This article solves the problem of “how to import nodes into sing-box”: it is suitable for users who have just installed a sing-box client and received free nodes or a subscription link but do not know how to configure them. We will clearly explain subscription import, single-node import, and why IP, DNS, and the browser environment can affect access results after connecting.
1. First, confirm what you have before importing
sing-box itself is a proxy core, and different client interfaces vary slightly. For example, on Android, Windows, and iOS, it may be called sing-box, SFI, NekoBox/sing-box core, and so on. Before importing nodes, first determine which type of content you have:
- Subscription link: usually a URL beginning with https, which may display a string of configuration content when opened.
- Single node link: commonly vless://, vmess://, trojan://, hysteria2://, etc.
- JSON configuration: a complete sing-box configuration file containing fields such as outbounds, route, and dns.
The free node page on this site usually provides subscriptions or node links. When copying, be careful not to include extra spaces, line breaks, or Chinese instructions.
2. General steps for importing a subscription into sing-box
The button names may differ slightly across clients, but the process is basically the same. Using a common graphical client as an example:
- Open the sing-box client and go to the “Configuration,” “Profiles,” “Subscriptions,” or “Configuration Files” page.
- Click “Add,” “+,” “Import,” or “Import from URL.”
- Paste the subscription link, and name it “freevpn节点” or another name that is easy to recognize.
- Click save, then run “Update Subscription” or “Update.”
- Return to the home page and select the configuration or node group you just imported.
- Click Start, Connect, or turn on the VPN switch.
If what you have is a single vless:// link or similar, generally choose “Import from Clipboard.” If the client only supports complete JSON, you will need to use a subscription format that supports conversion, or switch to a sing-box graphical client that supports importing share links.
3. How to confirm it is working after connecting
A successful import does not necessarily mean traffic is already going through the proxy. After connecting, it is recommended to do three things: first, open an IP lookup website to confirm whether the outbound IP has changed; second, visit the target website to test whether it opens; third, check the client logs for messages such as error, timeout, or dns failed.
One important thing to note here is that IP, DNS, and the browser environment are three different things. IP represents your outbound network location; DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into addresses; the browser environment includes information such as cache, cookies, language, time zone, and WebRTC. Even if the node is connected, if DNS is still going through the local network, you may see situations where “the IP changed but some websites still will not open”; if the browser has cached the old state, it may also display abnormal results.
4. Common reasons for failure and troubleshooting
- Subscription cannot be updated: check whether the link has expired, whether you need to enable a proxy first to access it, and whether it was copied completely.
- It connects but web pages will not open: switch nodes, or enable system proxy/VPN mode in the client.
- DNS errors: try switching the client’s built-in DNS settings, or restart the client and test again.
- The browser still shows the original region: clear the cache, disable settings related to WebRTC leaks, or test in an incognito window.
- Only some apps work: confirm whether the current mode is global proxy, rule-based proxy, or browser-only proxy.
If the logs show authentication failed, the node information has most likely expired; if it is timeout, the network may be unreachable or the node may be temporarily unavailable. The stability of free nodes can fluctuate, so it is recommended to keep multiple backup nodes available.
5. Usage suggestions
Beginners should prioritize importing via subscription and avoid manually editing JSON unless necessary; after each node update, test the IP first and then test web pages; when problems arise, check the logs first instead of repeatedly changing the configuration at random. Once you understand the differences between nodes, subscriptions, IP, DNS, and the browser environment, importing into and troubleshooting sing-box becomes much simpler.