This article addresses the core question of “how to use Shadowrocket”: how to import nodes or subscriptions on iPhone/iPad, enable the proxy, and understand the relationship between IP, DNS, and the browser environment, helping you reduce common issues such as connection failures, pages not loading, and IP inconsistencies.
1. Installation and Initial Preparation
Shadowrocket is often called “Little Rocket” by Chinese users and is mainly used on iOS devices to manage proxy nodes. You first need to install the app on your device, then prepare a usable node link or subscription URL. Supported protocols may include V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, Shadowsocks, and more. This site also compiles free node information, which is suitable for temporary testing, but the stability of free nodes can fluctuate, so it is recommended to prepare several backups before connecting.
Before use, it is recommended to confirm three things: the system time is correct, the network can access regular websites normally, and the node information is complete. Many connection failures are not caused by the app itself, but by expired nodes, expired subscriptions, or local network restrictions.
2. Basic Steps to Import Nodes or Subscriptions
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the home page, and tap the “+” in the top right corner.
- If you have a single node link, choose “Import from Clipboard” or manually paste the link.
- If you have a subscription URL, choose the “Subscribe” type, fill in the name and URL, and then save it.
- Return to the home page, pull down to refresh the subscription, and wait for the node list to finish updating.
- Select a node, turn on the switch at the top, and when using it for the first time, follow the prompt to allow adding the VPN configuration.
- Once the status shows connected, open a browser and visit an IP-checking website to confirm whether the outbound IP has changed.
If no nodes appear after importing, first check whether the subscription URL is complete, especially making sure not to omit the opening https://. If there are many nodes but none are usable, try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data and test again.
3. How IP, DNS, and the Browser Environment Relate
IP is the outbound network address that websites see. After connecting to Shadowrocket, under normal circumstances, websites will see the IP of the node server rather than your local broadband or mobile network IP. If the query result still shows your local IP, it means the proxy is not taking effect, or the current rules are not routing that website through the proxy.
DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses. If DNS is configured improperly, you may be able to connect but still fail to open webpages, some websites may redirect abnormally, or the IP region may not match the DNS region. Ordinary users can give priority to Shadowrocket’s default DNS settings; if resolution problems occur, then try enabling remote DNS in the configuration or switching to a common public DNS.
The browser environment includes cookies, cache, language, time zone, account login records, and more. Even if the IP has already changed, a website may still identify you through browser cache or account information. Therefore, when testing a connection, it is recommended to use an incognito window or clear the target website’s cache before visiting again.
4. Recommended Daily Usage
- Update subscriptions first: pull down to refresh before using it each day to avoid connecting to expired nodes.
- Give priority to nodes with lower latency that can open the target website; do not judge only by the node name.
- Rule mode is suitable for daily use, while global mode is better for temporary troubleshooting.
- If a certain app cannot connect, you can temporarily switch to global mode to test whether the issue is caused by routing rules.
5. Connection Failure Troubleshooting Checklist
If you cannot connect, check in order: whether the node has expired; whether the subscription can refresh; whether another VPN is enabled on the phone; whether the system time is correct; whether the current network restricts proxies; and whether the same node works in other clients. If only the browser behaves abnormally, focus on checking DNS, browser cache, and proxy rules. If all apps fail to access the network, it is usually a node or network issue.
In summary, the process of using Shadowrocket is not complicated: import nodes or subscriptions, refresh, select a node, enable the connection, and verify the IP. What truly affects the experience is often node availability, DNS resolution, and the browser environment. By checking each item step by step as described in this article, even ordinary users can quickly identify most problems.