Clash FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

No. Clash is only a network proxy tool and rule-based routing engine; it does not provide any network nodes or servers itself. You need to prepare your own proxy nodes (usually provided by service providers) and import them into the client via a subscription link before use.

Clash Verge Rev: A desktop client based on the Tauri framework. It is feature-complete, supporting all advanced features like TUN mode, scripts, and Rule Providers. Suitable for users with some technical background.

FlClash: Built with Flutter, featuring a Material You style. It has a clean interface and a low barrier to entry, making it ideal for beginners seeking ease of use.

Both support the same subscription format, so switching only requires re-importing the subscription link without re-configuration.

The core of Clash (Mihomo Core) is consistent across platforms; the various clients are simply different graphical user interface (GUI) wrappers.

For Windows / macOS / Linux, Clash Verge Rev is recommended; for Android, FlClash; for iOS, Shadowrocket or Stash. All use the same proxy core underneath.

Rule Mode: The default and recommended mode. It intelligently splits traffic based on a rule list—domestic sites are direct for speed, international traffic goes through the proxy, and ad domains are rejected. Best experience.

Global Mode: All traffic goes through the proxy without splitting. This adds unnecessary latency and may affect domestic payment and banking services. Not recommended for daily use.

Direct Mode: All traffic connects directly without going through the proxy. Useful for temporarily disabling the proxy while keeping the client running.

The original author deleted the repository and stopped updates in November 2023. Existing installers still work but will no longer receive security fixes or new features.

Strongly recommended to migrate to Clash Verge Rev; configuration formats are fully compatible. Simply re-import your existing subscription link when migrating.

Normally, the subscription configuration (YAML format) you import from your provider already includes preset routing rules, so no extra action is needed.

If you need custom rules, Clash Verge Rev supports manual configuration updates on the "Subscription" page, or you can enable "Auto Update" in settings (24-hour interval recommended) to have the client periodically pull the latest rule sets.

Windows / macOS: First choice is Clash Verge Rev, modern interface, continuous updates.

Android: FlClash, Material You design, one-click subscription import.

iOS: Shadowrocket (~$2.99), best cost-performance, requires US Apple ID.

Linux: Clash Verge Rev (with desktop GUI) or Mihomo CLI (server / headless environment).

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

For Macs before 2020 with Intel processors, download the x64 version (filename contains x64).

Check the chip model in Apple Menu -> "About This Mac". If unsure, try ARM64 first; switch to x64 if installation fails.

Directly download ARM64—almost all phones released after 2016 are ARM64-v8a architecture.

Only switch to the ARMv7 version (suitable for a few pre-2015 devices) if the installation prompts "App not installed".

Due to Apple policy, proxy apps are not available on the Mainland China App Store, and all iOS Clash-compatible clients are paid.

Currently, there are no feature-complete free iOS clients. Shadowrocket (~$2.99) is the most cost-effective option, offering a lifetime use for a single purchase.

To purchase, you need to prepare a US (or HK) Apple ID. You can buy US iTunes gift cards from e-commerce platforms to top up, no credit card required.

This is a routine Apple Gatekeeper block for non-notarized software. Steps to resolve:

① Double-click .dmg -> Drag to Applications -> Click "OK" to close the popup on first open

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

③ Open the app again to run normally (no need to repeat this thereafter)

Installers on this site are hosted directly on domestic servers, no need to access overseas sites. If still slow, suggested:

① Avoid peak hours (late night has more bandwidth)

② Use multi-threaded download tools like IDM / Motrix

③ If another proxy is available, enable it before downloading

① Open Clash Verge Rev -> Left "Subscription (Profiles)"

② Paste provider subscription link (starts with https://) in the top input box -> Click "Import"

③ Wait for node list to finish downloading -> Click card to set as current config

④ Go to "Proxy" page choose node -> Enable "System Proxy"

① Expired link: Log in to your provider's user center and get the latest subscription link.

② Cannot access subscription address: The subscription server might be blocked. Try importing after connecting via another proxy, or contact your provider to change the subscription domain.

③ Incomplete link: Ensure the link starts with https:// and has no extra spaces or line breaks.

④ Antivirus block: Temporarily disable Windows Defender or third-party security software and try again.

Clash Verge Rev: Click the "Refresh" icon on the card on the "Subscription" page to update manually; or click "Edit" on the card, check "Auto Update", and set the interval (24 hours recommended).

FlClash (Android): Long-press the config card on the "Config" page and select "Update"; you can also enable auto-update in the edit settings.

Shadowrocket (iOS): Click the corresponding subscription on the "Home" page and pull down to refresh, or enter edit mode and click "Update".

① Open FlClash -> Click "Config" on bottom navigation

② Click "+" in top right -> "Import from URL"

③ Paste subscription link, enter name, click "Save"

④ Wait for download -> Click card to activate -> Click bottom start button to enable VPN

① Open Shadowrocket -> Click "+" in top right

② Select Subscribe for "Type"

③ Paste provider subscription link in URL, enter remark name

④ Click "Done" -> Return to home, toggle "Not Connected" switch -> Authorize VPN request

Yes, YAML is a plain text format. Any text editor can open it. VS Code or Notepad++ is recommended for syntax highlighting support, making editing less error-prone.

Note that YAML is indentation-sensitive. Use spaces (not Tab) for indentation, otherwise import errors may occur.

After enabling proxy, visit https://ip.sb or https://whatismyip.com. If the displayed IP is from the node's country/region (USA, Japan, HK, etc.), the proxy is active.

If the IP is still domestic, check: ① if the proxy switch is on; ② if the node is available (speed test on "Proxy" page); ③ try switching to other nodes.

System Proxy: Only proxies apps supporting HTTP/HTTPS/SOCKS (browsers, most GUI software). Command line tools do not go through proxy by default. Simple for daily use.

TUN Mode: Intercepts all system TCP/UDP traffic via a virtual network card; all apps and command line tools pass through the Clash rule engine. Suitable for developers.

Recommendation: Use System Proxy for daily use; enable TUN mode when terminal tools (git, npm, pip) need proxy.

This is a known limitation of System Proxy mode: Terminal tools do not read system proxy settings by default.

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

Alternatively, you can temporarily set proxy environment variables in the terminal (Clash defaults to port 7890):

① Test and Switch: Click "Speed Test" on the "Proxy" page and choose a node with latency below 100ms.

② Use Auto-Select: Select "URLTest (Auto Select)" in the proxy group. Clash periodically tests speed and automatically switches 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 QUIC, these are far superior to traditional TCP nodes in high packet loss environments.

Confirm you are using Rule Mode instead of Global Mode. In Rule Mode, domestic traffic connects directly for speed and does not go through proxy nodes.

If domestic is still slow in Rule Mode, it may be due to an incomplete rule set; check the "DIRECT" group on the "Proxy" page for any domestic domains misassigned there.

This happens when "System Proxy" was not turned off before exiting. Solution:

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

Method 2: Manually clear system proxy—Windows: "Settings -> Network -> Proxy" turn off manual proxy; macOS: "System Settings -> Network -> Proxy" uncheck all.