Clash Verge Rev on Apple Silicon Mac: Easy Install Guide

Before You Begin

Installing Clash Verge Rev on an Apple Silicon Mac is usually a quick process, but choosing the correct package matters. Apple Silicon refers to Macs powered by Apple-designed chips such as the M1, M2, M3, and M4 families. These computers use the ARM64 architecture, while older Intel Macs use the x64 architecture. Downloading the wrong build may not prevent the application from opening, but it can introduce compatibility warnings, slower performance, or an unnecessary dependency on Rosetta 2.

This guide explains the complete first-install workflow for macOS: checking your Mac architecture, downloading the Apple Silicon build, copying the application into the correct folder, handling Gatekeeper prompts, opening the client for the first time, and confirming that a profile can connect successfully. The instructions are designed for a clean installation, so they also cover common problems such as a damaged-app warning, a blocked helper component, and an application that appears to launch but does not show a window.

1Check Your Mac Architecture

Before downloading anything, confirm whether your Mac uses Apple Silicon. Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner, choose About This Mac, and look for the processor or chip entry. If it says Apple M1, Apple M2, Apple M3, or Apple M4, your computer is an Apple Silicon Mac and should use the ARM64 package. On some macOS versions, the same information appears under System Settings → General → About.

You can also check from Terminal. Open Terminal from Applications or Spotlight and run:

The result arm64 confirms that the system is Apple Silicon. The result x86_64 indicates an Intel Mac. This simple check is useful when you are installing on a second-hand computer or when the model name is not obvious.

A native ARM64 application generally starts faster and avoids translation through Rosetta 2. It also makes troubleshooting easier because the client, its bundled Mihomo core, and macOS all use the same architecture.

2Download the Correct Clash Verge Rev Build

Use the official download source or a trusted project release page. Avoid random re-upload sites, modified application bundles, and installers distributed through unknown file-sharing links. A proxy client can handle sensitive network traffic, so the integrity of the application is important. If checksums or release signatures are provided, compare them with the downloaded file before opening it.

For an Apple Silicon Mac, download the macOS .dmg package labelled aarch64 or arm64. Do not select a Windows .exe installer, a Linux archive, or an Intel-only package. The download normally appears in the Downloads folder and may have a filename similar to:

The exact filename can change between releases, so focus on the platform and architecture labels rather than copying a filename from an older tutorial. If macOS reports that the disk image cannot be opened, first confirm that the download completed fully. A partially downloaded file can produce the same symptom as an invalid package.

For a convenient list of supported client downloads, visit the Clash Download Page. After the file is saved, double-click the DMG to mount it. macOS will display a temporary disk image in Finder, usually with the application and an Applications shortcut.

3Move the App to Applications

Drag Clash Verge Rev from the mounted disk image into the Applications folder shortcut. Wait for the copy operation to finish before ejecting the disk image. Launching the app directly from the DMG may appear to work, but it is not a reliable installation method. The temporary disk image can be ejected, renamed, or deleted, and macOS may then lose access to the application or its helper files.

1. Open the downloaded .dmg file in Finder.
2. Drag the Clash Verge Rev icon to Applications.
3. Open Finder and select Applications from the sidebar.
4. Confirm that Clash Verge Rev appears in the folder.
5. Eject the mounted DMG by clicking the eject icon beside it in Finder.

Once the app has been copied, you can keep it in the Dock for quick access. The first launch should be performed from the installed copy in /Applications, not from the download folder. If you previously installed another version, check the application name carefully so that you do not open an outdated copy.

4Handle macOS Security Prompts

macOS uses Gatekeeper to check downloaded applications. Depending on the release, your Mac may show a message saying that the developer cannot be verified, the application was blocked, or the app cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. These messages do not all mean the same thing. First, verify that you downloaded the application from a trusted source and that it is located in /Applications.

First Launch Warning

If macOS blocks the first launch, do not repeatedly double-click the icon. Instead, open System Settings → Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the security section and look for a message stating that Clash Verge Rev was blocked. Click Open Anyway, authenticate with your Mac password or Touch ID, and then confirm the launch. This creates an explicit user approval while leaving Gatekeeper enabled for other applications.

You can also Control-click the application in Finder, choose Open, and then click Open in the confirmation dialog. This method is different from an ordinary double-click and is often enough for a legitimate application that has not yet received a local approval.

“App Is Damaged” Message

A downloaded application may display a message claiming that it is damaged even when the files are intact. This can happen when the quarantine attribute added by Safari or another browser conflicts with the application’s signing information. If you trust the download source and have checked the package, you can remove the quarantine attribute from the installed app with Terminal:

Type your administrator password when requested. The cursor may not move while you enter the password; this is normal in Terminal. Press Return, then try opening the application again from /Applications. If the installed application uses a slightly different name, type Clash in Finder and copy the exact path, or adjust the command carefully.

5Complete the First Launch

When Clash Verge Rev opens, macOS may request permission for network extensions, system proxies, or privileged helper components. Read each prompt before approving it. These permissions allow the client to apply proxy settings and, when enabled, create a system-level tunnel. They are not the same as giving the application unrestricted access to every personal file on your Mac.

The main window normally includes areas such as Profiles, Proxies, Rules, and Settings. Interface labels can vary between releases, but the first setup sequence remains similar:

1. Open Settings and confirm that the embedded Mihomo core is available.
2. Review the system proxy and TUN options without enabling everything immediately.
3. Open Profiles and add your provider’s subscription URL or local configuration file.
4. Download or import the profile, then select it as the active profile.
5. Open Proxies and choose an appropriate policy group or node.
6. Start with Rule mode and test the connection before trying Global mode or TUN mode.

Clash Verge Rev is a client, not a proxy subscription provider. You need a valid configuration containing servers, proxy groups, and rules before it can route useful traffic. Never paste a subscription URL from an untrusted source, because the provider can change the configuration delivered to your client.

6Verify the Profile and Troubleshoot

A successful application launch does not necessarily mean that traffic is being proxied. Perform a few separate checks. First, make sure the profile has finished downloading and shows no YAML parsing error. A profile with invalid indentation, missing fields, or unsupported options may appear in the list but fail to start.

Next, open the proxy group and select a node. Test the node if the client provides a latency or connectivity button. A timeout can indicate that the node has expired, the subscription is invalid, or the current network blocks that server. Try another node rather than repeatedly testing one unavailable endpoint.

Finally, turn on the system proxy and visit a familiar website. Check that ordinary browsing works, then test a service that should follow your selected rule. If the browser still uses the direct connection, verify that the system proxy switch is enabled and that another VPN, firewall, or network utility is not overriding macOS settings.

When troubleshooting, change one setting at a time. For example, do not modify DNS, TUN mode, proxy mode, and the active node simultaneously. A controlled process makes it easier to identify the cause. If DNS resolution is unreliable, review the profile’s DNS section and restart Clash Verge Rev after saving changes. If a system extension is denied, revisit macOS Privacy & Security and look for a pending approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Rosetta 2 on an Apple Silicon Mac?

Not when you install the native arm64 or aarch64 build. Rosetta 2 is Apple’s translation layer for Intel applications. A universal or x64-only build may request it, but the native Apple Silicon package should run directly on the M-series processor.

Is it safe to use Open Anyway?

Use Open Anyway only after confirming the download source and application identity. The option tells macOS that you approve this particular application; it should not be treated as a reason to ignore every security warning. Avoid unknown modified packages, especially when the publisher and file origin cannot be verified.

Should I enable TUN mode immediately?

No. TUN mode can route traffic from applications that do not respect the ordinary system proxy, but it also requires additional permissions and may interact with DNS, firewalls, and other VPN software. First verify that the profile and system proxy work normally. Enable TUN later when you have a specific application that requires it.

How should I update Clash Verge Rev?

Download the new native Apple Silicon release, quit the running client, and replace the application in /Applications. Keep a backup of important profiles before updating. After launching the new version, confirm that the active profile, permissions, and system proxy settings are still present.