This article answers common questions about “how to use Shadowrocket”: how to import nodes or subscriptions on an iPhone or iPad, enable the proxy, and why you should also check your IP, DNS, and browser environment after connecting. These checks can help prevent issues such as being connected but unable to load webpages, location mismatches, or privacy leaks.
1. Install the app and import nodes
Shadowrocket is a popular proxy client for iOS, commonly nicknamed “Little Rocket.” It is only a client and does not provide proxy servers on its own, so you’ll need to import a working node or subscription link. This site curates some free node resources for temporary testing, but free nodes can be unreliable, so it’s a good idea to have a few alternatives ready before connecting.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap “+” in the upper-right corner of the home screen.
- If you have a subscription link, select “Subscribe/订阅,” paste the URL, save it, and tap Update.
- If you have a link for an individual node, such as vmess, vless, trojan, or ss, copy it and return to Shadowrocket. The app will usually recognize and import it automatically. You can also add it manually.
- Once imported, select a node from the list, return to the home screen, and turn on the switch at the top.
- The first time you enable it, you’ll be prompted to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow, then enter your phone’s passcode to confirm.
When the VPN icon appears in the status bar, the system proxy is active. You can then visit an IP lookup site in your browser to check whether your outgoing IP address has changed.
2. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Many users assume that seeing “Connected” in Shadowrocket means everything is working properly, but it’s also important to check that your IP, DNS, and browser environment are consistent. Your IP indicates the apparent location you’re connecting from; DNS translates domain names into server addresses; and your browser environment includes details such as language, time zone, WebRTC, and cookies.
- IP mismatch: If the node connects successfully but your IP still appears to be local, the rules may not be routing traffic through the proxy, the node may be down, or the system VPN may not actually be enabled.
- DNS leak: A webpage may load even though DNS still shows your local ISP, which can cause some sites to flag your connection. You can enable remote DNS in Shadowrocket’s settings or use the DNS options in your proxy rules.
- Browser environment mismatch: For example, if your IP is in the United States but your browser language, time zone, and location are still set to China, some websites may trigger additional verification.
Most users don’t need to aim for “complete spoofing,” but it’s a good idea to keep things reasonably consistent. After connecting to a node in a particular region, disable location access for websites, clear cookies if needed, and adjust your browser language to suit your needs.
3. Recommended basic settings
If you’re new to Shadowrocket, start with the default settings and avoid running multiple proxy tools at the same time. For a more stable experience, select “Config” or “Rule” mode so domestic sites connect directly while overseas sites use the proxy. If you only want to test a particular site, you can temporarily switch to “Global Routing” and then switch back to Rule mode when you’re done.
For DNS, you can use a common public DNS service or remote resolution in your Shadowrocket configuration file. If you’re not familiar with configuration settings, avoid changing advanced parameters at random. Just make sure your subscription comes from a trusted source and update it regularly.
4. Troubleshooting connection failures
If Shadowrocket isn’t working, check the following in order:
- Try switching between two or three nodes to rule out a problem with a single node.
- Tap Update for your subscription and check that the link hasn’t expired or been removed.
- Check your phone’s network connection. Try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data.
- Turn Shadowrocket off and back on. If necessary, remove the VPN configuration and authorize it again.
- If webpages won’t load but messaging apps work, check your DNS or rule settings first.
Remember that Shadowrocket is just a tool; its reliability depends on node quality, network conditions, and configuration rules. If you run into problems, avoid changing too many settings at once. Troubleshoot in this order—nodes, subscription, network, DNS, and browser environment—to narrow down the cause.