This article addresses the core question of “how to use Shadowrocket”: after installing it on an iPhone/iPad, how to import nodes, enable the proxy, 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 webpages, inconsistent IPs, or DNS leaks.
1. Basic Steps for Using Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket, often called “Little Rocket” by Chinese users, is a commonly used proxy client on iOS. It can import nodes or subscriptions for V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, Shadowsocks, and more. Before use, please make sure you already have valid node information or a subscription link. This site also compiles some free nodes for testing, but the stability of free nodes may be affected by the number of online users and the network environment.
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the home page, and tap the “+” in the top right corner.
- If it is a single node, select the corresponding type and fill in the server, port, UUID/password, transport method, and other information; if it is a subscription, choose “Subscribe/Subscription,” paste the subscription link, and save it.
- Return to the home page, pull down or tap to update the subscription, and wait for the node list to finish loading.
- Select a node, turn on the connection switch at the top, and on first use, allow the VPN configuration to be added when prompted.
- After the connection is successful, use your browser to visit commonly used websites and test whether it works.
Beginners are advised to prioritize importing via a subscription link, because it makes rule and node updates more convenient and reduces the chance of entering parameters incorrectly.
2. What IP, DNS, and the Browser Environment Each Affect
Many people assume that if Shadowrocket shows as connected, everything must be working properly. In fact, you also need to look at the IP, DNS, and browser environment. The IP determines the exit location seen by websites; DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into server addresses; and the browser environment includes information such as language, time zone, cache, cookies, WebRTC, and more.
- IP: After connecting successfully, an IP lookup website should show the exit IP of the proxy node, rather than your local carrier IP.
- DNS: If DNS is still being resolved by your local ISP, it may cause access issues or privacy leaks. You can enable remote DNS in Shadowrocket’s settings or use the DNS settings provided by the rule configuration.
- Browser environment: Even if the IP changes, your browser language, time zone, and historical cookies may still reveal your original usage habits. If needed, clear the cache, disable WebRTC leaks, or use a separate browser configuration.
For normal browsing, there is no need to make things overly complicated. But if you find that “the IP is overseas, yet the webpage still shows local content,” it is usually related to DNS, cookies, or browser location permissions.
3. Recommended Settings for Beginners
In Shadowrocket, common modes include global proxy, rule-based proxy, and direct connection. Beginners are advised to use rule mode: domestic websites connect directly, while overseas websites go through the proxy, which provides a more stable experience. If you are only temporarily testing whether a node works, you can switch to global mode for troubleshooting.
For DNS, it is best to use the default configuration provided by the subscription or rule author first. If you encounter domain names that will not open, you can try switching to a public DNS service and confirm that options related to “DNS over Proxy/remote resolution” are enabled. Do not frequently install multiple proxy tools at the same time, otherwise the iOS VPN configurations may conflict with each other and cause connection issues.
4. Troubleshooting Checklist for Connection Failures
- Node cannot connect: check whether the subscription has expired, whether the node has been deleted, and whether the system time is accurate.
- No internet after connecting: switch to another node, or change from rule mode to global mode for testing.
- Only some websites will not open: this is most likely a rule or DNS issue; update the configuration and try again.
- IP has not changed: confirm that the top switch in Shadowrocket is turned on, and that the currently selected option is a proxy node rather than direct connection.
- The browser still shows the old region: clear cookies, disable location permissions, and reopen the browser.
Overall, the process of using Shadowrocket is: import nodes or a subscription, select a node, enable the connection, and check the IP and DNS. When problems occur, do not rely only on the “connected” status—also consider webpage access, IP lookup results, and DNS results together, as this makes it easier to quickly identify the cause of the issue.