This guide answers the beginner’s question, “How do I use Shadowrocket?” It walks you through installing it on an iPhone, importing nodes, and enabling the proxy, and explains why IP, DNS, and browser results may differ. Have a working node link or subscription URL ready, then follow the steps in order.
1. Install the app and prepare your nodes
Search for Shadowrocket in the App Store and check the app name and developer information. Availability and purchase requirements depend on your local App Store page. Don’t install profiles from unfamiliar websites or so-called “free cracked” versions. Shadowrocket is a proxy client and does not include working connections; you’ll need to import nodes or a subscription separately.
Node details usually come as a share link, QR code, or subscription URL. The free nodes provided on this site can be used for testing, but availability may change. Before importing, check when they were last updated and whether they’re compatible with your client. Don’t share your subscription URL publicly.
2. Import nodes and enable the connection
- Copy the node share link or subscription URL, open Shadowrocket, and allow clipboard access if prompted. Follow the instructions to add it. If no prompt appears, tap “+” in the upper-right corner to add it manually.
- To import a subscription, select the subscription option under Type, enter the full URL, and save. Import individual nodes using the appropriate protocol. Menu labels may vary between versions.
- Return to the home screen, expand the subscription, and select a node. You can run a connectivity test first, but a successful latency test doesn’t mean every website will be accessible.
- Set “Global Routing” to “Config” so the rules determine whether traffic goes direct or through the proxy. For troubleshooting, you can temporarily switch to “Proxy” mode to compare results, then switch back.
- Turn on the connection switch at the top. The first time you connect, follow the system prompt to allow a VPN configuration to be added, then visit your target website to verify the connection.
Seeing the VPN icon only means the system has enabled the connection; it doesn’t guarantee that the node is working. If you can’t get online, try another node first instead of changing several settings at once.
3. How do IP, DNS, and your browser environment relate?
Your IP is the network address websites see you connecting from. In rule-based mode, different websites may use different routes. So if an IP lookup page shows your local address, that doesn’t necessarily mean the proxy has failed; first check whether that site’s traffic is routed through the proxy.
DNS translates domain names into addresses. If the DNS resolution path doesn’t match your proxy rules, some websites may fail to load, or a test page may show an unexpected DNS provider. A DNS server’s region is not the same as your actual location, and on its own, it doesn’t prove that a leak has occurred. Prefer DNS settings from a trusted configuration, and avoid blindly applying parameters from unfamiliar tutorials.
Your browser also stores cookies, login status, language settings, and location permissions. Even after your exit IP changes, a website may still show content for your previous region based on this information. Try comparing results in a private browsing window and check the site’s location permissions. Private browsing doesn’t change your IP or remove all identifying information.
4. If you can’t connect, check these in order
- Turn off the proxy and confirm that your Wi-Fi or cellular connection can access the internet normally.
- Update the subscription, check whether the URL has expired and whether the node is still valid, then try another node.
- Temporarily switch to “Proxy” mode. If access works again, focus on your routing rules rather than repeatedly reinstalling the app.
- If only domain access is affected, check the connection log for resolution errors, then review your DNS settings.
- Pause any other VPN or network-filtering tools. If necessary, restart the client and try a different network to compare.
While troubleshooting, note the node, routing mode, and error message. Change only one variable at a time. Don’t expose your subscription URL, password, or full node link in public screenshots. Always comply with local laws and the terms of service when using the app.