This guide addresses the practical question, “How do I use Shadowrocket?” From the initial setup after installation and importing free nodes or a subscription, to checking your IP, DNS, and browser environment after connecting, it helps everyday users avoid issues like “connected but can’t open anything” or “IP changed but things still aren’t working.”
1. Basic Shadowrocket setup
Shadowrocket, often nicknamed “小火箭” (Little Rocket), is mainly used on iPhone and iPad to import proxy nodes such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and SS. It is a client app only and does not provide proxy servers, so you’ll need a working node or subscription link. This site shares some free nodes for temporary testing, but for reliable use, it’s best to have a few backup options.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap “+” in the upper-right corner.
- If you have a subscription link, set “Type” to Subscribe, paste the link, and save it.
- If you have a link for a single node, copy a vmess, vless, trojan, ss, or similar link. When you return to the app, it will usually be recognized and imported automatically; you can also add it manually.
- After importing, tap the node name to select it, then return to the home screen and turn on the switch at the top.
- The first time you connect, you’ll be prompted to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow, then enter your device passcode or use Face ID.
When the connection is successful, a VPN icon will appear at the top of the screen. Open a browser and visit an IP lookup site to confirm that your public IP has changed, then try your usual websites or apps.
2. Updating subscriptions and choosing a mode
If you’re using a subscription and a node stops working, don’t keep reinstalling the app. Try updating the subscription first. Go to the configuration or subscription page and tap Update. If it’s still unavailable, try another subscription source or node.
Common Shadowrocket modes include Global, Config, and Direct. Most users should start with Config/Rule mode: domestic websites connect directly, while international websites use the proxy, balancing speed and reliability. Switch to Global Proxy temporarily only when troubleshooting to check whether a rule is being applied incorrectly.
- Domestic apps won’t open: Check whether they’re being routed through the proxy by mistake, and switch back to Rule mode if needed.
- International websites won’t open: Switch to Global mode to test. If they load, a rule may not be matching correctly.
- Only one node is slow: Switch nodes; there’s no need to change your system settings.
3. How your IP, DNS, and browser environment are related
Many people assume everything is fine as soon as Shadowrocket says “Connected,” but you should also check that your IP, DNS, and browser environment are consistent. Your IP is the public address websites see when you visit them. DNS translates domain names into IP addresses. Your browser environment includes settings such as language, time zone, WebRTC, cache, and cookies.
If your IP appears to be in another country but your DNS still points to your local provider, you may have a DNS leak or a resolution issue. You can enable remote DNS in Shadowrocket’s configuration or use a rule configuration that handles DNS. If some websites still report an unusual environment, try disabling browser location access, clearing cookies for those sites, and checking whether your system’s time zone and language differ significantly from your intended usage environment.
4. Quick troubleshooting for connection failures
If you can’t connect, connect but have no internet access, or can’t open some websites, follow these steps in order to save time:
- Make sure your phone’s network is working. Turn off Shadowrocket and try opening a regular webpage.
- Update your subscription and test two or three different nodes to rule out a single node being down.
- Switch between Rule mode and Global mode to see whether the issue is related to the rules.
- Restart Shadowrocket. If necessary, delete the VPN configuration and allow it again when prompted.
- Check that your system date and time are set to update automatically. An incorrect time can cause some protocols to fail during the handshake.
- If you’re using free nodes, keep in mind that availability can vary significantly. It’s a good idea to have a backup subscription.
In short, the essentials of using Shadowrocket are: import a node or subscription, select a node, turn on the VPN, and check your IP and DNS. Don’t rely on the switch status alone after connecting; verify your network environment too. If something goes wrong, try switching nodes, updating your subscription, or changing modes. These steps can usually help identify most common issues.