This guide explains how to add a subscription in v2rayNG, and why the same subscription may behave differently on different phones: access results depend not only on the nodes themselves, but also on your IP, DNS, and browser environment. It’s intended for Android users who are new to v2rayNG and want to follow the steps.
1. Basic steps for adding a v2rayNG subscription
A subscription is usually a link starting with https that contains information for multiple VLESS, VMess, Trojan, and other nodes. You can use a subscription you already have, or copy an available subscription from the free nodes page on this site to test it.
- Install v2rayNG on your Android phone. We recommend downloading it from a trusted app store or the project’s release page.
- Open v2rayNG and tap the “+” or menu button in the top-right corner.
- Select “Subscription settings” or “Subscription group setting.”
- Tap the “+” in the top-right corner and enter a name in the “Remarks” field, such as “freevpn-x test.”
- Paste the subscription link into the “Address” field, making sure it contains no spaces, line breaks, or extra characters.
- Save your changes and return to the main screen. Open the menu and tap “Update subscription.”
- When the update is complete, the list will show multiple nodes. Select one, then tap the connect button in the bottom-right corner.
If parsing fails, first check that the subscription link is complete. If it imports successfully but won’t connect, continue with the troubleshooting steps below.
2. How to check your IP, DNS, and browser environment before and after connecting
Successfully adding a subscription doesn’t necessarily mean your browsing environment is working properly. After connecting, open an IP lookup site to confirm that your public IP has changed. If it hasn’t, the VPN probably isn’t routing your traffic, or another proxy tool may be enabled on your device.
DNS is also important. Some websites use DNS results to determine your region, so you may be able to connect to a node but still be unable to open certain pages. In v2rayNG, go to “Settings” and check whether a routing mode such as “Bypass LAN and mainland addresses” is enabled. Most users can leave the default settings or test in global mode, then switch back to rule-based mode once everything works.
Your browser environment can also affect the results. For example, browser cache, cookies, account region, and WebRTC leaks may cause a site to keep identifying your old environment. When testing, try an incognito window or a clean browser to avoid mistaking a browser issue for a subscription problem.
3. Common reasons a subscription fails to import
- Expired subscription link: Free nodes are updated frequently, so an old link may no longer work. Copy a currently available link again.
- Unable to access the subscription address over your network: Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, then try again.
- Incorrectly pasted link: There may be extra spaces at either end, or only part of the link may have been copied.
- Outdated client version: Older versions may not support newer protocol fields. Update v2rayNG and import the link again.
- System proxy conflict: Other VPNs, accelerators, or ad-blocking tools running at the same time may cause connection issues.
4. What to do if you can connect but can’t open web pages
First, long-press the node and run “Test real connection,” or switch to another node. If only certain sites won’t open, try switching to global mode. If no sites will open, check whether Android has prompted you to grant VPN permission and whether v2rayNG’s main screen shows that you’re connected. You can also restart the client, clear your browser’s DNS cache, or turn off Private DNS and try again.
In short, adding a v2rayNG subscription comes down to “copy the subscription link—add a subscription group—update the subscription—select a node and connect.” After connecting, check whether your IP has changed, whether DNS is working properly, and whether your browser environment is clean to troubleshoot most issues.