What Is a Subscription Link? How to Import One

For v2rayN · v2rayNG · v2flyNG

Subscription URL vs Node Link: What's the Difference

These two concepts trip up beginners the most — here's a table to clear it up:

Subscription URLNode Link
What it looks likeA URL starting with https://A long string starting with vmess://, vless://, trojan://, or ss://
What it containsA batch of nodes (can auto-update)A single node (fixed, never changes)
Where it comes fromProvided by your proxy serviceSelf-hosted server or shared by someone else
Best forDaily use — import once, stays updatedTesting a single node, or self-hosted users
Easy Way to Remember A subscription URL is like a "playlist" — the "songs" (nodes) inside update automatically; a node link is a "single track" — just the one.

How to Import on v2rayN (Windows / macOS / Linux)

Importing a Subscription URL

  1. Copy the full subscription URL your provider gave you.
  2. Open v2rayN and click the top menu "Subscription Groups" → "Subscription Group Settings."
  3. Click "Add": enter any name under "Remarks," paste the subscription URL under "Address (url)," and click OK.
  4. Back on the main screen, click "Subscription Groups" → "Update All Subscriptions (No Proxy)."
  5. Wait a few seconds — once the node list appears, the import succeeded.

Importing a Single Node Link

Copy the full node link, then press Ctrl+V on the v2rayN main screen, or click "Servers" → "Import Bulk URL from Clipboard." You can paste multiple links at once (one per line).

Updating a Subscription

When your provider changes servers, click "Subscription Groups" → "Update All Subscriptions" to fetch the latest nodes. It's a good habit to update your subscription first whenever you can't connect.

How to Import on v2rayNG / v2flyNG (Android)

Importing a Subscription URL

  1. Copy the subscription URL.
  2. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top left → "Subscription Group Settings."
  3. Tap + in the top right: enter anything under "Remarks," paste the URL under "Address (url)," then tap the √ in the top right to save.
  4. Go back to the main screen, tap the three-dot menu in the top right → "Update Subscription."

Importing a Single Node Link

Copy the node link, then on the main screen tap + in the top right → "Import from Clipboard"; if you were given a QR code instead, choose "Scan QR Code."

Subscription FAQ

Subscription update failed / node list is empty

  1. Check the copy is complete: a subscription URL is a single complete link with no spaces or line breaks in the middle — copying it again is the safest fix.
  2. The subscription URL itself is blocked: some subscription URLs need a proxy to reach. If you still have a working node, connect with it first, then choose "Update Subscription (via Proxy)."
  3. The subscription has expired: subscriptions stop working once your service expires — check with your provider to confirm.

Too many nodes after importing — which one should I pick?

Run a batch real-connection latency test (on v2rayN, select nodes and press Ctrl+R; on Android, use "Test All Configs (Real Connection)" in the menu) and pick a node that's both fast and stable.

I switched phones or reinstalled my OS — does my subscription still work?

Yes. A subscription URL can be re-imported any number of times while it's valid, and using it on multiple devices at once is fine too (unless your provider limits the number of devices).

Next up: the complete setup guide · can't connect? see the full troubleshooting guide