NekoBox is the other mainstream Android client, built on the sing-box core. The main difference from v2rayNG is protocol coverage — Hysteria2 and TUIC work here.
When to choose it
- Your subscription contains Hysteria2 or TUIC servers. This is the main reason; v2rayNG cannot use them at all.
- You want finer routing control. Its rule configuration is closer to full desktop capability.
- You need to import several config formats. It handles more than share links.
If your servers are all VMess, VLESS or Trojan, the two clients feel much the same and either is fine.
Install and first setup
- Install the APKSame "allow unknown apps" permission as any sideloaded app.
- Add a subscriptionMenu → groups → + → new subscription group, with a name and the URL.
- RefreshPull down in the group list, or use the refresh button.
- Select and connectPick a server on the main screen and tap connect.
Routing rules
Under Settings → Routing you can match on domain, IP or app. The usual set:
| Rule | Outbound | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
geosite:cn | Direct | Local sites do not take a detour |
geoip:cn | Direct | Local addresses connect directly |
geoip:private | Direct | LAN devices stay reachable |
geosite:category-ads-all | Block | Drop ad domains |
| Everything else | Proxy | Catch-all |
Order matters exactly as on the desktop: first match wins, so block rules go first and the catch-all goes last.
Per-app routing
Settings → per-app proxy. Same logic as v2rayNG: pick allowlist or blocklist, then tick apps.
Background survival
- Set battery optimisation to unrestricted.
- Lock the app in the recent apps list.
- Add it to the autostart allowlist if your skin has one.
- Turn off system battery saver.
Can both clients coexist?
You can install both, but not connect both. Android permits only one app to hold the VPN interface, so connecting the second disconnects the first.
Practical advice: pick one as your daily driver and only enable the other when you need it. Maintaining two configurations gains you nothing and invites confusion.