Knowing how to use a VPN involves more than finding a “Connect” button. Beginners usually get stuck choosing a client, importing a subscription, understanding routes and protocols, and checking traffic, split tunneling, and DNS after connecting. This guide covers each point in order, from account setup to everyday troubleshooting.

110+ Countries and regions covered, with exit locations to match the target service.
210+ Routes to choose from, making it easier to test distance, entry points, and route types.
Unlimited No device limit; one subscription works across common desktop and mobile platforms.

Before getting started: accounts, devices, and clients

1. Can I use the same subscription on multiple devices?

Yes. 45VPN does not limit the number of devices, so the same subscription can be used on a desktop, tablet, and other personal devices. Keep in mind that “unlimited devices” does not mean each device gets separate traffic: connections under one account generally share the traffic available in the current plan. Background downloads, system updates, and cloud sync also count as network traffic.

If several devices are connected at once, give each configuration an easy-to-recognize name and avoid sharing the subscription link. Subscription links often contain access credentials used to identify the account. If exposed, someone else may import the link and consume the same account’s traffic. If you suspect a leak, update the credentials in the service panel and import the subscription again.

No email address is required to create an account; a username and password are enough. These credentials and the subscription link serve different purposes: the username and password access the panel, while the subscription link transfers route settings to the client. Do not treat the subscription link like an ordinary webpage URL or store it publicly.

2. Which client should I install for each platform?

A client is not the route itself. It reads configurations, establishes a tunnel, and applies split-tunneling rules. Start by checking whether it supports the protocols included in your subscription, then look for system proxy support, virtual network adapter mode, rule-based routing, and DNS controls. Similar interfaces do not guarantee compatibility: a subscription may fail to import or connect in a client that lacks the required protocol.

On Windows and macOS, you can usually choose between system proxy mode and virtual network adapter mode. System proxy mode mainly handles apps that follow the operating system’s proxy settings. Virtual adapter mode covers more traffic, but may require elevated permissions and can conflict with other network tools. Android clients generally forward traffic through the system VPN interface. iOS and iPadOS clients rely on system network extensions, and supported protocols vary by app.

  • ✅ Get the installer for your operating system from a trusted source.
  • ✅ Confirm that the client explicitly supports the protocols and subscription format provided.
  • ✅ Keep the default DNS and routing settings during initial setup; adjust them one at a time after connecting successfully.
  • ❌ Do not run multiple network tools that modify the system proxy or virtual adapter routes at the same time.
  • ❌ Do not paste the subscription link into public speed-test pages, forums, or shared documents.
Bottom line: Choose a client based on protocol compatibility first, then consider its interface and extra features. An import failure usually points to a format or protocol mismatch, not necessarily a problem with the account or route.

Importing subscriptions and updating routes

3. How do I import a subscription link into a client?

Think of a subscription link as an updatable list of routes. Sign in to the user panel, copy the subscription URL, then find “Add subscription,” “Import from URL,” or a similar option in the client. Paste the link and run an update. Once imported, the client will show available regions, route names, and protocol types; choose a route from the list to connect.

Menu names vary by client, but the process is generally the same:

  1. Open the user panel and copy the current subscription link.
  2. Add a remote subscription in the client rather than manually creating an empty node.
  3. Run a subscription update and wait for the route list to load completely.
  4. Choose a nearby route for the first connection test.
  5. Open familiar websites and confirm that pages, images, and persistent connections load normally.
  6. When the route list changes later, update the subscription before choosing a route again.
Import subscription
  → Update route list
  → Choose a nearby entry point
  → Establish connection
  → Check exit location and DNS
  → Configure split-tunneling rules

4. What is the difference between direct, relay, and IEPL routes?

These labels describe the path data takes from the local entry point to the remote exit. A direct route connects the device straight to the remote server, keeping the path simple, but cross-network and international-exit fluctuations show up directly in the experience. A relay route first connects to a nearby entry point and then reaches the exit through links arranged by the provider, which can help avoid poor public-network routing. An IEPL route uses dedicated transport across the international segment, so its path organization differs from a standard public-internet connection.

Route types cannot be ranked apart from the actual network environment. A nearby location does not always mean a shorter end-to-end path, and a label containing “dedicated line” does not guarantee the same results for every website. The entry network, carrier interconnection, exit region, target data center, and current congestion all matter. The most reliable approach is to compare routes on the same device, network, and task.

Route type Path characteristics Best first test scenarios What to watch for
Direct The device connects directly to the remote exit A stable local international exit and a nearby target region Changes in public routing directly affect the connection
Relay Connects to a nearby entry point before reaching the remote exit The direct path takes an inefficient detour or performs poorly across networks Both entry-point quality and the relay path need testing
IEPL dedicated route Uses dedicated transport across the international segment Long sessions, remote collaboration, and sustained transfers The final experience still depends on local access and the target service
Route-selection takeaway: Test a nearby entry point first, then choose an exit region that matches the target service. Route names narrow the options; sustained performance during the real task is the deciding factor.

Choosing a protocol and connection mode

5. How do I choose between Shadowsocks, VMess, Trojan, VLESS, Hysteria2, and TUIC?

These protocols define how the client and server establish a connection, authenticate, and transfer data. They are not simple “speed tiers.” Real-world performance depends on the client implementation, server configuration, transport layer, and whether the current network suits that communication method.

Shadowsocks is a widely used encrypted proxy protocol with a relatively straightforward setup and broad client support. VMess is common in the V2Ray ecosystem and supports authentication with multiple transport combinations. Trojan typically establishes connections over TLS, so certificates, domains, and server settings must be configured correctly. VLESS does not encrypt content by itself and is usually combined with TLS or another secure transport; the protocol name alone does not describe the complete security profile.

Hysteria2 and TUIC are both built on QUIC and UDP, with an emphasis on maintaining transfer efficiency in lossy or unstable conditions. Whether they suit your network depends on local UDP support. If UDP is restricted, you may see handshake failures, unstable connections, or no connection at all; in that case, test an available TCP-based configuration instead.

  • ✅ Both the client and server must support a protocol before they can establish a connection.
  • ✅ If ordinary webpages work but real-time transfers are unstable, compare different transport-layer configurations.
  • ✅ When UDP performs well, test the real-world performance of Hysteria2 or TUIC.
  • ❌ Do not equate a protocol name directly with anonymity or route quality.
  • ❌ Do not repeatedly change low-level parameters while the connection is working; doing so can introduce new compatibility problems.

6. What are global, rule-based, and direct modes?

Global mode sends all traffic within the client’s scope through the selected route. It is useful for checking whether split-tunneling rules are causing an access failure. The trade-off is that local websites, software updates, and other requests that do not need an international route may also go through the remote exit, increasing traffic usage and detours.

Rule-based mode decides between proxying and direct access by checking domains, IP addresses, or rule sets, making it better for everyday use. Accurate rules matter: one service may call login domains, static-asset domains, API domains, and content delivery networks at the same time. Proxying only the main domain can leave pages loading while images, login, or playback fails. Direct mode bypasses the proxy and is typically used to temporarily disable forwarding or verify that the local network itself is working.

When starting out, use global mode to confirm that the route connects, then switch to rule-based mode. If a service fails after the switch, check the client’s connection log to see which path the relevant domains took instead of repeatedly changing protocols without a diagnosis.

Traffic usage and everyday connections

7. How is traffic usage calculated?

Plan traffic is generally calculated from upload and download data passing through the service routes. Web browsing, video streaming, and file downloads create download traffic; attachments, cloud backups, video calls, and large file uploads create upload traffic. Some clients show device-side totals, while the service panel shows account-side totals. Differences can result from measurement points, connection overhead, and update timing, so use the plan records in the panel as the account-level reference.

Global mode can send background tasks through the route, including operating-system updates, cloud-drive sync, and app-store downloads. To reduce unnecessary usage, use rule-based routing so local services and trusted everyday resources in mainland China connect directly. Traffic packages do not expire, which suits irregular usage; still choose a plan based on the type of transfers you expect.

8. Should a VPN stay on all the time?

Whether to stay connected depends on the task. For long sessions, remote collaboration, cross-border access, and public-network use that require a stable exit, staying connected avoids changing paths mid-task. If you only visit international websites occasionally, turn it on when needed and disconnect afterward to keep background traffic from using the remote route.

If the client supports a kill switch or a similar feature, understand how it behaves first: when the route drops unexpectedly, it blocks traffic from returning directly to the local network until the connection recovers or you disable the feature manually. This suits tasks where the exit should not change after a drop, but an incorrect setup can also look like “the internet stops working completely.” Check the client connection state and kill-switch setting before reinstalling the app.

Switching routes, login sessions, and DNS troubleshooting

9. Will switching routes sign me out of websites?

Switching routes changes the public exit address, but it does not necessarily clear login credentials saved in the browser immediately. Some websites keep you signed in after a switch, while others request verification again, depending on how the service evaluates the session, exit region, and network changes.

Avoid switching routes during payments, uploads, remote-desktop sessions, or ongoing conversations because existing connections are usually interrupted and re-established. If you must switch, save your work first and choose another route in the same region. Frequent cross-region changes are more likely to make the target service detect a sudden change in the session environment, so fixed tasks are best handled with a relatively stable region and route.

If a page still shows the old region after switching, the cause may be browser cache, the website account’s region, location permissions, or DNS cache—not necessarily a failed route change. Disconnect the old connection, confirm that the new route is established, and reopen the target page. If the issue remains, check the browser and system network status separately.

10. Connected but webpages will not open: how do I check DNS leaks and routing rules?

“Connected” in the client only means that a tunnel has been established between the client and server. It does not confirm that DNS resolution, system routing, and the application proxy are working correctly. Start with the local network and verify the route, DNS, split tunneling, and app settings layer by layer.

DNS translates domain names into network addresses. A DNS leak usually means that business traffic passes through the proxy route while DNS queries are still sent to a local resolver you did not intend to use. This may reveal the domains being queried or, when local results do not match the exit region, send a website to an unsuitable service node. The solution is not to enter a random public DNS address; align the DNS policy with the client’s proxy mode, virtual adapter, and routing rules.

  1. Disconnect the client and confirm that the local network can access familiar websites normally.
  2. Reconnect and update the subscription to rule out changes to the route configuration.
  3. Switch to global mode for testing. If global mode works but rule-based mode does not, focus on the routing rules.
  4. Check the client log to determine whether the failure occurs during DNS resolution, the connection handshake, or the target service’s response.
  5. Check whether another proxy, virtual adapter, or custom DNS configuration is also active on the system.
  6. Confirm that the browser has not independently enabled a proxy or encrypted DNS setting that conflicts with the system policy.
  7. Retest with another route in the same region to distinguish a single-route problem from a local configuration issue.

Change only one variable at a time during troubleshooting: route first, then protocol, then DNS, and routing rules last. This is the only reliable way to identify which change fixed the problem.

Final takeaway: A reliable beginner setup sequence is to import the subscription and verify the default connection, then choose a route and protocol, configure rule-based routing, and check DNS last. When something goes wrong, eliminating causes layer by layer is more effective than repeatedly reinstalling the client.

Beginner setup checklist

After the first setup, use this checklist for a final review. It helps reduce subscription leaks and prevents local settings from interfering with an otherwise working route.

  • ✅ Store the account password and subscription link separately, and never share the subscription link publicly.
  • ✅ Get the client from a trusted source and confirm that it supports the protocols provided by the current subscription.
  • ✅ Use the default configuration for the first connection, then enable the virtual adapter, routing rules, or custom DNS one at a time.
  • ✅ Keep the exit region as consistent as possible for everyday tasks, and do not switch routes during important transfers.
  • ✅ Update the subscription list regularly; when a route fails, first check whether the configuration has refreshed.
  • ✅ After connecting, confirm that the exit, DNS, and routing results match the needs of the current task.
  • ❌ Do not treat “connected” as the end of the checklist; verify webpages, persistent connections, and DNS as well.

45VPN offers 110+ countries and regions, 210+ routes, unlimited devices, and an anonymous no-logs policy. There is no need to chase complex parameters: first build a client, protocol, and route setup that you can verify consistently, then adjust it for the task at hand. If your needs do not match within the plan’s applicable scope, refer to the 14-day no-questions-asked refund policy.