only a guide and does not indicate actual download speed.
After saving the subscription, you still need to update it and select a node. If the list is empty, check the update message first instead of repeatedly tapping Start. If you use free nodes provided by this site or other sources, check the publication date and compatibility notes as well; availability can change at any time.
3. Troubleshooting update failures and connection issues
- Download failed: First make sure your phone has an internet connection. Then check whether the subscription has expired, the URL was copied in full, or the provider has changed it.
- Update succeeded, but no nodes appear: The subscription may be empty, its format may be incompatible, or the app version may be outdated. Update the official app and ask the provider which formats it supports.
- A node appears, but won’t connect: Try another node, check that your system date and time are set to update automatically, and close any other VPN apps that could conflict.
- The connection drops after a while: Check Android’s battery optimization and background restrictions. If needed, allow v2rayNG to run in the background so the system doesn’t shut it down.
4. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Adding a subscription only retrieves configuration; it does not immediately change your outgoing IP address. Once connected, whether your traffic goes through the proxy also depends on the routing mode. In split-tunneling mode, it’s normal for some websites to connect directly. When checking your outgoing IP, make sure the traffic to the IP-checking website is actually going through the proxy.
If the app shows that you’re connected but domain names won’t load, the issue may be DNS resolution, the node, or routing. Try another node and check your routing before changing DNS; don’t copy settings from unknown sources. Your browser’s secure DNS, cache, and extensions may also affect the results. Try an incognito window or another browser to compare.
Finally, changing your outgoing IP does not completely change your browser identity: logged-in accounts, cookies, and location permissions can still be used to identify you. If something isn’t working, check in this order: “subscription update—node connection—routing and DNS—browser environment.” This makes it easier to find the cause.