This complete VPN guide for beginners follows the setup process from start to finish: choose the international websites you want to access, select a plan, get your subscription, and import it into a client. Then check your exit IP and the target website instead of relying on a “connected” status alone. When setting things up for the first time, verify the connection on one device before configuring others—it makes issues easier to pinpoint.
Before You Start: VPNs, Subscriptions, and Clients
These services are commonly used to access international websites, use apps from other regions, and improve some cross-border connection routes. Access to a specific website can also depend on your local network, exit region, the website’s policies, and your account permissions. A successful network connection does not guarantee access to paid content or features restricted by region.
In everyday conversation, “VPN” is sometimes used to describe proxy subscription services as well. A traditional VPN and a proxy client work differently: a proxy may only handle apps that follow the system proxy settings, while virtual network adapter mode can route more traffic. So if a website opens in your browser, that does not mean every app on your device uses the same route.
- Service account: Used to manage your plan, remaining data, and subscription details.
- Subscription link: An address the client uses to retrieve connection configurations; it usually contains account access credentials.
- Client: Software that reads configurations, lets you choose a route, applies split-tunneling rules, and establishes a connection.
- Server node: A connection endpoint and its related settings in a configuration. The listed region is usually there to help you choose an exit location.
Shadowsocks, VMess, Trojan, VLESS, Hysteria2, and TUIC are names of different proxy protocols or protocol suites—not countries, plans, or client apps. They handle transport, authentication, and encryption differently, so the name alone does not indicate security or speed. When importing a configuration, follow the details provided with your account and the client’s compatibility notes. Do not edit protocol fields yourself.
Choosing a Plan: Check How Data Resets
Start by listing your usual activities: reading websites, video calls, streaming, or occasional use of international tools. Video and large downloads typically use more data. If you are unsure how much you need, check your account’s usage history after getting started and adjust your plan if needed. Unlimited simultaneous devices does not mean unlimited data.
| Type | Price and data | Data rules | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | ¥9.9 / 60GB；¥18 / 250GB；¥28 / 500GB | Monthly data resets on the activation date | Regular use with a monthly data allowance |
| Data package | ¥158 / 300GB；¥358 / 1000GB；¥658 / 3000GB | Use it whenever you like; it never expires | Occasional or unpredictable use, with unused data carried over |
VPNNH allows unlimited simultaneous devices and offers a 14-day no-questions-asked refund. Monthly plan upgrades are prorated based on the remaining days. Check the options on the Plans & Pricing page before choosing. Payment methods include Alipay, WeChat Pay, and USDT. After paying, confirm that the corresponding benefits appear in your account before configuring your client.
Create an Account and Get Your Subscription Link
VPNNH does not require an email address. Create an account with a username and password. Use a unique password and keep your account details safe. Your account password and subscription link serve different purposes: use the password to sign in to the dashboard and the subscription link to fetch configurations in your client. Do not enter your password in the subscription URL field.
- Create an account in the account dashboard, or sign in with an existing account.
- Choose a plan in the plans section, complete your order, and confirm that your account benefits have been updated.
- Find the subscription details in your account and copy the link in the format required by your client.
- Open the subscription or configuration manager in your client, choose import from link, and update the subscription.
Clients may accept different formats. Some read a specific configuration format, while others support several subscription types. If you see a “format error,” check the client guidance in your dashboard first. Do not keep pasting the same address or submit a private link to an unfamiliar online converter. How often subscriptions update automatically depends on your client settings; there is no single interval that applies to every client.
Import the Subscription: Set Up Each Device
Check the client instructions for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux in the account downloads section. Installation options and access requirements vary by platform. This is especially true for iOS, so follow the instructions in your account rather than assuming every platform can download and install an app directly.
Desktop: Check Which Traffic Is Routed
Windows and macOS clients may offer system proxy and virtual network adapter modes. The system proxy mainly affects apps that respect that setting. Virtual network adapter mode can route more traffic, but requires the relevant permissions and may conflict with other networking software. For your first setup, import and connect using the recommended settings. Do not run multiple proxy tools at the same time.
Mobile: Grant Permissions, Then Test the Connection
iOS and Android clients may ask for permission to create a system network connection. Confirm the app’s source, then grant permission when prompted. Background restrictions, battery-saving settings, and network changes can affect mobile connections. After switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data, test the target app again rather than relying on the result from before the switch.
Linux: Check the Application Environment
On Linux, graphical clients, command-line tools, and background services may use different proxy settings. A working browser connection does not mean terminal tools will use a proxy automatically. Check the client documentation to see when to use a system proxy, environment variables, or virtual network adapter mode. Avoid running privileged commands from unverified sources.
After updating the subscription, confirm that the server list is populated, then choose a region and connect. Once you have verified the connection, enable automatic updates or launch-at-startup settings if needed. This makes it easier to tell import issues apart from automation settings.
Choose a Route and Split-Tunneling Rules
Route types describe the network path; they are not a direct ranking of connection quality. A direct route usually means the device connects straight to an overseas server. A relay adds a forwarding endpoint to the path. An IEPL dedicated line usually means the provider uses an international Ethernet private line for the relevant cross-border segment. Even with a dedicated line, other links—such as the connection from your device to the entry point and from the exit point to the destination website—can affect performance.
Do not choose based only on the region name or latency ranking. A website may require an exit in a particular region or restrict data center IP addresses. Choose a route that matches the target region, then test it with the actual website or app. Visit the server list for route details; the configurations available to you are the ones shown in your account subscription.
Rule mode uses criteria such as domain names and addresses to decide whether traffic connects directly or through a proxy, making it suitable for everyday use. Global proxy mode can help troubleshoot rule issues, but it does not necessarily route all device traffic; coverage of other apps still depends on the client’s operating mode. If a website is mistakenly routed directly, check the rules and DNS settings instead of simply switching servers.
DNS translates domain names into IP addresses, and DNS queries can take a different path from web requests. A DNS leak occurs when queries do not use the intended resolver path, potentially revealing the domains you visit. Secure DNS in your browser, system settings, and DNS handling by your client can interact, so make sure you understand the current setup before changing it.
Verify the Connection: Check Both Your Exit IP and the Website
A client’s “connected” status only means it reports that some kind of connection has been established. To confirm that access is working, check both the traffic route and the destination service. Note your exit IP before connecting, connect to a route, then look up your public IP again in the same browser and check whether the listed region matches your expectations.
- ✅ The subscription updated successfully, the server list is populated, and your account still has data available.
- ✅ Your public exit IP or region changed as expected for the selected route and split-tunneling rules.
- ✅ The target website loads, and you can sign in or use the features you need—not just open the homepage.
- ✅ Check where DNS queries are routed. If a local resolver appears, compare it with your intended rules to understand why.
- ✅ Disconnect and test again to confirm the change comes from your current configuration, not a cached page.
IP geolocation databases may take time to update, so the region shown by one lookup site is not conclusive. In rule mode, the IP lookup site itself may be routed directly, so an unchanged IP does not necessarily mean the target website is bypassing the proxy. Check the client’s connection logs and the rule matched for the target domain as well.
A DNS test alone cannot establish your level of privacy. HTTPS mainly protects data exchanged between your browser and a website, while a proxy or VPN changes the relevant network route; they address different concerns. Even when your connection follows the expected route, account sign-ins, browser identifiers, and the website’s own data practices still matter.
Troubleshooting by Symptom
Subscription Won’t Update or the Server List Is Empty
First, make sure you copied the complete subscription URL without extra spaces or line breaks. Then check your plan status, link format, and client compatibility. If the link has been reset, update it on your other devices too. Reinstalling the client repeatedly is no substitute for these checks.
Connected, but Websites Won’t Load
First, check whether ordinary websites that do not rely on the proxy are accessible, then see which rule applies to the target domain. If no websites load, check your local network, system proxy, and software conflicts. If only the target website fails, check the exit region, website status, and account restrictions. Change one setting at a time and note the results before and after each change.
Works in the Browser, but Not in Other Apps
Start by checking which traffic the proxy covers. An app may ignore the system proxy or use its own network settings. Refer to the client documentation to see whether virtual network adapter mode is needed, and confirm that the required permissions are granted. Do not assume an app sign-in failure is caused by the route.
If the issue persists, contact support through the Support page or submit a support ticket. Include your operating system, client name, error message, selected region, and the steps that led to the issue. Before sharing a screenshot, hide your subscription link, password, and other account credentials. This helps support investigate while limiting the information you expose.