This article addresses the practical question of how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket. It also covers team usage scenarios, explaining why the same subscription may have different levels of stability across devices and account environments, and how to reduce disconnections, unavailable nodes, and configuration issues.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket usually refers to the iOS app. Before importing a subscription, you’ll need a working subscription link, which may come from a proxy service, your team administrator, or a free-node page curated on this site. Subscription links usually begin with https and contain node information for protocols such as VLESS, VMess, Trojan, and Shadowsocks.
For team use, first check three things: whether the subscription allows multiple users, whether there’s a device limit, and whether it requires a specific region or account login. Many cases where a subscription imports successfully but won’t connect aren’t caused by Shadowrocket itself, but by subscription permissions, account restrictions, or nodes being at capacity.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the main screen.
- Tap the “+” button in the top-right corner and set “Type” to Subscribe.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. You can add a note, such as “Office Subscription.”
- Tap “Done” in the top-right corner to save.
- Return to the home screen, open the subscription you just added, and select “Update.”
- Once the update succeeds, select a node and turn on the connection switch at the top.
- The first time you connect, iOS will prompt you to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and enter your device passcode.
If the subscription is working, Shadowrocket will automatically retrieve the node list. Team members should avoid forwarding screenshots or individual nodes to one another. Use the subscription link instead, so when the administrator updates the nodes, members can sync them simply by refreshing the subscription.
3. How account environments affect subscription stability
For team plans, stability depends not only on the nodes themselves, but also on the account environment. For example, using the same subscription on multiple devices at once may trigger server-side restrictions. Frequently switching between networks or regions can also cause connection issues. In simple terms, the subscription provides access to the nodes, while your account environment determines whether you can use them reliably over time.
We recommend that teams establish a few simple rules: don’t share subscription links outside the team; update the subscription when someone leaves or changes roles; use distinct notes for different departments to avoid accidental deletion; and don’t frequently import configurations from unknown sources, which can cause conflicts between DNS settings and proxy rules.
4. Troubleshoot connection failures in this order
- Refresh the subscription first: Tap Update on the subscription to check whether the nodes are out of date.
- Try another node: select a different region or route from the same subscription.
- Check the proxy mode: start with the default rules under “Config” to avoid issues caused by incorrect rules.
- Check VPN permissions: in iOS Settings, make sure Shadowrocket is allowed to configure a VPN.
- Switch networks: try mobile data instead of Wi-Fi to rule out local network restrictions.
- Delete and reimport: if the subscription has been failing to update for a long time, delete it and paste the link again.
If only one team member can’t connect while everyone else can, the issue is most likely related to device permissions, network conditions, or account concurrency limits. If no one can connect, the subscription may have expired, the nodes may be under maintenance, or the link itself may no longer be valid.
5. Tips for team use
For team use, it’s best to have one person manage the subscription source while other members simply import and refresh it. Avoid repeatedly installing and running multiple proxy clients on the same iPhone, as this can cause routing conflicts. If you use free nodes from this site, test them with a small group before sharing them with the rest of the team. Free nodes can be unreliable and aren’t suitable for business-critical tasks.
In short, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket is straightforward. The key is to use a valid link, make sure permissions are in order, and follow consistent procedures. By following the steps above and coordinating account management and troubleshooting as a team, you can significantly reduce cases where some members can connect while others can’t.