This guide addresses the practical question of how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket (“小火箭”) on an iPhone or iPad. It also explains why your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect website access, account sign-ins, and speed test results after connecting. It’s intended for first-time users and anyone who can’t get online after importing a subscription.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
Shadowrocket is just a client, so you’ll need a working subscription link or a link to an individual node. Subscription links usually start with https and contain information for multiple nodes, such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. This site compiles free node resources, which are recommended for learning and temporary testing only. Actual connection stability may vary.
- Make sure Shadowrocket is installed and allowed to create a VPN configuration.
- Copy the full subscription link, making sure not to omit any characters or spaces.
- Make sure your phone’s current network can access the subscription URL. You can test it by opening it in Safari first.
- If the subscription needs updating, use the original subscription URL rather than copying the name of an individual node.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the home screen, and tap “+” in the upper-right corner.
- Select “Subscribe” or “订阅” as the type. The wording may vary slightly between versions.
- Paste the subscription link in the URL field. You can enter “Free Nodes” as the remark or choose a custom name.
- Tap Done or Save. Once you’re back at the list, pull down to refresh the subscription.
- After a successful refresh, multiple nodes will appear. Choose one with a low latency.
- The first time you connect, iOS will prompt you to allow VPN access. Tap Allow and enter your device passcode.
If you have a link to a single node, such as vmess://, vless://, or trojan://, you can also tap “+” and choose to import it from the clipboard, or add it by scanning a QR code. Subscriptions are useful for batch updates, while individual nodes are better for temporary testing.
3. How your IP, DNS, and browser environment affect your connection
Many users assume that if Shadowrocket shows “Connected,” everything is working properly. In reality, your exit IP, DNS, and browser cache also matter. After connecting, the IP shown when you visit a website should be the node’s exit IP, not your local carrier’s IP. You can check whether your apparent country or region has changed by visiting an IP lookup site.
DNS translates domain names into IP addresses. A DNS leak can cause websites to fail to load, show the wrong region, or continue displaying local content in apps. In Shadowrocket, you can use the default DNS or a trusted public DNS in your configuration. If you’re a regular user, avoid changing complex rules unnecessarily; start with the default settings.
Your browser environment can also affect how websites identify you. Factors include Safari’s cache, sign-in cookies, browser language, time zone, and location permissions. If some websites still identify you as being in your original region, try clearing the cache, disabling location access, or revisiting the site in a private window. Keep in mind that a VPN changes your network exit point; it does not automatically change your account’s registration region or every device fingerprint.
4. Troubleshooting import failures and connection issues
- Subscription refresh fails: Check that the link is complete, then try again over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- A node imports but won’t connect: Try another node or wait for the subscription source to update.
- Websites won’t open after connecting: Turn the VPN off and back on, and check whether a global blocking rule was enabled by mistake.
- An app isn’t using the proxy: Check that Shadowrocket is in Global mode or that the configuration rules include the app’s domain.
- Connection speeds are unstable: Free nodes often fluctuate, so try testing several of them.
Finally, after importing a subscription, test a few websites, check your IP, and try your commonly used apps before relying on it long term. If something goes wrong, don’t just look at the “Connect” button. Check the subscription’s validity, node status, DNS resolution, and browser environment as well. This will help you identify most issues that arise after importing a subscription into Shadowrocket.