This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket (小火箭) on iPhone or iPad. It covers getting a subscription link, importing it, updating nodes, and troubleshooting connection issues. It also explains how your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect the results you see when browsing the web.
1. Before importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket usually refers to the iOS client. Before importing a subscription, make sure you have a working subscription link. It usually starts with https:// and may contain multiple nodes using protocols such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. This site also shares free nodes and subscription guides. We recommend using them for testing and learning only, as their reliability depends on actual connection conditions.
- Make sure your phone has a working internet connection over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- Copy the entire subscription URL, including any parameters at the end.
- Keep your system time set to update automatically. An incorrect time can cause TLS connection failures.
- If the link requires you to sign in or has expired, get a new one from the source page.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen.
- Tap the “+” in the top-right corner.
- Select “Subscribe” or “订阅” as the type.
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field. You can enter “Free Nodes” or a name of your choice in the remarks field.
- Tap “Done” in the top-right corner to save.
- Return to the home screen, tap the subscription group you just added, then select “Update” or pull down to refresh.
- Once the update is complete, select a node and turn on the connection switch at the top.
When the connection is successful, a VPN icon will usually appear at the top of the iOS screen. Try opening a familiar website in your browser to test the connection; don’t rely solely on the client’s “Connected” status. If there are many nodes, try them one at a time by region, latency, or protocol, rather than switching between them repeatedly.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment affect browsing
IP determines the apparent location from which websites see you connecting. After Shadowrocket connects, an IP check should show the node’s exit IP. If it still shows your local carrier’s IP, your rules, proxy mode, or connection may not be working as expected.
DNS translates domain names into addresses. DNS issues can cause problems such as being connected but unable to open webpages, certain websites not loading, or being redirected to unexpected pages. Try switching the DNS option in your Shadowrocket configuration, or temporarily use global proxy mode to check whether split-routing rules are causing inconsistent resolution.
Your browser environment includes your cache, cookies, language, time zone, and WebRTC settings. Even if your IP has changed, a website may use previous login records or cached browser data to identify your environment. If the results don’t match, try a private browsing window, clear the site’s data, or test with another browser.
4. Troubleshooting connection issues after importing
- Subscription won’t update: Check that the link is complete and hasn’t expired. Try opening it in Safari to see whether it returns any content.
- Node times out: Try another node in the same subscription. Free nodes may be temporarily unavailable.
- Connected, but webpages won’t load: Temporarily switch to global mode to rule out issues with split-routing rules.
- Only some apps work: Check Shadowrocket’s rules, system VPN permissions, and whether another proxy app is causing a conflict.
- Your IP hasn’t changed: Disconnect and reconnect, select the node again, and make sure the VPN icon appears.
In short, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket involves adding a Subscribe entry, pasting in the URL, updating the subscription, and selecting a node. If browsing results are unexpected, don’t focus only on the subscription. Also check whether your IP has changed, DNS is resolving correctly, and your browser still has old data.