App Store · Official Guide

Shadowrocket User Guide Setup and Connections

Get Shadowrocket on the App Store View the Guide

A rule-based routing client for iPhone / iPad, available as a one-time purchase through the App Store. Get existing subscriptions from your service provider.

Global Routing Subscribe WireGuard
Shadowrocket Home screen

Shadowrocket Configuration Features

Keep server details, routing mode, and configuration files distinct. Server details determine the connection endpoint, Global Routing determines how requests are handled, and rules in Config determine the order in which requests match. The six sections below cover common setup tasks.

Global Routing and Rule Order

First, check Global Routing in Home. Config applies configuration rules, Proxy routes traffic through the proxy, and Direct connects without a proxy. To route traffic by domain or address, select Config and check which configuration is enabled. Rules are evaluated in order: put specific conditions first and leave FINAL at the end. An enabled connection toggle alone does not confirm that routing is correct. Check which policy matched the request and which server is set as default to avoid mistaking a rule issue for a server problem.

DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY
GEOIP,CN,DIRECT
FINAL,DIRECT
Read the guide to rule configuration →

Getting Shadowrocket on iPhone / iPad

Shadowrocket is purchased and installed through the App Store. First, verify the App Store product page, then check compatibility and purchase status for your device. Refer to the App Store listing for system requirements and purchase eligibility; do not infer installability from the device name alone.

iPhone

Install Shadowrocket through the App Store after purchasing. The first time you connect, iOS will ask to add a VPN configuration. Confirm that the request comes from the Shadowrocket app you just opened, then follow the system prompts to allow it. This permission creates the network configuration the client needs; you still need to import your own server details. Return to Home, check the SERVER list, choose a default server, and confirm Global Routing. Test a manual connection before setting up On Demand so you can distinguish permission, server, and automatic connection issues.

View the iPhone guide

iPad

If you use the same Apple ID, check your App Store purchases for Shadowrocket and follow the store's prompts to get it again. Purchase eligibility on iPhone and iPad is subject to the App Store listing. A larger screen does not change the setup steps: you still need your own server details, a default server, and a verified connection. If you use iCloud sync, check the imported content on your iPad; a connection on another device does not mean this device is fully configured.

View the iPad guide

Shadowrocket is also available through the App Store for Mac and Apple TV. Refer to the App Store listing for system requirements and purchase eligibility.

On the App StoreGet Shadowrocket View the steps to get the app →

Verify the App and Understand the Purchase

Shadowrocket is a closed-source commercial app. Verify the App Store listing by checking the developer, official icon, and app ID, then review the price and compatibility details. Purchasing the app and connecting are separate steps; success at one does not replace checking the other.

  • Developer Shadow Launch Technology Limited
  • App ID 932747118
  • Purchase One-time purchase

Check the Developer, Official Icon, and App ID

Open the Shadowrocket product page in the App Store and check the developer or seller information. It should say Shadow Launch Technology Limited. Then verify the official icon: a rocket with a blue-purple outline on a white background, matching the official icon in this site's header. Finally, check for id932747118 in the product page URL. Verify all three; do not rely on a search result's name or icon color alone. If you see a result with the same or a similar name, return to the App Store link in the getting-the-app guide and check again.

The name identifies the product, the developer identifies who published it, and the app ID identifies the specific App Store listing. Each serves a different purpose. Verify all three before reading reviews, viewing screenshots, or comparing listing descriptions. If the expected result is not visible in the store, check that you have the correct product page and storefront. Do not treat another search result as a substitute. The getting-the-app guide links to the same product page and explains the steps for that listing.

App Store Availability and Storefronts

The price, currency, and availability shown in the App Store depend on your account's storefront. Once the link opens, go by what the App Store displays on your device. If you cannot find the app, check the spelling and try opening the product page from the getting-the-app guide. If it still does not appear, check your storefront and the device compatibility details. Do not change client settings to resolve an App Store purchase issue: before installation, Global Routing, server details, and rules play no part in the purchase process.

For issues involving account region, payment methods, or App Store purchase restrictions, follow the App Store account prompts. When describing the problem, distinguish between “product page won’t open,” “payment won’t go through,” and “installation hasn’t completed after payment.” These occur at different stages and require different steps. Always refer to the App Store listing for system requirements. The home page does not specify a fixed minimum OS version, since outdated requirements could be mistaken for current purchase conditions.

One-Time Purchase vs. Proxy Service

Buying the client ≠ buying a proxy plan. The one-time purchase of Shadowrocket gives you the right to use the client; it does not include servers, subscriptions, or proxy service. The US storefront price is about $2.99; other storefronts show local currency. The final amount is shown on the App Store listing and payment confirmation screen. If the SERVER list is empty after purchase, that does not mean the purchase failed. It usually means you have not imported your own server or subscription details yet.

Get subscription links from your service provider. This site does not provide servers or subscriptions; it explains how to import information you already have, check parameters, and maintain your configuration. Before importing, identify whether you have a single-server link, a QR code, or a subscription URL. A single server link adds one connection; a subscription can sync a list of servers; Config manages settings such as rules. Keeping these three types separate helps avoid repeatedly importing the same link while still not finding the rules you expect.

Restore Purchases and Set Up a New Device

When switching devices or reinstalling, sign in with the original purchasing account, find Shadowrocket in App Store purchases, and follow the store's prompts to get it again. Compatibility with your current device and purchase features such as Family Sharing are subject to the App Store listing. If the store shows a price again, first check the account you used to purchase and your purchase history. Do not assume the original purchase is invalid or pay again before checking your records.

Restoring the app is not the same as restoring its configuration. After reinstalling, check the server list, subscription status, current Config, and default server. If you use iCloud sync, wait for it to finish and verify each item. If you restore from a backup, check that the configuration still works with your current server. Finally, reconnect and verify actual access. A working setup on another device is only a reference; it does not replace checking permissions and network access on this one.

Check Configuration After Updates

Update the client through the App Store and check its update history on the product page. Before updating, keep a working copy of your configuration. Afterward, check the default server, Global Routing, and enabled Config, then test the services you commonly access. App updates, subscription updates, and configuration edits are separate operations. If you do them all at once, it is harder to identify what caused a change. For routine maintenance, make one change at a time and verify the result before moving on.

When a connection fails, record what happened before reinstalling. Confirm that your current network can reach basic services, run Connectivity Test, and check the server parameters and system time. Then review the routing mode and matched rules. If the issue started after a subscription update, check whether the default server was removed or renamed. If it began after editing rules, first revert that change. Checking the most recent change first preserves useful clues and is more effective than resetting several settings at once.

See the full app verification steps →

Frequently Asked Questions

I bought Shadowrocket. Why can't I connect right away?

The purchase gets you the client; connecting requires additional setup. Import your own server or subscription, select a default server from the SERVER list, and allow the system to add a VPN configuration. The one-time client purchase does not include proxy service. Check the imported details and Global Routing before turning on the connection. If it says connected but a site or service still cannot be reached, check the specific request and its rules; the connection toggle alone does not confirm that everything is working.

Follow the quick-start steps →

Why did my connection change after updating a subscription?

An update syncs the server list, so existing entries may change. First check that your default server is still listed, then test the selected server. A subscription update does not update Config, so also verify the routing mode and enabled configuration. While troubleshooting, avoid changing the rules file at the same time. Restore a connection setup you can test consistently, then check which change affected access.

Read about subscription updates and maintenance →

Connectivity Test passed. Does that mean all requests will work?

The result reflects connectivity under the selected test method. Actual requests are also affected by Global Routing, rules, DNS, and server status. Check that the test targets your current default server, then try a service you use regularly. If only some requests fail, check which rules match those requests; there is no need to reimport the entire subscription right away. Traffic shown in Data does not, on its own, prove that a request completed.

See connection and routing FAQs →

What should I save before changing settings?

Keep a working copy of Config and note the default server, Global Routing setting, and recent changes. Change one set of settings at a time and verify the result after saving. When contacting your service provider, you can share the protocol type, symptoms, and test steps, but do not disclose the full subscription link, passwords, keys, or private request logs. Backups and issue notes help with rollback and troubleshooting; they are not safe to share publicly as-is.

See the recommended settings checks →

Purchase and Connection Guides

Each article focuses on one question. If you are preparing to buy, start with pricing and app verification. If your existing setup cannot connect, follow the timeout troubleshooting steps. For the full process, return to the quick start and user guide; do not treat a focused troubleshooting article as a complete first-time setup guide.

View all articles →

Get Shadowrocket from the App Store