This article addresses common questions from iPhone users: how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket, how to connect after importing it, and why the same node may behave differently depending on your IP, DNS, or browser environment. It’s for everyday users who already have a subscription link or have found free nodes on this site and want to start using them quickly.
1. Basic steps for importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket is a popular proxy client for iOS. Before importing a subscription, make sure you have the complete subscription link, which usually starts with http or https. Don’t copy only the node name.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap + in the upper-right corner of the main screen.
- Select “Subscribe” or “订阅” as the type. Don’t choose the option for manually adding a node.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. You can enter “freevpn-x” or a custom name as the remark.
- Tap Done, return to the home screen, and pull down to refresh. Wait for the node list to appear.
- Select a node and turn on the connection toggle at the top. The first time you connect, follow the prompts to allow Shadowrocket to add a VPN configuration.
If no nodes appear after importing, first check that the link was copied in full, contains no spaces, and hasn’t expired. Also check whether your current network is blocking the subscription address.
2. Importing a subscription doesn’t guarantee a connection
Many users assume that a successful import means the subscription is ready to use, but a subscription is only a list of nodes. Whether you can connect also depends on node status, your local network, protocol support, and system permissions. Try these checks in order:
- Test 2–3 different nodes instead of relying on just one.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data to see whether your current broadband connection is the issue.
- Check that Shadowrocket has permission to use the system VPN.
- Make sure your system time is accurate. An incorrect time can cause a TLS handshake to fail.
- If updating the subscription doesn’t help, delete it and add it again.
The free nodes on this site are suitable for temporary testing and learning how to configure the app, but free resources may be affected by fluctuations in service. We don’t recommend relying on a single node as a stable, long-term connection.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
After you connect, websites will usually see the node’s IP address as your exit IP, not your home broadband IP. If a website detects no change in your IP, Shadowrocket may not be enabled, the rule may not be matching, or the site may be connecting directly.
DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses. A DNS leak can reveal your local internet provider’s DNS to websites or testing tools, resulting in a situation where “the IP is overseas, but the DNS is local.” You can use proxy DNS in Shadowrocket or switch to global mode for testing.
Your browser environment also includes information such as language, time zone, cookies, and WebRTC. Even after your proxy IP changes, your browser history, cookies, or WebRTC may reveal characteristics of your original network. When troubleshooting, try an incognito window or a clean browser.
4. Recommended testing process
- Import the subscription and refresh the node list.
- Connect to a node with low latency.
- Open an IP lookup site and confirm that your exit IP has changed.
- Then run a DNS leak test and check whether your DNS is using the proxy.
- Finally, visit the target website in an incognito browser to rule out cookie-related issues.
In summary, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket comes down to “add the subscription link, refresh, select a node, and connect.” If you run into connection issues, don’t focus only on the subscription. Check your IP, DNS, and browser environment as well to help pinpoint the problem.