Windows
Turn on "Launch on Startup" and "Silent Start" so the client stands by in the background automatically. If you hit a port conflict, change the mixed port to a free one like 7891 in Settings.
Beginner's Illustrated Tutorial
Clash Client Tutorial: Get Up and Running in 10 Minutes
No technical background needed — just follow the three steps below.
Each step comes with screenshots. If you get stuck, check the FAQ below, and if that doesn't help, feel free to ask.
Step 1
Download and Install
Head to the download page and pick the installer that matches your OS — the process is no different from installing any other app.
- Windows: Download the .exe installer, double-click, and click "Next" through the setup — once done, the app will appear in your system tray.
- macOS: Download the version matching your chip (Apple Silicon / Intel). If you see "from an unidentified developer" on first launch, go to "System Settings → Privacy & Security" and click "Open Anyway".
- Android: Download the APK and tap to install; if the system shows an "unknown sources" prompt, just allow your browser's install permission.
- iOS: Due to App Store policy, you'll need an Apple ID from another region (such as the US App Store) to get a compatible client — see the platform differences section below for details.
Step 2
Add Your Subscription Link
A subscription link is a URL from your provider that bundles all your available nodes. Once it's added, the client automatically downloads the node list and keeps it updated on a schedule.
- Find "Subscription Link" in your provider's user dashboard and copy it.
- Open the "Profiles" page, paste the link into the input box, and click "Download".
- Once the new profile appears, gets auto-selected, and the node list loads, the import was successful.
Quick Tip
A subscription link is equivalent to your account credentials — don't share it with anyone. If it ever leaks, just reset it from your provider's dashboard.
Step 3
Enable the Proxy and Start Browsing
The last step is just two switches — flip them on and refresh your browser to get online.
- Turn on the "System Proxy" switch on the main screen (on Android, tap the big button to start VPN mode).
- Choose "Rule" as the proxy mode — the most hands-off option, with local/trusted sites going direct and chosen sites through the proxy, all sorted automatically.
- Pick a low-latency node on the "Proxies" page, or just leave it to the "Auto Select" group.
Which Mode Should I Choose?
"Rule" is best for everyday use; "Global" routes all traffic through the proxy for occasional emergencies; "Direct" is effectively off duty, sending everything without a proxy.
A Quick Note for Each Platform
The core usage is identical everywhere, but each OS has its own quirks.
macOS
The first time you enable the system proxy, an authorization prompt will appear — enter your password to allow it. If it doesn't take effect in your browser, check "System Settings → Network → Proxies" for conflicts with other software.
Android
On first launch, you'll be asked to set up a VPN connection — tap "OK" to allow it. Add it to your battery optimization whitelist to avoid the system cutting the connection in the background.
iOS
We recommend Clash Plus (clashplus.io) — just search for it directly in the App Store. Subscription import works exactly the same way as on other platforms.
Linux
After installing the deb package, start the service with systemctl start mihomo. The config file lives at /etc/mihomo/config.yaml — remember to restart the service after editing.
General Tips
The same subscription can be used on every device. It's recommended to enable "Auto-update subscription" on each one, so node changes sync automatically without you having to think about it.
Stuck? Check Here First
Here are the most common questions newcomers run into — click to see the answer.
Node List Is Empty After Importing a Subscription?
First check that the subscription link was copied in full (no missing characters at the end), then confirm your provider account is still active. If the link is fine, click the "Update" button next to your profile to re-fetch it; if it still fails, the subscription URL itself may be blocked — try updating over mobile data instead.
Turned On the Proxy, but Pages Still Won't Load?
Check three things in order: 1. whether the "System Proxy" switch is actually on; 2. whether the currently selected node is timing out (try a lower-latency node); 3. whether the proxy mode was accidentally set to "Direct". On desktop, you can also check the "Logs" page, which shows the reason each connection was rejected.
What's the Difference Between Rule Mode and Global Mode?
In Rule mode, traffic is matched against the rule table one by one: local/trusted traffic connects directly, chosen sites go through the proxy, with no interference between them — this is the right choice for everyday use. Global mode routes all traffic through the proxy indiscriminately, which can actually slow down local/trusted traffic, and is usually only switched on temporarily when rules misfire.
Node Latency Tests All Show Timeout?
This is most likely an expired subscription or a node outage on your provider's end. Check your account status on your provider's site first, then update your subscription and re-test latency. If only a few nodes are timing out, just switch nodes — the "Auto Select" group will help you avoid broken ones.
Will I Slow Down My Computer or Secretly Upload Data?
No. The core is written in Go and typically uses only tens of MB of memory. The code is fully open source with no telemetry and no data reporting — every line of logic can be verified on GitHub.
Can My Phone and Computer Share the Same Subscription?
Yes. A subscription link isn't limited to a specific number of devices (unless your provider restricts it) — the same link imports identical nodes on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and configs on each device don't affect one another.