This guide addresses the practical question of how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket (小火箭). You’ll learn how to add a subscription link, update nodes, choose a route on your iPhone or iPad, and understand why your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect access and privacy checks after connecting.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
Shadowrocket is a popular proxy client for iOS. A subscription is usually a link beginning with http or https that contains node information for protocols such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. You can use an existing subscription or get available nodes or subscription-formatted content from the “Free Nodes” page on this site. Note: Do not share your subscription link casually, as it may contain credentials that grant access to your nodes.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is installed and allow it to add a VPN configuration.
- Have your subscription link ready and copy it in full without missing any characters.
- Make sure you have an internet connection. The subscription address must be reachable when you update it for the first time.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket: step by step
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the main screen.
- Tap the “+” in the upper-right corner and select “Subscribe” or “订阅” as the type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. You can add a label such as “Free Nodes” or “Backup Subscription” to identify it easily.
- Tap “Done” in the upper-right corner to save.
- Return to the configuration list, find the subscription you just added, and tap Update or pull down to refresh.
- Once the update succeeds, choose a node from the list.
- Turn on the switch at the top. When prompted to add a VPN configuration, tap Allow and confirm with Face ID or your passcode.
If you can access services such as Google, YouTube, and Telegram Web, your connection is basically working. Start by testing a node with low latency and a clear name, and avoid switching between too many routes repeatedly.
3. How subscriptions, IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Even after importing a subscription successfully, many users run into issues such as “the website won’t load,” “the wrong region is shown,” or “a proxy was detected.” These problems are often caused by more than just the node—your IP, DNS, and browser environment can also play a role.
Your IP determines the apparent location of your connection’s exit point. Switching nodes may change your exit IP, which can affect streaming services, search results, and account security alerts.
DNS translates domain names into IP addresses. If your DNS requests still go through your local network, you may experience DNS leaks or have domains resolve to servers in the wrong region, resulting in slow or failed connections. In Shadowrocket, you can use the default settings or enable remote DNS in the configuration. Most users should avoid entering unfamiliar DNS servers.
Your browser environment includes cookies, cache, language, time zone, WebRTC, and more. Even with a proxy connected, websites may use your existing cookies or browser fingerprint to identify your usual region. To troubleshoot, try a private browsing window, clear site data, or test with another browser.
4. Common troubleshooting steps for connection failures
- Subscription update fails: Check that the link is complete, then try switching networks and updating again.
- A node imports but won’t connect: Try another node from the same subscription; the individual node may be down.
- Connection succeeds but webpages won’t load: Turn Shadowrocket off and back on, or check that the rule mode is set to “Proxy/Config.”
- Some apps don’t use the proxy: Check Shadowrocket’s rules and make sure no direct-connection rule is being applied.
- Your IP hasn’t changed: Check that the VPN icon appears at the top, then verify your IP using an IP lookup site.
In short, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket comes down to “add the subscription link—update—choose a node—connect.” If problems persist, check your IP, DNS, and browser environment one by one to pinpoint the cause. Free nodes may be unstable, so it’s a good idea to keep several working subscriptions as backups.