Complete Guide · Step-by-Step · Continuously Updated

Clash Installation & Usage Guide

From downloading and installation to subscription configuration and enabling proxy. Full platform step-by-step guide; beginners can complete setup in 5 minutes.

Windows macOS Android iOS Linux

Three Steps to Get Started with Clash

No technical background required; just follow these three steps to complete the configuration.

01

Download and Install the Client

Choose the version corresponding to your operating system and double-click the installer to complete the installation. Recommended clients for each platform: Clash Verge Rev for Windows, Clash Verge Rev or ClashX Meta for Mac, and Clash Meta for Android for Android.

Go to Download Page
02

Import Subscription Configuration

Obtain a Clash-format subscription link from your proxy provider. Paste it into the "Subscription Management" or "Profiles" page of the client and download. Node information will be imported automatically, eliminating the need to add individual nodes manually.

View Import Tutorials for All Platforms
03

Enable Proxy and Surf the Web

Select a suitable proxy node or strategy group and turn on the "System Proxy" switch to enjoy a stable, high-speed connection. We recommend using "Rule" mode, which allows direct connection for local traffic without affecting internet speed.

Learn About Proxy Modes
Prerequisites:The Clash client itself does not provide proxy nodes. You need to purchase a subscription from a proxy provider (airport) beforehand and then follow the tutorial below after obtaining the subscription link. The Clash client itself is permanently free.

Detailed Installation Tutorials for Each Platform

Select your operating system to view the corresponding step-by-step installation and configuration guide.

Recommended Client
Clash Verge Rev Based on Mihomo Core · Feature-Rich · Community Maintained
Go to Download
1

Download Clash Verge Rev Installer

Go to the download page and select Clash Verge Rev (recommended) under the Windows tab:

  • x64 Version: Suitable for the vast majority of 64-bit Windows PCs (Windows 10/11) equipped with Intel or AMD processors.
  • ARM64 Version: Suitable for Windows devices equipped with Snapdragon processors (such as some Surface and Samsung Galaxy Book models).
If you are unsure of the architecture, right-click "This PC" → "Properties" → "System type" to check. Most Windows PCs should choose x64.
2

Run the Installer

Double-click the downloaded .exe installer and follow the setup wizard prompts to complete the installation. Once finished, Clash Verge Rev will appear on your desktop and in the Start menu.

If Windows Defender or your antivirus software displays a warning, select "Run anyway." Clash Verge Rev is open-source software with transparent code, which you can verify on GitHub.
3

Open Clash Verge Rev and Enter Subscription Management

After the initial launch, click the "Subscription" (Profiles) tab in the left menu to enter the subscription management interface.

4

Import Subscription Link

Copy the Clash subscription link you obtained from your proxy provider. In the subscription management interface:

  1. Click the "New" or "+ Add Subscription" button in the top right corner.
  2. Paste the subscription link into the URL input field in the pop-up box.
  3. (Optional) Fill in a configuration name for easy identification.
  4. Click "Confirm" or "Import" and wait for the subscription download to complete.
  5. Once downloaded, click on the configuration to set it as the currently active profile.
Subscription link formats usually start with https:// and are provided by proxy providers. Since formats vary by provider, please ensure you have obtained a Clash-format subscription link.
5

Select Proxy Node and Enable System Proxy

After the subscription is successfully imported:

  1. Click the "Proxy" tab on the left to view all available nodes.
  2. Select a node with low latency (you can click "Speed Test" to test the latency of each node).
  3. Return to the main interface, find the "System Proxy" switch, and turn it on (it will turn blue/orange when enabled).
  4. We recommend selecting "Rule" for the proxy mode, where local traffic connects directly and international traffic goes through the proxy.
After enabling the system proxy, open your browser and visit Google or YouTube to verify it's working. If you can access them normally, the configuration was successful!

Other Available Clients for Windows

FlClash Lightweight & Cross-Platform · Flutter Framework · Simple UI
Download
Clash Nyanpasu Personalized Interface · Advanced Scripting Features
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Clash for Windows Classic Version · Broad Compatibility
Download
Recommended Client
Clash Verge Rev Native macOS Support · Apple Silicon & Intel Dual Architecture
Go to Download
1

Select the Correct Version and Download the DMG File

Go to the download page, select Clash Verge Rev under the macOS tab, and download the version corresponding to your Mac's chip type:

  • Apple Silicon (arm64): For Macs equipped with M1 / M2 / M3 / M4 chips.
  • Intel (x64): For older Macs equipped with Intel processors.
Unsure of your chip type? Click the Apple icon in the top left corner → "About This Mac" and check the "Chip" or "Processor" line. If it shows "Apple M1/M2/M3/M4," choose the Apple Silicon version.
2

Install the App and Handle Security Prompts

Double-click the downloaded .dmg file and drag the app icon into the Applications folder to complete the installation.

When opening it for the first time, macOS may prompt that it "cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer." Follow these steps:

  1. Open "System Settings" → "Privacy & Security."
  2. Find the security prompt at the bottom of the page and click "Open Anyway."
  3. In the confirmation dialog, click "Open" again.
This is a macOS Gatekeeper security mechanism, not a virus. You can also run the xattr -cr /Applications/Clash\ Verge.app command in the Terminal to remove the restriction.
3

Import Subscription Link

Open Clash Verge Rev and click the "Subscription" tab in the left menu:

  1. Click the "New" button in the top right corner.
  2. Paste your Clash-format subscription link into the URL input field.
  3. Click "Confirm" and wait for the subscription configuration download to complete.
  4. Click on the downloaded configuration to activate it as the currently active profile.
4

Enable System Proxy and Select a Node

  1. Click the "Proxy" tab on the left and select a node with low latency.
  2. Return to the main interface and turn on the "System Proxy" switch.
  3. Select "Rule" for the proxy mode so that local access remains unaffected.
Once enabled, you can visit Google in Safari or Chrome to verify it's working. If you need to proxy all traffic (including within apps), you can enable TUN Mode (requires authorization to install Helper).

Other Available Clients for macOS

FlClash Lightweight & Cross-Platform · Apple Silicon & Intel
Download
ClashX Meta Menu Bar Client · Classic & Lightweight · Low Resource Usage
Download
ClashX Meta Tutorial: After downloading the ZIP, extract it and move ClashX Meta.app into the Applications folder. The first launch also requires authorization in "Privacy & Security." Once opened, the Clash icon will appear in the top menu bar. Click the icon → "Config" → "Remote Config" → enter the subscription link and update, then click "Set as System Proxy" to enable the proxy.
Recommended Client
Clash Meta for Android Mihomo Kernel · Feature-Rich · TUN Global Proxy
Go to Download
1

Download the APK Installer

Go to the download page and select Clash Meta for Android (recommended) under the Android tab:

  • arm64-v8a: For the vast majority of Android phones released after 2015 (64-bit ARM architecture).
  • armeabi-v7a: For older 32-bit Android devices.
  • Universal: Choose this version if you are unsure of the architecture; it has a larger file size but is compatible with all devices.
Almost all Android phones released in recent years are 64-bit; we recommend downloading the arm64-v8a version directly.
2

Allow Installation of Apps from Unknown Sources

Since the APK is not from Google Play, you must enable the "Allow installation of apps from unknown sources" permission before installing:

  • Android 8.0+: "Settings" → "Apps" → "Special app access" → "Install unknown apps" → find your browser or file manager → enable "Allow from this source."
  • Android 7.0 and below: "Settings" → "Security" → check "Unknown sources."
We recommend disabling this permission after installation to maintain security settings. Clash Meta for Android is open-source software, and the code can be audited on GitHub.
3

Install the APK and Open the App

Click "Install" on the downloaded APK file. Once the installation is complete, open the Clash Meta for Android app.

4

Import Subscription Configuration

After opening the app, enter subscription management:

  1. Click the "Configuration" option in the bottom navigation bar.
  2. Click the "+" button in the top right corner.
  3. Select "Import from URL" and paste your Clash subscription link.
  4. Fill in a configuration name and click "Confirm" to wait for the download to complete.
  5. Long-press the imported configuration and select "Activate" to set it as the current configuration.
5

Enable VPN and Connect

  1. On the app's main interface, click "Proxy" at the bottom and select a suitable node or strategy group.
  2. Return to the home page and click the large "Start" button.
  3. The system will pop up a VPN connection request; click "OK" to authorize it.
  4. The icon turning green or the status changing to "Connected" indicates that the proxy is enabled.
Open your browser and visit Google or YouTube to confirm the proxy is working. Clash Meta for Android has TUN mode enabled by default, which can proxy traffic for all apps (including non-browser apps).

Other Available Clients for Android

FlClash Flutter Cross-Platform · Simple UI · Low Resource Usage
Download
Surfboard Clash Config Compatible · Beautiful UI · HTTP Packet Capture Support
Download
Due to Apple App Store policy restrictions, APKs cannot be installed directly on iOS. All iOS proxy tools must be purchased and downloaded through the App Store. The following recommended apps are fully compatible with Clash configuration formats and subscription links.
Stash Recommended
Full Clash Syntax Support · Powerful Rule Editing · MitM Capture Support
App Store

Installation and Configuration Steps:

  1. Search for "Stash" in the App Store and purchase/download it (requires an overseas Apple ID).
  2. Open Stash, go to the "Configuration" tab, and click "Remote Config."
  3. Click the "+" in the top right corner, paste your Clash-format subscription link, and click "OK."
  4. Select the imported configuration from the list and click "Use this Config."
  5. Return to the home page, click the "Connect" switch at the top, and authorize VPN permissions to start using it.
Shadowrocket High Value
Most Popular iOS Proxy Tool · Clash Subscription Compatible · One-Time Purchase, Lifetime Use
App Store

Installation and Configuration Steps:

  1. Search for "Shadowrocket" in the App Store and purchase/download it (requires an overseas Apple ID).
  2. Open Shadowrocket and click the "+" sign in the top right corner.
  3. Select "Subscribe" as the type, paste your Clash subscription link, and click "Done."
  4. The subscription will automatically parse and list all nodes; click a node to select it.
  5. Turn on the "Connect" switch at the top and authorize VPN to start using it.
Quantumult X Advanced Features
Custom Scripts · HTTP Rewrite · MitM · Clash Subscription Compatible
App Store

Installation and Configuration Steps:

  1. Download "Quantumult X" from the App Store.
  2. Open the app and click the circular icon in the bottom right to enter settings.
  3. In "Nodes" → "References (Subscriptions)," click "+" and paste the subscription link.
  4. Enable the reference switch and click the refresh button in the top right corner to update nodes.
  5. Return to the home page and click the top switch to connect to the VPN.
Surge Professional Grade
Top-Tier Network Debugging Tool · Powerful Performance · Comprehensive Rule System
App Store

Installation and Configuration Steps:

  1. Download "Surge" from the App Store (higher price, recommended for advanced users).
  2. Open Surge and go to the "Configuration" option.
  3. Select "Import from URL" and paste your Clash-format subscription link.
  4. Select a node from the proxy list and turn on the connection switch on the home page.
Recommended Client
Clash Verge Rev GUI · Ubuntu/Debian/Fedora Support · Built-in Mihomo Core
Go to Download
1

Download the Installer for Your Distribution

Go to the download page, select Clash Verge Rev under the Linux tab, and choose the package format based on your Linux distribution:

  • .deb (amd64): For Ubuntu, Debian, and their derivatives (64-bit x86).
  • .deb (arm64): For ARM architecture versions of Ubuntu/Debian (e.g., Raspberry Pi, ARM servers).
  • .rpm (x86_64): For Fedora, RHEL, CentOS, openSUSE, and other RPM-based distributions.
2

Install the App

Execute the corresponding command based on the downloaded package format:

Ubuntu / Debian（.deb） 
sudo dpkg -i clash-verge-rev-linux-amd64.deb
# Or install via apt to auto-resolve dependencies
sudo apt install ./clash-verge-rev-linux-amd64.deb
Fedora / RHEL / CentOS（.rpm） 
sudo rpm -i clash-verge-rev-linux-x86_64.rpm
# Or use dnf (recommended)
sudo dnf install ./clash-verge-rev-linux-x86_64.rpm
3

Launch and Import Subscription

Once installed, find Clash Verge in the application menu and launch it, or execute in the terminal:

Terminal Launch (Optional) 
clash-verge

Once opened, click the "Subscription" tab on the left and follow the same steps as Windows/macOS to import your Clash subscription link.

4

Enable System Proxy

After the subscription is successfully imported, select a node in the proxy tab and return to the home page to turn on the "System Proxy" switch.

Under Linux, the system proxy sets HTTP/HTTPS proxy environment variables. If you need to proxy all traffic, you can enable TUN Mode (requires root privileges). For terminal apps to use the proxy, you can manually set export https_proxy=http://127.0.0.1:7897.

Other Available Clients for Linux

FlClash Lightweight Flutter Client · Ubuntu/Debian .deb Format
Download

Proxy Mode Details

Learn the differences between the three Clash proxy modes to choose the one that suits you best.

Recommended

Rule Mode

Automatically determines traffic routing based on preset rules: direct connection for local domains and IPs, and proxy for international ones. This is the best choice for most users—access to local apps remains unaffected and fast, while international sites automatically use the proxy.

  • Direct connection for local traffic, optimal speed
  • Automatic proxy for international traffic
  • Supports custom rule extensions

Global Mode

All network traffic is forwarded through the proxy node, including local traffic. Suitable for scenarios requiring complete local IP concealment or for testing if the proxy is working. Note: Global mode will slow down access to local websites.

  • All traffic goes through the proxy
  • Slows down local website access
  • Suitable for temporary testing

Direct Mode

All traffic connects directly to the target server without passing through the proxy. Equivalent to turning off the proxy entirely. Useful for temporarily disabling the proxy or troubleshooting network issues.

  • No proxying at all
  • Cannot access restricted websites
  • Suitable for temporarily turning off the proxy

Regularly Update Subscription Configuration

Proxy providers update nodes periodically. We recommend clicking the "Update" button in the client's "Subscription Management" regularly to get the latest node information and ensure a stable connection. Most clients support setting automatic update intervals (e.g., daily).

Common FAQs

Encountering issues during installation or configuration? Check these frequent answers.

Please check the following points in order:

  1. Is the proxy node selected correctly? Go to the proxy tab and ensure a node is selected (not "DIRECT"), and test if the node latency is normal (<500ms is usable).
  2. Is the system proxy enabled? Confirm the "System Proxy" switch on the main interface is on (turns blue/orange when enabled).
  3. Is the subscription configuration expired? Go to the subscription management page, click "Update" to redownload the config, and see if the nodes have changed.
  4. Try switching the proxy mode: Switch the mode to "Global." If you can access sites under Global mode, there's an issue with your rules; update your subscription after reverting to Rule mode.
  5. Firewall/Antivirus: Check if Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software is blocking Clash's network connection and add Clash to the trusted whitelist.

Subscription links are usually hosted on overseas servers and may fail to download due to network restrictions when the proxy is not yet active. Solutions:

  1. Find "System Proxy" in Clash settings and temporarily add a single node manually (using information from your provider) to allow the client to access the internet first.
  2. You can also use the "One-Click Import" feature provided by the service provider to open directly within the client via URL Scheme (e.g., clash://import-remote-profile?url=xxx).
  3. Alternatively, copy the subscription link into your browser to open it directly, download the YAML config file, and select "Import from local file."

This is usually caused by incorrect proxy mode settings. Please check:

  • Ensure the proxy mode is set to "Rule" instead of "Global." Global mode forces all traffic through the proxy, which will inevitably slow down local access.
  • If local access is still slow in Rule mode, the rule list provided by your subscription might be incomplete. Try updating your subscription or manually adding local domains as DIRECT in the rules.

Solutions for different platforms:

  • Android (Clash Meta for Android): TUN mode is enabled by default. Once the VPN is connected, all app traffic goes through the proxy without additional setup.
  • iOS (Stash / Shadowrocket, etc.): Once the VPN connection is active, all app traffic automatically goes through the proxy.
  • Windows (Clash Verge Rev): Enabling "System Proxy" only affects apps that support system proxies (like browsers). To route all apps through the proxy, enable TUN Mode in settings, which takes over all network traffic.
  • macOS (Clash Verge Rev): Same as Windows; system proxy only affects some apps, while TUN mode can proxy all traffic.

Most Clash clients support automatic subscription updates:

  • Clash Verge Rev: In the "Subscription" tab, right-click the subscription config, select "Edit," and you can set the "Auto Update Interval" (e.g., every 24 hours).
  • Clash Meta for Android: In the configuration management page, long-press the subscription configuration, select "Scheduled Update," and set the update interval.
  • FlClash: In the subscription configuration's detail editing, you can set the automatic update period.

It is recommended to set the auto-update interval to every 24 hours to ensure that node information is always up to date.

Yes. The same subscription link can be used on multiple devices simultaneously (the specific number of concurrent online devices depends on the plan limits of your proxy provider). Simply paste the same subscription link into the Clash client of each device to use the same node configuration across all of them.

Haven't downloaded the client yet?

Select your operating system, download the Clash client for free, and follow the tutorial to complete the configuration and start using it.

Free Download Client