This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket: prepare the subscription link, add it to the app, update nodes, and troubleshoot connection failures. If your team needs a relatively consistent account environment, it also explains how subscription updates, switching nodes, and exit IPs are related, so you don’t mistake a successful import for a fixed environment.
1. What to prepare before importing
“Xiao Huo Jian” usually refers to Shadowrocket on iPhone or iPad. Get the client through the official App Store and verify the app name and developer information. Don’t install configuration profiles from unknown sources or purported cracked versions. You’ll need the subscription link provided by your service provider. It’s usually a complete URL starting with https://, not a purchase page, tutorial link, or account password.
A subscription link may contain an access token, so protect it like a password. Don’t post it in public group chats or include it in screenshots. For team use, first check whether the service allows multiple users and review any device and concurrent-connection limits. Don’t share a personal Apple ID.
2. How to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- Copy the complete subscription link. Make sure it doesn’t include spaces, line breaks, or punctuation added by a messaging app.
- Open Shadowrocket, go to the home screen, and tap “+” in the upper-right corner to add a configuration.
- Under “Type,” select “Subscribe,” then paste the link into the URL field. Enter a recognizable name in the remarks field, such as “Team Backup Subscription.” The field labels may vary slightly by version.
- Tap “Done” or “Save” in the upper-right corner, then wait for the app to download the subscription. When the import succeeds, a subscription group and its nodes should usually appear on the home screen.
- Expand the group and select a node, then turn on the connection switch on the home screen. The first time you connect, follow the iOS prompt to allow a VPN configuration and complete system verification.
- Open a browser and visit a website that normally works to confirm that it loads. Seeing the VPN icon alone isn’t enough; test whether the apps you need actually work.
Some providers support one-tap importing into Shadowrocket. Tapping the option may open the client, but still verify the link’s source before saving it. Importing a subscription does not import traffic-routing rules, so don’t overwrite existing configurations without reason. Choose a routing mode in the client that suits your needs.
3. Updating subscriptions and troubleshooting connection failures
When nodes expire or the list changes, look for an “Update Subscription” option in the menu for the relevant subscription group. Some versions let you do this by long-pressing the subscription entry. If the update fails, first check that your phone is connected to the internet, then confirm that the link hasn’t expired and whether you need to sign in to the provider’s website to get a new one. If the download fails while the proxy is on, turn off the connection and try again.
- Empty list: Make sure the link uses a subscription format supported by the client rather than pointing to a web page. Ask the provider for a Shadowrocket-compatible link.
- Nodes appear but won’t connect: Check the subscription status, device time, and network. Test nodes one by one, and don’t repeatedly reinstall the client.
- Connected, but some apps don’t work properly: Check the routing mode, traffic-routing rules, and DNS settings. Prefer trusted configurations and avoid changing advanced settings indiscriminately.
4. How does team use affect account environment stability?
A subscription distributes and updates nodes; it cannot guarantee a fixed exit IP or prevent account verification checks. Even nodes with the same name may use different exit IPs. Updating a subscription, automatically selecting a node, or switching nodes due to a failure may cause websites to see connections from different regions.
Your team should agree on a usual region and backup nodes, and avoid frequent region changes during important tasks. Use the member permissions and two-factor authentication supported by the platform, and don’t share a primary account among multiple people. If additional verification is required, follow the official process. This site’s free nodes can be used for compatibility testing and temporary use, but shouldn’t be relied on to guarantee a stable environment over the long term. You should also comply with local laws and the service’s terms.