This article answers the beginner’s question “How do I use Shadowrocket?” It covers installing the app on an iPhone, importing a node or subscription, connecting, checking your exit IP, and troubleshooting issues caused by DNS or your browser environment. You don’t need to set up your own server; just have a valid node or subscription link ready.
1. What to prepare before installing
Shadowrocket is a proxy client for iOS, not a VPN service that comes with a working connection. Check the app name and developer details in the App Store. Availability and pricing depend on the current store listing. Don’t install configuration profiles from unknown sources or use an Apple ID provided by a stranger.
You’ll also need a node share link, QR code, or subscription URL. The free nodes on this site can be used for testing, but availability may change. Make sure the protocol is compatible with your client version. Subscription links may contain access credentials, so don’t share screenshots or forward them.
2. Import a node and connect
- Install and open Shadowrocket. If you have a link for a single node, copy it and import it as prompted by the app. You can also scan the node’s QR code using the in-app scanner.
- If you have a subscription URL, tap the add button on the home screen, choose the subscription type, paste the full URL, and save. Menu names may vary between versions.
- Update the subscription and check that nodes appear in the list. If the list is empty, check that you copied the full URL, that the subscription hasn’t expired, and that your current network can access the subscription URL.
- Select a node and run a connectivity test. Treat the results as a guide only; they don’t guarantee that a particular website will work.
- Choose a routing mode under options such as “Global Routing.” For everyday use, select “Config” to route traffic according to rules. For troubleshooting, you can briefly select “Proxy” to check whether traffic is passing through the node.
- Turn on the connection switch on the home screen. The first time you connect, follow the system prompt to allow the VPN configuration to be added, then visit the target website to test the connection.
“Config” mode depends on the rules that are actually loaded; selecting it doesn’t automatically configure routing for every website. If you haven’t set up rules, first confirm that the node connects, then use a trusted, compatible rule configuration.
3. How IP, DNS, and your browser are related
Your exit IP is the network address that websites see as the source of your traffic. With a proxy enabled, only requests routed through it use the node’s exit IP. In split-routing mode, some websites may still show your local carrier’s IP; this doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. With the same routing mode selected, open an IP lookup page and compare the results before and after connecting.
DNS translates domain names into addresses. If resolution fails or returns unexpected results, you may see a node with low latency but be unable to load web pages. First update your rules and reconnect, then check whether another DNS service or network filtering tool is enabled. Don’t copy DNS settings from unknown sources; changing them at random isn’t guaranteed to solve the problem.
Browser cookies, login status, location permissions, and language settings can also affect what a page displays. Changing your exit IP does not clear your browser identity information. If the displayed region hasn’t changed, compare results in a private browsing window and check the website’s location permissions. Private browsing does not hide your IP.
4. Troubleshoot connection failures in order
- Turn off the proxy first and confirm that your Wi-Fi or cellular connection is working.
- Update the subscription and try a different node to rule out an inactive node or server-side restrictions.
- Temporarily switch to “Proxy” mode. If things start working, focus on checking the split-routing rules.
- Pause any other VPN, DNS, or filtering tools to avoid configuration conflicts, then reconnect.
- If only one website is affected, try another browser to distinguish between cache, account restrictions, and network issues.
Once troubleshooting is complete, restore your usual split-routing settings. Don’t judge whether the connection is working solely by the VPN icon or a single latency test. Check whether the target website actually loads, and follow the laws and terms of service that apply where you are.