This article addresses the practical question of “how to use Shadowrocket”: how to import nodes or subscriptions on iPhone/iPad, connect properly, and understand how IP, DNS, and the browser environment affect access results. It is suitable as a reference for first-time users or users experiencing connection issues.
1. Installation and Preparation
Shadowrocket, often called “Little Rocket,” is a commonly used proxy client on iOS. Before using it, make sure you have installed the app and prepared a working node link or subscription address. This site also compiles free node information, which is suitable for temporary testing, but the stability of free nodes can be affected by routes, user volume, and time.
- Node links: common formats include vmess, vless, trojan, ss, etc.
- Subscription address: a URL that lets you import and fetch multiple nodes in bulk.
- Network environment: it is recommended to first turn off other VPN or proxy apps to avoid conflicts.
2. Import Nodes or Subscriptions and Connect
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the main screen, and tap the “+” in the upper-right corner.
- If you have a single node link, you can copy it and open Shadowrocket; it will usually recognize it automatically. You can also manually choose the type and paste the parameters.
- If you have a subscription address, choose “Subscribe/Subscription,” paste the URL, save it, and then tap update.
- Return to the node list, select a node, and turn on the switch at the top.
- When connecting for the first time, the system will prompt you to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and enter your device passcode to confirm.
After the connection succeeds, the VPN icon will usually appear at the top of iOS. At this point, you can open a browser and visit an IP lookup website to confirm whether your exit IP has changed.
3. What Is the Relationship Between IP, DNS, and the Browser Environment?
IP refers to the exit address shown when you access a website. After Shadowrocket connects, websites usually see the IP of the node server rather than your local ISP IP. If the IP has not changed, it is most likely because the connection was not established, the rules did not match, or the current traffic is not going through the proxy.
DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses. Some access failures are not caused by node issues, but by DNS pollution, slow resolution, or resolution to the wrong address. In Shadowrocket’s settings, you can try enabling remote DNS, switching DNS settings, or using global proxy mode to test whether access is restored.
Browser environment includes cookies, cache, language, time zone, WebRTC, and more. Even if the IP changes, a website may still identify your historical environment through old cookies or browser fingerprinting. If your account region does not change or the page still shows your original region, try private browsing mode, clearing the cache, or testing with a different browser.
4. Troubleshooting Common Connection Failures
- Subscription update failed: check whether the subscription address is complete, and try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data before updating again.
- Node shows timeout: test with another node; free nodes may be temporarily unavailable.
- Connected but webpages won’t open: switch to global mode for testing; if global mode works, the rule configuration may not match properly.
- Some apps do not use the proxy: check Shadowrocket’s rules, or temporarily switch to global proxy mode to confirm the scope of the issue.
If you just want to quickly verify whether a node is usable, it is recommended to follow this order: “import subscription → update → select node → test in global mode → check IP.” After confirming it works, switch back to rule mode for daily use. This reduces misjudgments and makes it easier to determine whether the issue is caused by the node, DNS, or the browser environment.