Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Clash is completely free and open-source. The client itself costs nothing to download or use, with no ads or in-app purchases. Note that Clash is a proxy client only and does not provide proxy nodes – you need to supply your own server or a subscription from a provider.

Clash is a rule-based, multi-protocol proxy client supporting Shadowsocks, VMess, Trojan, and more. It provides rule-based routing, proxy groups, and policy switching to intelligently manage your traffic – routing traffic intelligently based on your rules – direct for trusted hosts, proxy for restricted or blocked content.

Clash supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux – covering computers, phones, and tablets. One subscription config works across all your devices: configure once, use everywhere.

For desktop (Windows / macOS / Linux), we recommend Clash Verge Rev and other GUI clients – user-friendly and ready to use out of the box. For Android, ClashMeta for Android. For iOS, choose a Clash-compatible app from the App Store. Visit our download page to browse by platform.

This is a macOS security warning. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, find the blocked app notice at the bottom, and click "Open Anyway".

Always download from official sources like this site. Avoid modified or cracked versions from unknown origins – they may contain malware or steal your data. This site provides safe downloads for all platforms.

Copy the subscription link (Subscribe URL) from your provider. Open the Clash client, go to Profiles/Subscriptions, paste the link, and click update. The client will automatically fetch and parse all nodes. Then select a node and enable system proxy. For detailed steps, see the Setup Guide.

Rule mode uses your config to intelligently route traffic – trusted/local traffic connects directly, restricted or geo-blocked content goes through the proxy. Recommended for beginners. Global mode routes all traffic through the proxy. Direct mode bypasses the proxy entirely, effectively disabling it.

TUN mode creates a virtual network interface for global transparent proxying, capturing traffic from apps that bypass system proxy settings. Enable it when you need all apps – including games and command-line tools – to go through Clash.

We recommend enabling auto-update (e.g. every 24 hours) so your nodes sync automatically whenever your provider makes changes. You can also update manually from the subscription page anytime to get the latest nodes.

Clash's core code is fully open-source and auditable by anyone. It runs locally on your device and does not upload browsing history or other private data, with no built-in telemetry. For your safety, always download from official sources like this site and avoid modified builds from unknown origins.

Shadowsocks and VMess (V2Ray) are specific proxy protocols, while Clash is a proxy client that supports multiple protocols. Clash can simultaneously manage nodes using Shadowsocks, VMess, Trojan, and more, while providing powerful rule-based routing and proxy group features – ideal for users who need fine-grained traffic control.

Check in order: subscription updated successfully, a working node is selected, system proxy (or TUN mode) is enabled, and the config is in Rule mode. If nodes show timeout, try switching nodes or refreshing your subscription. Still stuck? Refer to the Setup Guide.

Run a speed test in the client and prioritize low-latency, stable nodes. You can also switch server lines or refresh your subscription to get the latest nodes. Speed fluctuations during peak hours are normal.

Confirm the subscription link is still valid and that you clicked Update successfully. Some clients require re-selecting the config or restarting the proxy for changes to take effect. If updates consistently fail, contact your provider to check your subscription status.