This guide explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket and why you might still run into issues afterward, such as websites not loading, your IP address not changing, DNS leaks, or browser environment problems. “小火箭” (literally “Little Rocket”) usually refers to Shadowrocket on iOS, which supports node configurations and subscription links for V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, SS, and other protocols.
1. Basic steps for importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Before you begin, make sure you have a working subscription link. A subscription is usually a URL that starts with https://, provided by a service or a free-node page. This site also collects information about some free nodes. When choosing a link, we recommend prioritizing one that was updated recently.
- Open Shadowrocket on your iPhone.
- Tap the “+” in the upper-right corner to open the configuration page.
- Select “Subscribe” or “订阅” as the type.
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field. You can enter “freevpn-x” or a custom name in the Remarks field.
- 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, follow the prompts to allow Shadowrocket to add a VPN configuration.
If the subscription is working, the home screen will show multiple nodes. Start by testing one with low latency and a clear name. Keep in mind that low latency doesn’t guarantee the node will work well with every website. The actual experience also depends on the route, the destination website, and your carrier’s network.
2. What to do if the subscription import fails
If no nodes appear after you paste the link, don’t rush to reinstall the app. Try these troubleshooting steps in order:
- Check that the link is complete, especially that it starts with https://.
- Make sure the subscription hasn’t expired. Free nodes may be updated frequently.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data, then try refreshing again.
- Open the subscription link in Safari to see whether it’s accessible or returns any content.
- Delete the old subscription and add it again to avoid duplicate cached entries.
If you see a format error, the subscription content is usually incompatible, or you may have copied a webpage redirect link instead of the actual subscription URL. Go back to the source page and copy the link again.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Many users assume that once they import a subscription and connect successfully, their “environment” must be working as expected. In practice, you need to check at least three things: your exit IP, DNS resolution, and your browser fingerprint.
Your exit IP is the address websites see when you visit them. After connecting to Shadowrocket, visit an IP lookup website to check whether your region has changed. If your IP is still local, the node may not have connected successfully, or your current rules may not be routing traffic to that website through the proxy.
DNS determines how domain names are resolved. If DNS requests still go through your local carrier, websites may fail to load or identify your region incorrectly. You can check your DNS settings in Shadowrocket. Most users can keep the defaults or use a reliable public DNS provider; avoid mixing too many rules without a clear reason.
Your browser environment includes settings and data such as language, time zone, cache, cookies, and WebRTC. For example, even if your IP appears to be overseas, your browser may still be set to Chinese, or your account may have a history of logins from a specific location. These inconsistencies can trigger a website’s security checks. If you run into problems, try using a private window, clearing your cookies, or disabling browser features that could expose your IP through WebRTC.
4. How to test your connection
- First, visit an IP lookup website and confirm whether your exit IP has changed.
- Then visit a website you use regularly and check whether it loads properly.
- If one website won’t open, try a different node.
- If all nodes fail, refresh the subscription or try a different subscription source.
One final reminder: Shadowrocket is just the client app. Stable performance mainly depends on the quality of your subscription nodes, your current network environment, and your rule settings. To import a subscription successfully, make sure the link is correct, the nodes are available, and the rules are working. Checking your IP, DNS, and browser environment as well should help you identify most connection issues.