Help Centre: Getting Started, Plans and Settings
A plain answer to the questions new users ask most: how to download the client, how to sign in, how a subscription works, how to pick a node and what to do when a connection wobbles.
There are four supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and the app installs on Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and tablets, iPhones and iPads.
Every region has its own conditions. Choose the line that matches where you are heading, whether that is a website or a game, and favour the one with the lower delay.
Switch off global mode and switch back to smart mode.
Global mode: everything you send goes through the proxy
On desktop:
Smart mode: built-in rules proxy only the sites that really need it
Global mode: all traffic from the computer goes through the proxy
What works in practice: Every region behaves a little differently. Pick the line that matches the region you want to reach — the site or the game — and prefer the one with lower latency.
What works in practice: There is no data ceiling on LightXtreme VPN. Note that if your device has no internet connection of its own, no VPN app can work either.
What works in practice: Switch global mode off and put smart mode back on.
In one line: yes, LightXtreme VPN is secure.
Look at it through three layers:
1. Strong encryption and secure protocols: LightXtreme VPN combines Shadowsocks, Vless and WireGuard with AES-256-GCM.
2. Privacy and anonymity: the address you really have is covered by a virtual IP, and browsing content is kept out of the record.
3. Anti-surveillance and geo-unblocking: LightXtreme VPN keeps your activity to yourself and reaches content blocked in your region.
1. Review antivirus and firewall settings: security software can intercept VPN connections, so turn it off temporarily and retry.
Make sure your real IP is hidden like this:
1. Remember your current IP: before connecting, open a browser and search for your IP address and keep the result to compare with later.
For a genuine copy of LightXtreme VPN, please use these official channels only:
1. Where we actually live: https://shanliana.com/
2. Our official Google Play presence: https://play.google.com/store
3. Our official App Store presence: https://apps.apple.com/app
Look away from any other site presenting itself as LightXtreme VPN.
Our team also keeps long-time users safe by reporting fake copies on the app stores and seeing them removed.
If you find an app impersonating us, please report it to our official email ([email protected]).
1. Bring up LightXtreme VPN and go to My > Settings > VPN settings.
2. Find the dedicated line forwarding option and switch it on
3. Restart the app so the change can apply.
1. Tap the person icon on the home screen bar and open My account.
2. Open My devices and remove the device you have finished with,
Tap the person icon on the home screen bar, open My account and choose Delete account to remove your information.
Device places are given out randomly, much as a draw would,
What works in practice: Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay, credit cards, PayPal, Google Play and Stripe are all supported.
LightXtreme VPN is a subscription product
The ground rules are set out below:
For all users of LightXtreme VPN:
Downloading and installing the app for the first time causes the system to register you automatically and open a 30-minute free trial
Ways to stretch the free trial further:
A special agent referral code brings you 1-3 days of free trial
For anyone who subscribes:
Every subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Standard accounts are limited in the number of devices they allow, and the limit exists for your security
That number describes how many devices can be online at the same moment
1. Tap the My icon on the home screen bar
2. If you have lost your VPN password, tap Forgot password
1. When you paid with PayPal and the membership
2. If iTunes handled your subscription, first make sure that you
3. When payment came through Alipay, UnionPay, Google Pay or some other
Google Play / iOS subscribers are given a 7-day free
Refunds do not cover payments handled by third parties at the
Every option is broken down in detail below
1. Setting up local DNS
⦁ Description: the resolver is set for domestic domains
⦁ Recommended when other local services on your LAN are in the way
2. Setting up remote DNS.
⦁ Description: the resolver is set for international domains
⦁ Recommended if you visit international sites or
3. New protocol
⦁ Description: turns the newer encryption protocol on or off
⦁ Recommended: switch the new protocol on for a better result
4. Disconnect everything when you switch
⦁ Description: closes the current connection when you switch servers, so your traffic never stays on the old IP and every session gets a new address.
⦁ Recommended: keep this on, so every server change gives you a fresh IP and you stay private.
5. Enable IPv6
⦁ Description: sets which protocol DNS uses. Off means IPv4 only, on means IPv4 and IPv6 are handled together.
⦁ Recommended: turn it on for faster loading where IPv6 works, and turn it off on weak or limited networks.
6. One tap back to China
⦁ Description: lets people outside China open Chinese apps such as Youku, iQIYI and Tencent Video.
⦁ Recommended when Chinese sites are blocked where you are: switch it on to get around the regional limits and enjoy smoother viewing.
7. Proxy for BT downloads
⦁ Description: routes BT downloads through the proxy so P2P traffic is encrypted and network limits are skipped.
⦁ Recommended: switch it on for BT on restricted networks, or any time you want your downloads to remain private.
8. Domains that connect directly
⦁ Description: the domains listed here skip the VPN and connect directly, which suits everyday local domains that do not need a proxy.
⦁ Recommended: add the sites you visit daily, banks and payment pages, so they open faster and stay safe.
9. Proxy only some apps
⦁ Description: lets specific applications connect directly without the VPN, which suits lighter usage.
⦁ Recommended: add local apps or apps you never want proxied, to save data and speed up connections.
10. Extra settings for Windows
TUN mode
⦁ Description: sends every bit of system traffic through the VPN via a virtual network adapter, for stronger security and leak protection.
⦁ Recommended: handy when privacy is the priority or you are on public WiFi, though it takes more system resources.
Proxy mode
⦁ Description: works only on the apps or browsers you pick, pushing part of your traffic via the proxy server instead of everything.
⦁ Recommended: useful when you only want to speed up or protect one browser — less overhead, with privacy still covered.
11. Extra settings for macOS
On M-series Macs the VPN can be switched on with a system extension. Per-application proxying then stops working, because the extension cannot identify which app the traffic belongs to.
What works in practice: 1. When should I change local DNS?
If other local services on your network cannot be opened, set local DNS to 'local' so devices resolve local addresses first and access problems go away.
2. When would I change the new protocol?
Keep the new protocol on for better security and privacy as a rule, but if the connection gets shaky, try switching it off.
3. On Windows, should I use proxy mode or TUN mode?
If the network stops working once TUN mode is on in Windows, switch to proxy mode instead: it only touches the apps or browsers you select, uses fewer resources and still sends what you need through the VPN.
Together these options let you tune speed, privacy and stability for whatever network you are on.
What works in practice: Try disabling QUIC in Chrome: open chrome://flags/#enable-quic and click Disable.
What works in practice: LightXtreme VPN helps you reach websites and services in any region. Here is what it can unblock:
Streaming sites: open TikTok, Netflix, Disney+, HBO, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Spotify, AbemaTV, Apple TV+, Tencent Video, iQIYI and more wherever you are.
AI platforms: ChatGPT (OpenAI), Midjourney, Firm Diffusion, Google AI, DALL-E, BigGAN and many other AI sites.
Social platforms: use Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Discord, Tumblr, Pinterest, WeChat, WhatsApp, Telegram, Line and more.
Gaming platforms: Steam, Ubisoft Connect, Apple App Store, Google Play Store and other game services work too.
Forums: Discord, Reddit, Quora, Stack Exchange, V2EX and plenty of other forums.
What works in practice: 360 Security may flag LightXtreme VPN as risky and uninstall it. Is LightXtreme VPN a threat? No — it is certified security software with an international security certificate embedded. This is a false positive.
Add LightXtreme VPN to the 360 whitelist so it keeps running:
1. Start up 360 Security;
2. Pick Trojan detection in the main menu;
3. Open the Trusted Zone panel on the right;
4. Click Add file, designate LightXtreme VPN and open it;
5. Tick the box to confirm;
6. Click OK to confirm;
Note: in other versions of 360 Security the Trusted Zone can be in a different place, but the steps stay the same.
We update LightXtreme VPN regularly to follow network policy changes worldwide. An update replaces the old build and wipes the whitelist entry, so add it again after updating and everything works.
What works in practice: 1. Open the LightXtreme VPN app, go to My > VPN settings and turn off TUN mode in the proxy settings. Then return to the home screen, tap Enable and connect.
2. If it still happens, uninstall LightXtreme VPN, obtain it again from the official website and try connecting once more.
If the problem persists, tap My > Aid inside the app and our team will help you online.
What works in practice: 1. Open LightXtreme VPN and confirm your network connection works.
2. Open My > Settings > VPN settings > Proxy settings and turn TUN mode on.
3. Back to the main screen, disconnect, then restart the app.
What works in practice: 1. Update LightXtreme VPN to the latest version — reinstall it if needed — then connect and try again.
2. Should TUN mode still drop out, open the network connections on your computer and look for a virtual adapter called 'tun0' or 'LightXtreme VPN'. If it is not there, reset the network, restart the computer, then switch LightXtreme VPN back on with TUN mode.
If neither step helps, tap Aid on the My page of the app and we will assist you directly.
What works in practice: Reason: if you are signed in with a mainland China Apple ID the purchase cannot complete, because the app is not listed in the mainland China App Store, hence the 'ID not found' message.
What works in practice: Reason: the App Store does not offer the app in every region. You can change the region of your Apple account, register a Hong Kong Apple ID to search for it, or obtain it with the shared Apple ID we provide.
What works in practice: Reason: 5G networks around the world can be unstable, and a device that switches networks several times in a short period may fail to load the content you want, which makes the experience poor.
What works in practice: Bugs in iOS 16 itself
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings;
What works in practice: First audit whether the region of the Apple ID you are signed in with is [Mainland China], or whether you recently switched regions and Apple has not finished syncing.
Solution: sign out of the [Hong Kong Apple ID] again and then obtain.
What works in practice: This happens when you downloaded LightXtreme VPN with [Apple ID A] and then update it with [Apple ID B].
Solution: delete the old version and install the new one again.
What works in practice: This usually means an [older version] of LightXtreme VPN is still on your phone and conflicts with the App Store version.
Solution: delete the old version and install the new one again.
What works in practice: This usually means an [older version] of LightXtreme VPN is still on your phone and conflicts with the App Store version.
Solution: delete the old version and install the new one again.
What works in practice: This usually means an [older version] of LightXtreme VPN is still on your phone and conflicts with the App Store version.
Solution: delete the old version and install the new one again.
What works in practice: This happens because the Apple ID you are signed in with now differs from the one you originally used to obtain LightXtreme VPN.
To fix it, choose either of these:
1. Switch back to the Apple ID you originally used to obtain LightXtreme VPN and update from there;
2. Uninstall the app, then obtain and set up it again with the Apple ID you are currently signed in with (back up and remember your VPN account and password first).
What works in practice: 1. Audit that the LightXtreme VPN client is in your Applications folder. If it is not, drag it there, then sign in and connect again;
2. Try browsing in Safari. If that works, another browser may have a proxy or ad-blocking extension installed — find those extensions and turn them off.
What works in practice: In your phone settings or device manager, allow LightXtreme VPN to run in the background and grant the related permissions, such as auto-start and start with other apps.
What works in practice: Reason: this is usually caused by a system default. Android kills background apps by default, so LightXtreme VPN may be terminated after a while in the background and your connection drops. Adjust these settings to fix it:
In your phone settings or device manager, let LightXtreme VPN run in the background and allow the extra permissions, such as auto-start and start with other apps.
Huawei phones:
Open Settings, search for Battery optimisation, designate LightXtreme VPN and exclude it from battery optimisation;
Open Settings > App management, designate LightXtreme VPN, tap Energy consumption and switch on Allow background activity;
Xiaomi phones:
Open Settings > More apps, designate LightXtreme VPN, tap Power saving strategy and set it to No restrictions;
Open Settings > Special features, designate Game turbo and turn it off;
OPPO phones:
Open Settings > App management, designate LightXtreme VPN, tap Energy saving protection and disable all the options there;
Vivo phones:
Open Settings > Battery, choose Background high power consumption and let LightXtreme VPN keep running;
Meizu phones:
Open Settings > App management, designate LightXtreme VPN, tap Permission management > Background management and choose Allow background running;
OnePlus phones:
Open Settings > Battery, choose Battery optimisation and set LightXtreme VPN to No optimisation;
Samsung phones:
Open Smart Manager > App management, choose Manage auto start-up and set LightXtreme VPN to Allow background running;
What works in practice: Step 1: open the official LightXtreme VPN download page in your browser, choose the Android version and tap Free Download to get the APK.
Step 2: open AppGallery on your phone, search for and set up the Zhuoyitong app.
Step 3: open Zhuoyitong, find and tap File transfer, then locate and upload the LightXtreme VPN APK downloaded in step 1.
Step 4: tap the LightXtreme VPN APK, choose Set up anyway and follow the prompts. Once it is installed, open LightXtreme VPN and tap Enable to connect in one tap.
What works in practice: 1. Open your phone's Settings and search for VPN apps.
2. Open Other VPN apps and switch Always-on off for each of them.
3. Restart the app so the changes apply.
What works in practice: Contact aid through the LightXtreme VPN app or the official website — the team will prepare the right build for your device.