This guide explains how to add a subscription in v2rayNG on Android, update nodes afterward, and troubleshoot issues such as an unchanged IP, DNS leaks, or websites not loading in your browser. It’s written for everyday users trying v2rayNG for the first time.
1. What to prepare before adding a v2rayNG subscription
v2rayNG is a popular V2Ray/Xray client for Android that supports protocols such as VLESS, VMess, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. Before adding a subscription, make sure you have three things: the latest version of v2rayNG installed, a working subscription link, and a phone with a working internet connection. Subscription links usually start with https:// and return a list of node details when accessed. This site provides free nodes and subscription guides, but free-node stability depends on the connection and the number of users, so it’s a good idea to have a few backup nodes.
2. How to add a v2rayNG subscription
- Open v2rayNG and tap the “+” or menu button in the upper-right corner.
- Select “Subscription settings” or “Subscription group setting.”
- Tap “+” in the upper-right corner and enter a name in “Remarks,” such as “freevpn.”
- Paste the subscription link into the “Address/URL” field, making sure not to include any extra spaces.
- Save your changes and return to the main screen. Open the menu in the upper-right corner and select “Update subscription.”
- Wait for the node list to appear, select a node, then tap the connect button in the lower-right corner.
If the import succeeds but no nodes appear, first check whether the subscription link has expired or was copied in full. You can also try switching mobile networks and updating again.
3. How to check your IP, DNS, and browser environment after connecting
A successful connection doesn’t necessarily mean all traffic is routed through the proxy. Open a browser and visit an IP-checking site to see whether your outgoing IP has changed. If it hasn’t, the node may not actually be connected, system VPN permission may be disabled, or a routing rule may be sending that site directly.
If webpages load but some sites have DNS resolution issues, check the “Routing mode” setting in v2rayNG. Beginners should start with Global mode or Bypass LAN and mainland addresses to avoid overly complex rules. If you’re concerned about DNS leaks, try enabling remote DNS or changing the DNS settings built into the client, but don’t enter DNS servers from untrusted sources.
Your browser environment can also affect the results. Some browsers have data-saving features, built-in proxies, DoH, or extensions that can make test results differ from the system proxy settings. For troubleshooting, try your phone’s built-in browser or a Chrome Incognito window, and close any other proxy apps.
4. Common issues and how to fix them
- Subscription update fails: Check that the link is complete, the network can access it, and the subscription source isn’t temporarily unavailable.
- No internet access after connecting: Switch to another node or set the routing mode to Global for testing.
- TLS, certificate, or timeout errors: The node is probably inactive, or your current network is blocking the connection. Switching nodes is usually the quickest fix.
- Only some apps can’t connect: Check whether those apps are on the per-app proxy exclusion list.
- Frequent disconnections: Disable battery restrictions and allow v2rayNG to run in the background.
To wrap up, update your nodes after adding a subscription, then test them one by one. Don’t run multiple VPN or proxy tools at the same time. When troubleshooting, check in this order: subscription link, node status, routing mode, DNS, and browser environment. Once you know this process, adding and maintaining subscriptions in v2rayNG becomes much easier.