This article addresses the practical question of “how to import subscriptions into Shadowrocket”: it is suitable for iPhone/iPad users and explains how to import V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, SS, and other subscription links into Shadowrocket, as well as why the IP, DNS, and browser environment you see after connecting can affect access results.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket is a common proxy client on iOS. It cannot connect on its own out of nowhere, so you first need a working subscription link. A subscription is usually a URL string containing multiple node configurations. You can use your own existing provider subscription, or refer to the free node page provided on this site for testing, but the stability of free nodes may change over time.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is installed on your device.
- Copy the complete subscription link, and do not miss the opening https://.
- Make sure your current network can open web pages normally; it is best to turn off other VPNs first.
- If the link requires login or has expired, the import may fail.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket: step-by-step
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home page.
- Tap the “+” icon in the upper right corner.
- Select “Subscribe” or “订阅” as the type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. For the remark, you can enter “freevpn” or any name you can recognize.
- Tap “Done” in the upper right corner to save.
- Return to the home page, open the subscription you just added, and tap “Update” or pull down to refresh.
- Select a node, turn on the connection switch at the top, and tap “Allow” when the system prompts for VPN permission.
If the import is successful, you will see a node list. If the list is empty, first check whether the subscription link was copied completely. A subscription link is not the same as a node link; do not mistake a single vmess:// or vless:// link for a subscription address. A single node should usually be added manually under the corresponding protocol or imported directly from the clipboard.
3. What is the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment?
After a successful connection, websites usually see the proxy node’s exit IP rather than your phone’s local IP. You can open an IP lookup website to verify the current exit region. If the IP has not changed, it may be because the proxy is not enabled, the node is unavailable, or the rule mode is not routing that website through the proxy.
DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses. In some cases, although the proxy is connected, DNS may still go through the local network, which can cause pages not to open, abnormal redirects, or inconsistent region detection. It is recommended to use the default or a reliable DNS in Shadowrocket settings and enable reasonable remote resolution options. Do not frequently mix multiple VPN or proxy apps, otherwise DNS cache and routing rules can easily conflict.
The browser environment includes cookies, language, time zone, cache, WebRTC, and more. For example, even if you are connected to an overseas node, the website may still show content for your original region if the browser retains old cookies. If you encounter anomalies, you can try incognito mode, clear the cache, or test with another browser. IP is only one part of the environment and does not mean that all websites will immediately switch their displayed region.
4. How to troubleshoot import failures and connection issues
- If it says subscription failed: check whether the link has expired or whether some characters were not copied, then switch networks and update again.
- If there are nodes but they will not connect: try other nodes in the same subscription, or update the subscription.
- If it connects but web pages will not open: switch to global mode for testing, then check the DNS settings.
- If some apps do not go through the proxy: confirm that Shadowrocket rules route that domain through the proxy.
- If the IP does not change: disconnect and reconnect, and confirm that the VPN icon appears at the top of iOS.
For beginners, it is recommended to first test whether a node works using “Global Proxy,” and switch back to rule mode after confirming everything is working properly. Subscriptions need to be updated regularly, because node addresses, ports, or availability may change. By following the above process, you can basically complete importing a Shadowrocket subscription and determine whether the problem lies with the node, DNS, or the browser environment.