SHADOWROCKET / FAQ
Shadowrocket Troubleshooting
First identify where the problem occurs, then work through the checks in order. This Shadowrocket official manual covers App Store purchases, first-time authorization, importing existing subscriptions and troubleshooting Global Routing.
Select a question to expand its answer. Before making changes, note the current server and Config. Change one setting at a time so you can compare the results.
APP STORE / PURCHASE
App Store & Purchase
Check the product page and purchasing account first, then troubleshoot search results, pricing or restoring a purchase.
Can’t find Shadowrocket in the App Store? What should I check first?
Check your Apple Account’s store region and any access restrictions before drawing conclusions from search results. Open the App Store product page linked from the download guide and review the message shown by the store. Then check Screen Time and content restrictions in Settings to make sure apps with the relevant age rating are allowed. To check your region, go to Settings → Apple Account → Media & Purchases → View Account → Country/Region; labels may vary based on what your device displays. Before changing regions, review the requirements for your balance, subscriptions and payment method. Don’t switch regions repeatedly just to test search results.
How can I tell if an App Store listing is the genuine Shadowrocket app?
Check the developer, official app icon and app ID together—not just the app name. The developer should be Shadow Launch Technology Limited, the icon should match the official icon shown on this site, and the product page URL should contain the app ID id932747118. Open the product page from the download guide and compare these details, then review the price and compatibility information. Similar names or icons are no substitute for checking the developer and app ID. Refer to the App Store page for system requirements, device compatibility and whether the purchase is universal.
Do I have to buy Shadowrocket again after changing or restoring my device?
In most cases, first restore the app using the Apple Account that made the original purchase instead of paying again. Make sure Media & Purchases in the App Store is signed in with that account, then find Shadowrocket in the account’s apps or purchase history and use the redownload option shown. The account signed in to the device may differ from the account used for App Store purchases, so check both. If a price is still shown, review your purchase history, store region and product page. If you still can’t confirm the purchase, contact support through your App Store account. Redownloading the app does not restore server details; configuration recovery depends on whether you previously saved a backup.
Does the one-time purchase include servers or a subscription?
No. A one-time app purchase is not a service plan. It gives you access to the Shadowrocket app, but does not include servers, a subscription or an ongoing connection service. The US App Store price is a one-time purchase of $2.99; the final amount and local currency are shown on the App Store purchase confirmation screen. To configure the app, use your own existing subscription or server details and import them using the parameters provided by your service provider. This site does not provide, sell or recommend nodes or subscriptions. Your app purchase, the validity of an existing service and server connection status are separate matters; check each one independently when troubleshooting.
DEVICE / PERMISSION
Installation & First Launch
Get the app from the App Store and complete system authorization, then check the connection settings in the app.
Can I install Shadowrocket on iPad? Are purchases and setup the same as on iPhone?
Check and get Shadowrocket from the same App Store product page on iPad. Refer to the App Store page for system requirements and whether the purchase is universal. If you already own the app, sign in to the original purchasing account in the iPad App Store, check your purchases and follow the option shown. The screen space and layout may differ from iPhone, so look for interface labels such as Home, Config and Settings rather than relying on button positions in screenshots. Purchase eligibility and configuration data are separate; after opening the app, check your servers, subscriptions and selected Config.
What should I do when prompted to add a VPN configuration on first connection?
This permission is required to create a system network connection configuration. Allow it only after confirming that Shadowrocket initiated the request. Open the app, select an existing server and review the system prompt when you connect. Confirm the app name, then authenticate as required by the system. Allowing a VPN configuration does not confirm that the server settings are correct or that the remote service is available; check the connection result afterward. If your device is managed by an organization or restricted by Screen Time, you may not be able to change the relevant settings. Ask your device administrator about the applicable policy, and avoid repeatedly deleting other network configurations from the system.
The connection switch won’t turn on, or turns off right away. What should I check?
First determine whether authorization is incomplete or the connection itself is failing, then check each item in turn. Make sure a server with complete settings is selected in Home. Try connecting again and check whether the system is still waiting for VPN configuration permission; if an error appears, note its exact text. Next, check the VPN status in Settings for another active VPN connection or device management restrictions. If you changed On Demand, temporarily turn off its automatic connection conditions and test manually. If it still fails, verify the server address, port, authentication and protocol settings. Don’t reinstall the app as a first step, since you could lose configuration that hasn’t been backed up.
The app interface is in English. How do I find the settings mentioned in the guide?
Look for the English interface labels; this manual keeps them unchanged so you can match them directly. Home is where you find servers and connection controls. Add Server adds a server. Subscribe is the type to select when importing a subscription. Config manages configuration files, Settings contains app settings, and Data shows traffic-related information. Global Routing is where you choose a routing mode. Layouts may vary by device and app version, so match feature names rather than icon positions. To change the display language, check the app language options in system settings; available languages depend on your device.
Follow the quick-start steps to complete the initial setup →
SUBSCRIBE / ADD SERVER
Subscription & Server Imports
First identify whether you have a server subscription or a Config file, then check the format, settings and update results.
An existing subscription won’t import, or the server list is empty afterward. How do I troubleshoot it?
First make sure you’re importing the subscription URL provided by your service provider, not an account page or instructions page. In Add Server, select Subscribe as shown in your version of the app, paste the complete URL and save it. Check for spaces, line breaks or punctuation at either end, then update. Next, distinguish between a failed request and content that can’t be parsed. For a failed request, check your local network, the URL’s validity period and any access requirements set by the provider. If the response can’t be parsed, make sure it’s a subscription format supported by Shadowrocket, not a login page or error message. Don’t share the full URL publicly. If you contact your provider, include the exact error text and redact any credentials in the link.
How do I update an existing subscription, and what should I check afterward?
Update the saved subscription entry instead of adding the same URL again each time. Find the subscription in Home and use the update option shown in your version of the app. When the update finishes, check for error messages and see whether the server list has changed. The update refreshes entries based on the subscription response, so the previously selected server may have been renamed or removed. Confirm your selection again. Updating a subscription is different from updating a Config file: subscriptions usually update server details, while Config files affect settings such as rules. If an update fails, keep the existing entry and any working information, then check the URL’s validity and service status. Don’t delete it before confirming you can restore it.
When adding a server manually with Add Server, which settings should I check?
First choose the server type that matches the protocol provided by your service provider, then enter the settings required for that type. Check the address, port and authentication details. Types such as Trojan, VLESS and Hysteria2 may also require TLS, a server name or transport settings; match each field to the provider’s instructions instead of copying fields from another protocol. Save the entry, return to Home, select that server and test it. The server name is usually just a label for local identification; renaming it won’t fix a connection. If you import using Scan QR Code, verify the detected protocol and key settings too. A successfully scanned QR code doesn’t mean the server is still valid.
What’s the difference between Subscribe and Config, and what should I keep in mind when backing up?
Subscribe is mainly used to retrieve and refresh a server list. A Config file organizes rules and other settings; the two aren’t interchangeable just because their filenames look similar. When you receive a URL or file, check which type your provider describes and use the corresponding import option. After importing a Config, make sure it’s the file currently enabled. Before backing up, note the server in use, subscription entries and Config, and save each using the export options available in the app. Subscription URLs, authentication fields and some configuration data may be sensitive. Store backups somewhere you control, and redact these fields before sharing troubleshooting materials. Don’t publish a complete file.
GLOBAL ROUTING / DIAGNOSTICS
Routing Rules & Troubleshooting
Test your local network, server, routing mode and destination separately. Avoid changing multiple settings at once.
How do I choose among Config, Proxy and Direct in Global Routing?
Use Config for everyday rule-based routing, Proxy to temporarily test the proxy route, and Direct to compare against a direct connection. Config applies the policy in the currently enabled configuration, so both the rules file and selected server must be correct. Proxy routes captured traffic through the proxy mode, but doesn’t guarantee a successful remote connection. Direct handles traffic in direct mode. When troubleshooting, note the original mode, change only this setting, compare the same destination, then restore the original setting. A mode name isn’t a measure of connection quality; selecting Proxy alone doesn’t prove a request went through the server.
The app says it’s connected, but webpages still won’t load. What should I check first?
A connected status only means the system connection is established; it doesn’t guarantee that every request will succeed. Disconnect Shadowrocket and check that your local network can reach a page that normally works. Then connect and test the same destination again. Next, confirm the selected server is still valid and compare Proxy with Config in Global Routing, changing only one variable. If Proxy works but Config doesn’t, check the active configuration, rule matching and DNS first. If both fail, check the server settings, service status and local network. Use Data and any diagnostic information provided by the app to narrow down the issue. Don’t change DNS, protocol and rules at the same time, or it’ll be hard to tell which change mattered.
Why is browsing still slow when Connectivity Test shows a low number?
Connectivity Test measures response under specific test conditions. It doesn’t measure sustained transfer speed or, on its own, predict how a website will perform. First make sure you’re using the same test method. Then compare a small number of existing servers against the same page or file, keeping your local network, Global Routing and Config unchanged. If only some destinations are slow, check rule matching and the destination’s response. If everything is slow, compare Wi-Fi and cellular separately. Switching networks can affect data usage, so check your plan before testing. There’s no need to repeatedly test the entire server list.
Battery use increases after connecting, or the connection comes back after I disconnect. What should I do?
First distinguish battery use caused by actual traffic from automatic connections triggered by On Demand. Check battery usage for the relevant period in Settings, and look for large transfers, frequent tests or repeated reconnections. Data can help you monitor traffic, but it can’t identify the cause of battery drain on its own. If the connection returns after you disconnect manually, check whether On Demand is enabled and whether the current network meets its connection conditions. Temporarily turn it off and compare with a manual connection. Don’t run repeated speed tests to assess battery life; keep the usage duration and network conditions similar instead. If the device gets noticeably hot, pause high-traffic tasks and check whether the server is repeatedly failing to connect.