This guide explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket (小火箭) and why the same subscription may be more or less stable across different accounts and network environments when used by a team. It’s intended for users who already have a subscription link and want to configure it quickly on an iPhone or iPad.
1. Basic steps for importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Before you begin, make sure you have a valid subscription link. It usually starts with https:// and may contain a token or a long string of characters. This site also provides free node resources. The import process is the same, but free nodes may stop working at any time, so we recommend using them only for temporary testing.
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen. Tap “+” in the upper-right corner.
- Select Subscribe/订阅 for the type. Don’t select an individual node protocol by mistake.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. You can enter “Team subscription” or a purpose-based name as the remark.
- Tap “Done” in the upper-right corner. Return to the home screen, pull down to refresh, and wait for the node list to appear.
- Select a node and turn on the connection switch at the top. The first time you connect, follow the prompt to allow the VPN configuration to be added.
If no nodes appear after importing, try pasting the link into Safari to test it. If you see configuration text or a download, the link is probably valid. If you get a 404, expired, or no permission message, you’ll need to replace the link or contact the subscription provider.
2. For team use: Why account and environment stability matter
When several team members share a subscription, the common issue isn’t “How do I import it?” but “Why can some people connect while others can’t?” This is usually related to account permissions, device limits, or network egress environments. A subscription link may be tied to an account, limit the number of devices online at the same time, or be automatically suspended in response to unusual access patterns.
- Don’t share the same subscription publicly among multiple people: A subscription link is like a key. If it’s leaked, others may import it, causing unusual traffic or access restrictions.
- Avoid refreshing the subscription frequently from multiple regions or carriers at the same time. A large number of requests in a short period may be flagged as unusual.
- Whenever possible, give each team member their own subscription, or use clear device labels to make it easier to identify whose environment is causing an issue.
- Don’t expose the full subscription URL in untrusted group chats or screenshots, especially the token.
3. Troubleshooting when the subscription imports but won’t connect
Check in this order: subscription, node, rules, and network. First, pull down on the Shadowrocket home screen to refresh the subscription and make sure the nodes haven’t all disappeared. Next, test two or three different nodes in case one is temporarily unavailable. Then, open “Configuration” and check that a working ruleset is selected. If you’re a regular user, start with the default configuration. Finally, switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to rule out local network restrictions.
If you see a timeout, TLS handshake failure, or connection reset, the import steps are usually not the problem. The issue is more likely to be the node’s status, the network environment, or protocol compatibility. Try updating Shadowrocket, closing other VPN or proxy apps, and restarting your network before reconnecting. Team administrators should also check whether the account has exceeded its device limit, the subscription has expired, or the account has been locked due to unusual activity.
4. Recommended process for team use
Set up a simple process: have one person distribute subscriptions, with each member importing theirs on their own device. Whenever a subscription link changes, tell everyone to delete the old subscription and add the new one. When reporting a problem, include the device model, network type, a screenshot of the error, and the nodes already tested. This reduces duplicate troubleshooting and helps improve overall stability. In short, importing a subscription into Shadowrocket is straightforward. The key is to protect the subscription link, manage the usage environment, and troubleshoot connection failures systematically.