This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket (“小火箭”) and troubleshoot issues such as websites still being inaccessible, your IP address not changing, DNS leaks, or unusual browser behavior. It’s for iPhone and iPad users who want to import a Shadowrocket subscription, test the connection, and resolve common problems step by step.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket is a popular proxy client for iOS. Before importing a subscription, make sure the app is installed and that you have a working subscription link. Subscription links usually start with https and may be provided by a VPN service or a free-node page. This site also collects information about some free nodes, but their reliability can vary, so check whether they actually work.
- Make sure your phone has a working internet connection. You can use either Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- Copy the entire subscription link. Don’t leave out the token, parameters, or any trailing characters.
- Set your system clock to update automatically. An incorrect time can cause certificate verification to fail.
- If you’ve imported an old subscription, update it or delete any nodes that no longer work.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
These steps cover the usual method for importing a subscription link and are suitable for most users.
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen.
- Tap “+” in the upper-right corner to add a configuration.
- Select Subscribe as the type.
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field. For the remark, enter “freevpn” or a name of your choice.
- Tap “Done” in the upper-right corner to save.
- Return to the home screen, pull down to refresh the subscription, and wait for the node list to appear.
- Select a node and turn on the connection switch at the top. The first time you connect, allow Shadowrocket to add a VPN configuration.
When the connection succeeds, a VPN indicator usually appears in your iPhone’s status bar. Don’t rely on the switch alone—also check your actual public IP address and whether websites load.
3. How to check your IP, DNS, and browser environment after importing a subscription
Many users assume that a successful connection means everything is working, but it’s also important to check that your IP address, DNS, and browser environment are consistent. We recommend checking them in this order:
- Visit an IP lookup website and confirm that the displayed location differs from that of your current local network.
- If websites load but your IP hasn’t changed, the node may not be active, or your traffic may not match the routing rules.
- If your IP has changed but some websites won’t load, try a different node or switch rule modes.
- If you see location-related warnings or frequent CAPTCHA prompts, browser cache, cookies, language, or time zone settings may be the cause.
For DNS issues—such as being able to open domestic websites but not overseas ones, or failing to resolve certain domains—check whether Shadowrocket is using its default DNS settings. If you’re a regular user, avoid entering DNS addresses you’re unfamiliar with. It’s safer to try switching nodes, updating the subscription, or restarting your network first.
4. Common causes of connection failures and how to fix them
If the subscription imports successfully but Shadowrocket won’t connect, check the following one by one: First, make sure the subscription link hasn’t expired and was copied in full. Second, check whether the node is still working. Third, see whether your local network is blocking proxy connections. Fourth, check that the client’s rules are configured correctly.
Start by updating the subscription, then test two or three different nodes. If none work, switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to rule out a network issue. If the connection still fails, delete the subscription and import it again. If only your browser won’t load pages, try clearing its cache, disabling unnecessary extensions, and checking your system time, language, and region settings.
Rule mode can also affect whether websites are accessible. If you’re new to Shadowrocket, start with Global Proxy to test whether the node works. Once confirmed, switch to rule mode to avoid mistaking routing issues for a failed connection.
5. Things to keep in mind when using subscriptions
A subscription isn’t guaranteed to work indefinitely after a single import. Nodes may be updated, discontinued, or changed. Refresh your subscription regularly, and avoid importing too many configurations from sources you can’t keep track of. When problems arise, troubleshoot in this order: “update the subscription—switch nodes—check your IP—check DNS—clear the browser environment.” This should help you identify whether the issue is with the node, the client, or the browser environment.
In short, the key to importing a Shadowrocket subscription is to use a complete link, keep the subscription updated, connect to a working node, and check that your IP and DNS are behaving as expected. Follow the steps in this article to resolve most import and connection problems yourself.