This article explains how to import nodes into sing-box. It’s for users who have just installed a sing-box client and aren’t sure what to do with a free node or subscription link. Using common GUI clients as examples, we’ll cover importing subscriptions and individual nodes, checking the connection, and how it relates to your IP, DNS, and browser setup.
1. What to prepare before importing
sing-box is a general-purpose proxy core, and many clients provide a user interface built around it. Before you begin, prepare three things: a client, node details, and a network connection. Nodes usually come in one of two forms: a subscription link or an individual share link or JSON configuration. This site collects free nodes for testing. Before using one, copy the complete link to avoid import failures caused by missing characters.
- Client: Any common sing-box GUI client for Windows, macOS, or Android.
- Node: A format such as VLESS, VMess, Trojan, or Shadowsocks, supported by your client.
- Subscription: Usually a URL beginning with https:// that lets you import multiple nodes at once.
2. How to import subscription nodes into sing-box
If you have a subscription link, importing it as a subscription is recommended because it’s easier to update later.
- Open the sing-box client and go to the “Configuration,” “Subscription,” or “Profiles” page.
- Click “Add Subscription,” “New Subscription,” or “Import from URL.”
- Paste the subscription link. For the name, enter “freevpn-x Free Nodes” or choose a name of your own.
- Save it, then click “Update Subscription” and wait for the client to retrieve the node list.
- Return to the nodes page, select a node, and click Connect or set it as the active configuration.
- Open a browser and visit an IP lookup site to check whether your exit IP has changed.
If the subscription is empty or fails to parse, first make sure the link is complete. Then check that the date and time on your phone or computer are correct. You can also try switching networks, for example, from Wi-Fi to a mobile hotspot.
3. How to import an individual node manually
If you only have a single vmess://, vless://, trojan://, or ss:// link, choose “Import from Clipboard.” Copy the node link, return to the client, and click Import. Some sing-box clients don’t support every share-link format. If that’s the case, try importing it into a Clash-based tool first and converting it, or switch to a sing-box GUI client that supports the protocol.
After importing a node manually, check that the node name, server address, port, UUID/password, transport, and TLS settings were recognized correctly. Don’t change these fields without a reason—especially TLS, Reality, and WebSocket path settings, as incorrect values will prevent the connection from working.
4. How importing a node relates to your IP, DNS, and browser setup
Successfully importing a node doesn’t mean all your traffic will go through the proxy. After connecting, the exit IP you see depends on whether the client has system proxy or TUN mode enabled, or is only proxying your browser. If only browser proxying is enabled, other apps may still use your local network.
DNS can also affect your experience. A common issue is that your IP has changed, but a website still shows your original region. This may be caused by DNS or browser cache, or by your account’s region settings. Try clearing your browser cache, closing and reopening the client, or enabling remote DNS or DNS leak protection in the client. Most users don’t need to dig into complex rules; just make sure the system proxy is enabled and the current configuration is active.
5. Quick troubleshooting for connection failures
- Subscription won’t update: Check whether the link has expired and whether your network can reach the subscription URL.
- Node times out: Try another node. Free nodes may be temporarily unavailable.
- Connected, but webpages won’t load: Check whether your browser is using a different proxy extension.
- IP hasn’t changed: Make sure the client shows “Connected” and that system proxy or TUN mode is enabled.
- Only some websites have issues: Try switching to Global mode to rule out routing rules as the cause.
In short, the key to importing nodes into sing-box is to import subscriptions by URL and individual nodes from the clipboard. Once connected, check your IP, DNS, and browser proxy settings. Following these steps will help you identify the cause of most import and connection issues.