This article addresses the practical question “How do I import a subscription into Shadowrocket?” It explains how to import a subscription link into Shadowrocket on iPhone or iPad, and how to check your IP, DNS, and browser environment after connecting to avoid issues like “connected, but webpages won’t load,” “my IP hasn’t changed,” or “DNS leaks.”
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket is just a client; you need a working node or subscription link to connect. A subscription is usually a URL starting with https that contains information about nodes using protocols such as Vmess, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. You can use your own subscription or try the free nodes listed on this site. However, free nodes can become unreliable over time, so it’s a good idea to have a few alternatives ready.
- Make sure your phone can access the internet.
- Check that the subscription link is complete and contains no extra spaces or line breaks.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is allowed to add a VPN configuration.
- If the subscription won’t update, try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen.
- Tap the “+” in the top-right corner and select “Subscribe” or “Subscription” as the type.
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field. You can enter “Free Nodes” or a custom name as the remark.
- Tap “Done/Save” in the top-right corner to return to the home screen.
- Open the subscription you just added, tap “Update” or pull down to refresh, and wait for the node list to appear.
- Select a node, return to the home screen, and turn on the connection switch. The first time you connect, follow the prompts to allow Shadowrocket to create a VPN configuration.
If no nodes appear, first check whether the link has expired and whether you copied the full URL, including any token parameters. Many failures aren’t caused by Shadowrocket; they’re due to an inaccessible subscription URL or an expired node.
3. Why check your IP, DNS, and browser environment after importing
A successful connection doesn’t mean all your traffic is being routed through the proxy as expected. Most users should check three things: IP, DNS, and browser environment. Your IP shows whether your apparent location has changed; DNS checks whether domain lookups are still handled by your local ISP; and your browser environment can reveal information such as your language, time zone, and WebRTC details.
Open a browser and search for “IP lookup.” If the displayed location matches your selected node, the proxy is probably working. Then search for “DNS leak test” to check for leaks. If the DNS results still show your local ISP, you may have a DNS leak. In that case, enable remote DNS in Shadowrocket’s settings or choose a more suitable proxy rule.
4. Troubleshooting common connection problems
- Subscription update failed: Switch networks, check the link, and make sure the subscription hasn’t expired.
- Nodes import but won’t connect: Try another node or check whether Shadowrocket supports the protocol.
- Connected, but webpages won’t load: Test using global mode, then switch back to rule-based mode.
- IP hasn’t changed: Make sure the VPN indicator appears in the top-right corner and check whether the current app is using the proxy.
- Browser still behaves oddly: Close and reopen it. If necessary, clear the cache or disable WebRTC-related features.
If you’re new to Shadowrocket, start with “Global Proxy” to verify that the node works, then switch to “Rule-based Proxy” for everyday use. If several nodes fail, the problem is usually with the subscription source, your network environment, or node quality—not the setup steps. Once you know the process—“import subscription → update nodes → test connection → check IP/DNS”—you can quickly pinpoint the issue.