Name: Shadowrocket
Price: 2.99 USD
Author: Shadow Launch Technology Limited

01 / APP STORE

Get Shadowrocket for iPhone and iPad

Verify the app listing in the App Store, then follow the first-launch instructions for your device. Check the App Store listing for system requirements and purchase availability.

iPhone

Buy and install Shadowrocket from the App Store. When connecting for the first time, review the system prompt to add a VPN configuration. After granting permission, import your existing server details and select a connection target.

See how to get Shadowrocket on iPhone →

iPad

Check your purchased items using the Apple ID used for the original purchase, then get the app as shown in the store. The basic setup is similar on iPhone and iPad, but check purchase history and on-device server settings separately.

See how to get Shadowrocket on iPad →

Shadowrocket is also available through the same App Store on Mac and Apple TV. Check the store listing for compatibility details.

See how to get the app →

On the App Store Download Shadowrocket

Prepare your existing connection details

Purchasing the app only gets you the client. Before setup, have your existing subscription link or server details ready, including Type, Host, Port, and authentication information. Confirm that the details match the selected protocol, then go to Add Server. Do not infer the protocol from the server name or enter a subscription link in the Host field. If any details are missing, check with the provider who supplied them.

Handle first-time permission and connection testing separately

System permission allows Shadowrocket to create and manage a VPN configuration; it does not confirm that the remote server is available. After granting permission, return to Home, select a server, check Global Routing, and turn on the connection. During testing, check both Connectivity Test and an actual web request. If they give different results, check DNS, matched rules, and the target service status.

02 / CONFIGURATION

Shadowrocket core settings

First, distinguish connection details, rule files, and operating modes. They determine where to connect, how requests are matched, and whether requests are handled according to rules.

The three Global Routing modes

Start by checking Global Routing in Home. Config routes requests according to the current configuration file; Proxy sends requests through the selected server; Direct connects without a proxy. For everyday routing, start with Config. When troubleshooting, briefly switch to another mode for comparison. Changing modes will not fix incorrect server details or add missing rules. If Proxy works but Config does not, check the matched rules and their policies. If both fail, check the server and local network first.

DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY
IP-CIDR,192.168.0.0/16,DIRECT
FINAL,PROXY

Read the system guide to modes and rules →

Connect based on conditions with On Demand

On Demand is in Settings and determines whether to connect based on conditions such as the network. First verify a manual connection, then configure On Demand to avoid confusing an automatic trigger issue with an unavailable server. After setup, check the connection state on your usual Wi-Fi and cellular networks, and look for conflicting conditions. On Demand is not a scheduled toggle and does not guarantee lower battery use; consumption also depends on request volume, network stability, and reconnection frequency. If unexpected reconnections occur, check the trigger conditions before changing servers.

Settings
On Demand

See commonly used Settings →

Import and update subscriptions with Subscribe

If you already have a subscription, go to Add Server, choose Subscribe, enter the existing link, save it, and then update the contents. A subscription manages server entries; it is not a Config rule file or an app purchase. Before importing, check that the link is complete, especially for spaces or line breaks introduced when copying. If an update fails, first check whether the link is still valid, whether the current network can reach it, and whether the returned content is as expected. After updating, confirm the selected server again. Entries appearing in the list only show that the details were read; they do not verify the connection.

Add Server
Type: Subscribe

See how to import an existing subscription →

Manage Config rules and files

Config is for managing rule files. Requests are handled according to those rules only when Global Routing is set to Config. Rules are generally matched from top to bottom, so specific domain rules should go before broader rules. FINAL handles requests that have not matched earlier rules. Before editing, keep a working copy, change one type of rule at a time, save, and confirm which file is enabled. Domain matching, IP matching, and DNS results are related; do not infer the outcome from a rule name alone. If using iCloud sync, check both the sync status and the file currently enabled on each device.

[Rule]
DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY
FINAL,DIRECT

Read the guide to maintaining configuration files →

Check protocols and connection fields

Shadowrocket supports multiple protocols. To add a server manually, choose the Type in Add Server that matches your existing details, then check Host, Port, and the authentication fields required by that protocol. Parameters for Shadowsocks, VMess, VLESS, Trojan, WireGuard, and other protocols are not interchangeable. Some connections also require TLS, a transport method, or additional parameters; enter each value according to the details you were given. Scan QR Code can import an existing QR code, but review the imported details afterward. Changing protocols is not a general fix; the remote server must support the selected protocol.

Add Server
Type / Host / Port
Scan QR Code

See how to add and import server details →

Connectivity Test and Data

Connectivity Test checks the response from the selected target using the current test method. Data shows traffic changes, while Diagnostics in Settings can help identify connection issues. A single test does not predict how every website will behave, and an increase in traffic does not mean every request followed the expected policy. When troubleshooting, note the current network, selected server, Global Routing mode, and the result of an actual request, then compare them one by one. Avoid changing DNS, rules, and server details at the same time. Keeping test conditions consistent helps distinguish remote connection failures, rule-handling differences, and local network issues.

Home → Connectivity Test
Data
Settings → Diagnostics

See how to verify connections and identify failure points →

Server entries are not rule files

Server entries store the remote address, protocol, and authentication parameters. Rule files specify which policy handles each request. Updating a server list through an existing subscription does not necessarily change the current Config. Likewise, switching rule files does not change a server's password or address. If an import succeeds but access still fails, first identify what kind of details you imported, then check the corresponding screen instead of repeatedly changing unrelated settings.

Test in order instead of changing everything at once

Keep a known-good set of settings for comparison. First confirm that the local network works, then check the existing server, select a Global Routing mode, and finally review the rules and DNS. Change one variable at a time and note the result after each test. The connection toggle, test response, and actual access provide different information. Consider them together to determine whether the connection failed to establish or requests were handled unexpectedly.

03 / PURCHASE & VERIFICATION

Verify the app listing and one-time purchase

Shadowrocket is a closed-source commercial app. Use the App Store to verify availability, purchase history, and updates; use your own existing details for setup and connections.

Shadow Launch Technology Limited
App ID 932747118
US App Store reference price: $2.99

Developer, icon, and App ID

On the App Store product page, check the name Shadowrocket, the developer Shadow Launch Technology Limited, and id932747118 in the product page URL. The app icon should match the official icon used on this site. A similar name alone is not enough; verify all three details before buying or redownloading.

If you find the app through App Store search, open the product page and verify its details rather than relying only on the title or icon in search results. All App Store buttons on this site point to the same product page for easier verification. If your account's store does not show the app, check the store region and account status instead of assuming that it is no longer available.

App Store region and current pricing

App Store availability depends on the store region associated with your Apple ID. The device's display language and current network location do not determine that region. If search returns no results, a link says the app is unavailable, or the price appears in a different currency, first check the account and region used for Media & Purchases. Before changing regions, review the balance, subscriptions, and payment requirements in your account settings.

The US App Store reference price is $2.99 as a one-time purchase. Other storefronts show local currency; check the App Store listing for the final price and taxes. This site does not publish store details that may change. Before purchasing, check the Compatibility section to confirm that your device meets the requirements. System requirements and purchase availability are as listed on the App Store page.

One-time purchase and restoring purchases

The app purchase is associated with the Apple ID used to make it. After changing devices or reinstalling, sign in with the original account, find Shadowrocket in the App Store's purchased items, and verify the product details. If the page still shows a price, do not immediately buy it again. First check the account, region, and purchase history.

An Apple ID's purchase history can be used to get the app on iPhone and iPad; check the App Store listing for purchase availability. Restoring the app does not restore saved servers or rules. Check subscription details, Config files, and sync status on the old device separately. If using iCloud sync, verify that the content is complete on the new device.

App purchase and connection details

Buying the client does not buy a connection plan. A one-time purchase gives you access to the Shadowrocket client; it does not create a server, subscription link, or remote authentication details. This site does not provide, sell, or recommend servers or subscriptions. The guides assume you already have your own subscription or server details.

For app purchase issues, check your App Store account and purchase history. If an existing subscription no longer works or server authentication fails, check with the provider who supplied the details. These issues have different support paths. App updates are delivered through the App Store. If connection behavior changes after an update, recheck the current server, Global Routing, and enabled configuration file, then test each item separately.

A reading order from first setup to ongoing maintenance

If you're new to Shadowrocket, start with the getting started guide to verify the app listing and understand the difference between an app purchase and connection details. Then follow the setup guide to import your existing information. For your first connection, establish one path you can test; there is no need to enable complex rules, On Demand conditions, and sync settings all at once. Once the basic connection works, add Config routing and On Demand gradually. After each change, test with the same real request.

For routine maintenance, handle subscription updates, configuration changes, and app updates separately. After updating a subscription, check whether the server entries changed. After editing Config, check whether the current file is enabled. After an app update, confirm that permissions and settings remain as expected. Keeping a working configuration makes comparison and rollback easier, but it may contain private addresses and authentication details. Remove them before sharing troubleshooting information.

Common questions before and after setup

Why do I still need to select a server after importing a Subscribe link?

Importing a subscription only adds its connection entries to the list. In Home, confirm which server is selected, check Global Routing, and then connect. An update may replace existing entries, so check the selected server and verify that it works again.Follow the steps to check a Subscribe import →

How are Config and Config in Global Routing related?

The Config screen manages configuration files; Config in Global Routing is the operating mode that handles requests according to the current configuration. Saving a file does not mean it is in use or that the operating mode is set to Config. Check both the selected file and the selected mode when troubleshooting.See how to set up a rule mode →

Why can't I open websites even though the connection toggle is on?

The toggle does not confirm that the remote server, DNS, and rules are all working. Check the local network first, then the selected server, Global Routing, and matched rules. Keep other settings unchanged during testing, and try actual requests separately instead of relying on a single Connectivity Test result.See the connection verification and troubleshooting steps →

Will my app and existing settings be restored when I change devices?

Restoring an app purchase and restoring configuration are separate processes. First use the original purchase account to get the app, then check whether your existing subscription, server entries, and Config have been restored. If you use sync, check the content on the new device as well. Before connecting, verify permissions, the selected server, and the operating mode.See how to restore a purchase →

04 / FIELD NOTES

Connection troubleshooting and purchase guides

Start with the symptom that matches your issue. Keep your current settings and test results, then follow the article's steps to narrow down the cause.

Troubleshooting

Shadowrocket is connected but has no internet: check the server, Global Routing, DNS, and rules one by one

If the toggle is on but websites won't load, check these in order: server status, Global Routing mode, DNS settings, and matched rules. Distinguish an established connection from a successful request, and avoid changing several settings at once.

Read the troubleshooting steps →

App Store & Purchase

Restore Shadowrocket after changing or resetting your device: redownload from Purchased using the original account

The one-time purchase is linked to the purchasing account. After getting a new iPhone or reinstalling the app, check Purchased with the original account, then verify that the app and configuration have been restored. This helps distinguish an account mismatch from a missing purchase.

Read the restoration guide →