Outline. Setting up client apps

For this article you'll need a ready ss://… link or QR code — the panel generates them for every Outline user, in the expanded row of the list, via the Link and QR code buttons. If you don't have a user yet, start with Outline quick start.

Windows

Main app — Outline Client.

1. Download the app from the link above and run the installer.
2. Copy your ss://… link from the panel with the Link button.
3. Open Outline Client and click "Add server". If the link is already on your clipboard, the app shows "Access key detected" — click "Confirm". Otherwise, paste the link into the "Paste access key here" field and click "Confirm".
4. Click "Connect".

Android

Main app — Outline Client on Google Play.

1. Install the app from the link above.
2. If the panel is open on this same phone, copy the ss://… link with the Link button. If it's open on a different device, scan the QR code on its screen with any QR scanner — it will show the same link as text, copy it.
3. Open Outline Client and tap "Add server". If the link is already on your clipboard, the app shows "Access key detected" — tap "Confirm". Otherwise, paste the link into the "Paste access key here" field and tap "Confirm".
4. Tap "Connect". Android will show a system prompt to set up a VPN connection — confirm it.

iPhone and iPad

Main app — Outline App from the App Store.

1. Install the app from the link above.
2. If the panel is open on this same device, copy the ss://… link with the Link button. If it's open on a different device, scan the QR code on its screen with any QR scanner and copy the link it shows.
3. Open Outline App and tap "Add server". If the link is already on your clipboard, the app shows "Access key detected" — tap "Confirm". Otherwise, paste the link into the "Paste access key here" field and tap "Confirm".
4. Tap "Connect". iOS will ask permission to add a VPN configuration — allow it and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

macOS

In the Mac App Store the same app is listed under a different name — "Outline-Secure internet access".

1. Install the app from the link above.
2. Copy your ss://… link from the panel with the Link button.
3. Open the app and click "Add server". If the link is already on your clipboard, the app shows "Access key detected" — click "Confirm". Otherwise, paste the link into the "Paste access key here" field and click "Confirm".
4. Click "Connect". macOS will ask permission to add a VPN configuration — confirm with Touch ID or your administrator password.

Checking that the VPN works

Open myip.com in your browser. If everything is set up correctly, the page will show your server's country.

If it doesn't connect

• Check the Enabled toggle in the collapsed user row in the panel — a disabled user's ss://… link doesn't work.
• Make sure you copied the whole link including the ss:// prefix — forwarding it through a messenger sometimes strips it.
• On Windows, the app asks for administrator rights on first launch — without them Outline Client won't start.
• On Android, the VPN permission prompt may not appear if another app has the "Display over other apps" permission enabled — turn it off for other apps and try again.

⚠️ ISP restrictions

Traffic encryption makes a VPN a reliable way to protect a connection, but in some countries and regions internet providers actively interfere with VPN protocols. Because of this, full availability of the service cannot be guaranteed — regardless of the connection type. If one protocol does not work for you, try another VPN module available in the panel. If none of them work on your network, contact support and we will issue a refund for the license.

What's next

• Outline quick start — installing the module and creating the first user.
• Outline. Managing users — editing, emailing the link, revoking access.