This article addresses the practical question of “how to use Shadowrocket”: how to import nodes or subscriptions on iPhone/iPad, enable the proxy, and understand the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment, so as to avoid common issues such as being connected but unable to open web pages, inconsistent IPs, and DNS leaks.
1. Basic steps for using Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket, often called “Little Rocket” by Chinese users, is mainly used on iOS to manage proxy nodes such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. Before use, please prepare working nodes or a subscription link. This site also compiles free nodes for testing, but the stability of free nodes may change over time.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap the “+” in the upper-right corner.
- If it is a subscription link, set the “Type” to Subscribe, paste the link into the URL field, save it, and then tap update.
- If it is a single node, you can scan a QR code, or copy the node link and let the App automatically recognize and import it.
- Return to the home page, select a node, and turn on the connection switch at the top.
- When connecting for the first time, the system will prompt you to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and enter your device passcode.
After a successful connection, it is recommended to first open a browser and visit an IP-checking website to confirm whether the outbound IP has changed. If the IP has not changed, it means the proxy may not have been enabled correctly or the current rules were not matched.
2. What is the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment
IP refers to the network exit address that the website sees when you visit it. After Shadowrocket connects successfully, under normal circumstances the website will see the proxy node’s IP rather than your local ISP IP.
DNS is the process of resolving a domain name into an IP address. If the proxy is connected but DNS still goes through the local network, some websites may fail to open, regional detection may be abnormal, and DNS leaks may even occur. In Shadowrocket, it is recommended to use the system’s default rules or a trusted remote DNS configuration, and not to mix in unknown DNS settings casually.
Browser environment includes information such as language, time zone, cache, cookies, and WebRTC. Even if the proxy IP has been switched, websites may still judge your usage environment through browser cache or account records. Therefore, when testing, you can use private browsing mode, or clear the target website’s cookies before visiting again.
3. Recommended settings for daily use
- For normal web browsing: use “Configuration/Rules” mode, so domestic websites connect directly and overseas websites go through the proxy.
- To test whether a node is usable: temporarily switch to global proxy mode, then visit an IP-checking website.
- If failures occur frequently: change nodes, update the subscription, or switch networks from Wi-Fi to cellular data for testing.
- If you have higher privacy requirements: reduce the risk of browser WebRTC leaks and clear cookies regularly.
If you only need it for everyday internet access, long-term use of global mode is not recommended, because domestic apps will also go through the proxy, which may slow access or cause location issues. Rule mode is more suitable for long-term use.
4. Troubleshooting connection failures and abnormalities
If you encounter the issue “connected but unable to open web pages,” first check in order: whether the node has expired, whether the subscription has been updated, whether the current network restricts proxy use, and whether the system time is accurate. Many TLS-based protocols are fairly sensitive to time, and a large time difference can cause handshake failures.
If a certain App does not work but Safari can open web pages, it is usually a rules issue. Enter Shadowrocket’s configuration page and check whether the correct rules are enabled; you can also briefly switch to global mode to determine whether the rules are not being matched. If an IP check shows your local IP, it means the proxy has not actually taken effect, and you need to reconnect or delete the VPN configuration and authorize it again.
Finally, a reminder: Shadowrocket is only a client tool. Whether it can be used stably depends on node quality, the network environment, and rule configuration. It is recommended to keep multiple backup nodes, update subscriptions regularly, and check both IP and DNS results during testing, so you can more accurately determine the source of the problem.