This guide addresses the practical question, “How do I use Shadowrocket?” It covers everything from installing the app and importing nodes to enabling the proxy, and explains how it relates to your IP address, DNS, and browser environment—helping you avoid common issues such as websites not loading, location mismatches, and DNS leaks.
1. What Is Shadowrocket, and Who Is It For?
Known among Chinese-speaking users as “Little Rocket,” Shadowrocket is a popular proxy client for iPhone and iPad. It can import nodes or subscription links for V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, Shadowsocks, and other protocols. Shadowrocket does not provide proxy servers itself; it lets you add your existing node configuration to your phone and access the internet using routing rules or a global proxy.
If you’ve obtained free nodes or a subscription link from this site or elsewhere, you can import them into Shadowrocket to try them out. Keep in mind that free nodes can be unreliable, so it’s a good idea to have several alternatives ready.
2. Basic Steps for Using Shadowrocket
- Install the client: Install Shadowrocket on your iOS device. When you first open it, allow it to add a VPN configuration.
- Import a node: Copy a node or subscription link, open Shadowrocket, tap “+” in the top-right corner, select “URL” or “Subscription,” then paste the link and save.
- Update your subscription: If you’re using a subscription URL, open its subscription group, pull down or tap Update, and wait for the node list to refresh.
- Select a node: Tap an available node. To start, choose one with low latency in a location that meets your needs.
- Connect: Return to the home screen and turn on the switch at the top. When prompted by iOS, tap Allow to add the VPN configuration.
- Test your connection: Open a browser and visit your target website, or search for “IP lookup” to check whether your apparent location has changed.
3. How IP, DNS, and Your Browser Environment Affect Your Connection
Your IP address determines the apparent source of your connection to a website. For example, if you connect through a Japan node, websites will generally see a Japanese IP address. However, some sites also consider your account region, payment details, and browser language—they don’t rely on your IP alone.
DNS translates domain names into server addresses. If DNS requests aren’t routed through the proxy, you might find that your IP has changed but websites still won’t load, or that your location is detected incorrectly. In Shadowrocket, use a reliable remote DNS server and enable proxying according to your rules to avoid interference from your local ISP’s DNS.
Your browser environment includes settings and data such as language, time zone, cache, cookies, and WebRTC. If a website still shows your original location after you switch nodes, try clearing your browser cache, using private browsing mode, or setting your device language and time zone to match the target location.
4. Recommended Routing Rules and Modes
- For everyday use, choose “Config/Rule Mode.” Domestic websites will connect directly, while international websites use the proxy, providing better speed and compatibility.
- If a particular app needs to use the proxy for all its traffic, switch to “Global Mode” temporarily, then switch back to Rule Mode when you’re done.
- For websites with many ad or analytics domains, you can import commonly used routing rules, but avoid frequently mixing multiple rule sources.
- If a node stops working, update your subscription and then try a different node instead of repeatedly toggling the VPN on and off.
5. Troubleshooting Connection Issues
If Shadowrocket won’t connect, check the following in order: First, make sure the node or subscription hasn’t expired. Second, try switching networks—for example, test both Wi-Fi and mobile data. Third, check that your device’s clock is correct. Fourth, remove the current VPN configuration and approve it again. Fifth, try a different protocol or a node in another region.
If you connect successfully but websites won’t load, focus on DNS and routing rules. Try switching to Global Mode temporarily. If websites load in Global Mode, the issue is probably with your routing rules. If they still don’t load, the node may be unavailable or your local network may be restricting access.
In short, using Shadowrocket comes down to preparing a node, importing a subscription, selecting a route, enabling the proxy, and checking your IP, DNS, and browser environment. Once you understand these steps, you can quickly diagnose most issues, including “connected but not working,” incorrect location, and websites that won’t load.