This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket. It’s for iPhone users who already have a subscription link or a free node link and want to import it, connect, and check whether their IP, DNS, and browser environment have actually changed.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
Shadowrocket usually refers to the iOS client. Before importing a subscription, make sure you have a working subscription link. These are usually long URLs that start with https, though your provider may also supply a QR code. This site collects some free node resources, but availability can change, so check them yourself before use.
- Make sure your iPhone has a working internet connection. Wi-Fi is recommended for testing.
- Don’t edit the subscription link manually, and make sure you don’t copy any extra spaces.
- If the link is on a webpage, open it in your browser first to make sure you copied it correctly.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the home screen, and tap “+” in the upper-right corner.
- Select Subscribe as the type.
- Paste your subscription link into the URL field. You can enter “Free nodes” or the provider’s name as a remark.
- Tap “Done” in the upper-right corner to save, then return to the home screen and pull down to refresh the subscription.
- After refreshing, you’ll see multiple nodes. Choose one with low latency or one that connects successfully.
- Turn on the connection switch at the top. The first time you use it, you’ll be prompted to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and enter your phone’s passcode.
If you have a link for a single node, such as vmess, vless, trojan, or ss, you can copy it and open Shadowrocket. The app will usually recognize it and prompt you to import it. If no prompt appears, tap “+” and paste it manually.
3. How to check your IP, DNS, and browser environment
A successful import doesn’t mean all your traffic is being proxied correctly. After connecting, open an IP lookup website and check whether the displayed region has changed. Then visit a DNS leak test page to confirm that your DNS server isn’t still your original provider’s. If your browser still shows your original region, the cause may be cached data, location permissions, or routing rules.
Check the routing mode in Shadowrocket’s settings. For basic testing, try Config or “Proxy” mode. If only some websites won’t open, the rules may not be matching your traffic. In your browser, clear the Safari or Chrome cache and disable location access for websites. If needed, restart the browser and test again.
4. Common troubleshooting steps for connection failures
- Subscription refresh failed: Check whether the link has expired or was copied incompletely. Try switching networks and refreshing again.
- The node imports but won’t connect: Try another node or wait for the subscription source to update.
- It shows as connected, but webpages won’t load: Try a different routing mode, then turn the VPN off and back on.
- Only one app won’t connect: Check whether per-app proxying or system proxy permissions are enabled.
Finally, free subscriptions are best suited to temporary testing and learning how to configure the app. Their reliability depends heavily on node availability. If you run into problems, check things in this order: subscription link, node availability, IP/DNS, and browser cache. This will usually help you pinpoint the cause.