This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket, add a subscription on your iPhone, update nodes, and turn on the connection. It also covers why your IP, DNS, and browser environment can affect what you see when accessing websites. Interface labels may vary by version; follow the labels shown in your app.
Before importing: Check the app and subscription link
“Little Rocket” usually refers to the iOS app Shadowrocket. Get it through official channels such as the App Store, and verify the app name to avoid installing configuration profiles from unknown sources. Have your provider’s subscription URL ready, and check that it is still valid and supports your client.
A subscription link is not the same as a node share link: a subscription is usually an HTTPS URL that downloads a list of nodes. Content beginning with ss://, vmess://, vless://, and similar prefixes is usually for a single node. Clash YAML or sing-box JSON configurations may not work directly as Shadowrocket subscriptions, so choose an entry explicitly marked as compatible with Shadowrocket whenever possible. Subscription URLs may contain account tokens, so don’t share screenshots or forward them.
How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Copy the full subscription URL, making sure it doesn’t include spaces, line breaks, or punctuation added by a messaging app.
- Open Shadowrocket and tap “+” in the top-right corner of the home screen to open the add page.
- Tap “Type” and select “Subscribe.” Paste the URL into the URL field, optionally add a recognizable name in the remarks field, and save.
- Return to the home screen and wait for the subscription to download. If no nodes appear, open the subscription’s management menu and select “Update Subscription.” The exact location may vary by version.
- Expand the node list and select a node. Set global routing to “Config” or another rule-based mode. Use rules from a trusted source; for troubleshooting, you can temporarily switch to “Proxy” mode to test.
- Turn on the connection switch on the home screen. The first time you connect, follow the iOS prompts to allow adding a VPN configuration and complete verification. Then open a webpage to check that it loads.
A successful import only means that the node list was retrieved; it doesn’t guarantee that the nodes will work. Test connectivity first, then verify by visiting an actual webpage. If the test fails, try another node or switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data.
Import failed, or websites won’t open after connecting?
- Subscription download failed: Check that the URL is complete and hasn’t expired, and look for authentication or certificate errors. Don’t bypass the issue by turning off certificate verification.
- The list is empty or the format isn’t supported: Ask your provider whether you selected the wrong client option. Don’t use a webpage URL or Clash configuration link as though it were a compatible subscription.
- A node suddenly stops working: Update the subscription, then select a node again. Free nodes may also be temporarily unavailable. You can check the usage instructions on related pages of this site, but an update does not guarantee availability.
- It shows as connected, but there’s no internet access: Check the selected node, routing mode, and whether the rules match. Temporarily disable other VPNs or network-filtering tools to avoid conflicts.
How do IP, DNS, and your browser environment affect things?
The subscription provides node information. Your exit IP depends on the node you’re actually using and the routing rules; importing a subscription doesn’t mean that every request will use a different IP. DNS resolves domain names, and DNS issues can prevent some websites from opening. Check the client’s DNS settings and avoid running multiple DNS tools at the same time.
Your browser’s cookies, sign-in status, and location permissions can also affect what a website displays. Changing nodes does not reset your browser environment. If a website still shows the same region, first check whether its traffic is routed through the proxy, then compare the result in a private browsing window. Don’t judge whether the connection is working solely by the page language.