This article addresses the practical question of how to use Shadowrocket: from installing the app and importing nodes to enabling the proxy and checking whether your IP has changed. It also explains how DNS and your browser environment can affect your browsing experience. It’s written for first-time Shadowrocket users on iPhone or iPad to follow step by step.
1. What is Shadowrocket, and what do you need before using it?
Shadowrocket, often called “小火箭” (Little Rocket), is a commonly used proxy client for iOS. It doesn’t provide proxy servers itself, so you’ll need to import a working node or subscription link. Nodes may use protocols such as VLESS, VMess, Trojan, or Shadowsocks; use the format provided by your service provider. This site collects free node resources, but their reliability can vary. If a connection fails, try switching to a few other nodes.
Before you begin, make sure you have an iPhone or iPad with Shadowrocket installed, a working node link or subscription URL, and a stable internet connection. Keep in mind that the client is only a connection tool; access depends on node quality, your network environment, and whether the configuration is correct.
2. How to import nodes and enable the proxy in Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and tap “+” in the upper-right corner of the home screen.
- For a single node, select the node type and enter the server, port, UUID, password, and other details. For a subscription, select “Subscribe/订阅” and paste the subscription URL.
- Save the details and return to the home screen. Tap the node you added and make sure a selection indicator appears beside it.
- Tap the switch at the top. The first time you use the app, you’ll be prompted to add a VPN configuration. Tap “Allow” and enter your phone’s passcode to confirm.
- Once the switch shows that you’re connected, open a browser and visit an IP lookup website to check whether your outgoing IP has changed.
If you have a link beginning with vmess://, vless://, trojan://, or ss://, you can copy it and open Shadowrocket; the app will usually recognize and import it automatically. If you use a subscription, tap the refresh button next to it regularly so you don’t keep using expired nodes.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Many people assume that once Shadowrocket connects, everything is taken care of. But it’s also important to understand how IP, DNS, and your browser environment interact. Your IP is the outgoing address that websites see. When you connect through a proxy, it will usually change to an address in the node’s location. DNS translates domain names into addresses. If DNS requests use your local network, you may experience failed lookups, inconsistent location information, or other access issues.
In Shadowrocket, most users should start by testing the default rules or a common global or configuration mode. If some websites won’t open, try switching to global proxy mode. If domestic apps become slow, switch back to rule-based mode. To check whether the proxy is working, don’t rely only on the VPN icon; check the outgoing IP shown on a website.
Your browser environment can also affect the results. For example, Safari and Chrome may retain cached data, account region settings, language, time zone, cookies, and other information. Even if your IP has changed, a website may use existing cookies to infer your location. For testing, use private browsing or clear the target website’s cache before visiting it again.
4. Common ways to troubleshoot connection failures
- Node unavailable: Try another node. Free nodes are especially prone to failure due to heavy usage or expiration.
- Subscription not updated: Manually refresh the subscription list and confirm that the latest nodes have synced.
- Local network restrictions: Switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data, or restart your router and try again.
- Incorrect time: Set the iOS date and time to update automatically; otherwise, some protocols may fail during the handshake.
- Rule issues: Temporarily switch to global mode to determine whether the problem is with rule-based routing or the node.
- DNS issues: Restore the default DNS settings in the client, or try a common public DNS provider.
If none of your nodes connect, first check that you copied the link in full and that the subscription URL opens correctly. Then update Shadowrocket to a newer version. Avoid frequently changing advanced settings you don’t understand. For most users, switching nodes, refreshing the subscription, or changing networks is enough to identify the problem.
5. Recommended everyday use
For everyday use, start with a node that has low latency and reliably opens the websites you need. Enable the proxy when accessing overseas websites, and switch back to rule-based mode or turn it off when using domestic apps. If a particular website behaves unexpectedly, troubleshoot in this order: check your IP, switch nodes, try private browsing, and refresh your subscription. These steps are more efficient. Once you know them, you’ll have a good understanding of how to use Shadowrocket and how it relates to IP, DNS, and your browser environment.