Official guide · Verify the App Store listing

Shadowrocket
Setup Guide

Download on the App Store View the guide

A rule-based proxy client for iPhone and iPad: follow the steps to import an existing subscription and configure rule-based routing. The app is a one-time purchase.

  • Rule
  • On Demand
  • Shadowsocks

Check the App Store listing for system requirements and purchase availability.

Devices & App Store Access

Verify your purchase before importing an existing service

Shadowrocket Guide is the official guide to Shadowrocket. Before getting started, verify the app in the App Store, then set up your server details and connection. Your app purchase, configuration files on your device, and subscription status for an existing service are separate things. Check them individually to avoid duplicate purchases or setup.

iPhone

Check the App Store listing for purchase and compatibility details. After opening the app for the first time, review the VPN configuration permission, then import your existing subscription or server details.

See how to get Shadowrocket on iPhone →

iPad

Check your purchase history with the original purchasing account. Refer to the App Store listing for Universal Purchase and device compatibility for iPhone and iPad.

See how to get Shadowrocket on iPad →

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

The App Store is the only place to get Shadowrocket. Check the displayed price, compatibility, and purchase status before paying. Instructions on this website do not replace the App Store checkout details.

On the App StoreGet Shadowrocket
View the steps →
Core Features at a Glance

From Connection Details to Request Routing

Server entries determine where to connect. Global Routing sets the overall routing mode, while Rule in Config determines how each request is handled in configuration mode. Understand these three layers before adjusting On Demand or diagnostic options. The rule snippets below illustrate syntax; they are not complete configuration files.

DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY
GEOIP,CN,DIRECT
FINAL,PROXY

Rule Matching and Order

Rules are evaluated in the order listed in the configuration, and the specified action is applied when a rule matches. DOMAIN-SUFFIX checks domain suffixes, GEOIP matches by the destination address's region, and FINAL handles requests that did not match earlier rules. Before checking rules in Config, make sure Global Routing is set to Config in Home. Proxy and Direct are different overall routing modes. Change one setting at a time and check actual request logs to confirm which rule matched; the connection toggle alone cannot tell you whether routing is correct.

Check Global Routing first, then verify rule order and actions.

Choose a Global Routing Mode Before Testing

With Config selected in Global Routing, requests are handled by the chosen configuration. Proxy routes traffic through the proxy, while Direct connects without it. These are not separate servers and do not import subscriptions. If a server is selected but a destination still behaves unexpectedly, check the routing mode first, then the rules in the configuration, rather than re-entering all server details. Also distinguish the rule actions PROXY, DIRECT, and REJECT from the interface modes Proxy and Direct by their context.

The connection toggle, test results, and actual access each answer different questions. The toggle shows connection status; a test checks the response under specific conditions; real requests are also affected by DNS resolution, matching rules, and the destination service. Once you understand these three layers, read Feature Overview or the Subscribe and Server Management Guide to find the setting you need.

App Authenticity and Purchase Details

Developer, Icon, and App ID

Shadowrocket is a closed-source commercial app. To verify that it is genuine, check the details on its App Store product page rather than relying on search rankings, similar names, or promotional images. Once verified, check the price and compatibility in your current storefront. This website provides the official guide and does not provide nodes or subscription services.

  • Developer: Shadow Launch Technology Limited
  • App ID 932747118
  • One-Time Purchase

Verify These Three Details

Open the Shadowrocket product page in the App Store. First, confirm that the developer is Shadow Launch Technology Limited. Then compare the official icon with the one shown in this guide's header, and check that the product page URL contains app ID 932747118. A similar name does not prove that it is the same app. If search results include similar products, open each product page and compare the details rather than relying on the short title in the results list. Confirm the app's identity before paying so the purchase is associated with the right app.

The official icon, developer, and app ID help identify the app, but they do not verify connection details. Even after purchasing the correct client, you still need your own existing subscription or server details. Verify that they work separately after importing them.

App Store Availability and Account Region

What you see in the App Store depends on the country or region associated with the Apple ID used for purchases. If you cannot find a product, first check the store account currently signed in on your device and its region, then see whether the product page shows that the app is available to purchase or download. Your device's physical location, system language, and App Store region are different things; none alone determines what appears in the store.

Refer to the App Store listing for current pricing, system requirements, device compatibility, and Universal Purchase availability. The guide cannot assume the same result for every account and storefront. If the product page shows something unexpected, use the status shown in your current store as the starting point for troubleshooting.

One-Time App Purchase vs. Existing Services

Buying the app does not buy a proxy service. The US storefront reference price is $2.99, a one-time purchase of the app itself. Other storefronts display local currency; the App Store shows the actual amount charged. Buying the app does not create a subscription URL or provide usable Host, Port, or Password details for Add Server. Connections require your own existing subscription or server details.

Treat “purchase successful, but the list is empty” differently from “server entries are present, but connections fail.” The first means you still need to import your details; the second calls for checking the parameters and network. Keeping the app purchase separate from the connection service helps avoid confusing subscription status, purchase history, and configuration files during troubleshooting.

Restore Purchases, Updates, and Configuration Migration

When switching devices or reinstalling, first check your App Store purchase history using the original purchasing account. Check the same purchase on iPhone and iPad; refer to the App Store listing for availability on your current device and Universal Purchase. If the product page still shows a price, check your store account and purchase history first. Paying again is not a required step to restore configuration.

App updates are delivered through the App Store, and automatic updates depend on your device's store settings. Getting the app again and restoring its data are separate tasks: purchase history does not back up your server list. Before migrating, keep the configuration files and existing subscription details you need. On the new device, check the import results, selected configuration, and routing mode before connecting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Identify the State Before Troubleshooting

These questions cover common points of confusion when getting started. If something goes wrong, keep your current settings and note what happened, then narrow it down in this order: network, import, connection, and routing. For the full process, see the First Connection Guide. Look up interface terms and rule keywords in the Glossary.

Why do I need to import a subscription or server after purchasing the app?

Buying Shadowrocket gives you the client app. Subscription links import and update existing server entries, while configuration files organize rules and other settings. Neither is included automatically with the app purchase. First identify whether your existing service details are a subscription URL, an individual share link, or manual parameters, then choose the corresponding import method. After importing, check the entry type and key fields rather than relying on the list name to determine whether it will connect.

Learn what Subscribe, Add Server, and Config mean →

Why does a web page still fail to load when Connectivity Test gets a response?

A test response only shows that the test got a result under its specific conditions. Actual access also depends on DNS resolution, Global Routing, rule actions, and the destination service. First confirm that the basic network works, then check the selected server entry and configuration. See whether the issue affects only certain domains. Change one setting at a time and revisit the same destination to tell whether the change affected the result.

Compare DNS, Global Routing, and rule actions →

Why do some requests still use DIRECT when a server is selected?

Selecting a server does not mean every request will use it. When Global Routing is set to Config, the rules in the selected configuration determine how requests are handled. Requests that match DIRECT connect directly to their destination. Check the active configuration first, then review rule order and the final rule so you do not mistake expected routing for a connection failure. The river-mouth illustration in this article shows categories of actions; it is not an app interface or an importable configuration.

Learn about PROXY, DIRECT, REJECT, and FINAL →

If I can download the app on a new device, does that mean my configuration has been restored?

Purchase history restores your eligibility to get the app; configuration restoration must be checked separately. First confirm that the required files are present in Config, then check your subscriptions and server list. If you use iCloud sync, verify that the content is complete. After migration, check connection permissions, routing mode, and test results again. Before deleting configurations from the old device, confirm that the new one works as expected and save any necessary backups.

Learn how configuration files, subscriptions, and sync differ →

In-Depth Guides

Purchases, App Store, and Configuration Migration

These guides expand the homepage's verification steps into specific tasks. Before purchasing, review how to identify the app and check the App Store listing. If your device is already connected, continue by checking what is included in your backups. Follow each guide alongside the current App Store listing and options in the app; do not rely on fixed interface locations instead of checking the fields.

View all articles →