v2rayN Client Downloads & Setup

Project V is an open-source project ecosystem built around network proxy tools, with V2Ray as one of its widely used core implementations. In everyday searches, “V2Ray” can refer to the core or more broadly to clients that use related protocols. Before downloading, distinguish between the two: the core alone is not a complete desktop app with subscription lists, a tray menu, and settings windows. A graphical client organizes those tasks and runs the selected core.

The V2Fly community continues development and maintenance related to V2Ray, while Xray has evolved as a branch of the same technical lineage. The two share some history and configuration concepts, but their features and fields have diverged over time. An older guide’s configuration does not automatically work with the other core just because you change a name. Check the actual core’s support, especially for transport and security settings and newer protocol features.

When choosing a core, there’s no need to decide which one is “better” in general. Start with what your existing connection requires. For configurations that use Xray-specific features such as REALITY, choose a client that can run the relevant core. If your configuration targets V2Fly, confirm that the client preserves the required parameters. Even when protocol names match, check the transport and security options rather than relying on abbreviated labels in a list.

v2rayN is an open-source graphical client for desktop systems, designed for managing subscriptions, selecting servers, and configuring routes on a computer. It puts common tasks in a GUI, but the selected core still handles the connection. Seeing a setting in the interface does not mean every core combination supports the same parameters. If startup fails after switching cores, check the logs first, then confirm the connection’s protocol and field requirements.

v2rayNG is an Android client that uses the Xray core. After importing a configuration, you authorize the client to route traffic through Android’s VPN connection. This is different from using the system proxy menu on a desktop. Read the full system authorization prompt the first time you start it, and check whether another app is already using the VPN connection. Desktop tray instructions do not apply directly to phones.

v2flyNG is also an open-source Android client, offering the V2Fly core as an alternative. It is a good fit if you already have a compatible configuration and want to stay with that core branch. v2rayNG and v2flyNG are not the same app under different names, so check compatibility before importing a configuration. Stop any active connection before switching clients to test. The two share some concepts, but their menus and supported parameters should be considered separately.

v2rayN, v2rayNG, and v2flyNG are all open-source clients, with code maintained by their respective projects. Open source means you can read, use, and study the code under the terms of its license; it does not mean every project uses the same license. Clients, proxy cores, and bundled components may each have different licenses. Check the license included with the relevant project before modifying or distributing software.

Client software and remote services are separate things. Installing a free client does not create a subscription or extend an existing service. The subscription provider supplies the addresses, ports, identity parameters, and transport settings; the client reads and uses that information. If a subscription expires or a remote address is unreachable, check with the provider rather than relying on reinstalling the software.

This site focuses on client downloads and graphical setup guides. Illustrations explain what settings mean; they do not show an active remote connection. When choosing a configuration source, make sure you understand its permissions and terms of use. Treat subscription links as potentially sensitive access credentials. Before sharing logs publicly, hide addresses, identity parameters, and full links while leaving the error type visible for troubleshooting.

Graphical clients and cores may follow different release schedules. A client update can change menus, subscription parsing, or platform support; a core update can affect protocol features and configuration requirements. When troubleshooting, note the client name, core in use, and error message separately. This helps distinguish a changed interface from an expired subscription, and a protocol incompatibility from a network connectivity issue.

If your configuration is stable, save essential settings before updating. Afterward, test the same connection path before gradually enabling new features. Don’t change clients, switch cores, and rewrite routing rules all at once. If too many things change together, even a successful connection won’t tell you what fixed it. If you’ve edited the configuration manually, check whether the client regenerates runtime files on startup or when saving.

In config.json, inbounds defines local entry points, outbounds defines exits, and routing determines how connections are matched between them. The graphical interface usually generates these sections based on your current settings. Beginners should start with the menus and inspect the generated config once they understand what each section does. Direct edits to a temporary runtime file may be overwritten the next time you switch servers.

If you still can’t identify the issue, check the FAQ and narrow it down by installation and setup, usage tips, or troubleshooting. To repeat the full process, follow the getting started guide. For platform-specific permissions, proxy settings, and installation differences, see the cross-platform setup documentation. Find the step where things went wrong before changing settings; this is usually more effective than importing the same subscription again.