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How to Install Clash on macOS: Complete Guide After ClashX Pro Discontinued

2026-07-28 Reading time: ~ 7 min

Table of Contents

Why ClashX Pro is Discontinued and What to Use Now

The original Clash core and its derivatives like ClashX Pro have been officially discontinued. For Mac users, this means no more updates, security patches, or support for new protocols like VLESS, TUIC, or Reality. If you are still using ClashX Pro, it is highly recommended to migrate to an actively maintained client. For a deep dive into the differences between legacy and modern clients, check out our ClashX vs ClashX Pro vs Clash Meta comparison.

Today, the two best options for macOS are Clash Verge Rev and Clash Meta for Mac. Both utilize the mihomo core, which is the active fork of the original Clash Meta, ensuring you have access to the latest networking features and protocol support.

Prerequisites for Installing Clash on macOS

Before proceeding with this clash mac install guide, ensure your system meets the basic requirements. Both modern clients support macOS 10.15 (Catalina) and above. If you are using an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, or M4), you must download the ARM64 (aarch64) version of the client to ensure native performance and avoid Rosetta 2 translation overhead. Intel Macs should use the x86_64 version.

Additionally, ensure you have an active proxy subscription URL from your provider, and verify that your macOS user account has administrator privileges, as installing the TUN mode service requires elevated permissions.

Installing Clash Verge Rev on macOS

Clash Verge Rev is currently the most feature-rich and actively maintained cross-platform client. It uses the mihomo core under the hood and provides a modern, highly customizable interface.

Step 1: Download the Installer

Visit the official Clash Verge Rev GitHub releases page. Download the .dmg file matching your architecture: Clash.Verge_*_aarch64.dmg for Apple Silicon or Clash.Verge_*_x64.dmg for Intel.

Step 2: Install and Bypass Gatekeeper

Open the .dmg and drag the application to your Applications folder. When you first launch it, macOS will likely block it with a "cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified" warning. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click "Open Anyway".

For advanced tweaks, UI customization, and script integration, you can refer to our Clash Verge Rev tips and tricks guide to maximize your experience.

Installing Clash Meta for Mac

If you prefer a native macOS menu bar experience that closely mimics the old ClashX interface, Clash Meta for Mac is an excellent lightweight choice.

Step 1: Download and Extract

Download the latest release from the Clash Meta for Mac repository. Extract the .zip file to reveal the Clash Meta.app bundle.

Step 2: Move to Applications

Move the app to your /Applications directory. Like Clash Verge, you may need to allow it in System Settings > Privacy & Security on the first launch to bypass Apple's Gatekeeper.

Configuring Subscriptions and Proxy Rules

Regardless of the client you choose, the configuration logic remains identical. The YAML configuration structure is universal across platforms, which is the exact same concept covered in our Clash for Windows installation guide.

Basic Subscription Configuration

Instead of manual YAML editing, modern clients support subscription URLs. Paste your subscription link into the "Profiles" or "Config" section of your client and click "Update". The client will automatically download and parse the rules, proxies, and proxy groups.

If you need to manually edit the config or set up custom rule providers, here is a standard mihomo snippet demonstrating essential parameters:

mixed-port: 7890
allow-lan: false
mode: rule
log-level: info
unified-delay: true
geodata-mode: true
tcp-concurrent: true

find-process-mode: strict

profile:
  store-selected: true
  store-fake-ip: true

sniffer:
  enable: true
  sniff:
    HTTP:
      ports: [80, 8080-8880]
      override-destination: true
    TLS:
      ports: [443, 8443]

dns:
  enable: true
  ipv6: false
  prefer-h3: true
  listen: "0.0.0.0:1053"
  enhanced-mode: fake-ip
  fake-ip-range: 198.18.0.1/16
  nameserver:
    - https://dns.alidns.com/dns-query
    - https://doh.pub/dns-query

Setting find-process-mode: strict ensures that process-based routing works accurately, which is crucial for apps that bypass standard system proxies.

Enabling TUN Mode and System Proxy

To route all system traffic, including apps that do not support system proxies like Steam or terminal tools, you must enable TUN mode. This creates a virtual network interface that captures all packets at the network layer.

Step 1: Enable Service Mode

In Clash Verge Rev, go to Settings > Clash Core Settings and enable "TUN Mode". The client will prompt you to install the Service Mode. Click "Install" and enter your macOS administrator password. This creates a background service that manages the virtual network interface without requiring the app to run as root.

Step 2: Configure FakeIP and TUN Stack

Ensure your DNS configuration uses enhanced-mode: fake-ip. This prevents DNS leaks and significantly improves connection speed by resolving domains locally. In Clash Meta for Mac, navigate to the TUN settings and ensure the stack is set to system for native performance or gvisor for better compatibility. Always check the "Auto Route" box to let the client manage the routing table automatically.

Troubleshooting Common macOS Installation Issues

macOS has strict security and permission models that can occasionally cause issues during the clash mac install guide process. Here is how to resolve the most common errors.

Full Disk Access Required

If you encounter issues with the TUN mode failing to start or the service mode not installing, you must grant "Full Disk Access" to the application. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access and toggle the switch for Clash Verge Rev or Clash Meta. Without this, the client cannot read the necessary system network configurations.

Fixing "App is Damaged" Errors

If macOS reports the app is damaged and cannot be opened, it is usually due to a corrupted download or an incomplete quarantine attribute removal. Delete the app, redownload it, and run xattr -cr /Applications/Clash\ Verge.app in the terminal to clear all extended attributes and quarantine flags.

If TUN mode still fails, check the system logs by running log show --predicate 'process == "mihomo"' --last 5m in your terminal to identify underlying network extension conflicts.

Migrating from ClashX Pro to Modern Clients

If you are migrating from ClashX Pro, your old configuration files are stored in ~/.config/clash/. You can copy your config.yaml and the profiles directory to the new client's configuration folder to preserve your custom rules and scripts.

For Clash Verge Rev, the config directory is located at ~/.local/share/io.github.clash-verge-rev.clash-verge-rev/. For Clash Meta for Mac, it is ~/.config/clash.meta/.

Migration Checklist
  • Export your subscription links from ClashX Pro before uninstalling.
  • Copy any custom rule-providers or script files to the new directory.
  • Re-authenticate the TUN mode service in the new client using your admin password.
  • Verify that your DNS settings are correctly mapped in the new YAML structure, especially if you used custom nameserver policies.
  • Check the client's built-in log viewer for any parsing errors during the initial startup.

By following this comprehensive clash mac install guide, you will have a modern, secure, and highly performant proxy environment on your Mac, fully replacing the legacy ClashX Pro setup and ensuring long-term stability.

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