This article addresses the key question, “How do I use Shadowrocket?” It explains how to import a server or subscription after installing the app on an iPhone or iPad, enable the proxy, and understand how IP addresses, DNS, and your browser environment relate to one another—all to help avoid common issues such as “connected but unable to open websites” or “IP changed but DNS is leaking.”
1. Basic steps for using Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket, often nicknamed “Little Rocket,” is a popular proxy client for iOS that supports protocols such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. Before using it, you’ll need a working server or subscription link. This site also curates free servers for testing, but their reliability can change over time, so check whether they work for you.
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the main screen.
- Tap “+” in the upper-right corner, select “Type,” and enter the server, port, UUID, encryption method, and other details for your protocol. For a subscription, select “Subscribe” and paste the subscription link.
- Save your settings, return to the home screen, and select a server.
- The first time you turn on the switch in the upper-right corner, iOS will prompt you to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and enter your device passcode.
- Once connected, a VPN icon will appear in the status bar. Open a browser and test whether websites load.
If you’re new to the app, start with importing a subscription link. It’s less error-prone than entering server details manually. If your server details are in a QR code, you can scan it to add them.
2. How IP addresses, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Many users assume that turning on Shadowrocket automatically makes them secure, but proxy rules, DNS, and browser data also matter. In simple terms, your IP address is the public address websites see. When you connect through a proxy, it will usually change to the IP address of the server’s location. DNS translates domain names into IP addresses. If DNS requests don’t go through the proxy, you may run into lookup failures or DNS leaks. Your browser environment also includes information such as language, time zone, cookies, cache, and WebRTC data.
In Shadowrocket, most users should stick with the default settings and avoid disabling DNS or changing complex rules without a reason. If you have trouble accessing certain websites, try choosing a newer rule set under “Config,” or temporarily switch to Global Routing to test. You can also visit an IP lookup site to confirm whether your displayed IP has changed. If a website still detects your original region, clear your browser cookies or try again in a private window.
3. Recommended basic settings
- If you’re new to the app, start with “Config Mode” or “Rule Mode” for smoother access to websites in China.
- If you can’t access websites outside China, temporarily switch to Global Routing to check whether the rules are the problem.
- Update your subscription regularly to avoid using expired servers.
- For browser testing, use a private window in Safari or Chrome to reduce interference from cached data.
If you simply want to browse through a proxy, there’s no need to change advanced settings frequently. Server availability, subscription updates, DNS settings, and browser cache often have a greater impact on your experience than the client itself.
4. Troubleshooting connection issues
If you’re “connected but unable to open websites,” check the following in order: first, switch to another server; second, update your subscription; third, check that your device’s time is correct; fourth, switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data; and fifth, restart Shadowrocket or add the VPN configuration again. If only one website won’t load, the issue is likely with the rules or DNS. If no websites load, the server may be unavailable, the subscription may have expired, or your network may be blocking the connection.
Keep in mind that some protocol settings must match exactly, including the UUID, transport, TLS, Reality, and public key. A mistake in any one of these can cause the connection to fail. Don’t change these fields after importing a server. For most users, the simplest approach is to keep the subscription up to date and choose a server with low latency that you can access.