This article addresses the practical question of “how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket” and explains why, even after importing, you may still encounter issues such as an unchanged IP, DNS leaks, or the browser being unable to open web pages. It is suitable for everyday users of Shadowrocket on iPhone/iPad, and by following the steps, you can complete subscription import and basic troubleshooting.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket itself is only a client, so you need to prepare a working subscription link or a single node link. Subscriptions usually start with https:// and contain node information such as Vmess, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. You can use a subscription you already have, or refer to the free node page provided on this site, but the stability of free nodes may change over time, so actual connectivity should be the deciding factor.
Before importing, please confirm that: iOS has allowed Shadowrocket to add a VPN configuration; the subscription link was copied completely; and your current network can access the internet normally. If the subscription link needs to be updated, it is best to first open it in a browser to test whether it is accessible, so you do not mistake an expired link for a client malfunction.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the home page, and tap the “+” in the upper-right corner.
- Select the type “Subscribe” or “Subscription”; do not choose a manual node type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field, and in the remark field you can enter “Free Nodes” or the service name.
- Tap “Done” in the upper-right corner to save, then return to the home page and pull down to refresh the subscription.
- After the subscription is parsed successfully, multiple nodes will appear in the list; select one node.
- Turn on the connection switch at the top. On first use, follow the prompt to allow adding a VPN configuration.
If what you received is a single link such as vmess://, vless://, or trojan://, you can also tap “+” and choose “Import from Clipboard” or use QR code import. After importing, it is recommended to first test a node with lower latency and a clear name.
3. What is the relationship between subscriptions, IP, DNS, and the browser environment
Many users assume that importing a subscription will definitely change the browser environment, but in fact it depends on whether the connection is actually established successfully. A subscription is only a list of nodes; only after you turn on the VPN switch and connect successfully can the outbound IP used when visiting websites change to the region where the node is located.
DNS is the domain name resolution process. If the rule configuration is improper, web pages may fail to open, resolve to the wrong address, or even cause DNS leaks. Ordinary users should first use Shadowrocket’s default configuration and avoid randomly modifying DNS, rules, or routing modes. If access to certain websites is abnormal, you can try switching to “Global Proxy” for testing to determine whether routing rules are the cause.
The browser environment also includes Cookies, cache, language, time zone, WebRTC, and more. Even if the IP has changed, websites may still identify you through browser cache or login status. Therefore, when testing, it is recommended to use an incognito window or switch to another browser before visiting an IP-check website.
4. How to troubleshoot import failures and connection issues
- Subscription parsing failed: Check whether the link is complete, whether there are extra spaces, and whether it has expired.
- The list is empty: Pull down to refresh the subscription, or delete it and add it again.
- It imports successfully but will not connect: Switch to a different node, then turn the VPN switch off and back on.
- It shows as connected but web pages will not open: Switch to global mode, check DNS settings, and restart the browser.
- The IP has not changed: Confirm that the browser is not using a direct connection, try turning Wi-Fi off and reconnecting, or test with another node.
If multiple nodes all fail, first determine whether the subscription source has expired; if only a certain app cannot connect, it is most likely related to routing rules or that app’s cache. After completing the above checks, you can generally identify the common reasons behind “how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket” and why the environment does not take effect after importing.