Product and purchase
What is Shadowrocket?
It is a rule-based client for iPhone and iPad: import a subscription and route traffic by rules. It is not a proxy service and does not include data. A fuller explanation is on About.
Does paying for Shadowrocket include servers?
No. The one-time purchase is the client. Ask your provider for the subscription, servers, and data.
How do I recognize the official app?
On the product page, all three must match: the app name Shadowrocket, the developer Shadow Launch Technology Limited, and the app ID id932747118. Trust the developer, not the icon alone. The checklist is on Download.
Does Shadowrocket work on Android?
The official app is for iOS and iPadOS only. This purchase does not cover Android, and this site does not offer an Android package.
Can I install it on iPad?
Yes. On the iPad you will use, sign in to the App Store and install after you verify it on the download page.
If I already bought it, do I pay again on a new phone?
The same Apple ID can download it again from Purchased. A new device still needs the official app first, then VPN permission and import.
Download and install
Why can't I find Shadowrocket in the App Store?
Not every region lists it. Search again with an Apple ID registered for another region, or open the official link id932747118. Do not take an IPA from a file host, a browser, or a chat app.
Can I download it on a computer and install it on the phone?
No. Install from the App Store on the iPhone or iPad you will use.
Why not use an IPA or a shared account?
Those sources often fail system VPN permission: you cannot add a configuration, or the toggle does nothing. Shared accounts also break updates and account safety.
First use
Why does it still say Not Connected after I install?
That is normal. You have not added a subscription or server yet, or the toggle is still off. The store purchase does not include servers. Continue in Get Started.
Why does iOS ask for Face ID or a passcode?
iOS is protecting the system VPN slot. This is not an app login, and there is no account to fill in. After you tap Allow, Settings → General → VPN & Device Management should list Shadowrocket.
Why won't the subscription URL go in?
You probably pasted the full URL into Host. Go back to Type, set it to Subscribe, and paste the URL into the subscription field. Host only accepts a hostname or IP.
Can I scan a QR code instead of typing fields?
Yes, if the code includes the protocol and fields and comes from someone you trust. Still check Type and Host before you save.
Should I turn Plugin on?
Leave it on none unless your provider named a plugin. Picking kcptun or v2ray-plugin at random usually makes a connection less likely.
Connection and troubleshooting
Why won't pages load when Shadowrocket VPN is on?
It only means the local tunnel is up. Open a familiar site in Safari. When that page loads, you are connected. If it still fails, set Global Routing to Direct and open the same site. If Direct also fails, check Wi-Fi or cellular first; if Direct works, change servers or ask your provider to refresh the subscription. Switch back to Config after the comparison.
What is the difference between Config, Proxy, and Direct?
Config routes by rules—use it every day. Proxy sends everything through the proxy, to test whether this server works. Direct sends nothing, to test the phone network. Start with Config.
Do I have to leave it connected?
No. Turn the Home toggle off. With On Demand off, it will not connect by itself.
Should I reinstall first?
No. Run the Direct comparison first. If SERVER is empty, go back to adding a configuration. If you cannot add a VPN, delete the leftover profile in Settings and open the app again. If a server expired, ask your provider. Do not reinstall the client.
What is the difference between the dot and the check?
On Home, under SERVER, the dot is the default server. On the Config tab, the dot is the default rule file and the check is the file in use. The two marks are not on the same page.
How do I take my configuration to a new phone?
Export servers on the Data tab, or save the subscription URL and subscribe again on the new device. You can also turn on iCloud backup. Install the official app on the new phone, finish permission, then import. An expired subscription stays expired after you move it.
What if the phone gets hot or the battery drops fast?
Switch back to Config. Avoid leaving Proxy on for a long time, and do not hammer Connectivity Test.
This site
Do these pages see my visit history?
No. This is a static guide. There is no sign-in and no proxy. Traffic goes only through the server you choose.
Does this site provide servers or subscriptions?
No, and nothing is for sale. Ask your provider for the materials.
Is this the official website?
No. This is a guide to the official App Store client. The developer is Shadow Launch Technology Limited.