This article addresses the practical question of “how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket” and also explains why, after importing, you still need to pay attention to your IP, DNS, and browser environment. It is suitable for iPhone/iPad users who have just installed Shadowrocket, and you can complete subscription import and basic troubleshooting by following the steps below.
1. Basic steps for importing a subscription into Shadowrocket
Shadowrocket itself is just a client and requires you to import usable nodes or a subscription link before it can connect. A subscription is usually a link beginning with http/https that contains information for multiple proxy nodes. You can use a subscription you already have, or refer to the free node page compiled on this site, but the stability of free nodes may fluctuate, so it is recommended to prepare several backups.
- Open Shadowrocket on iOS.
- Tap the “+” icon in the top right corner to enter the add configuration page.
- Select “Subscribe” or “Subscription” as the type.
- Paste the subscription link into the URL field, and in the remarks field you can enter “Free Subscription” or a custom name.
- Tap “Done/Save” in the top right corner and return to the home page.
- Pull down to refresh the subscription and wait for the node list to appear.
- Select a node, turn on the connection switch at the top, and on first use allow the app to add a VPN configuration when prompted.
If what you received is a single vmess, vless, trojan, or ss link, you can also copy the link and then open Shadowrocket; it will usually recognize it automatically and prompt you to import it. You can also complete this through “Import from Clipboard.”
2. How to test whether the subscription works after importing
A successful import does not necessarily mean the connection will succeed. It is recommended to first run a node latency test in Shadowrocket and choose a node with lower latency and a response. After connecting, open a browser and visit a commonly used website to confirm that the page loads properly. If the webpage cannot be opened, try switching nodes, refreshing the subscription, or checking whether system VPN permissions are enabled.
- Subscription is empty: The link may be invalid, copied incompletely, or the subscription source may be temporarily inaccessible.
- Can connect but webpages won’t open: This is commonly caused by an unusable node, abnormal DNS, or unsuitable rule configuration.
- Works sometimes and disconnects at other times: Free nodes being overcrowded, route fluctuations, or network switching can all cause instability.
3. What do IP, DNS, and the browser environment have to do with it?
Many users think that if Shadowrocket shows “Connected,” it must be safe and usable, but in fact you also need to check whether the exit IP, DNS resolution, and browser environment are consistent. After connecting to a proxy, the public IP shown when you visit websites should usually change to the node’s exit IP; if it still shows your local carrier IP, that means the proxy may not have taken effect or the rules may not cover the current traffic.
DNS is responsible for resolving domain names into IP addresses. If DNS does not go through the proxy, webpages may load slowly, some websites may fail to open, and DNS leaks may even occur. Shadowrocket allows you to adjust DNS in the configuration or global routing settings. Ordinary users should prioritize the client default settings or the configuration included with the subscription, and it is not recommended to casually change complex parameters.
The browser environment includes language, time zone, cache, cookies, WebRTC, and more. Even if the proxy IP has changed, the browser’s saved login state and site cache may still affect the access result. When troubleshooting, you can try private browsing mode, clearing the cache, or testing with a different browser.
4. Quick troubleshooting order for connection failures
- Make sure the subscription link has not expired, then copy it again and refresh the subscription.
- Switch between 2–3 different nodes; do not test only one.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to rule out local network restrictions.
- Turn the Shadowrocket connection switch off and back on; restart the phone if necessary.
- Check whether VPN permissions exist in system settings; delete the old configuration and allow it again.
In summary, the core of importing a subscription into Shadowrocket is to “add the subscription link, refresh, select a node, and enable the connection.” If the connection is abnormal, do not focus only on the subscription itself; also consider whether the IP has changed, whether DNS is working properly, and whether the browser environment is clean, as this makes it easier to pinpoint the problem.