App Store · One-time purchase

Shadowrocket User Guide and Rule Configuration

The official guide for iPhone / iPad: verify the App Store listing, import your existing details, and set up rule-based routing and On Demand connections.

  • Shadowsocks
  • VMess
  • Config

Check the App Store listing for device compatibility and system requirements.

01 / APP STORE

Get Shadowrocket for iPhone and iPad

Shadowrocket is a paid client for Apple platforms, available exclusively on the App Store. Review the product page and confirm your purchasing account and device compatibility before buying. If you already own it, check your purchased items first.

iPhone

Open the product page in the App Store on your device and verify the developer, official app icon, and app ID. When you make your first connection after purchase, the system will ask to add a VPN configuration. Confirm that you initiated the request in Shadowrocket before reviewing and responding to the system prompt.

See how to get Shadowrocket on iPhone →

iPad

One purchase covers iPhone and iPad. Use the same Apple ID you used to buy the app to find it in your App Store purchase history. After restoring the app, check your current configuration, existing server details, and connection authorization separately. Seeing the app icon does not mean your settings have been restored.

See how to get Shadowrocket on iPad →

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

See the App Store listing for system requirements. Check the currency, availability, and purchase status shown for your own App Store account.

View the steps to get Shadowrocket →
On the App StoreDownload Shadowrocket

02 / SETTINGS REFERENCE

Rules, configurations, and connection requirements

First distinguish server details, Config files, and Global Routing modes, then change individual settings. The examples below show rule text and checks, not the app interface. Example domains are not service endpoints; check the actual policy names before applying a configuration.

These examples explain how settings relate to one another. After importing existing content, refer to the active configuration and the options shown in the app.

Global Routing: Choose a routing mode first

Global Routing determines how connections are routed. Config applies the rules in the active configuration, while Proxy and Direct select the corresponding global routing modes. To route traffic based on domains or addresses, first make sure Config is selected, then check the rule order and policy names. Rules are generally matched in order, so place more specific conditions before fallback rules. After making changes, verify the result with real requests and connection records. One successful test does not mean every rule is working.

Global Routing · Config
DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY
IP-CIDR,192.168.0.0/16,DIRECT
FINAL,PROXY

IP-CIDR: Matches the private address range in this example and routes it through DIRECT.

View the settings guide →

How servers, configuration files, and routing modes work together

Server entries store connection details, Config files store rules and related settings, and Global Routing determines which routing mode is used. Check each separately: importing a server does not mean the rules are active, and selecting a rule file does not mean Config is the current routing mode. If access does not behave as expected, check all three before changing individual rules. This is usually more effective than changing several settings at once.

For example, if a domain should be routed through a proxy by a rule, check whether the request matches the expected rule, whether its referenced policy is available, and whether an earlier rule already matched. If Direct is selected, do not judge the result against the expected behavior of a proxy rule. Keep the original configuration, note what happens before and after each change, and change one condition at a time so you can identify what caused the difference.

03 / FIRST CONNECTION

First connection: Import, choose a mode, and test

Before you start, have your own subscription link or server details ready and confirm that your regular network works. These three steps summarize the process; see the full guide for field definitions, authorization details, and troubleshooting checks.

Step 01

Add Server / Subscribe

Add an existing server or use Subscribe to import your own subscription. For manual setup, check Type, Host, Port, and authentication details. After importing, make sure the groups and entries match your information. Verify the details first, then select an existing server for your initial test.

If the expected entries are missing after import, check the link and its contents. Avoid repeatedly adding the same source, which can make it hard to tell which copy is being updated.

Step 02

Global Routing

Choose Config, Proxy, or Direct based on what you need. For rule-based routing, select Config and check the rule order and policy names in the active file. For your first test, use an existing configuration you understand rather than introducing several unknown settings at once.

Temporarily switching routing modes can help isolate a problem. When testing is complete, restore the intended mode and check which rules match.

Step 03

Enable the connection and verify access

Turn on the connection and review the system prompt to add a VPN configuration. After authorizing it, check the connection status, access the service you want to test, and review Connectivity Test results and connection records. A connected status only indicates that the connection state has changed.

If the target request still fails, check the server, DNS, and routing separately. Do not assume every request is working just because the status bar shows a connection indicator.

When troubleshooting, keep one test condition reproducible

Record the network you were using, the selected server, the Global Routing mode, and the destination you were accessing. Retry under the same conditions, then change only one variable. If behavior changes when you switch networks, include network conditions in your investigation. If only one destination fails, check its rule and DNS resolution. Updating a subscription, changing servers, editing DNS, and switching routing modes all at once makes results difficult to compare.

Rebuilding the system VPN configuration, reimporting details, or changing the active file can affect your current setup. Confirm each step is necessary and keep your original information before proceeding. Review records locally first; when reporting a problem, share only the minimum details needed and do not expose subscription links or authentication fields.

Read the full guide →

04 / PURCHASE & VERIFICATION

Verify the app and understand what your purchase includes

Shadowrocket is closed-source commercial software. Verify the app on its App Store product page, and use your own store account for purchases and restoration. Refer to the App Store listing for pricing, compatibility, and update history.

Check the developer, app icon, and app ID

Open the Shadowrocket product page in the App Store. Confirm that the developer is Shadow Launch Technology Limited and that the official app icon matches the one shown on this site. The product page URL should contain id932747118; the number is the app ID, not a version number.

Do not rely on the name shown in search results alone. Open the product page to verify apps with identical or similar names. The developer, icon, and app ID should all match the same app. Even when you reach the product page through this site's access guide, review the product information and price shown on your device before purchasing.

See what to check when verifying the app →

App Store availability and account region

Search results, purchase availability, and local currency depend on the storefront for your current App Store account. Being able to open the product page on the web does not guarantee that you can buy it in your device's storefront. If you cannot find the app, first check which account and storefront you are using, then review the message on the product page.

Device language, network location, and App Store account region are separate things; one does not indicate the others. Before changing your account region, review the system prompts and check your balance, subscriptions, and payment method. Avoid changing account settings repeatedly just to try to download the app.

Read the App Store access guide →

One-time purchase and your own connection details

The US storefront lists the app at about $2.99 as a one-time purchase. The price shown on the App Store at checkout is the current price; other storefronts display their local currency. The app purchase and the requirements for using your own servers are separate. A successful purchase does not mean a server is ready to use.

The app purchase does not include a proxy service. This site does not provide servers or subscriptions. Once you have your own server details, import them through Add Server or Subscribe. If a connection fails, check the app settings, the validity of your details, and the server status separately rather than assuming every issue is related to the purchase.

View pricing and purchase details →

Restoring purchases and updating through the App Store

When moving to a new device or reinstalling, use the same Apple ID you used to purchase the app and check your App Store purchase history and the product page's status. Purchase history is separate from configuration data on your device. After reinstalling, check that your server list, active Config, and system VPN authorization are all in place.

App updates are delivered through the App Store, where you can review release notes. For iCloud features, check the sync scope and results shown in the app; do not assume all sensitive fields will be restored. See the App Store listing for Family Sharing availability and conditions.

See how to restore a purchase →

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need to add a server after purchasing the app?

Your purchase gives you a license to use the client. A proxy connection requires your own subscription or server details. Check the information you already have, then import it using the guide. See how to import details and make your first connection →

Does a successful subscription update mean every server can connect?

A successful update means the list was retrieved and processed. Connections also depend on authentication details, server status, your network, and routing settings. Test an existing server individually and verify it with a real request. Read the subscription and connection FAQ →

If the connection turns back on after I switch it off, what should I check?

First, check On Demand in Settings and see whether the current network meets an existing trigger condition. Manual control and On Demand work together, so note the current conditions before making changes. Read about On Demand connections →

Why does Data in the app differ from other usage figures?

Statistics may cover different time periods, use different measurement methods, or include different traffic. Check the reporting period in the app before comparing figures for the same time range. Data does not replace server-side usage records. Read about traffic statistics and diagnostics →

05 / OFFICIAL MANUAL NOTES

Connection setup and troubleshooting articles

After making your first connection, learn more about system authorization, On Demand triggers, and battery usage. Each article focuses on a specific issue; consider your own setup before changing settings.