This guide addresses the practical question of how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket: from getting the subscription link and importing it into Shadowrocket to enabling the proxy and checking whether your IP, DNS, and browser environment are consistent. It helps everyday users quickly determine whether they can access the internet normally through a proxy and where to start troubleshooting connection issues.
1. What to prepare before importing a subscription
“Xiao Huo Jian” usually refers to the Shadowrocket client for iOS. Before importing a subscription, make sure of three things: the client is installed, the subscription link is valid, and your phone can access the internet. A subscription link is usually a URL beginning with https://, and may be generated by your node provider. We also compile information on free nodes here. When using a link, copy it in full to avoid missing any characters.
Note: A subscription is not a single node, but an address containing a list of nodes. After importing it, the client retrieves the configuration from that address. You can refresh the nodes later by updating the subscription.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Open Shadowrocket and go to the home screen.
- Tap the “+” in the upper-right corner and select “Subscribe” or “Subscription” as the type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field. You can enter “Free Nodes” or a custom name in the remarks field.
- Tap Save. On the home screen, pull down or open the subscription entry and update it.
- Once the update succeeds, select a node and turn on the switch at the top. Follow the prompts to allow the VPN configuration to be added.
If no nodes appear after importing the subscription, first check that the link is complete, that you haven’t copied any extra spaces, and that the subscription address hasn’t expired. If you see a network error, try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser environment are related
Many users assume that turning on Shadowrocket means everything is working, but you should also check whether your IP, DNS, and browser environment are consistent. Your IP is the public address websites see; DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses; your browser environment includes information such as language, time zone, WebRTC, and cache.
- Check your IP: After connecting, visit an IP lookup site and confirm that the displayed region matches your selected node.
- Check your DNS: If DNS still shows your local carrier, there may be a DNS leak. Try enabling DNS proxying in Shadowrocket or changing the routing mode.
- Check your browser: If your browser’s language or time zone differs significantly from the proxy region, some websites may ask you to verify your identity.
Practical tip: For everyday browsing, there’s no need to make every aspect of your environment match perfectly. However, if you frequently encounter CAPTCHAs, can’t open websites, or face account security checks, start by checking your IP and DNS.
4. Troubleshooting connection and subscription update failures
If you can’t connect, troubleshooting in this order is usually fastest. First, try a different node, as some nodes may be temporarily unavailable. Second, switch proxy modes: common options include Global, Rule, and Direct. For access to overseas websites, try Global mode first. Third, update the subscription to make sure your node information is current. Fourth, restart Shadowrocket or toggle the VPN off and on again.
If only your browser fails to open websites while other apps work normally, clear the browser cache, disable any WebRTC extensions, or try another browser. If no apps can access the internet, focus on checking whether the node has expired, whether the system’s VPN permission is enabled, and whether your phone’s time is correct.
Summary: The key steps for importing a subscription into Shadowrocket are: “copy the subscription link—add the subscription—update the nodes—select a node—enable the VPN.” After connecting, check the results for your IP, DNS, and browser environment to confirm whether the proxy is actually working.