Installation
Download the package for your device from the Download page.
The first time you open MeowX on either platform, it shows a short disclaimer. Tap Agree to continue; Exit closes the app.
Requirements
Section titled “Requirements”- Android 8.0 or later.
- A subscription URL from your provider, or an account on a compatible provider dashboard.
Which APK to choose
Section titled “Which APK to choose”| APK | Use it for |
|---|---|
| arm64-v8a | Almost every phone and tablet made in recent years. Smaller download. Pick this if you are unsure |
| universal | Older 32-bit ARM devices, x86_64 devices (for example some emulators and Chromebooks), or if the arm64 APK refuses to install |
Both contain the same app. Updates install over an existing installation without losing your settings, whichever variant you started with.
Installing
Section titled “Installing”- Download the APK on your device.
- Open it. If Android asks, allow your browser or file manager to install unknown apps.
- Tap Install, then Open.
Permissions
Section titled “Permissions”Notifications. On Android 13 and later, MeowX asks for permission to post notifications when it starts. While MeowX is connected, Android shows a persistent notification for the running VPN service; with Network speed notification turned on (see Android: VPN and proxied apps), it also shows the current speed and subscription information.
VPN. MeowX captures traffic through Android’s VPN service. The first time you tap the power button, Android shows a Connection request dialog asking whether MeowX may set up a VPN connection. Tap OK. A key icon appears in the status bar while MeowX is connected.
Android allows only one VPN at a time. Connecting MeowX disconnects any other VPN app, and the other way around.
App list. The Proxied apps page needs the list of installed apps. Some systems treat this as a separate permission; if the page says it cannot read the app list, tap Grant and allow it.
Battery optimization. To keep the connection alive in the background on aggressive power-saving systems, exempt MeowX from battery optimization: Me › Advanced › Enhanced Tools › Battery Optimization. See Troubleshooting.
Quick Settings tile
Section titled “Quick Settings tile”MeowX adds a MeowX tile that you can place in the Quick Settings panel (swipe down twice, then edit the tiles). Tap it to connect or disconnect without opening the app.
Requirements
Section titled “Requirements”- Windows 10 or later, 64-bit (x64).
- A subscription URL from your provider, or an account on a compatible provider dashboard.
Installer or portable
Section titled “Installer or portable”| Package | What it is | Choose it if |
|---|---|---|
Setup (MeowX-…-windows-amd64-setup.exe) |
A regular installer. Installs MeowX into Program Files, adds Start menu (and optionally desktop) shortcuts, and sets up the MeowX service needed for TUN mode | You want a normal installation. Recommended |
Portable (MeowX-…-windows-amd64-portable.zip) |
A folder you unzip anywhere and run from there. It keeps its profiles and data in a data folder inside that folder |
You cannot or do not want to install software, or want to carry MeowX on a USB drive |
Both get in-app updates. They are separate installations: data is not shared between an installed copy and a portable copy.
Installing the setup package
Section titled “Installing the setup package”- Run the downloaded
setup.exe. - If Microsoft Defender SmartScreen says “Windows protected your PC”, click More info, then Run anyway. The installer is not code-signed, so SmartScreen does not recognize it yet.
- Approve the User Account Control (UAC) prompt. The installer needs administrator rights to install into Program Files and set up the MeowX service.
- Follow the wizard. Create a desktop shortcut is ticked by default; untick it if you do not want one.
- Leave Launch MeowX ticked on the last page and click Finish.
If MeowX is already running, the installer closes it before replacing the files.
Uninstalling. Use Settings › Apps (or Control Panel). The uninstaller asks whether to remove all user data (configuration files, profiles and subscriptions, settings and registry entries). Choose No to keep them for a later reinstall. Uninstalling also removes the MeowX service and MeowX’s virtual network adapter.
Using the portable package
Section titled “Using the portable package”- Unzip the
.zipto a folder you can write to, for exampleD:\Apps. It contains aMeowXfolder. - Open the folder and run
MeowX.exe. If SmartScreen warns you, choose More info › Run anyway.
Do not delete the small file named portable in that folder. It is what tells MeowX to keep its data next to the program instead of in your user profile.
Administrator access and the MeowX service
Section titled “Administrator access and the MeowX service”You do not need administrator rights to use MeowX in system proxy mode. TUN mode, which captures all traffic through a virtual network adapter, needs the core to run with system privileges. MeowX does this through a small Windows service, the MeowX service:
- The installer sets the service up for you.
- When MeowX starts its core and finds the service missing or not running, Windows shows a UAC prompt so that MeowX can set it up again. This typically happens once, on the first start.
- With the portable package, the service is set up the first time you turn on TUN: MeowX explains why and asks you to approve one UAC prompt.
If you decline the prompt, MeowX still starts and system proxy mode works normally, but TUN cannot take effect. Details in Windows: TUN and system proxy.
Links from the browser
Section titled “Links from the browser”MeowX registers the clash://, clashmeta:// and miaomiaowu:// link types with Windows. Clicking a clash://install-config?url=… link imports that subscription, and a provider dashboard’s Log in client button signs MeowX in. See Account and subscriptions.
Next steps
Section titled “Next steps”Import a subscription on the Me tab and tap the power button on Home. The Home and Account and subscriptions pages walk through both.