This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket, or “小火箭,” and troubleshoot issues such as webpages still not loading, your IP address not changing, DNS leaks, or abnormal browser behavior after import. It’s intended for iPhone and iPad users who want to import a subscription, choose a node, and perform basic troubleshooting step by step.
1. Before importing a subscription
“小火箭” usually refers to Shadowrocket on iOS. You’ll need a working subscription link, which may come from a VPN service or a page on this site listing free nodes. Subscription links usually start with https://, but they may also be long links that aren’t visible after copying. Before importing, make sure your internet connection is working. It’s best to close other VPN apps first to avoid configuration conflicts.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is installed and allow it to add a VPN configuration.
- Copy the full subscription URL without any extra spaces or explanatory text.
- If you’re using free nodes, have a few alternatives ready, as availability can change.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen.
- Tap the “+” in the upper-right corner.
- Select “Subscribe” or “订阅” as the type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. For the remark, enter “freevpn” or a name of your choice.
- Tap “Done/Save” in the upper-right corner.
- Return to the home screen, tap the subscription you just added, then select “Update” or pull down to refresh.
- Once the node list appears, choose a node and turn on the connection switch at the top.
If you have a link for a single node rather than a subscription URL, you can tap “+” and select the corresponding protocol, or import it directly from the clipboard. For most users, the subscription method is preferable because it makes future updates easier.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
A successful connection doesn’t guarantee that your browser environment is working as expected. Check three things: whether your IP address has changed to the node’s location, whether DNS resolution is following the proxy rules, and whether your browser still has cached data, location settings, cookies, or WebRTC information.
The test is simple: connect to Shadowrocket, then open a browser and search for “what is my ip” to check your public IP address. Next, visit a few familiar websites to see if they load. If webpages still show content for your original region, try clearing your browser cache, disabling location access for websites, or testing in private browsing mode. If you run into DNS issues, check the DNS settings in Shadowrocket. Most users should stick with the default settings and avoid entering DNS addresses from unknown sources.
4. Troubleshooting import and connection issues
- “Unable to retrieve subscription” message: Check whether the link has expired and whether you copied it in full. Try opening it in Safari to see if it’s accessible.
- The subscription updates but no nodes appear: The subscription may not have any available nodes. Try another subscription or check again later.
- Connected, but webpages won’t load: Switch nodes and check that the routing mode is set to “Configuration” or “Proxy,” not “Direct.”
- IP address hasn’t changed: Make sure the VPN icon appears at the top of the screen, and close any other proxy or VPN apps.
- Some websites won’t open: Try another browser, clear the DNS cache, or switch to a node that uses a different protocol.
As a final tip, after updating a subscription, start with a node that has low latency and has been working recently. Avoid running multiple proxy tools at the same time. Importing a subscription into Shadowrocket is straightforward; the key is to verify each of these steps—import, connect, and check your IP, DNS, and browser environment—to confirm that everything is actually working.