This article addresses the practical question of “how to use Shadowrocket”: how to import nodes or subscriptions on an iPhone/iPad, connect to a proxy correctly, and understand the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment, so as to avoid common issues such as being connected but unable to open web pages, inconsistent IPs, or DNS leaks.
1. Basic Shadowrocket Usage Process
Shadowrocket is commonly referred to by users as “Little Rocket” and is mainly used on iOS devices to connect to proxy nodes such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. Before using it, please make sure you already have available nodes or a subscription link. This site also compiles free nodes for testing, but the stability of free nodes can fluctuate, so they are best used only for temporary verification.
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the home page, and tap the “+” in the top right corner.
- If you have a subscription link, choose “Type/Subscribe” or “Import from URL,” paste the subscription address, and save it.
- If it is a single node link, you can copy a vmess, vless, ss, trojan, or similar link, then return to Shadowrocket, which will usually recognize and import it automatically.
- After the import is complete, select a node from the node list, return to the home page, and turn on the connection switch at the top.
- On the first connection, iOS will prompt you to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and enter your lock screen passcode.
After a successful connection, a VPN indicator will appear in the status bar. It is recommended to first use a browser to open commonly used websites for testing, then visit an IP lookup site to confirm whether the outbound IP has changed.
2. What Is the Relationship Between IP, DNS, and the Browser Environment?
IP refers to the outbound address shown to the website you are visiting. After Shadowrocket is connected, under normal circumstances the website will see the proxy node’s IP rather than your local network IP. If an IP check still shows your local ISP address, it usually means the node is not handling the traffic, the rules are not matching, or the connection has failed.
DNS is used to resolve domain names into IP addresses. Even if the proxy is connected, if DNS still goes through the local network, some websites may fail to open, resolve to the wrong region, or detect that the DNS region does not match the proxy IP region. In Shadowrocket, you can use the system DNS in the profile, or enable remote DNS according to the subscription rules. Ordinary users do not need to make complicated adjustments; it is best to prioritize the built-in configuration that comes with a reliable subscription.
Browser environment includes cookies, cache, language, time zone, location permissions, account login history, and so on. Changing the proxy IP does not mean the browser environment is completely changed. If you find that a website still shows your original region, first clear the browser cache, turn off location permissions, and, if necessary, test in an incognito window.
3. Recommended Settings and Connection Troubleshooting
- For rule mode, beginners are advised to use “Configuration” or “Rule.” Do not start with global proxy right away, to avoid slowing down domestic apps.
- If a node cannot connect, first switch to another node, then update the subscription to rule out node failure.
- If it connects but web pages will not open, check whether the wrong proxy rules are enabled, or try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data.
- If the IP has changed but access is still abnormal, clear the browser cache, turn off location permissions, and reopen the browser.
- If subscription import fails, confirm that the link is complete, contains no extra spaces, and that the network can access the subscription address.
If you only need temporary internet access through a proxy, just follow the sequence: “import subscription → select node → enable connection → check IP.” If you use it frequently, it is recommended to keep two or three backup nodes from different regions and update the subscription regularly.
4. Notes on Using Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket is only a client and does not provide nodes itself. Connection performance depends on node quality, network conditions, and rule configuration. Do not casually import configuration files from unknown sources, so as to avoid leaking browsing records or account information. When problems occur, prioritize troubleshooting in order: whether the node is available, whether the subscription has expired, whether the rules are correct, whether DNS is abnormal, and whether the browser still retains the old environment. This will solve most problems such as “Shadowrocket won’t connect” or “connected but not working.”