This guide explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket and troubleshoot issues such as websites not loading, your IP address not changing, DNS leaks, or an unusual browser environment. It’s for iPhone and iPad users who already have an airport subscription link or a free node subscription from this site. Follow the steps to import the subscription, connect, and run some basic checks.
1. Before importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket is an app for iOS devices. Before importing a subscription, check three things: the link is complete and starts with http or https; your device’s date and time are correct; and your current network can access the subscription URL. Extra spaces, line breaks, or non-English punctuation in a copied link can cause the import to fail.
If you’re using a free node subscription provided by this site, we recommend copying the “Subscription URL” rather than adding individual nodes. With a subscription, you can refresh the nodes in the app when they’re updated, instead of adding each one again manually.
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 “Subscription” as the type.
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field. For the name, enter “freevpn” or choose a name of your own.
- Tap “Done” in the upper-right corner to save.
- Return to the home screen and pull down to refresh the subscription. 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 prompt to allow Shadowrocket to add a VPN configuration.
Once connected, a VPN icon appears in the status bar. Open a browser and visit an IP lookup site to check whether your exit IP has changed. If it still shows your local carrier’s IP, you may not be connected, or the proxy rules may not be taking effect.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
IP is the exit address that websites see when you visit them; DNS translates domain names into server addresses; and your browser environment includes information such as cache, cookies, language, time zone, and WebRTC. Many users assume that a changed IP means everything is working properly, but DNS issues or browser cache can also prevent websites from loading or cause your location to be detected incorrectly.
In Shadowrocket, we recommend using “Config/Rules” mode rather than keeping the app in global proxy mode. A common setup is to route international websites through the proxy and connect directly to domestic websites. If you need to check that your environment is clean, you can temporarily switch to global mode for testing. However, we don’t recommend using it all the time, as it may affect access to domestic apps.
4. Troubleshooting connection problems after a successful import
- No nodes in the subscription: Check whether the link has expired and whether you copied it in full. Try opening the subscription URL in Safari to see whether it returns any content.
- Node timed out: Try a different node, or switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data. Some networks may interfere with the connection.
- Websites won’t load: Update the rules in Shadowrocket, or temporarily switch to global mode to see whether the rules are the problem.
- DNS issues: Turn the VPN off and back on, and restart your phone if needed. You can also enable remote DNS options in Shadowrocket’s configuration.
- Your browser still detects your old location: Clear your browser cache and cookies, disable settings related to WebRTC leaks, or test in a private window.
5. Subscription updates and usage tips
Subscription nodes can change, so we recommend pulling down to refresh the Shadowrocket home screen once before using the app each day. If a node has high latency or fails to connect, that doesn’t mean all nodes are unavailable—try another one. Avoid running multiple VPN apps at the same time to prevent conflicts with system proxy settings.
In short, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket comes down to four steps: add the subscription URL, refresh the list, select a node, and connect. After connecting, check your IP, DNS, and browser environment to confirm that the proxy is working as intended. If you run into problems, start by checking the subscription link, node status, rules mode, and DNS cache. This will usually help you identify the cause.