What is a Clash Subscription Link?

A Subscription URL is a special web address provided by your service provider (often referred to as an "airport"). Accessing this URL returns a configuration file containing all the proxy node details. Clash clients use this URL to periodically fetch the latest server addresses, ports, passwords, and other connection details, enabling automated node updates.

Compared to adding nodes manually, using a subscription link offers several advantages: when a provider adds or replaces nodes, your client updates automatically; a single link manages all nodes efficiently; and some providers support real-time data usage displays through the link.

Subscription Link Formats and Types

Subscription links in the market come in several formats. Clash only recognizes specific ones; choosing the wrong type will cause the import to fail:

  • Clash Format (YAML): This is the native format for Clash. The content returned is a YAML text file that Clash can read directly. This is the highly recommended format as it supports advanced features like groups and rules.
  • Base64 Generic Subscription: Returns a Base64-encoded node list. Clash does not natively support this format. If your provider only offers this, you must use a Subscription Converter service to turn it into a Clash-compatible format.
  • SIP008 Format: A subscription format specifically for the Shadowsocks protocol. Some Clash versions support importing this directly, but with limited functionality.
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How to tell if a link is in Clash format? Visit the subscription link in your browser. If the page content starts with proxies: or proxy-groups:, it's Clash YAML. If it's a long string of seemingly random characters, it's Base64 and requires conversion.

How to Obtain a Subscription Link from Your Provider

While provider dashboards vary, the steps to get your link are generally similar:

  1. Log in to your provider's website and enter the "User Center" or "Dashboard."
  2. Find entries like "Subscription," "Configure," or "Tutorials."
  3. Select "Clash" or "Mihomo" from the client type list.
  4. Click "Copy Link" or "One-click Copy" to save the URL to your clipboard.
  5. Some providers also offer a "One-click Import to Clash" button, which automatically opens the Clash client and navigates to the import page.
⚠️

Your subscription link contains your account credentials. Do not share it with others. If leaked, others can use your data quota, and in severe cases, your account may be banned by the provider.

Importing a Subscription in Clash Verge Rev

Clash Verge Rev is currently the most popular desktop client. To import a subscription:

  1. Launch Clash Verge Rev and click the "Profiles" tab in the left navigation bar.
  2. Click the "New" button in the top right (usually a plus icon).
  3. Paste the subscription link you just copied into the input box.
  4. Fill in a descriptive name in the "Name" field (e.g., "My Provider").
  5. Click "Import" or "Confirm" and wait for the configuration file to download (usually takes a few seconds).
  6. Once downloaded, click the "Use" button on that profile card to activate it.

Importing a Subscription in Clash for Android

Clash for Android (CFA) uses a similar mechanism:

  1. Open Clash for Android and click the plus (+) button in the top right of the home screen.
  2. Select the "URL" option.
  3. Paste your link in the "URL" field and give it a name in the "Name" field.
  4. Click the save icon in the top right and wait for the update to finish.
  5. Return to the main interface, ensure the profile is selected, and toggle the proxy switch on.

Setting Up Automatic Subscription Updates

Providers often update their node lists. We recommend setting an update interval of every 24 hours to ensure you always have the latest nodes:

In Clash Verge Rev: Go to the "Profiles" page, right-click or long-press your profile, select "Edit," and set the "Update Interval" to 1440 minutes (24 hours). In Clash for Android: Long-press the profile, click "Edit," and check the "Auto-update" box with your desired interval.

Subscription Conversion: Base64 to Clash

If your provider only provides Base64 (SSR) subscriptions, you can use an online converter to transform it into Clash YAML. Popular open-source projects like Sub-Converter offer this service. How to use it:

  1. Find a trusted subscription conversion service (recommend open-source or well-known public ones).
  2. Paste your original Base64 link into the "Subscription Link" field.
  3. Select Clash or Mihomo as the target format.
  4. Click generate and copy the new link.
  5. Import this new link into your Clash client as usual.
⚠️

When using third-party converters, your original link passes through their server, posing a potential privacy risk. It is better to use providers that natively support Clash or host your own Sub-Converter instance.

Common Reasons for Import Failure

If your subscription fails to import or update, try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Invalid Format: Ensure the link is a full URL starting with https:// or http:// and hasn't been truncated.
  • Network Issues: The subscription server might be blocked. Try enabling a global proxy before fetching the update.
  • SSL Errors: Some providers use self-signed certificates. You can temporarily disable SSL verification in the client settings (for debugging only).
  • Quota Exhausted: If the link returns a 403 error or empty content, your data might be used up or the plan expired. Check your provider's dashboard.
  • Expired Link: Some links have an expiration date. Go to the dashboard to get a fresh URL.

Why Professional Clients Make Management Easier

Among Clash clients, Clash Verge Rev offers the most complete subscription management experience. It supports multiple concurrent subscriptions (save nodes from different providers and switch anytime), shows node latency, displays data usage, and allows for profile "Overrides." Overrides mean you can add your own custom rules or policy groups without modifying the original subscription file, greatly increasing flexibility.

In contrast, some unofficial "enhanced" clients might look feature-rich but may force ad-nodes into your list or collect usage data in the background. If you see mysterious ads or unexpected data consumption, you might be using a compromised client. The Clash Verge Rev provided on this site is a clean version synced directly from the official GitHub.