Frequently Asked Questions

No. Clash is just a proxy tool and rule-based routing engine. It does not provide network nodes or servers. You need to obtain proxy nodes (usually from a service provider) and import them via a subscription link.

Clash Verge Rev: A desktop client based on Tauri. Full-featured, supporting all advanced features like TUN, scripts, and Rule Providers. Ideal for experienced users.

FlClash: Built with Flutter, featuring Material You style. Simple interface and easy for beginners.

Both support the same subscription format; you can switch between them easily by re-importing your link.

The core (Mihomo Core) is consistent across platforms; clients are just different graphical interfaces (GUIs).

We recommend Clash Verge Rev for Win/Mac/Linux, FlClash for Android, and Shadowrocket or Stash for iOS. They all use the same underlying proxy core.

Rule Mode: Default recommended mode. Smartly routes traffic – local sites connect directly for speed, international traffic uses proxy, and ads are blocked.

Global Mode: All traffic goes through the proxy without splitting. Adds unnecessary latency and may affect local payments or banking. Not recommended for daily use.

Direct Mode: All traffic connects directly without a proxy. Useful for keeping the client running while bypassing the proxy.

The author stopped updates in Nov 2023. It still works but won't receive security fixes or new features.

Highly recommended to migrate to Clash Verge Rev. Config formats are fully compatible; just re-import your subscription link.

Typically, your imported subscription config (YAML) already includes preset routing rules.

For custom rules, Clash Verge Rev allows manual updates in "Profiles" or enabling "Auto-Update" (24h recommended) to regularly pull the latest rule sets.

Windows / macOS: Clash Verge Rev is the best choice – modern and actively updated.

Android: FlClash for its Material You design and easy import.

iOS: Shadowrocket (~$2.99) offers the best value. Requires a US Apple ID.

Linux: Clash Verge Rev (GUI) or Mihomo CLI (Server/No-GUI).

For Macs released after late 2020 with Apple Silicon (M-series), download the ARM64 version (filename contains arm64).

For pre-2020 Intel Macs, download the x64 version (filename contains x64).

Check your chip in "About This Mac". If unsure, try ARM64 first; if it fails, try x64.

Download ARM64 – almost all phones since 2016 are ARM64-v8a.

Only use ARMv7 if the installer says "App not installed" (only for some pre-2015 devices).

Due to Apple's policies, proxy apps are not available in the Mainland store. All reputable Clash clients on iOS are paid.

There are no reputable full-featured free iOS clients. Shadowrocket (~$2.99) offers the best value.

Requires a US or HK Apple ID. You can use a Gift Card to pay if you don't have a US credit card.

This is standard Apple Gatekeeper behavior for un-notarized software. Steps to fix:

① Double-click DMG → Drag to Applications → Click "OK" on the first warning.

② Go to "System Settings → Privacy & Security", find the prompt for Clash Verge Rev, and click "Open Anyway".

③ Open again; it will work from now on.

Installers are hosted on local servers, no international access needed. If still slow:

① Avoid peak hours (late night is usually better).

② Use multi-threaded tools like IDM or Motrix.

③ If you have a working proxy, enable it before downloading.

① Open Clash Verge Rev → "Profiles" on the left.

② Paste your subscription link (starting with https://) and click "Import".

③ Wait for download, then click the profile card to activate it.

④ Go to "Proxy", select a node, and enable "System Proxy".

① Expired Link: Get a fresh link from your service provider dashboard.

② Access Issues: The subscription server may be blocked. Try importing while using another proxy, or ask for a different domain.

③ Incomplete Link: Ensure it starts with https:// and has no trailing spaces.

④ Antivirus: Temporarily disable Windows Defender or other security software and retry.

Clash Verge Rev: In "Profiles", tap the "Refresh" icon on the card; or enable "Auto-Update" in edit mode (24h recommended).

FlClash (Android): Long-press the card in "Config" and select "Update"; or enable auto-update in edit mode.

Shadowrocket (iOS): Tap the subscription on the Home screen and pull down to refresh, or tap "Update" in edit mode.

① Open FlClash → Tap "Config" at the bottom.

② Tap "+" → "Import from URL".

③ Paste your link, enter a name, and tap "Save".

④ Wait for download, then tap the card to activate and tap start to enable VPN.

① Open Shadowrocket → Tap "+" in the top right.

② Select Type: Subscribe.

③ Paste the URL and enter a name.

④ Tap "Done", then toggle the home switch and authorize the VPN request.

Yes, YAML is plain text. We recommend VS Code or Notepad++ for syntax highlighting, which helps avoid errors.

Note: YAML is indentation-sensitive. Use spaces, not Tabs, or you'll get formatting errors.

After enabling the proxy, visit https://ip.sb or https://whatismyip.com. If the IP region matches your node, the proxy is active.

If it still shows your local IP: ① Check if proxy switch is ON; ② Verify node status in "Proxy"; ③ Try a different node.

System Proxy: Only handles apps supporting HTTP/HTTPS/SOCKS (browsers, most GUI apps). CLI tools will not be proxied. Easy to set up for general use.

TUN Mode: A virtual network card intercepts all TCP/UDP traffic. All apps and terminal tools follow Clash rules. Best for developers.

Recommendation: Use System Proxy for daily tasks; enable TUN Mode for terminal tools (git, npm, pip).

This is a known limitation of System Proxy: CLI tools don't read system proxy settings by default.

Solution: Enable TUN Mode in Clash Verge Rev settings to intercept all system traffic, allowing terminal tools to use the proxy automatically.

You can also set temporary proxy environment variables in the terminal (default port 7890):

① Speed Test & Switch Node: Run a speed test in the "Proxy" page and select a node with latency below 100ms.

② Auto-Optimization: Choose the "URLTest" strategy in proxy groups. Clash will periodically test speeds and switch to the lowest latency node.

③ Change Node Region: Try nodes in nearby regions like Hong Kong, Japan, or Singapore for lower latency.

④ Try Hysteria 2 Nodes: Based on the QUIC protocol, these are significantly faster than traditional TCP nodes in high packet loss environments.

Ensure you are using Rule Mode instead of Global mode. In Rule mode, local traffic connects directly, bypassing the proxy nodes without affecting speed.

If local sites are still slow in Rule mode, your rule set might be incomplete, causing some local traffic to be proxied. Check the "DIRECT" group in the "Proxy" page for any local domains incorrectly assigned there.

This happens when "System Proxy" is not turned off before closing the client. Solutions:

Method 1 (Recommended): Reopen Clash Verge Rev, turn off the "System Proxy" switch, and then quit the application.

Method 2: Manually clear system proxy settings. On Windows, go to "Settings → Network → Proxy" and turn off manual settings. On macOS, uncheck proxy options in "System Settings → Network → Proxy".