This article explains how to import a subscription into Shadowrocket, from copying the subscription URL and adding it in the app to updating the subscription and troubleshooting connection failures. Follow the steps below. It also explains how IP, DNS, and your browser environment each affect connectivity, so you don’t mistake every inaccessible webpage for an expired subscription.
What to prepare before importing
Shadowrocket usually refers to the app for iPhone and iPad. Get the official app through the App Store. Availability and pricing depend on the store in your region. You’ll also need the subscription URL provided by your service provider and a working internet connection.
A subscription URL is not a webpage address or a link for a single node. It’s usually used to retrieve multiple nodes at once. A single-node link typically begins with something like ss://, trojan://, or vless://. When copying, don’t include quotation marks, spaces, or line breaks, and never post your subscription URL publicly in a comments section.
Steps to import a subscription into Shadowrocket
- On your subscription provider’s page, tap “Copy subscription URL.” If there are client-specific options, choose the one for Shadowrocket. Don’t copy a configuration intended only for Clash.
- Open Shadowrocket, tap “+” in the upper-right corner of the home screen, and go to the add page.
- Under “Type,” select “Subscribe” or “Subscription,” then paste the full URL into the URL field. You can enter a recognizable name in the Remarks field. The label positions may vary slightly between versions.
- Tap Save and wait for the subscription to load. When successful, you should see the subscription group and its nodes on the home screen. If they don’t appear, check the error message and try updating the subscription.
- Select a node and turn on the connection switch on the home screen. The first time you connect, the system will prompt you to add a VPN configuration. Approve it, then complete verification as prompted.
- Open a frequently used website to check that it loads. The latency test in the app can help show whether a node is responding, but it can’t guarantee that every website will work.
For your first test, keep the default settings. Don’t change the routing, DNS, and several advanced options at once, or it will be difficult to identify the cause of any problems. For free nodes from sources such as this site, first check the link format and last-updated time. Availability depends on the actual connection results.
How to update a subscription and troubleshoot import failures
Imported subscriptions don’t stay valid forever. When nodes change, look for an option such as “Update Subscription” in the subscription group’s action menu. The exact location depends on your version. Even a successful update doesn’t guarantee that every node will connect.
- Unable to download the subscription: First check that the URL is complete and the subscription hasn’t expired, then try again over Wi-Fi or mobile data. Being able to open the provider’s webpage doesn’t necessarily mean the subscription endpoint is working.
- Format error: Make sure you copied the subscription URL, not a purchase page, login page, or incompatible configuration file.
- Nodes are listed but won’t connect: Try a different node, check the subscription status, and temporarily disable other VPNs to avoid conflicts.
- Only certain websites fail: Compare with other websites and browsers, then check your routing rules. Don’t immediately delete all your settings.
How subscriptions relate to IP, DNS, and your browser
A subscription provides node information. Successfully importing one doesn’t mean all your traffic will use a different public IP address. Your public IP depends on the node you select and your routing rules; traffic routed directly still uses your local network’s public IP.
DNS resolves domain names. If it’s not working properly, you may be able to connect but unable to open websites by domain name. Check the app logs to investigate, and don’t enter an unfamiliar DNS server without good reason. Your browser’s cache, cookies, and login status can also affect how a website appears. You can compare results in a private window, but it won’t change your IP or fix an inactive node. When troubleshooting, change only one setting at a time to make the cause easier to identify.