This article addresses the practical question of “how to use Shadowrocket”: from downloading and installing it to importing nodes, enabling the connection, and explaining the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment after connecting, so you can determine whether your traffic is really going through the proxy. It is suitable for users who are just getting started with internet access tools on iPhone/iPad.
1. What is Shadowrocket, and who is it for?
Shadowrocket, often called “Little Rocket,” is a common proxy client on iOS. It does not provide nodes itself, so you need to import available proxy nodes or subscription links. It supports a variety of common protocols and is suitable for managing and routing nodes such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks.
Note that Little Rocket is only a client. Whether it can connect successfully mainly depends on whether the nodes are available, whether the subscription is up to date, and whether the network environment is stable. This site organizes free nodes and related tutorials, which you can use for testing purposes, but free nodes are often unstable.
2. Basic steps for using Shadowrocket
- Install the client: Install Shadowrocket on your iPhone or iPad. After installation, open the app and allow it to add a VPN configuration.
- Prepare nodes or a subscription: Copy your node link or subscription link. Common formats may include vmess://, vless://, trojan://, ss://, or an https:// subscription address.
- Import the configuration: Open Little Rocket and tap the “+” in the upper-right corner. If it is a single node, select the corresponding type and paste it; if it is a subscription, choose “Subscribe/Subscription,” paste the link, and save it.
- Update the subscription: Return to the main screen, long-press the subscription or enter the configuration page, perform an update, and confirm that the node list appears.
- Select a node and connect: Tap a node, turn on the connection switch at the top, and on first use the system VPN authorization prompt will appear. Tap Allow and enter your device passcode.
- Test access: After connecting, open a browser and visit a website that requires the proxy, or search for “IP lookup” to check whether the outbound IP has changed.
3. What is the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment?
Many users only check whether a webpage opens after connecting to Little Rocket, but a more accurate judgment depends on three things. The first is IP: after a successful connection, the website should usually see the proxy node’s outbound IP rather than your local carrier IP. The second is DNS: DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses. If DNS still goes through your local network, DNS leaks or resolution issues may occur. The third is the browser environment, including language, time zone, cache, cookies, WebRTC, and so on, all of which may affect how a website determines your environment.
Ordinary users do not need overly complex settings, but it is recommended to do the following: close unrelated browser tabs before connecting; reopen the browser after connecting; clear cookies for the target website when necessary; and use the default or a stable remote DNS setting in Little Rocket. If you only use it for everyday browsing, keeping rule mode or global mode is sufficient.
4. How to troubleshoot connection failures and slow speeds
- If a node cannot connect: first update the subscription, then switch to another node for testing. Free nodes becoming invalid is very common.
- If it connects but webpages will not open: try switching between “Global Proxy” and “Rule Proxy,” and check whether the browser has other proxy extensions enabled.
- If the IP has not changed: confirm that the top switch in Little Rocket is turned on and whether the VPN icon appears in the iOS status bar.
- If DNS is abnormal: disconnect and reconnect, or change the network environment, for example from Wi-Fi to cellular data.
- If some apps do not go through the proxy: check the rule settings in Little Rocket, as some domestic apps may be set to connect directly by rule.
If you are just getting started, it is recommended to first test with a node that is known to work, and then import a subscription for batch selection. Do not enable multiple VPNs, accelerators, or proxy tools at the same time, or they may easily conflict with one another. The core workflow of Little Rocket is not complicated: import nodes, update the subscription, select a node, enable the connection, and check IP and DNS. Following this process is generally enough for everyday use.