V2Ray Subscription Setup Guide

If you've already completed the basic setup in our beginner guide, this guide goes deeper into how subscription links work: how to add and update them, manage multiple subscriptions and node groups at once, set up auto-updates to skip the manual work, and manually add a single node when you're not using a subscription. It wraps up with important subscription safety tips.

STEP 01

Understanding What a Subscription Link Is

A subscription link is essentially a URL — when the client requests it, the server returns a batch of encoded node info, typically in a form like https://example.com/api/v1/client/subscribe?token=xxxxxxxx. Its core value is being "updatable": whenever the provider adds, removes, or adjusts nodes on their end, you just click "Update Subscription" once and the client fetches the latest node list — no need to manually replace anything.

In contrast, a single node link (like vmess://..., vless://..., or trojan://...) only contains connection details for one fixed node, with no auto-update capability. If your provider only gives you a single-node link, you can still import and use it directly — see Step 5 of this guide for how.

STEP 02

Add and Update a Subscription

The menu location differs between desktop and mobile clients, but the overall flow is the same: "enter the URL → save → update":

Desktop (v2rayN)

  1. Open "Subscriptions" → "Subscription Settings" in the top menu to bring up the subscription manager.
  2. Click the + button in the bottom-left to add a new entry, then fill in the "Remark" and "Address" fields.
  3. Make sure "Enabled" is checked, then click Save and close the window.
  4. Back on the main screen, click "Subscriptions" → "Update Subscriptions" (or use the corresponding shortcut).
  5. Wait for the status bar to show the update is complete — the node list will refresh automatically.

Mobile (v2rayNG / v2flyNG)

  1. Copy the subscription URL to your clipboard, or have the QR code ready.
  2. Open the client and go to the "Subscription Groups" management page.
  3. Tap the add button in the top-right and choose "Import from Clipboard" or "Scan QR Code."
  4. Confirm the subscription name and save, then return to the main screen.
  5. Pull down on the node list or tap the refresh icon to trigger an update.
If the node list is empty right after adding a subscription, it's usually just because you haven't tapped "Update" yet — do that once and the nodes will appear.
STEP 03

Manage Multiple Subscriptions and Node Groups

If you have subscriptions from multiple providers, or one provider gives you several different subscription URLs for different routes, you can just repeat the steps above for each one — the client automatically groups nodes by subscription so they don't get mixed up. You can update, disable, or delete any single subscription at any time without affecting the others.

If you have a lot of nodes, it helps to give each subscription a clear remark (e.g. naming it after the provider or plan) so you can quickly tell where a node came from when switching. Some clients also let you hide or show nodes in bulk by group, or auto-sort by latency — using these features makes long-term use much easier.

STEP 04

Set Up Auto-Updates

If you don't want to click Update manually every time, turn on the auto-update option in "Subscription Settings" and set an update interval (e.g. every 24 hours, or once every time the client launches). Once enabled, the client will request the subscription URL in the background on that schedule, keeping your node list current automatically.

Auto-updates rely on your network being able to reach the subscription URL directly. If that URL itself requires a proxy to access, auto-updates may fail silently, so it's a good idea to check in manually every once in a while.
STEP 05

Add a Single Node Manually

If you don't have a subscription link yet and only have a single-node share link (vmess://..., vless://..., trojan://..., etc.) or its QR code, you can skip the subscription process and add it manually instead:

Desktop (v2rayN)

  1. Copy the node's share link to your clipboard.
  2. From the main menu, choose "Servers" → "Import Bulk URL from Clipboard."
  3. The client will parse it automatically and add the node to your list.

Mobile (v2rayNG / v2flyNG)

  1. Tap the + add button in the top-right of the main screen.
  2. Choose "Import from Clipboard" or "Scan QR Code / Image."
  3. Once confirmed, the node appears directly in the main list — no grouping needed.
STEP 06

Subscription Safety Tips

Subscription links usually carry a token that identifies your account — anyone who has the link can access the traffic tied to it, so treat it like a password. Don't share it with others, don't paste it directly into group chats, forums, or social media, and make sure to blur out the sensitive parameters if you ever post a screenshot.

If you suspect your subscription link has been leaked, contact your provider as soon as possible to reset or rotate it, so no one else can use up your quota or get your account restricted.

Further Reading: FAQ
FAQ

FAQ

The most frequently asked questions about adding, updating, and managing subscriptions.

Q1What's the difference between a subscription link and a node link?

A subscription link is a URL that aggregates multiple nodes and updates automatically; a node link (like vmess://, vless://, trojan://) only contains info for a single fixed node, and needs to be manually replaced whenever the provider changes it. Subscription links are recommended for everyday use — they're much less hassle to manage.

Q2What if I get a network error when updating my subscription?

Some subscription URLs can only be reached through a proxy. Try connecting to an existing working node and enabling the system proxy first, then update the new subscription. Also check that the subscription URL was entered in full and that your current network can reach that domain directly.

Q3Can I add multiple subscriptions at once?

Yes — the client supports adding and managing multiple subscription URLs at the same time. Nodes under each subscription are shown in separate groups without interfering with each other, and you can update or delete any single subscription independently at any time.

Q4Does the number of nodes in a subscription change automatically?

Yes. The node list behind a subscription link is maintained by the provider — every time you update, the client fetches the latest data, so the number, names, and routes of nodes may change. This is exactly the advantage a subscription link has over a single node link.

Q5What should I do if my subscription link is leaked?

Subscription links usually contain an identity token, so if it's leaked, someone else could use up your quota. Contact your provider as soon as possible to reset the subscription URL or rotate the token, and avoid sharing or posting screenshots of the link publicly.
Next Step

Still Having Connection Issues?

If your setup looks correct but you still can't connect, check the FAQ on the home page first.

View FAQ Back to the Beginner Guide