The Complete VPN Setup Guide

What Your Account, Subscription, Client, and Route Do

VPNSelf is a subscription service for cross-border network acceleration. Getting started involves more than downloading an app: your account, plan, subscription, client, and route all play a part. Your account gives you access to the panel and lets you manage orders. Your plan determines your available data and billing terms. Your subscription supplies the client with configuration details. The client establishes a connection based on your selections, and the route carries network requests between your device and the destination service. Knowing how these layers fit together makes it easier to find where a problem is coming from.

Being able to open the panel only confirms that your browser can reach it; it doesn’t mean the client is connected. A connected status in the client also doesn’t guarantee that a destination website will accept your current exit route. A successful subscription update means the configuration was retrieved and parsed, but you still need to select a configuration and route, then start the connection. Checking each result separately is more effective than repeatedly reinstalling the app, and helps keep account issues distinct from local network settings.

The service covers 110+ countries and 160+ routes, supports Windows / macOS / iOS / Android / Linux, and allows unlimited devices to connect at the same time. Coverage describes the available network exits; it doesn’t mean every location is suitable for every task at all times. Being able to open ordinary websites from a location doesn’t guarantee that every streaming platform or AI service will accept that exit. Access also depends on the destination platform’s account requirements, content licensing, and risk checks.

Your Local Network and the Destination Service Have Their Own Requirements

An accelerated connection relies on your existing internet access. Your device must first connect through home broadband, an office network, or another available connection. Switching exits can’t make up for a disconnected network, a required sign-in, or a router that can’t reach the internet. Before setting things up, pause the client and check that ordinary websites load. If a public network requires a sign-in, complete that process in accordance with local rules before starting the client.

Destination services have their own requirements, too. A network connection determines how a request reaches its destination; it doesn’t provide account permissions, access to paid content, or an exemption from regional policies. If an AI tool displays an eligibility notice or a streaming service says content isn’t available, read the message first rather than assuming the route has failed. For work systems, follow your organization’s access requirements and confirm whether third-party network tools can run alongside the corporate connection.

“Military-grade encryption” is a security claim used by this service, but an encrypted connection can’t replace device security. You still need to assess files downloaded through a browser, websites asking for your information, and extensions installed on your device. Don’t dismiss certificate warnings just to continue browsing. Don’t submit your account password or full subscription link to an unfamiliar page. Protecting data in transit matters, but so does checking where content comes from.

Start with a Setup You Can Reliably Repeat

For your first session, use a familiar device and complete the full process: open the panel, confirm your plan, get the subscription, import it into the client, and test a service you regularly use. Once it works, add other devices. This isn’t a limit on device count; it gives you a known-good setup to compare against. If you change network settings, rules, and subscriptions on several devices at once, it’s hard to tell whether a shared configuration or a device-specific permission or setting caused the problem.

You can note the device’s operating system, client name, selected location, connection mode, and exact error message. Don’t put these notes in a public shared document or include subscription credentials in screenshots. The goal isn’t to build an elaborate log; it’s to make it easy to reproduce what happened. Each section below describes the expected result. Confirm one step before moving on to the next to avoid repeated troubleshooting with an unresolved issue from an earlier step.

Compare Your Usage Pattern Before Comparing Data Allowances

Start by considering how regularly you’ll use the service. If you often work with files, use AI tools, or stream video, compare the monthly plans. If your usage is occasional and you want unused data to remain available, consider a data pack. The key difference isn’t just price: it’s when data resets and whether usage is tied to a billing period. Don’t choose a long-term plan based on one unusual download, and don’t assume a larger data allowance means a faster connection. No speed guarantees by plan tier are provided in the available facts.

Monthly plans are ¥9.9/month for 60GB, ¥18/month for 250GB, and ¥28/month for 500GB. Data resets monthly on the day you activate the plan; don’t assume it resets at the start of each calendar month. To decide which tier suits you, check your actual usage in the panel and consider how your needs may change rather than relying on someone else’s usage. Browsing text, streaming video, and syncing files use data differently, so the same time online can lead to very different totals.

Data Rules and Device Limits Are Separate

Data packs cost ¥158 for 300GB, ¥358 for 1000GB, and ¥658 for 3000GB. They never expire; use the data until it’s gone. This describes the data pack’s terms, not a guarantee that any destination service will always be available. Before choosing, check your current plan in the panel and review the order details. Don’t assume a monthly plan and data pack can be stacked, combined, or credited in a particular way. Contact support through a ticket to confirm any combination that isn’t specified.

Unlimited devices refers to the number of devices that can be online at the same time; it doesn’t mean each device gets a full plan’s data allowance. If several devices are downloading, syncing to the cloud, or streaming at once, check overall usage in the panel. With more devices, it’s especially worth checking background tasks such as automatic backups and software updates. If data use rises quickly, review these activities before deciding whether to change plans rather than assuming there’s a billing error.

When you upgrade mid-cycle, the price difference is converted into remaining days. It doesn’t simply add a new plan’s data or a full new billing period to your existing plan. Before proceeding, review the change shown in the panel and confirm the price, plan name, and resulting status. If the result isn’t what you expected, keep a copy of the non-sensitive order details and contact support. Don’t submit the change repeatedly based on your own calculations; that can create multiple orders that are difficult to distinguish.

What to Check Before Paying

Choose based on what you actually need. If your main concern is unreliable video playback, first check whether the route works with the destination platform; buying more data won’t fix regional restrictions. If you’re running short on data, use the panel’s usage figures to choose a suitable tier. If you only use the service occasionally, focus on how data packs work. Consider data allowance, connection quality, and platform requirements separately to avoid changing plans when the issue is really a network setting.

Payment is supported through Alipay / WeChat Pay / USDT, and the service offers a 7-day no-questions-asked refund. See the refund policy for the process and terms, and the pricing page for full plan details. This guide doesn’t make claims about promotions, renewal discounts, or automatic charges that aren’t listed on those pages. When confirming an order, rely on the plan name and amount currently shown in the panel. If something isn’t explained, ask support rather than trying repeated payments to figure out the rules.

By the end of this step, you should be able to say whether you chose a monthly plan or data pack, how much data it includes, and when to check for status changes. Keep those details somewhere secure so you can rule out plan issues if importing fails or the connection drops. If you’re unsure, first consider what you do online and how often you’ll use the service, then ask about the terms through a panel ticket. You don’t need to share your browsing history or unrelated personal information.

Keep Your Credentials Safe Before Opening the Panel

VPNSelf doesn’t require an email address; you can create an account with a username and password. Decide how you’ll store your credentials, then visit the account portal. Your username identifies your account, and your password verifies access. Don’t leave them in a browser tab as a temporary reminder. Use a password manager you can keep managing over time, avoid reusing passwords from other important accounts, and don’t stay signed in on a public device.

Before submitting, check your input method, letter case, and any accidental spaces. Hidden password fields can make typos hard to spot; if the interface offers a visibility toggle, check your entry briefly when it’s safe to do so. Don’t include your full password in tutorial screenshots or support tickets. Afterward, you should be able to open the user panel and see sections such as your account overview. If the page stays on the sign-in form, read the error message instead of assuming the account was created successfully.

Not requiring an email address makes it easy to get started, but don’t assume there’s an email-based recovery option. If you forget your credentials, check the recovery methods actually offered in the panel or ask through an available support channel. Keeping your username, relevant order details, and account information somewhere safe can make later verification easier. Don’t trust an unfamiliar website claiming it can recover your account, and never hand over payment account login details to regain access.

Go from Choosing a Plan to Confirming Your Order

In the plans section of the panel, find the option you want. Check the plan type first, then confirm the price and data allowance. Make sure you’re not treating a monthly plan and a data pack as if they use the same billing terms. If your account already has an active plan, check its status and the change details before proceeding. If you go back in your browser, check whether an order has already been created before submitting again; the page may not update immediately.

Payment methods are Alipay / WeChat Pay / USDT. Follow the instructions in the panel and payment page to complete the transaction. Check each amount, payment detail, and status carefully; don’t rely on an image forwarded in a chat. If you’re unfamiliar with a payment method, read the on-screen instructions first. Don’t guess at details the page doesn’t provide. Payment and plan confirmation are separate steps. Before leaving the payment page, check the result and note how to return to the panel.

Once the payment service shows that the transaction is complete, return to the panel and check the order and plan status. A successful browser redirect doesn’t mean the panel has updated, and a closed payment page doesn’t mean the order failed. If the status hasn’t changed, first check whether it’s still processing, then refresh the page. Don’t make another payment instead of checking. If the payment record and panel don’t match, keep the order reference and necessary proof, then ask support to review it through a ticket.

What to Include When Statuses Don’t Match

In your ticket, say which step failed: account creation, order submission, payment completed but status not updated, or plan visible but subscription unavailable. Each issue calls for different checks. Include the exact error, the steps you took, and only the necessary details from the order page. Redact transaction information that isn’t relevant before sharing a screenshot. Don’t send your password, full subscription link, or other access credentials as general troubleshooting information.

If your browser keeps sending you back to the login page, confirm you’re on the official site and that your browser allows the data needed to maintain a session. Privacy extensions, cleanup tools, or managed-device policies can interfere with saved sessions. Complete sign-in and order steps in the same browser rather than switching between windows signed in to different accounts. If you change browsers, check your username again to make sure the payment record and account you’re viewing belong to the same account.

You’re done with the account step when you can reliably open the panel, confirm the order, and see the plan status you expected—not just when a pop-up appears. Only then move on to the subscription so you don’t mistake an order that hasn’t taken effect for a client issue. For help, use a panel ticket. The support page also explains how to contact support; there’s no need to look for unpublished contact details.

Your Subscription Link Is Both a Configuration Entry Point and an Access Credential

After confirming your plan status, open the account overview and find the subscription details or import option provided in the panel. Different clients may require different configuration formats, so choose the option for your client rather than copying an address that merely looks similar. You need to be signed in to get a subscription. Marketing pages don’t publish real subscription links or offer a way to access configurations without an account.

A subscription usually gives the client available routes and related configuration, rather than representing a location itself. After importing it, you can choose different routes within the same configuration. Updating a subscription retrieves the latest content currently offered in the panel. The initial import, later updates, and starting a connection are separate actions. After an update, check which configuration is active. A new name in the list doesn’t mean the old configuration was disabled or that the current connection has switched.

A full subscription link may contain information used to identify access permissions, so protect it like a password. Don’t paste it into public forums, shared notes, screenshots, or unfamiliar online conversion tools. To get help identifying a format, you can share the client name, import method, and error message instead. If you need to show the page layout, hide the link, QR code, and any area that could expose credentials first. Then check that the screenshot doesn’t still show the address bar or an expanded preview.

Use the Panel’s Direct Import Option When Available

If the panel offers one-click import, install and open the client first, then select the matching option. If your browser asks to open an app, check that it’s the right one. When prompted to import, confirm the configuration source and name, then save it. If nothing happens, the client may not be installed, the browser may have blocked the app launch, or the client may not have registered the relevant import option. Try the client’s built-in remote subscription import instead of repeatedly clicking the same button.

To import manually, look for a configuration, subscription, or remote configuration section in the client, then choose the option to add a link. Paste the panel’s copied content in full. Don’t remove parameters, alter characters, or add a suffix based on guesswork. Copying through a chat app can introduce spaces or line breaks, so copy directly on the same device when possible. If the address is rejected, check that its beginning and end are intact before trying a different location.

Choose a recognizable configuration name, such as “VPNSelf Daily Setup.” A name helps you manage configurations locally; it doesn’t change your subscription permissions. If the client can store multiple configurations, label each source clearly so you don’t mistake a configuration from elsewhere for a VPNSelf subscription. After importing, check the update time, route list, or another success indicator. If the client saved a name but didn’t retrieve any content, the import isn’t complete.

Tell Network Retrieval Errors Apart from Parsing Errors

If the client says it can’t retrieve the subscription, first check your device’s basic network connection and whether you can open the panel. Then confirm that the link came from the account you’re using. If the client is trying to update through a connection that no longer works, pause it and try an update method reachable through your basic connection. Don’t change the network, address, and client all at once. A retrieval error means the request may not have reached the configuration source; a parsing error usually means content was returned but the client couldn’t read it in the required format.

If the client reports a parsing error, check that the selected subscription format is compatible with it. Return to the panel and choose the matching import option first. Don’t assume this means your plan has run out of data, and don’t upload the configuration to a third-party conversion tool. If the panel doesn’t specify which format to use, submit a ticket with your operating system, client, import method, and exact error. Keeping a known-good configuration makes it easier to compare if an update goes wrong.

If you think your subscription link has been exposed, stop sharing it and check whether the panel offers a way to reset or replace it. If it does, read what the change affects before proceeding. If there’s no clear option, ask support through a ticket. After replacing a link, devices using the old one may need an update, so make a device list first. You’ve completed this section when the client can read the subscription, its source is clear, and it’s stored somewhere you won’t accidentally share.

Get a Compatible Client, Then Import Your Configuration

Get clients from the panel’s download section rather than from installers of unknown origin in search results. You can sign in to get a client for Windows / macOS / Android / Linux. For iOS, access to the download option depends on your active plan status in the panel. You’ll still need to sign in to get a subscription. The steps below cover platform-specific setup and permissions. Button labels may differ by client; don’t assume every operating system uses the same menus.

Windows: Check the Configuration and System Proxy

In the panel, choose a client for your device and install or extract it as instructed in the download section. Then launch the program. Find its configuration management section and import the subscription using the panel’s one-click option or a remote link. Select the configuration after importing, wait for the route list to appear, and choose a location for testing. Don’t jump from downloading the file straight to opening a destination service. Confirm installation, import, configuration selection, and connection startup separately.

If the client uses a system proxy, enable the relevant setting in its interface. Closing a window may minimize the app to the background rather than stop the connection. Before quitting completely, follow the client’s instructions to disconnect or restore the system proxy. If ordinary websites still won’t load after quitting, check for leftover proxy settings before troubleshooting the basic network. Don’t change managed settings on a work device without first confirming which connection methods are allowed.

macOS: Check Permission Requests and Network Extension Prompts

Get and install the client as instructed in the panel, open it, and import your subscription. The system may ask you to authorize a network configuration or extension. Check that the prompt refers to the app you just installed, then grant the permission if needed. Don’t disable system security checks to troubleshoot startup problems, and don’t run high-privilege commands from unfamiliar websites. If you can’t verify where a file came from, return to the panel to check the download source instead of looking elsewhere for an alternative installer.

After importing, select a configuration and location, choose a connection mode, and check the client status. If your browser works but another app doesn’t, check whether that app follows the system proxy before reinstalling the client. Network extensions and routing can conflict when corporate access tools are running on the same device. If your organization permits it, test each connection separately and note whether it works alone or fails when both are active before deciding what to do next.

iOS: Check Eligibility in the Panel Before Approving System Permissions

Sign in and open the panel’s download section. Get the client through the option available for your current active plan status. If the panel says you need an active plan, return to the overview and check your account and plan status rather than looking for a public direct link. After installation, import from the panel or add a remote subscription in the client. If switching apps doesn’t show an import prompt, return to the client and check its configuration list. A browser redirect alone doesn’t confirm that the subscription was saved.

The first time you connect, the system may ask permission to add a network configuration. Check the app’s source, approve the request, then return to the app and start the connection. The status indicator in the system bar is only a helpful signal; you still need to test the destination service. After switching networks, restoring your device, or reinstalling the app, check that the configuration is still there. If something is still wrong after disconnecting, check whether another network configuration is active to avoid running conflicting connections at the same time.

Android: Check Background Activity and Battery Settings

Get the client from the panel, complete any installation confirmation required by the system, then open it and import your subscription. If asked to authorize a network connection, make sure the request is from the client you’re using. If another app is already routing network traffic, find out what it does before deciding whether to stop it. Keep the client visible during your first test and check the configuration, selected location, and connection result instead of immediately sending it to the background.

If the connection works in the foreground but drops when you lock the screen or switch apps, check the system’s battery optimization and background activity limits. Menu names vary by device; follow your system’s instructions to allow necessary background activity without disabling power saving for every app. Also distinguish a brief reconnection after switching Wi-Fi networks from the system stopping the process. In the first case, check whether the connection recovers after the network changes; in the second, check whether the app is still running, then choose the appropriate fix.

Linux: Test Desktop Apps and Terminal Requests Separately

Get and run a client according to the panel’s instructions. Read any compatibility or execution-permission prompts before proceeding, and don’t run installation scripts from unknown sources. Import the remote configuration in the graphical client if available. If the panel provides multiple configuration formats, choose one that matches your program. Test the connection in the graphical interface first, before trying to run the client as a service. That keeps permission, configuration-path, and background-process issues from becoming mixed together.

A desktop system proxy doesn’t necessarily cover every terminal program. If a browser works but a command-line request fails, check whether the tool reads environment variables, has its own proxy options, or is running in a container or remote session. Don’t assume a connection on your local computer will work the same way on a remote host. Setup is complete when the configuration can be read, the active configuration is clear, connection permissions are handled, and you’ve tested at least one real destination service.

Check Each Layer Along the Request Path

Start by checking your basic network, then your account status, subscription access, active configuration, route selection, and finally the destination service. This order helps narrow down the problem one layer at a time. If ordinary websites won’t load, pause the client and check your original connection first. If the panel shows an issue with your plan, resolve that before continuing. If the subscription can’t be read, return to the configuration step. Don’t skip earlier checks and cycle through locations hoping for a lucky result.

To choose a route, start with one exit in a commonly used location and open a service you actually need. Client connection status and speed tests can help with troubleshooting, but they don’t replace testing your real task. A homepage loading isn’t enough; check whether you can sign in, load the relevant page, or use the required feature. A video thumbnail appearing doesn’t mean playback will work. Test the services you need, and don’t enter account details on an unfamiliar test site just to check the connection.

When something fails, record what happened rather than jumping to a conclusion. A page that won’t load, a page that loads but won’t let you sign in, a regional availability notice, and playback that stops partway through are different issues. Keep the error message and steps that led to it. That helps distinguish a request that didn’t reach the destination from one rejected by the service or an issue within the app itself. Browser cache and account sessions can preserve old results. If needed, compare in a new browsing session, but don’t repeatedly change your account details.

Understand Proxy Coverage, DNS Issues, and App Limitations

A system proxy usually applies to apps that follow the system settings; some tools use their own network path. If your browser works but a desktop app doesn’t, check whether the app has separate network settings and which requests the client’s current mode covers. A virtual network adapter or similar full-tunnel mode can cover more traffic, but may also introduce permission and routing differences. Don’t treat switching modes as a universal fix. First check whether the app’s traffic is actually bypassing the connection.

DNS problems may look like a website name that can’t be found or different results between apps. Check for relevant error details in the client, then see whether your system and browser use separate DNS settings. Don’t change DNS settings in the system, browser, client, and router all at once; even if the problem clears, you won’t know why. For company intranet domains, preserve the required internal DNS rules so you don’t break work systems while fixing external access.

Device time and certificate status can also affect secure connections. If several secure websites show certificate or time warnings, check your system’s date and time first, then make sure the software came from a trusted source. Don’t ignore certificate errors and continue entering account or payment details. If only one destination service is affected while others work, read that service’s guidance and make a limited comparison with another suitable location rather than declaring the entire subscription invalid.

Use Reproducible Comparisons Instead of Changing Everything at Once

Change one variable at a time when comparing results. For example, keep the device, network, and client the same and switch only the route; or keep the route and destination the same and try another available network. If the result changes, note which condition made a difference and keep testing. Peak-hour traffic, Wi-Fi signal, and load on the destination service can all affect results. One successful or failed page load doesn’t establish long-term reliability, and can’t support a guarantee of consistent performance.

If video buffers, first check whether other websites are slow too, then see whether the issue affects only specific content or a particular location. If an AI tool times out, distinguish web-based interactions from API requests and check the tool’s own status and permissions. For a way to record connection successes and drops, see How to Test Connection Success and Drop Rates. It explains a testing methodology; it isn’t independent verification of VPNSelf route performance.

If you still can’t find the cause, gather your operating system, client, configuration update time, route location, error message, and the comparisons you’ve already tried. Submit them through a panel ticket. Check logs and redact your subscription, credentials, and unnecessary browsing records first. Explain what you were trying to do and exactly where it stopped; that’s more helpful than simply saying “it doesn’t work.” Keep the current setup reproducible after submitting instead of continuing to make random changes.

Check the Status Before Changing Settings

Once you’re connected, maintenance is mostly about checking the status; there’s usually no need to rebuild the configuration repeatedly. When something changes, check your plan and data usage in the panel, along with the client’s active configuration, before deciding whether to update anything. Many issues come from selecting an old configuration by mistake, forgetting to start the connection after switching devices, or changes to the original network. Deleting everything removes a useful point of comparison. Clear configuration names and device records are more helpful than a pile of backups from unknown sources.

Monthly plan data resets each month on the activation date. Check the reset status shown for your account rather than assuming the data resets at the start of a calendar month. Data packs never expire; use them until the data is gone, and keep an eye on the remaining balance. Background downloads, cloud sync, system updates, and video streaming can all use data. When troubleshooting, pause nonessential tasks first, then check the usage trend. Don’t rely on partial usage figures in the client instead of the account usage shown in the panel.

Unlimited devices makes it easy to use the service across multiple devices, but you’re responsible for keeping track of where each configuration came from. When adding a device, confirm that you’re importing the currently valid subscription. When retiring an old device, remove its saved configuration and account session. Before repairing, transferring, or sharing a device, check its app data, downloads folder, screenshots, and clipboard history. Uninstalling a client may not remove all saved information; follow your system’s instructions to clear the relevant data if needed.

Updating a Subscription Is Different from Updating a Client

A subscription update retrieves the configuration currently provided in the panel; a client update changes the program itself. If route information needs refreshing, use the subscription update option. If the program has a compatibility issue or a known bug, check the client guidance in the panel. Don’t reinstall the program every time you update a subscription, and don’t assume downloading a new client renews your plan. After each change, test a service you regularly use and confirm it still works before finishing maintenance.

Avoid changing configurations, modes, and software all at once before important work. Keep your current working setup and make updates when you have time to test them, noting what you changed. If importing the new configuration fails, first check whether the old one still works; don’t delete every point of comparison. Store backups of sensitive configurations somewhere protected. Don’t put them in a shared folder accessible to everyone just to sync them across devices.

Before renewing, check your current plan name, status, and order terms in the panel, then choose the option you need. This guide doesn’t assume automatic charges, how early renewals are combined, or the order in which different products can be combined. Read any details clearly shown on the page, and ask through a ticket if anything is unclear. The price difference for a mid-cycle upgrade is converted into remaining days; don’t assume it adds a full new billing period. After payment, check your plan status again and keep the necessary proof.

Refunds, Pausing Service, and Organizing Your Data

The service offers a 7-day no-questions-asked refund. Before applying, read the refund policy and terms of service, then use a panel ticket to explain which order and refund you’re asking about. Keep technical issues and refund requests separate instead of burying them in a long chat. Clearly stating what you need helps reduce back-and-forth. Requests are handled according to the policy and ticket review. This page doesn’t promise unlisted processing times, payment channel fees, or additional discounts.

To pause the service temporarily, stop the connection normally in the client and confirm that your system network settings have been restored. On devices that rely on a system proxy, quitting the process directly may leave the proxy enabled. With a routing mode that takes over traffic, check that the relevant connection has actually stopped. If ordinary websites don’t work after you disconnect, check local settings first rather than continuing to change your plan after the client has exited.

Account security is part of maintenance, too. Check that your password is stored securely, old devices no longer have access when they shouldn’t, and your subscription hasn’t appeared in shared materials. Before showing something to someone else, close pages containing account details and share only the app window you need. For more on keeping subscription links secure and using public Wi-Fi safely, read Subscription Link Security and Public Wi-Fi Safety. See the privacy policy for details on how personal information is handled.

The aim of this section is to keep a working setup reliable, not to adjust it constantly. When something changes, check your account, then configuration, then network and destination service. Record what resolved the issue so you can identify it faster next time. If your needs change, return to the plan comparison and review the billing options instead of keeping your old plan and guessing whether a temporary problem means you need an upgrade.

Route Types Help Organize Your Choices; They Don’t Replace Testing

Once your basic connection is stable, you can choose a location and route type based on your needs. VPNSelf’s route options include IEPL dedicated routes, relayed connections, and direct connections. These types describe how the network path is organized; they don’t guarantee results for every destination service. An IEPL dedicated route is one cross-border network option. A relayed connection uses an intermediate path, while a direct connection emphasizes a direct route. Actual performance still depends on your local network, exit status, and destination service.

Don’t assume one route type will always be faster. Choose based on the task, such as browsing, streaming video, remote meetings, or calling a development API. Keep one known-good primary exit and choose a suitable backup so you can compare them against the same destination if something goes wrong. Use the panel as the source of truth for available locations and route types. See the route list for guidance on choosing; don’t infer specific cities or individual route capabilities when that information isn’t available.

Give Traffic Rules a Clear Purpose

Rule-based mode typically routes different requests directly or through a proxy according to rules. Global proxy mode tends to send supported requests through the selected exit. Names and coverage vary by client. Before changing modes, check whether the program follows the system proxy and whether broader routing is actually needed. Don’t force local resources and work traffic through the same route to fix one app; that can create access conflicts that weren’t there before.

Before adding a rule, decide which app or domain it should match, which route it should use, and how you’ll undo it if it fails. Rule order can affect which one applies, and overly broad conditions can change unrelated requests. Start with the client’s existing rules and keep a configuration you can restore. Don’t edit a complex file before confirming that the basic connection works. After a change, test the destination service and the local resources that should remain unaffected.

Check Results Separately for AI, Video, and Work

Opening an AI website doesn’t mean a development tool’s API process uses the same route. Editors, terminals, containers, and remote hosts may each have their own proxy settings, so check where each request originates. For long-running tasks, understand timeout and retry behavior to avoid resubmitting operations with side effects when a network issue occurs. For more guidance, see AI Tools and AI API Requests: Routes, Concurrency, and Timeouts.

For streaming, choose a route based on the content’s regional requirements and actual playback, not just the homepage thumbnail or the location displayed by the client. After switching exits, an app session or cache may still reflect the previous result. Recheck access in a way the platform allows. Account plans, content licensing, and how an exit is identified are separate matters; a network connection doesn’t grant content access. For content in Japan, see Choosing a Route for Japanese Streaming Services.

For remote work, follow your organization’s security requirements first. When a corporate connection, internal DNS, and a third-party client run together, confirm which resources should use which route. If a meeting drops, file sync fails, or an internal system won’t open, first distinguish internal resources from external destinations, then check for routing conflicts. Don’t disable security tools required by your organization just to restore access, and don’t share work credentials, internal addresses, or sensitive logs while troubleshooting.

You’re ready for advanced use when you can explain why a task uses a particular location, which apps are routed through the connection, and how to return to a known-good setup if something fails. More settings don’t necessarily mean better results; keep changes only when they have a clear purpose, a testable outcome, and a way to undo them. Use the contents to return to the relevant section when new issues arise. Find common questions in the Help Center, and continue using panel tickets for account-related issues.