Official User Guide
Shadowrocket FAQ
Find answers by topic: purchasing, first launch, importing existing configurations, and connection issues. Check the prerequisites first, then follow the steps. Interface labels remain in English.
Shadowrocket is a paid client for Apple platforms, available only through the App Store. Import instructions assume you already have your own subscription or server details; a one-time app purchase does not include a service plan. Check the App Store listing for system requirements.
01 / App Store
Verify and purchase
Start by checking the product page, developer, and app ID. The App Store listing and your purchase status are the source of truth.
Can't find Shadowrocket in the App Store?
Start with this site's guide to the official App Store listing, then follow its link to Shadowrocket's product page. If the store says the item isn't available in your storefront, check the country or region associated with your App Store account. Follow Apple's guidance on changing your account region and rely on the store's current listing. Don't identify the app based only on similar names or icons in search results.
How can I verify the official app in the App Store?
Check three details on the product page: the name is Shadowrocket, the developer is Shadow Launch Technology Limited, and the page URL includes app ID 932747118. Compare the app icon with the one shown on the product page. Search results may include apps with similar names, so verify the details on the product page before purchasing.
How much does Shadowrocket cost?
Shadowrocket is a one-time purchase in the App Store. The US storefront lists it at around $2.99, but the price, currency, and purchase terms depend on the storefront for your account. Check the product page for the current price before buying. The app price is separate from the cost of any service you already use.
Can I use my existing service as soon as I buy the app?
A one-time app purchase does not include a service plan. After purchasing, you'll need to import your existing subscription or server details and confirm they're still valid. Shadowrocket stores configurations, establishes connections, and applies rules. This site explains how to import and troubleshoot; it does not provide subscription or server details.
Does my App Store account region affect purchasing?
App Store listings, prices, and availability can vary by storefront. Check your account's country or region, then confirm Shadowrocket's current listing in that storefront. If you plan to change your account region, read Apple's official guidance and review its requirements regarding your balance and existing subscriptions.
Verify the listing and check device details: View the App Store guide →
02 / First open
Getting started
Check your purchase history and device compatibility first, then handle the system permission prompt for your first connection.
What should I do the first time I open Shadowrocket on iPhone?
First, confirm that Shadowrocket is from the App Store product page you've verified, then gather your existing subscription or server details. Import them, choose the configuration and Global Routing mode you want, and turn on the connection switch. The first time you connect, the system may ask to add a VPN configuration. Read the prompt, grant permission, then return to the app to check the connection status. Check the App Store listing for system requirements.
Can I install Shadowrocket on iPad?
Open the same Shadowrocket product page in the iPad App Store and check the compatibility section and your account's purchase status. Check the App Store listing for system requirements. Purchased items are generally available through the Apple ID used for the purchase, but availability depends on what the store shows. The iPad layout may differ from the iPhone layout, so use the interface labels to find the relevant settings.
Do I need to buy Shadowrocket again when I switch devices or reinstall it?
On your new device, first make sure you're signed in to the App Store with the Apple ID used for the original purchase. Then check Shadowrocket's product page or your purchased items. Whether you can download it again depends on the store's records for that account and storefront. Your purchase history is separate from your in-app configuration, so before switching devices, make sure your subscription link or configuration backup is still available.
Why does Shadowrocket ask for permission to add a VPN configuration the first time I connect?
Shadowrocket uses the system's VPN configuration capability to establish a connection, so the first attempt may trigger a permission prompt from your device. First, confirm you're using the verified Shadowrocket listing in the App Store. Read the prompt and follow the system instructions to grant permission. If you denied it, return to the app and try connecting again, then check your device's VPN settings.
The interface is in English. How do I find the settings in a guide?
This guide uses the app's English interface labels so you can find each option by name: Home is the main screen, Add Server is for adding a server, Subscribe imports an existing subscription, Global Routing selects a routing mode, and Settings opens the settings. The layout may vary by device; look for the English label, then follow the steps on the page.
Follow the initial setup steps: View the setup guide →
03 / Existing configuration
Import subscriptions and servers
These steps are for links, QR codes, and server details you already have. First confirm their source and that they're still valid.
How do I import an existing subscription link?
Copy the full subscription link from your existing service details. In Shadowrocket, open the add menu, choose Subscribe, paste the link, and save it. Wait for the app to load the contents. Check that the expected entries appear, then select one to connect. Subscription links often contain access credentials, so don't post the full URL publicly.
How do I use Scan QR Code to add an existing configuration?
First, confirm that the QR code contains your existing server or subscription details. In Shadowrocket's add menu, choose Scan QR Code and allow camera access when prompted. After scanning, check the type and contents the app recognized before saving. If the QR code is displayed on the same device, ask the provider for the original text so you can add it using the appropriate method.
What should I check if subscription import fails?
Check that the pasted URL is complete, especially any parameters at the end, then confirm that it can be reached over your current network. If the link opens but the app doesn't create entries, check that its contents use a subscription format Shadowrocket recognizes. Don't expose the full link in troubleshooting screenshots. If you're unsure whether the link is valid or correctly formatted, ask the original provider.
How do I update an existing subscription manually?
In Shadowrocket, find the saved subscription entry and use its update action. Wait for it to finish, then check that the entry changed as expected. If the update fails, first confirm that your device can reach the subscription URL, then check that the link is still valid. Adding the same URL again can create duplicate entries, so check the existing entry's update result before cleaning up the list.
What if I have server details but no subscription link?
In Add Server, choose the protocol that matches your existing details, then enter the server address, port, and required authentication parameters. Before saving, verify that the protocol and parameters match; a single incorrect field can prevent a connection. Server details are sensitive. During troubleshooting, record only field names and symptoms, not the full credentials.
Troubleshoot subscription update issues step by step: Read the subscription update guide →
04 / Routing & diagnosis
Routing rules and troubleshooting
Distinguish between device network, system permissions, server configuration, and matched rules. Change one condition at a time.
Which Global Routing mode should I use?
Config applies the rules in the selected configuration and is suited to routing traffic by rule. Proxy routes traffic through the proxy path, which can help check whether the selected server connects. Direct uses a direct connection and provides a baseline for checking your device's network. Confirm the selected mode before testing. Config results also depend on rule order and the final fallback rule.
What should I do if the connection switch won't turn on?
Check whether your device is waiting for you to approve a VPN configuration, then confirm that Shadowrocket has a selectable server or configuration. If you've already granted permission but the switch still won't turn on, check for a pending status in your device's VPN settings, then return to the app and try again. Change one condition at a time and note the result to distinguish permission issues from configuration issues.
It says connected, but I can't access the internet. What should I check first?
Switch Global Routing to Direct and check whether your device can access the internet over its current Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Then switch back to Config and check the selected server and rules. If Direct works but Config doesn't, review the matched rules, the FINAL fallback, and DNS settings. A connected status means the system connection is established; it doesn't guarantee access to every destination.
How can I troubleshoot a server connection timeout?
First check the selected entry's server address, port, protocol, and authentication parameters, then confirm that your device's network is working. If the entry came from an existing subscription, update it and check that the entry is still valid. For manually added entries, compare each field with the original details. Connectivity Test can provide an additional indication, but its results don't replace testing actual access.
Should I check DNS if some websites won't load?
First check whether the problem affects only specific domains, then compare how the same destination behaves in Direct and Config. If the result changes with the routing mode, check which rule matches the domain, then review the DNS-related settings in Settings. Change one setting at a time and test again. Avoid changing the server, rules, and DNS all at once, or you won't know which change made a difference.
Things feel slow after connecting. What does the latency number tell me?
A latency test measures the response time for one test request; it doesn't measure webpage load time or sustained transfer speed. First make sure your Wi-Fi or cellular connection is stable, then check the selected entry and test again on the same network and against the same destination. Also check the Global Routing mode and rules so differences in the route selected by a rule aren't mistaken for changes in server speed.
How can I narrow down increased battery use?
Check Shadowrocket's foreground and background activity in your device's battery usage settings. Note whether you were using Wi-Fi or cellular when the issue occurred. Check whether On Demand, frequent automatic connection conditions, or subscription updates are enabled. Change one condition at a time and monitor the results. Background network activity and signal strength can also affect battery use.
Continue troubleshooting by symptom: View the troubleshooting guide →