This article addresses the practical question of “how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket”: you will learn how to add subscriptions, update nodes, choose a proxy mode in Shadowrocket on iPhone/iPad, and understand why IP, DNS, and the browser environment can affect access results after connecting. It is suitable for ordinary users who already have a subscription link or plan to use the free nodes on this site.
1. Basic steps to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
Before you begin, make sure you have installed Shadowrocket and obtained a valid subscription link. A subscription is usually a URL starting with https://, though it may also be provided by the service provider in a QR code.
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the home page, and tap “+” in the top right corner.
- Choose Subscribe/Subscription as the type, and do not select a manual node type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. For remarks, you can enter an easy-to-recognize name such as “Free Nodes” or “Backup Subscription”.
- Tap Done or Save, then return to the home page and pull down to refresh while waiting for the node list to appear.
- Select a node, turn on the connection switch at the top, and when the system prompts you to add a VPN configuration, choose Allow.
If the subscription is a QR code, you can use the scanner in Shadowrocket to add it; if scanning the QR code still reveals a link, it is essentially the same as pasting the URL. After importing, it is recommended to first test a node with lower latency and a clear name, and avoid switching too frequently between too many nodes at once.
2. Subscription updates and common reasons import may fail
A subscription is not a one-time file; nodes may be updated. You can swipe left on the subscription group or enter the details page to choose Update, or simply pull down to refresh on the home page. If you see messages such as no nodes, parsing failed, or update failed, focus on checking the following points:
- Whether the subscription link is complete; when copying it, do not miss any characters at the end.
- Whether the link has expired, been reset, or requires login before it can be accessed.
- Whether your current network can open the subscription address; try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data to test.
- If your Shadowrocket version is too old, some newer protocols or formats may not be recognized.
This site will organize free node information that can be imported into clients, but the stability of free resources may fluctuate. It is recommended to keep multiple subscriptions or backup nodes, and if one becomes unavailable, update first and then switch routes.
3. What is the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment?
Many users assume that if Shadowrocket shows “connected,” it must be working, but in fact the access result is also related to IP, DNS, and the browser environment. After connecting, websites usually see the proxy exit IP; if your IP lookup still shows your local ISP, that means the rules are not routing through the proxy, or the current app is not being proxied.
DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses. When there is a DNS leak or a resolution problem, you may be able to connect to a node but still be unable to open webpages, or some sites may redirect you to a local regional page. In Shadowrocket, you can try switching to global proxy mode, configuring a reliable DNS, or using the client’s default recommended settings.
The browser environment includes cookies, cache, language, time zone, WebRTC, and more. Even if your IP has changed, a website may still determine your region based on historical login information or your browser fingerprint. Therefore, when testing, it is recommended to use an incognito window, clear the target website’s cache, and, if necessary, disable options related to WebRTC leaks.
4. How to check after a successful connection
After importing a subscription and connecting to a node, it is recommended to check in order: first open an IP lookup site to confirm whether the exit IP has changed; then visit commonly used websites to test loading; finally, check a DNS leak test page to see whether it shows an abnormal local ISP. If only one particular site cannot be opened, try switching nodes, clearing the browser cache, or changing to global mode.
In summary: the key to importing a subscription into Shadowrocket is “add the subscription link → refresh nodes → select a node → enable the connection.” If your experience is abnormal after connecting, do not focus only on the node itself; also check whether the IP is actually in effect, whether DNS is leaking, and whether the browser environment still has residual data, as this makes it easier to pinpoint the problem.