This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket, guiding you through adding a subscription, updating nodes, and testing your connection on iPhone. It also explains how your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect connectivity. A successful import doesn’t guarantee that a node is working. If you can’t open a webpage, troubleshoot in the order below.
1. Before you start: Check the app and subscription link
“Shadowrocket” generally refers to the iOS app Shadowrocket. Get it from its official App Store page, and verify the app name and developer to avoid installing configuration profiles from unknown sources or purported cracked versions. Availability and pricing depend on what’s shown in the App Store for your region.
Get the subscription URL from your service provider. It’s usually a complete link that starts with https://. Your subscription link is an access credential, so don’t share it publicly—cover the token in screenshots, too. If you use this site’s free nodes or subscriptions, check that they’re compatible with your client and note when they were last updated. Availability should be confirmed by testing.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Copy the complete subscription URL. Make sure it doesn’t include spaces, line breaks, Chinese punctuation, or explanatory text.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap “+” in the top-right corner of the home screen to add a configuration.
- Tap “Type” and select “Subscribe.” The label may vary slightly by version.
- Paste the subscription URL into “URL,” enter a recognizable name in “Remarks,” then tap Done or Save.
- Return to the home screen and wait for the app to download the nodes. If they aren’t fetched automatically, update the entry from the subscription or subscription management page.
- Expand the node list and select a node. The first time you connect, follow the system prompt to allow the VPN configuration to be added, then confirm using your device passcode or another system verification method.
Add subscription URLs using the “Subscribe” type, not the server address field for a regular node. If you only have a single node-sharing link, such as vless://, vmess://, or another format, use the client’s clipboard import or QR code scanning feature instead of entering it as a subscription URL.
3. How to update your subscription and check that the connection works
Find the relevant entry on the home screen or in subscription management, then use the update option to fetch the list again. The menu location depends on your version. If your previously selected node has been removed, select another one after updating. If automatic updates are available, you can enable them as needed, but that doesn’t mean every node will remain available.
After connecting, try opening a regular webpage, then test the site you want to access. You can check your exit address on a trusted IP lookup site, but the VPN icon only shows that the tunnel is enabled; it doesn’t mean all your traffic is routed through the proxy. In rule mode, different websites may use a direct connection or the proxy, depending on the routing rules.
4. If importing or connecting fails, troubleshoot in this order
- Subscription download fails: Check that the link is complete and hasn’t expired, and confirm that your current network can access it. Don’t submit the link to unfamiliar online conversion sites.
- No nodes after import: Check that the subscription format is compatible with Shadowrocket and ask the provider for a compatible format. Don’t just change the link’s file extension.
- Nodes are listed, but you can’t connect: Try another node, then switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data. Check whether another VPN is connected at the same time.
- Some websites won’t open: Check your routing rules and DNS settings. Start by restoring the client’s recommended settings, and avoid copying DNS configurations from unknown sources.
Your IP is the network exit address that websites see. DNS resolves domain names, while your browser may retain cookies, login sessions, and cached data. Changing nodes won’t automatically clear this data. If the issue only occurs in one browser, try an incognito window to help narrow down the cause. Don’t assume every connection failure is caused by your IP, and there’s no need to reset all your settings right away.