This guide answers the practical question, “How do I use Shadowrocket?” From importing nodes after installation and enabling the proxy to checking whether your IP, DNS, and browser environment are consistent, it helps everyday users set up access to the internet on an iPhone or iPad and troubleshoot common connection issues.
1. Basic steps for using Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket, often nicknamed “Little Rocket,” is mainly used on iOS devices to import nodes or subscription links for V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, Shadowsocks, and other protocols. This site also collects free nodes for testing, which can be useful for short-term learning or as backups. However, free nodes can be unreliable, so it’s a good idea to have a few alternatives ready before connecting.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap “+” in the top-right corner of the home screen.
- If you have a link for a single node, choose the matching protocol under “Type,” then enter the server, port, UUID/password, and other details. An easier option is to copy a vmess://, vless://, trojan://, or ss:// link and let Shadowrocket recognize and import it automatically.
- If you have a subscription link, go to “Configuration” or the subscription section, paste the URL, and tap Update. Wait for the node list to refresh.
- Return to the home screen, select a node, and turn on the 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.
- Once the status shows that you’re connected, open a browser and visit an IP lookup site to confirm that your outbound IP has changed.
For everyday browsing, try the system default rules or global proxy mode first. Once everything is working, switch to rule-based routing to avoid sending traffic from domestic apps on an unnecessary detour, which can slow them down.
2. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Many people assume that connecting with Shadowrocket automatically makes them secure, but it’s also important to check that your IP, DNS, and browser environment are consistent. Your IP is the outbound address websites see; DNS determines how domain names are resolved; and your browser environment includes details such as language, time zone, WebRTC, cookies, and cache.
Normally, after connecting to a node, your IP should show the node’s region. Your DNS should also avoid exposing your local ISP. If your IP has changed but your DNS still points to your local provider, you may have a DNS leak. You can enable remote DNS or DoH/DoT in Shadowrocket’s configuration, or use the DNS settings provided by your rule configuration. The option names vary slightly between rule files, but most users can simply look for settings such as “Proxy DNS” or “Prevent DNS leaks.”
For browser checks, use a private window to avoid having old cookies affect the results. If certain websites still show your original region, this may be due to your account’s past login history, browser language, system time zone, or location permissions—not necessarily a problem with Shadowrocket.
3. Common connection issues
- Subscription update fails: Check that the subscription URL is complete and accessible. You can also try refreshing it on a different network.
- Node won’t connect: Try another node in the same subscription. Free nodes often disconnect when they’re overloaded or no longer working.
- Connected, but webpages won’t load: Switch to global proxy mode to test. If that works, the problem is likely with your routing rules.
- IP hasn’t changed: Make sure the switch at the top of Shadowrocket is on and check whether the VPN icon appears in the iOS status bar.
- Some apps bypass the proxy: Check whether Shadowrocket’s rules are set to route the relevant domain DIRECT.
Whenever you switch nodes, check in this order: connection status, IP, DNS, and the target website. For subscription nodes, update the subscription first. For manually configured nodes, carefully check that the protocol, port, UUID, encryption method, transport layer, and TLS settings match the provider’s details.
4. Tips for using Shadowrocket
When using Shadowrocket, avoid running multiple VPN apps at the same time, as they may compete for control of the system VPN connection. Be mindful of privacy risks before importing configurations from unknown sources. For most users, the most reliable approach is to use a working subscription, update it regularly, check your IP and DNS after connecting, and then choose global or rule-based mode as needed.