This article addresses the common question, “How do I import nodes into sing-box?” It covers importing subscription links, manually adding individual nodes, and checking IP, DNS, and browser settings after import. It’s intended for users who have just installed a sing-box client and aren’t sure what to do next.
1. What to prepare before importing
sing-box is a proxy core. Many everyday users run it through a graphical client, such as sing-box GUI, SFI, or a third-party panel on Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. The interfaces vary, but the basic process is much the same: add a configuration, enable it, select a node, and turn on the proxy.
- Prepare a working node link. Common formats include VLESS, VMess, Trojan, and Hysteria2.
- If you’re using a subscription, it’s usually a URL that starts with http or https.
- If you’re using this site’s free nodes, refer to the latest information shown on the page. If a node stops working, try another one.
- Make sure your phone or computer’s clock is accurate. An incorrect time can cause TLS handshake failures.
2. How to import a sing-box subscription
If you have a subscription link, importing it as a subscription is recommended, since it’s easier to update later. The general steps are as follows:
- Open the sing-box client and go to “Configuration,” “Profiles,” or “Subscriptions.”
- Click “Add,” “Import,” “New Profile,” or a similar button.
- Select “Import from URL” or “Remote Profile.”
- Paste in the subscription link. You can name it “freevpn-x” or choose your own name.
- Save it, then click “Update Subscription” or “Update” and wait for the client to fetch the configuration.
- Return to the home screen, select the imported configuration or node, and click Start.
Once the import succeeds, you’ll usually see a node list, a latency test button, or a connection status. If you get a format error, first check that the link is complete, especially that it starts with https://, and make sure you haven’t copied any extra spaces.
3. How to import a single node manually
If you only have a node share link, such as one that starts with vless:// or trojan://, choose “Import from Clipboard.” Copy the entire node link, open the client’s import menu, and select Clipboard or Paste. Some clients can automatically recognize the clipboard contents and generate the corresponding configuration.
If the client asks you to enter fields such as the server, port, UUID, encryption, or transport, it doesn’t support automatic parsing of that format. Try a client that supports sing-box configuration conversion, or import a subscription instead. If you’re an everyday user, it’s best not to edit the JSON manually—even a missing comma can prevent the configuration from starting.
4. Why check your IP, DNS, and browser settings after importing
A node starting successfully doesn’t guarantee that everything is working properly. After connecting, visit an IP lookup site and confirm that your public IP has changed. Then run a DNS leak test and check whether the DNS server still belongs to your local provider. If DNS traffic is still going through your local provider, you may find that websites won’t load, show the wrong region, or expose your privacy.
Browser settings can also affect the result. For example, Chrome and Edge may have Secure DNS enabled. If your system proxy and browser proxy settings don’t match, you might see “connected” in the app while your browser still uses your local connection. In that case, try turning off Secure DNS in your browser, or enable System Proxy or TUN mode in the client, then reopen the browser and test again.
5. Quick troubleshooting for connection failures
- Subscription won’t update: Check whether your network can access the subscription URL, or try again using a different network.
- Node times out: Try another node in the same subscription. Free nodes may be temporarily unavailable when they’re heavily used.
- Connected, but websites won’t open: Check your DNS settings and try switching to Global or TUN mode.
- Only the browser doesn’t work: Turn off Secure DNS in the browser, restart it, and check for conflicts with other proxy extensions.
In short, the key is to distinguish between a subscription link and a single-node link. Import subscriptions by URL and single nodes from the clipboard. After connecting, check your IP, DNS, and browser settings to confirm that the connection is actually working. If you run into problems, don’t keep changing complex settings. Start by updating the subscription, trying another node, and checking your system proxy and DNS.