This guide answers the key question of how to use Shadowrocket (“Little Rocket”): after installing it on your iPhone or iPad, how to import nodes or a subscription, enable the proxy, and check whether your IP, DNS, and browser environment are consistent—helping you avoid issues such as connecting successfully but being unable to open webpages, IP leaks, or websites detecting an unusual environment.
1. Basic steps for using Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket, often called “Little Rocket,” is mainly used to connect iOS devices to proxy nodes using protocols such as V2Ray, VLESS, Trojan, and Shadowsocks. Before you begin, make sure you have a working node or subscription link. This site also collects free nodes for testing, but their reliability can vary, so it’s a good idea to have a few backups.
- Install Shadowrocket on your iPhone or iPad, and allow it to add a VPN configuration.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap “+” in the upper-right corner.
- If you have a subscription link, select Subscribe under “Type,” paste the link, and save it.
- If you have a link for a single node, copy the vmess, vless, trojan, ss, or other link and return to Shadowrocket. You’ll usually be prompted to import it, or you can paste it manually.
- Return to the home screen, select a node, and turn on the connection switch at the top.
- The first time you connect, iOS will ask for permission to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and enter your device passcode.
Once connected, a VPN icon will usually appear in the iOS status bar. Open a browser and visit a test website to confirm that external webpages load correctly.
2. Updating subscriptions and choosing a mode
If you imported a subscription, update it regularly from the configuration list so you don’t keep trying to connect to outdated nodes. For beginners, Config or Rule mode is a good place to start: domestic websites connect directly, while international websites use the proxy. If certain apps won’t open, you can temporarily switch to Global mode to test.
- Rule mode: Recommended for everyday use; offers a good balance of speed and compatibility.
- Global mode: Routes all traffic through the proxy. Useful for troubleshooting, but it may affect access to domestic apps.
- Direct mode: Bypasses the proxy and is generally used to test your connection with the proxy off.
3. Check your IP, DNS, and browser environment together
Many users only check whether they’re connected, but websites may also consider your IP, DNS, time zone, language, and browser cache. After connecting to Shadowrocket, search for an “IP lookup” site and check whether the displayed exit IP matches the node’s region. Then use a DNS leak test site to see whether your DNS still shows your local internet service provider. If it does, some websites may flag your connection as unusual.
For browser testing, use an incognito window in Safari or Chrome, and clear the target website’s cookies. If your system time zone or browser language differs significantly from the node’s region, some websites may prompt you to verify your identity. Most users don’t need to disguise every aspect of their environment, but should avoid mismatches such as using an overseas node while DNS points to a local provider and the browser cache still reflects an old region.
4. Common connection problems and how to troubleshoot them
- Node times out: Switch to another node, or update your subscription and try again.
- Subscription won’t update: Check that the link is complete and that your network can access the subscription URL.
- Connected, but webpages won’t load: Switch between Rule and Global modes, and check your DNS and system time.
- Some apps aren’t working: Check whether the app has its own proxy restrictions, and try restarting it.
- Frequent disconnections: Turn off Low Power Mode and test on Wi-Fi or cellular data.
In summary, the key to using Shadowrocket is to import nodes correctly, choose the right mode, and update your subscription regularly, then check that your IP and DNS are consistent after connecting. If you run into problems, don’t just keep toggling the VPN on and off. Check the node, subscription, rules, DNS, and browser environment one by one to identify the cause.