This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket, covering link preparation, adding the subscription, updating nodes, and testing the connection. It also explains why switching nodes in a team setting may affect account environment consistency. This guide applies to Shadowrocket on iPhone and iPad; button names may vary slightly between versions.
1. Before importing: Check the app and subscription link
Install Shadowrocket through the official App Store, and verify the app name so you don’t mistake another client with a similar icon for Shadowrocket. The Apple ID used to install the app is separate from your proxy subscription. Team members should not share personal Apple IDs just to install the app.
Get a subscription link that supports Shadowrocket from your provider. It is usually a long URL beginning with HTTPS and containing a personal identifier. It is not the provider’s homepage or a link to its account dashboard. If the provider offers several formats, choose the option labeled “Shadowrocket” or “小火箭.” Don’t assume a Clash configuration link will work as a universal subscription link.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Copy the entire subscription link, making sure not to include spaces, line breaks, or punctuation from the surrounding chat message.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap “+” in the upper-right corner of the home screen.
- Set “Type” to “Subscribe,” then paste the link into the “URL” field. You can add a note with the team name or intended use to make it easier to identify.
- Tap “Done” or “Save” in the upper-right corner and wait for the app to fetch the subscription. When it succeeds, the home screen will show the subscription group and its nodes.
- Select a node and choose a global routing mode as needed. For everyday use, you can start with “Config” mode, but routing depends on the rules you have installed; it does not automatically identify every website.
- Turn on the connection switch on the home screen. The first time you connect, follow the system prompt to allow the VPN configuration, then test by opening your target website.
A successful import doesn’t guarantee that a node will work. Latency tests can help, but you should also check whether websites load and business apps let you sign in normally. If you use a free subscription from this site or another source, verify that it works before using it, and don’t rely on it for important business tasks.
3. Troubleshooting update failures and connection issues
- Subscription won’t download: Check your internet connection, make sure the link is complete, and confirm that the subscription hasn’t expired or been reset. If you see an error in your browser, send the details to the provider for review.
- No nodes after import: Confirm that you selected the subscription type and check whether the link format is compatible. Don’t keep adding the same invalid address.
- Nodes appear but won’t connect: Try another node, check that your system time is set automatically, and make sure another VPN app isn’t interfering by connecting at the same time.
- An old node stops working: Look for an update option in the subscription group’s action menu and refresh it manually. If that still fails, contact the provider rather than immediately clearing all your settings.
4. Team use: How subscriptions relate to account environments
A subscription distributes node information; it does not guarantee a fixed exit IP. Even if you keep selecting a node with the same name, the exit IP may change when the provider adjusts its routing. Platforms may also consider factors such as the device, browser history, and login location when flagging unusual activity, so importing a subscription cannot guarantee that you’ll avoid verification checks or risk controls.
Teams should agree on which accounts are used on which devices, avoid switching between regions in a short period, and avoid having multiple people sign in to the same account at once. If a stable exit IP is essential, confirm that the provider supports it. Treat subscription links as credentials: don’t post them in public groups or include them in screenshots or documents. If a link is exposed, reset it promptly and update it on all devices. Before sharing a subscription, also confirm that multiple users are allowed.