This guide explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket and how to troubleshoot websites that still won’t load after importing. It covers three key areas: IP address, DNS, and browser environment. Here, “Shadowrocket” refers to the iOS app, and these steps are intended for users who already have a subscription link or want to import one after obtaining free nodes from this site.
1. What to Prepare Before Importing a Subscription into Shadowrocket
Before importing, make sure you have a subscription link, not a share link for a single node. A subscription link is usually an https URL that returns information about multiple nodes. Individual node links commonly use formats such as vmess://, vless://, trojan://, and ss://. Both can be used, but the import steps differ slightly.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is installed on your iPhone and that you can add VPN configurations.
- Copy the entire subscription link, including the token, any parameters, and the final characters.
- We recommend turning off other VPN or proxy apps first to avoid configuration conflicts.
- Free nodes may be unavailable or congested. If one fails, try another.
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” as the type.
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field. You can enter “freevpn-x” or a custom name in the Remarks field.
- Tap “Done” in the top-right corner. Return to the home screen and pull down to refresh the subscription.
- After the refresh, you should see several nodes. Choose one with a low latency or one that is available.
- Turn on the connection switch at the top. The first time you connect, follow the prompt to allow Shadowrocket to add a VPN configuration.
If you copied a link for a single node, you can also tap “+” on the home screen and select the corresponding protocol, or import it directly from the clipboard. The advantage of a subscription is that you only need to refresh it when the available nodes change, rather than adding them one by one.
3. If You’re Connected but Can’t Access the Internet, Check Whether Your IP Has Changed
Many users assume that seeing “Connected” means they can access the internet, but you should also check whether your outbound IP address has changed. After connecting, open an IP lookup site and see whether the location shown matches your node. If your IP hasn’t changed, the node may not be active, your traffic may not be matching the routing rules, or there may be an issue with the system’s VPN permissions.
Try disconnecting and reconnecting, or switching to another node. In Shadowrocket’s global routing settings, temporarily select “Proxy” to test the connection. If global proxy mode works but your routing rules don’t, the issue is probably with the rules or traffic routing—not the subscription itself.
4. DNS and Your Browser Environment Can Also Affect Access
DNS is a common cause of websites failing to load even when the subscription imports correctly. DNS translates domain names into IP addresses. If DNS is being intercepted or traffic is taking the wrong route, apps may connect while websites fail to load in your browser. Check the DNS settings in Shadowrocket and use the client’s recommended configuration, or switch to a trusted public DNS service for testing.
Your browser environment matters too. Some websites assess your environment based on cookies, cache, language, time zone, WebRTC, or previous login activity. Frequently switching nodes can trigger verification checks, risk controls, or warnings that your region doesn’t match. Try clearing the target site’s cache, disabling any built-in browser proxy extensions, or testing in a private window.
5. Common Errors and How to Fix Them
- Subscription refresh failed: Check that the link is complete. Try opening it in Safari or refreshing over a different network.
- All nodes are red: The subscription may have expired, the nodes may be unavailable, or the connection may be blocked. Try updating the subscription or switching nodes.
- Some websites load, but others don’t: Test global proxy mode and check your routing rules and DNS.
- The connection is slow: Switch nodes or networks, and avoid running multiple proxy tools at the same time.
In summary, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket involves copying the subscription link, adding it under Subscribe, refreshing, selecting a node, and connecting. If you run into issues afterward, don’t rely solely on the app’s connection status—also check whether your IP has changed, DNS is working properly, and your browser environment is clear. Following these steps in order should help you pinpoint the problem quickly.