This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket: from preparing the subscription link and adding it to the app to updating nodes and testing the connection. It also covers what IP addresses, DNS, and browser settings each affect. It’s for iPhone users who have already installed Shadowrocket but aren’t sure where to enter the subscription link.
1. Before importing: make sure you have a subscription link
“小火箭” (Little Rocket) usually refers to the iOS app Shadowrocket. Check the app name and developer information to avoid counterfeit apps. A subscription link provides a list of nodes and usually starts with https://. A link for a single node may start with ss://, trojan://, or vless://; the import process differs between the two.
Subscription links often contain personal access credentials. Don’t share them publicly or submit them to unfamiliar conversion websites. When copying the link, include all its parameters and avoid adding spaces, line breaks, or Chinese punctuation. If you use free nodes from this site or another source, check when they were last updated, whether they’re compatible with your client, and any usage limits.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen. Tap the “+” button in the upper-right corner. The wording and layout may vary slightly between versions.
- Under “Type,” select “Subscribe” or “Subscription,” then paste the full subscription URL into the “URL” field, not the server address field.
- Enter a name that’s easy to recognize, such as “Daily Subscription,” in the remarks field. Configure any other options as instructed by the subscription provider, then save.
- Return to the home screen and wait for the subscription to download. When it succeeds, you’ll usually see a subscription group and its nodes. If nothing appears, look for an update option on the subscription entry; in some versions, you can open the menu by pressing and holding or swiping.
- Select a node, set “Global Routing” to “Config” or rule-based mode, then turn on the connection switch. The first time you connect, follow the system prompt to allow a VPN configuration and complete verification.
A successful import doesn’t guarantee that a node will work. First, run the connectivity test in the app, then use a browser to visit a regular website and confirm the connection. Latency tests are only a guide and don’t directly indicate download speed or long-term stability.
3. Updating a subscription and troubleshooting failures
Nodes can become unavailable or change over time. Keep the subscription URL and update the list when needed—you don’t have to add each node again. After updating, check whether your previously selected node is still there, then test the connection again.
- Invalid link message: Check that you copied the full URL, that the subscription hasn’t expired, and that you haven’t mistaken a webpage address for a subscription URL.
- Download failure or timeout: First, check that you can access the internet over your current Wi-Fi or cellular connection, then switch networks and try again. Some subscription URLs may only be accessible through an existing working connection.
- Download succeeds but no nodes appear: Check whether the subscription format is compatible with Shadowrocket and contact the provider to confirm. Avoid repeatedly changing unrelated settings.
- Nodes appear but won’t connect: Try a different node, check that your device’s date and time are set automatically, and temporarily turn off other VPNs to rule out connection conflicts.
4. How IP addresses, DNS, and browser settings are related
A subscription provides connection information; it doesn’t determine everything about how your browser behaves. Your exit IP is determined by the node and routing you’re actually using. In rule-based mode, different websites may use different exit IPs. DNS resolves domain names. If some websites won’t load, first check your settings against a trusted configuration, and avoid entering DNS addresses from unfamiliar sources.
Browser cookies, login status, and location permissions can also affect the region a website displays. If a website still shows your original region after you switch nodes, that doesn’t necessarily mean the import failed. Compare the result in a private browsing window and check your location permissions; private browsing won’t change your IP automatically. If something seems wrong, troubleshoot in this order: “Is the subscription valid? Can the node connect? Are the rules being applied? Is the browser using cached data?” This makes it easier to find the cause.