Rule mode: Choose an outbound route per connection
Open the client's mode selector and choose Rule. It checks each connection against the rules in your configuration, then sends it to a direct route, a proxy group, or a reject rule. A proxy group contains multiple outbound options; selecting a node does not mean every connection will use it. To verify that rules are working, open the connection log and check the destination domain, matched rule, and final route—not just the VPN icon in the status bar.
Keep everyday sites on a direct route and send connections that need a proxy to the appropriate group. Place custom rules carefully, especially around existing LAN rules. If only one app is affected, check its connection log before changing rules for the relevant domain or app. Routing all connections through a proxy may also disrupt access to local network devices.
Find the rule from the match result
Find the site you just opened on the Connections page and check its rule and policy chain. If it matches the final fallback rule, earlier entries probably did not match the destination. Domain and IP rules evaluate different targets, and DNS resolution can affect the result. Note the original rule, change one thing at a time, then reconnect. Existing connections may keep their previous route, so reopen the page after switching policies. This makes it easier to distinguish a rule issue from a remote connection problem than repeatedly changing nodes.
Tell subscription updates apart from local edits
Open the configuration list, confirm which configuration is active, and check its last-updated time. Updating a subscription fetches new remote content; edits made directly to a downloaded file may be overwritten next time. For changes that need to persist, use the client's override or merge feature where available. These features and their processing order vary by client, so read the target client's documentation before migrating. If an update fails, keep the existing configuration and check your network and subscription status first—don't delete your only working config.
Check permissions and background restrictions
Open the app's settings in Android and check its battery and background-use permissions. Some systems manage autostart, lock-screen cleanup, and background data separately, so check each one. The VPN prompt shown on first connection authorizes the client to create a local network interface; it does not mean a remote node has connected. If the connection works with the screen on but drops when locked, check background restrictions first. If the service keeps running but sites won't load, check the subscription, node, and DNS. Troubleshoot these as separate issues instead of repeatedly reinstalling the app.