1. Choose the Right Client
"V2Ray" isn't a single piece of software — it's a whole protocol and ecosystem, and different devices need different client apps. Picking the wrong one is the most common first mistake beginners make:
Desktop platforms all use v2rayN, with a consistent interface that supports both system proxy and TUN global mode — currently the most popular desktop choice.
Android devices use v2rayNG (or its identical sibling v2flyNG), with logic nearly identical to v2rayN, including subscription imports and TUN mode.
Windows comes in x64/x86/ARM64, macOS in Intel/Apple Silicon, and Android in arm64-v8a/armeabi-v7a — devices from 2018 or later can generally just use the mainstream 64-bit build.
2. Get Ready
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
The client requires some network connectivity — make sure your device has an active internet connection before proceeding.
A subscription link, or at least one node share link/QR code, usually provided by your node provider. The client itself is just a connection tool and doesn't include any nodes.
Don't have a client yet? Head to the download center to get the right build for your device, with direct download links for every platform and architecture.
3. Three Core Steps
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Download & Install the Client
Choose the client for your operating system and install it following the prompts. Unzip the Windows version into a folder with no special characters or spaces and run it directly. If macOS shows "damaged" on first launch, that's normal — see the FAQ for the fix. For Android, download the APK and allow "install from unknown sources" to install.
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Import a Subscription or Node
Open the "Servers" menu, go to subscription settings, paste your subscription link, then return to the main window and click "Update Subscription" to fetch all your nodes with one click. For a single node, import it from a share link on your clipboard or by scanning a QR code — both methods can coexist with subscription nodes.
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Test Speed, Pick a Node, and Connect
Right-click the server list and select "Test All Latency." Once done, double-click the node with the lowest latency (usually shown in green) to connect, then choose "Auto-configure system proxy" from the proxy menu — your browser and most apps will now be able to reach the outside world.
4. How to Verify Your Connection
After the previous step, here's how to confirm the proxy is actually working — not just appearing to be connected:
Once connected, the client icon in the system tray (bottom-right on Windows, top-right on macOS) switches to an active state, usually with a color or style change.
Open an IP lookup site before and after connecting. If the IP address and location shown after enabling the proxy differ from your real network, the proxy is working.
The most direct test: try opening a site you'd normally use to check your network status, or a streaming service you want to unblock. If it loads normally, your entire setup — client, node, and routing — is configured correctly.
The status bar at the bottom of the v2rayN main window shows real-time upload/download rates. If they stay at 0 while browsing, traffic isn't actually going through the proxy.
5. System Proxy vs. TUN Mode: Which Should Beginners Choose?
Once connected, the client typically offers two main modes — "System Proxy" and "TUN Mode." Beginners don't need to overthink this; just remember one simple rule:
Simple to set up and highly compatible — most apps, including your browser, automatically follow the system proxy setting, and it reverts automatically when you quit the client, with almost no impact on other browsing.
Takes over all traffic at the network adapter level, covering command-line tools, some games, and other apps that don't respect the system proxy setting — but requires more configuration and higher system permissions.
In short: start with system proxy for everyday browsing, and switch to TUN mode only if a specific app still can't get online. For a deeper look at routing rules and TUN configuration, see the complete user guide.
6. What's Next
Once you're connected, dive deeper into the client to get even more comfortable using it:
Core and protocol fundamentals, a full interface walkthrough, subscription management, manually adding nodes, routing rule syntax, and TUN mode configuration — everything you need to know in one guide.
Connection failing, slow speeds, or subscription errors? Check the FAQ first — most questions have quick answers there.
FAQ
What do I need before I get started?
You'll need a subscription link or at least one node share link/QR code — the client itself is just a connection tool and doesn't include any nodes; these are usually provided by your node provider.
How do I know if the connection succeeded?
Once connected, the system tray icon switches to an active state. Visit an IP lookup site — if the address shown differs from your real network location, the proxy is working. You can also try opening a site you use to keep an eye on your connection.
Should I use system proxy or TUN mode?
Beginners should start with system proxy — it's simple to set up, compatible with most apps, and reverts automatically when you quit the client. If some apps (command-line tools, games, etc.) don't respect the system proxy setting, switch to TUN mode for global coverage.
What if I don't have any nodes on my first use?
The client itself doesn't provide any nodes — you'll first need to get a subscription link or node share link from your chosen provider, then import it into the client following this guide.
Should I use the same client on my phone and computer?
No. Use v2rayN on desktop (Windows/macOS/Linux) and v2rayNG on Android — the two work almost identically, and the same subscription link can be imported into both devices at once.
Why are there no nodes after importing my subscription?
First confirm the subscription link was copied in full (watch for missing characters or extra spaces), then check whether the subscription has expired or run out of data, and verify your network can actually reach the subscription URL.