This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket and why teams can run into disconnections, inactive nodes, and unstable account environments. Follow the steps below to import a subscription into Shadowrocket on your iPhone or iPad, then share access with your team more reliably.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
Shadowrocket is just a client, so you’ll need working nodes or a subscription link. A subscription is usually a URL containing node details for protocols such as VLESS, VMess, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. You can use a subscription from a provider you already have, or try the free nodes listed on this site for testing. However, free nodes can be unreliable, so they’re not recommended as your team’s only long-term option.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is installed on your device.
- Have a complete subscription link ready, usually one that begins with https://.
- Check that the subscription hasn’t expired or been reset, and that you copied the full link.
- Where possible, give team members their own accounts or separate subscriptions by group.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen.
- Tap the “+” in the upper-right corner.
- Select “Subscribe” as the type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. Add a note such as “Team A” or “Backup subscription” if you like.
- Tap “Done” in the upper-right corner to save.
- Return to the home screen, pull down to refresh, or tap the update button next to the subscription.
- Select a node and turn on the connection switch at the top. The first time you connect, follow the prompt to allow Shadowrocket to add a VPN configuration.
If the list is empty after importing, first check that the subscription link is complete and that you copied the “universal subscription” from your account dashboard rather than a Clash-only subscription. Shadowrocket supports multiple protocols, but it may not recognize every subscription format.
3. How account stability relates to team use
When a team shares a subscription, stability depends on more than just the nodes. The way the subscription is used matters too. Having multiple people connect through the same account at once, frequently switching countries, or logging in from many devices in a short time may trigger server limits or security checks. This can result in subscriptions importing but failing to connect, connections dropping soon after they’re established, or some team members being able to connect while others cannot.
When managing a team, follow these three guidelines: don’t share the same subscription without limits; assign separate subscriptions to individual members or small groups; and stick to a few commonly used nodes and scenarios instead of having everyone run speed tests or refresh frequently. If your team needs to sign in to overseas platforms, try to keep each account on nodes in a consistent region to avoid unusual patterns like “the US today, Japan tomorrow, Germany the day after.”
4. Troubleshooting connection failures
- Subscription won’t update: Switch networks and try again. Check whether the URL has expired or was cut off by a space.
- Node times out: Try another node in the same region, or wait a few minutes before testing again.
- Connected, but webpages won’t load: Check Shadowrocket’s global or rule-based routing mode. Temporarily switch to global mode to test.
- Some team members can’t connect: Check whether you’ve exceeded the device limit, and try having members connect at different times.
Finally, consider keeping a backup subscription or client configuration, such as Clash or sing-box, so you can cross-check if the Shadowrocket subscription has issues. The key to reliable team use isn’t constantly switching nodes, but keeping the subscription source, number of devices, and login regions relatively consistent. This helps maintain a more stable account environment.