This article covers how to add a v2rayNG subscription on an Android phone, update it, and why you should check your IP, DNS, and browser environment after connecting. It’s intended for everyday users who have just received a subscription link or copied one from our free nodes page.
1. Add a v2rayNG subscription
- Install v2rayNG first. We recommend downloading it from a trusted app store or the project’s release page. Avoid modified versions from unknown sources.
- Open v2rayNG, tap “+” in the upper-right corner, and select “Subscription settings.” The menu may be called “Subscription group setting” in some versions.
- Tap “+” in the upper-right corner and enter an easy-to-recognize name in the “Remark” field, such as “freevpn-x nodes.”
- Paste the subscription link into the “Address” field. Make sure you haven’t copied any extra spaces, line breaks, or Chinese punctuation.
- Save your changes and return to the main screen. Tap the menu in the upper-right corner and select “Update subscription.” Wait for the nodes to appear in the list.
- Select a node and tap the circular button in the lower-right corner to connect. The first time you use the app, you’ll need to grant VPN permission.
If you have a single vmess, vless, or trojan link, you can also import it from the clipboard or scan a QR code. For regular use, however, subscriptions are more convenient: you only need to update them when the available nodes change.
2. What to do if you can’t add a subscription
- “Invalid subscription” message: First check that the link opens in a browser and isn’t a webpage URL, an expired short-link page, or a page that requires you to sign in.
- No nodes appear after updating: Check whether the subscription content is empty, or switch networks and try again—for example, switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
- The subscription imports, but you can’t connect: Try another node, make sure your phone’s time is set to update automatically, and check that no other system proxy or VPN app is running at the same time.
- QR code import fails: Increase your screen brightness or copy the subscription URL and add it manually.
3. Why check your IP, DNS, and browser environment
A “Connected” status in v2rayNG doesn’t necessarily mean all your traffic is going through the proxy as expected. After connecting, visit an IP lookup site to confirm that your public IP has changed. Then run a DNS leak test to see whether your DNS server still reveals your local carrier. If your IP has changed but your DNS is still local, you may need to adjust the routing or DNS settings in v2rayNG, or your system’s Private DNS setting. If you’re an everyday user, try turning off “Private DNS” first, then test again.
Your browser environment can also affect the results. Some websites can access information such as your language, time zone, WebRTC settings, and local cache. If your IP has changed but a website still shows your old region, try clearing your browser cache, disabling settings that could cause WebRTC leaks, or reopening the site in a private window. Avoid switching between regions frequently on the same account, as this may trigger security checks.
4. Tips for using subscriptions
Subscription nodes may stop working when network conditions change. If you run into trouble, troubleshoot in this order: update the subscription, switch nodes, check your IP and DNS, then restart v2rayNG. We maintain a list of available free nodes and import guides, but free resources may not always be reliable. We recommend keeping several backup subscriptions so you can switch when needed.