This article addresses common issues such as “how to import subscriptions into Shadowrocket” as well as problems after importing, including webpages not opening, unchanged IP, DNS leaks, and abnormal browser environments. Shadowrocket usually refers to the iOS client Shadowrocket. After obtaining a valid subscription link, you can use it by importing it, updating it, and selecting a node step by step.
1. Basic Steps to Import a Subscription into Shadowrocket
Before you begin, make sure you have already obtained a subscription link. A subscription is usually a URL starting with https://, and it may also be provided by a proxy service, a free node page, or your own service. This site also compiles some free node information, suitable for temporary testing, but availability may change over time.
- Open Shadowrocket on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the “+” icon in the upper-right corner to enter the Add Configuration page.
- Select “Subscribe” or “Subscription” as the type.
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field, and you can enter remarks such as “Free Nodes” or “Backup Subscription.”
- Tap “Done” or “Save” in the upper-right corner.
- Return to the home page, pull down to refresh, or tap the update button next to the subscription, then wait for the node list to appear.
- Select a node, turn on the connection switch at the top, and on first use, allow the VPN configuration to be added as prompted.
If the import succeeds but the node list is empty, first check whether the subscription link is complete, whether you accidentally copied extra spaces, or whether the subscription itself has expired. Some subscriptions can only be obtained after logging in through a browser and are not suitable for pasting directly into the client.
2. How to Choose Subscriptions, Nodes, and Rule Modes
After importing a subscription into Shadowrocket, you will usually see multiple nodes. Regular users are advised to first test nodes with lower latency and clear names. As for connection modes, common options include global proxy, configuration proxy, and direct connection. For daily use, it is recommended to choose configuration proxy or rule mode, so domestic websites connect directly while overseas websites go through the proxy, resulting in a more stable experience.
- Global proxy: All traffic goes through the node. This is convenient for troubleshooting, but it may affect domestic apps.
- Configuration proxy: Traffic is routed according to rules, making it suitable for long-term use.
- Direct connection: No proxy is used. This is for confirming whether the local network is working properly.
If you only want to verify whether the subscription works, you can temporarily switch to global proxy first, open a browser and visit an IP lookup website to see whether the exit IP has changed; after confirming everything is normal, switch back to rule mode.
3. What Is the Relationship Between IP, DNS, and the Browser Environment?
Many people assume that once Shadowrocket is connected, the “environment is normal,” but in reality you also need to look at the IP, DNS, and browser fingerprint. IP represents the exit address shown when you visit a website; DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses; and the browser environment includes information such as language, time zone, cache, cookies, WebRTC, and more.
If the IP has changed after connecting, but the website still reports an abnormal region, the cause may be browser cache, the account’s historical location, or a WebRTC leak. You can try closing and reopening the browser, using incognito mode, clearing cookies for the relevant site, and enabling appropriate DNS/anti-leak settings in Shadowrocket. If some websites open while others do not, the issue is usually related to rules, DNS, or the node route, and does not necessarily mean the subscription import failed.
4. Quick Troubleshooting for Connection Failures
- Subscription cannot be updated: Check whether the link has expired and whether the network can access the subscription address.
- Node cannot connect: Try other nodes within the same subscription, or update the subscription again.
- Connected but webpages will not open: Switch to global proxy for testing and check the DNS settings.
- IP has not changed: Confirm that a node is selected and that the top switch in Shadowrocket shows a connected status.
- Browser still abnormal: Clear cookies, disable WebRTC, and test with an incognito window.
Overall, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket is not complicated. The key is to ensure that “the link is correct, the subscription can be updated, the node is connectable, and the rules and DNS settings are reasonable.” When problems occur, do not keep reinstalling the client repeatedly. Instead, troubleshoot item by item based on IP, DNS, and the browser environment, which usually helps identify the cause more quickly.