This article addresses common questions about “how to use Shadowrocket”: how to import nodes or subscriptions on iPhone/iPad, enable the proxy, and why you still need to pay attention to IP, DNS, and the browser environment after connecting. It is suitable for ordinary users who are new to internet freedom tools and want to follow the steps.
1. Preparation and Importing Nodes
Shadowrocket is commonly called “Little Rocket” by Chinese users and is mainly used on iOS devices to manage proxy nodes. Before using it, make sure you already have a working node link or subscription address. The protocol may be V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, Shadowsocks, etc. This site collects free node resources, but the stability of free nodes may vary, so it is recommended to prepare several backups.
- Open Shadowrocket and enter the main interface.
- If you have a single node link, copy the link and return to Shadowrocket. It will usually recognize it automatically; just tap Add.
- If you have a subscription address, tap “+” in the upper right corner, choose “Subscribe/Subscription,” paste the subscription URL, save it, and then update the subscription.
- Select a node from the node list and enable the selection mark in front of it.
- Return to the home page and turn on the switch at the top. On first use, you will be prompted to add a VPN configuration; choose Allow and enter your system password.
If you have many nodes, it is recommended to first test routes with lower latency and clear names. Note that being able to import a node does not necessarily mean it can connect successfully; node failure, network restrictions, or an expired subscription may all cause connection failure.
2. How to Choose a Shadowrocket Mode
Common modes in Shadowrocket include global proxy, rule-based proxy, and direct connection. Beginners are advised to prioritize “Configuration/Rules” mode, so domestic websites connect directly while overseas websites go through the proxy; this usually feels more natural. If you are only temporarily testing whether a certain IP is taking effect, you can switch to global mode, but long-term global mode is not recommended because some domestic apps may become slower or behave abnormally.
- Rule mode: Suitable for daily use; it automatically distinguishes between direct connections and proxy traffic.
- Global mode: All traffic goes through the selected node; suitable for troubleshooting.
- Direct mode: Does not use the proxy; often used to restore normal network access.
After updating a subscription, if you find that the node list has not changed, you can pull down to refresh the subscription, or delete the old subscription and add it again. When copying a subscription, do not accidentally copy extra spaces or Chinese explanatory text, otherwise parsing may fail.
3. What Is the Relationship Between IP, DNS, and the Browser Environment?
Many users think everything is fine once Shadowrocket is turned on, but in fact multiple types of environmental information may still be exposed when visiting websites. IP is the exit address seen by the website; DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into server addresses; the browser environment includes language, time zone, WebRTC, cookies, account login status, and so on.
After a successful connection, you can open an IP lookup website to confirm whether the exit IP has changed to the region where the node is located. If the IP has changed but some websites still report a region mismatch, it may be related to DNS or browser cache. It is recommended to first close the relevant webpage, clear the browser cache, and reopen it; if necessary, switch to another node and test again. If you are concerned about WebRTC leaks, you can disable WebRTC in the browser or use a browser that supports privacy settings.
As for DNS, Shadowrocket may use system DNS, remote DNS, or DNS specified by the configuration file under different settings. Ordinary users do not need to deeply modify parameters, but should know this: DNS problems can cause the proxy to connect successfully while websites still fail to open. In this case, you can try switching rule mode, updating the configuration file, restarting the network, or changing nodes to verify.
4. Connection Failure Troubleshooting Checklist
- Confirm that the phone’s network is working normally; you can first turn off Shadowrocket and test access to domestic websites.
- Check whether the node has expired and whether the subscription was updated successfully.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to rule out restrictions on the current network.
- Use global mode for testing to determine whether the issue is with the rule configuration.
- Delete the VPN configuration and enable it again so the system can reauthorize it.
- Switch to another node to avoid mistaking a single node failure for a software problem.
If it shows connected but there is no internet access, first try changing the node and mode; if you cannot add a VPN, check iOS VPN permissions; if only one specific website cannot be opened, the issue is more likely related to rules, DNS, or the browser environment. Overall, the core workflow of Shadowrocket is importing nodes, selecting a node, enabling the proxy, and testing the IP, then adjusting rules and the environment according to the access results.