V2Ray Subscription Import Guide: Add Subscription URLs in v2rayN and v2rayNG

Subscription URLs vs. single-node links

A subscription URL is usually a web address that starts with https://. The client fetches it to retrieve a list of nodes. A single-node share link usually starts with vmess://, vless://, or trojan:// and contains the details for one node. Use the right import option for each: enter a subscription URL in a group's address field, or import a single-node link from the clipboard.

A link opening in a browser does not necessarily mean it is a subscription. Login pages, plan management pages, and download pages can also use HTTPS but return a web page. Copy the full URL from the provider's clearly labeled subscription section, including everything after the question mark. Those query parameters may contain authorization details; removing them can make updates fail.

v2rayN: Save the URL in a subscription group, then update

On desktop, save the subscription URL and fetch the nodes as two separate steps. These instructions use common Chinese-language UI labels; punctuation and button names may vary by version. Look for the subscription group settings and update-current-subscription actions rather than changing other settings to match a label exactly.

1. Open the group settings. In the main window, go to “Subscription Group” → “Subscription Group Settings” and add a group. If the toolbar has a group management button, it opens the same window.
2. Enter a label and URL. Use a label that helps identify the source, such as “Daily subscription,” then paste the full subscription URL into the address field. Make sure there are no spaces, quotation marks, or extra text from a messaging app at either end.
3. Save the group. Make sure the group is enabled. If the interface offers an automatic update interval, keep the current setting for the first import and adjust the schedule after a manual update succeeds.
4. Run an update. Select the group you just created, then use the Subscription Group menu to update the current subscription. If you see options to update with or without a proxy, try without a proxy first if no usable node is available yet.
5. Check the group results. Look for fetch or parsing errors in the log at the bottom, then check whether the group contains nodes. Don't rely on the “All” list alone, or you might mistake old nodes for the results of this import.
6. Select a node and test the connection. Set the node you want as the active server, confirm the core is running, and enable the system proxy if needed. A successful subscription update does not mean your browser is already using that node.

Nodes in a subscription group are managed by the subscription source. An update may overwrite manually changed names or connection settings. Save custom nodes you need to keep in a separate, non-subscription group. Subscription groups are for syncing with a source, not for storing the only copy of your manual configurations.

v2rayNG: Add the subscription, update it, then connect

Android v2rayNG uses the Xray core, but importing a subscription is a client management task—you don't need to edit the core JSON first. The menu is usually in the upper-left navigation drawer or the upper-right overflow menu. Its location varies by version, so follow the function names below.

1. Open the subscription settings. Find “Subscription Group Settings” in the main menu; some versions call it “Subscription Settings.” Tap the add button to create a subscription entry.
2. Enter a label and subscription URL. Paste the full address into the URL field. The label is for local identification only; it does not replace the URL or determine the node protocol. Save, then return to the main screen.
3. Update the subscription. Choose “Update subscription” from the menu. If separate options are available to update with or without a proxy, choose based on whether the subscription source is reachable on your current network. If you don't have a working connection yet, try without a proxy first.
4. Check the current group. After the update, open the corresponding group and check its nodes. If the main screen has search or filter settings, clear them first in case imported nodes are hidden.
5. Select a node and connect. Tap a node, then tap the connect button. The first time you connect, Android may ask you to approve VPN access. Grant permission before testing web access.

QR codes also need to be distinguished by content: a code may contain a single-node link or a subscription URL. Scanning a node and seeing it in the list does not mean the client has saved a subscription source. To enable future updates, check that the corresponding URL is listed in the subscription settings.

• Import complete: The client recognizes the node settings and displays an entry.
• Connection started: The core is running and the system has granted the required network permissions.
• Access working: Traffic is following the expected route, and the node, name resolution, and remote service are all available.

These are three separate states. If a node appears but won't connect, check the connection log rather than repeatedly adding the same subscription.

Base64 subscriptions vs. configuration JSON: different content, different import options

A common Base64 subscription is a text list of single-node share links encoded in Base64. The client fetches the URL, decodes the content, and parses the links one by one. Base64 is an encoding, not encryption. Sharing the subscription contents can still expose node credentials.

VMess share links commonly encode node settings as JSON, while VLESS links often include the address, port, and transport settings in the URI. Neither is a complete V2Ray configuration file. Don't remove ?, &, or # from a link without a reason: query parameters may specify transport and security settings, while the fragment is often used as a node label. Understand what each field does before editing it.

Subscription update failed? Check network access, authorization, and parsing

When troubleshooting, start with the log for the update request rather than the node's latency. Fetching a subscription uses a different network path from connecting to a node. These HTTP status codes can help identify the server response, though the client may not display the code directly; check the log messages as well.

A 200 response means the HTTP request succeeded, not that the response contains a parseable node list. The site may have returned a verification page instead. For 401 or 403 errors, check your account status, subscription token, and access restrictions rather than repeatedly switching nodes. For timeouts, DNS failures, and certificate errors, check the network route, DNS settings, and device clock respectively.

Use one subscription on desktop and Android: sync the source, not local settings

You can save the same subscription in v2rayN and v2rayNG, but multi-device access depends on the provider's authorization rules and device limits. Update each client separately: a recent update on your computer won't automatically sync the list to your phone. Results can differ even with the same source because requests happen at different times, output formats vary, or protocol support differs.

Treat the subscription URL like an account credential. Hide the full address, token, and node authentication fields in screenshots, and don't paste subscriptions into public online decoding tools. If the URL is exposed, reset the subscription token in your provider account, replace the old URL in both clients, and update. Deleting a local group only removes its record from that device; it does not invalidate an exposed URL.