This article explains “how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket” and why, when multiple team members share one, some can connect while others experience frequent disconnections. It’s suitable for temporary company collaboration, cross-border research, and team network testing. The focus is on importing subscriptions, choosing nodes, and keeping account environments stable.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
Shadowrocket usually refers to the iOS app Shadowrocket. Before importing a subscription, make sure you have a working subscription link, which typically starts with https://. It may come from a proxy service, a team administrator, or a page on this site listing free nodes. Free nodes are suitable for temporary testing, but their stability depends on the number of users online and the status of the connection. For long-term team use, it’s best to manage subscription sources centrally.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is installed on your phone and that you’ve allowed it to add a VPN configuration.
- Avoid repeatedly sharing the subscription link in group chats. It’s best for one person to manage it centrally.
- Avoid using the same account on too many devices at once, as this may trigger restrictions.
- Turn off other VPNs before importing to reduce configuration conflicts.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the node list on the home screen.
- Tap “+” in the upper-right corner and select “Subscribe” as the type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. You can add a note, such as “Project Team Subscription.”
- Tap Done or Save. Return to the home screen and pull down to refresh the subscription.
- Once the refresh is complete, you’ll see multiple nodes. Choose one with low latency and a clear name.
- Tap the switch at the top. The first time you connect, allow the system to add a VPN configuration.
If your team has several members, use consistent names for notes, such as “Group A – Hong Kong” or “Group B – Japan Test.” This makes it easier to identify which connection someone is using when troubleshooting. Don’t repeatedly delete and reimport the subscription; use “Update Subscription” instead.
3. How account environment stability affects team use
Many people assume that whether they can connect after importing a subscription depends entirely on the node. In fact, account environment stability matters too. This includes the number of devices, login locations, usage times, and whether access patterns are consistent. If multiple people share one subscription while using devices in different cities and frequently switching nodes, the connection may become congested, the subscription may be restricted, or the target website may trigger additional verification.
For team use, follow these three guidelines: First, have each person stick to their usual node instead of switching repeatedly within a minute. Second, use a connection from the same region for the same task whenever possible, so the account’s login location doesn’t keep changing. Third, keep important accounts separate from test accounts and don’t use them in the same network environment. This can reduce the likelihood of security checks and make it easier to determine whether a problem is caused by the node or the account itself.
4. Troubleshoot connection failures in this order
- Subscription won’t refresh: Check that the link is complete and doesn’t contain extra spaces. See if you can open the subscription URL in a browser.
- Nodes are listed but won’t connect: Try another node from the same subscription, or test over Wi-Fi and cellular data.
- Connected, but webpages won’t load: Check Shadowrocket’s global routing mode. First, test with the default rules under “Config” or with global proxy mode.
- Only one team member is having trouble: Have them delete the old VPN profile, restart their phone, and import the subscription again.
- Most of the team is having trouble at the same time: The subscription source or connection is probably experiencing an issue. Wait for an update or switch to a backup subscription.
When troubleshooting, don’t have everyone repeatedly refresh the subscription at once. This puts extra strain on the server and can make the problem harder to diagnose. It’s best to have one person test the available nodes first, then tell the team which one to use.
5. Tips for team use
For temporary access, the free nodes provided on this site can serve as a backup for testing. But for team collaboration, consistency matters more: use the same subscription, naming conventions, node assignments, and issue-reporting format. When reporting a problem, include the device, network, node name, and error details. This is much more helpful than simply saying “it won’t connect.” Once you know the steps above, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket is straightforward. The key is to avoid the instability that can come from multiple people sharing it without clear guidelines.