This article addresses the practical question “How do I import a subscription into Shadowrocket?” It shows you how to add a subscription link, update nodes, and connect in Shadowrocket (commonly called “小火箭,” or “Little Rocket” in Chinese), and explains how your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect access. It’s suitable for first-time users and anyone who can’t connect after importing a subscription.
1. Before importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket is a popular proxy client for iOS. Before importing a subscription, make sure you have a working subscription link. A subscription is usually a URL beginning with https:// that contains multiple node configurations. This site also provides free nodes and subscription tutorials, but free resources can vary in reliability, so try several nodes after importing.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is installed on your iPhone.
- Copy the complete subscription URL, including all parameters.
- Use a network connection that can access the internet, such as home Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- If your existing configuration is cluttered, back it up before removing invalid nodes.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
The steps are straightforward. The key is to add the subscription link under “Remote Files/Subscribe,” rather than pasting it into a regular node entry.
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen, then tap “+” in the upper-right corner.
- Set the type to Subscribe or “Subscription.”
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field. Add a note such as “Free Nodes,” or enter a custom name.
- Tap Done to return to the home screen, then pull down to refresh or open the subscription entry and update it manually.
- Once the update succeeds, choose a node and turn on the connection switch at the top.
- The first time you connect, you’ll be prompted to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and enter your device passcode.
If the list contains multiple nodes, start with one that has low latency and a clear name. After connecting, open a browser and test a few familiar websites. Don’t rely solely on the “Connected” status—make sure the pages actually load.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Many users successfully import a subscription but still have trouble accessing websites. The cause is often the network environment rather than the subscription itself. Your IP determines the apparent location of your internet traffic. If a node is unavailable or restricted, pages may not load. DNS translates domain names into IP addresses; DNS interference or a stale cache can prevent websites from opening even when the proxy is connected. Your browser environment includes settings and data such as cache, cookies, language, time zone, and WebRTC, which some websites use to assess access risk.
Put simply, Shadowrocket establishes the proxy connection, your IP identifies the connection’s apparent location, DNS handles domain lookups, and your browser environment can affect how websites identify you. For general browsing, the default settings are usually fine. If pages keep returning errors, try clearing your browser cache, closing and reopening the browser, or switching to another node.
4. Troubleshooting import failures and connection issues
- Subscription update failed: Check that the link is complete and contains no extra spaces, then switch networks and try again.
- Nodes appear, but you can’t connect: Try another node and make sure its protocol is supported by your version of Shadowrocket.
- Connected, but websites won’t load: Temporarily switch the rule mode to “Global” to test, then switch back to rule mode.
- Some websites won’t open: Clear the DNS cache, restart Shadowrocket, or test with another browser.
- Connection is very slow: Free nodes may be congested. Try another node or time of day, or switch to a more reliable subscription.
When troubleshooting, change just one thing at a time—for example, switch nodes first, then networks, and finally check DNS and your browser cache. This makes it easier to identify whether the issue is with the subscription, node, network, or local environment.
5. Tips for using Shadowrocket
The basic process for importing a subscription into Shadowrocket is: copy the subscription link, add it under Subscribe, update the list, select a node, and connect. For everyday use, update your subscription regularly, remove nodes that have been unavailable for a long time, and avoid importing configurations from untrusted sources. If you run into access issues, troubleshoot in this order: subscription link, node status, rule mode, then DNS and browser environment. This will usually help you locate the problem quickly.