Shadowrocket Official Manual

Shadowrocket GenuineApp Guide

Download on the App Store View the Guide

iPhone / iPad client, purchased as a one-time purchase through the App Store; connect using your existing service details and configure routing rules.

  • Global Routing
  • On Demand
  • id932747118
iPhone iPad Mac Apple TV App Store
Features & Settings

Set Routing First, Then Check the Connection

Using Shadowrocket comes down to three steps: import your existing service details, choose how requests should be routed, and verify the results. The sections below explain where to find each setting and what to check. The labels are documentation references, not screenshots of the app.

Global Routing and Rule Order

To route different destinations in different ways, choose Config under Global Routing and confirm which configuration is active. Rules are generally evaluated from top to bottom; the matching rule determines the policy. Place specific domain rules before broader ones, and keep FINAL at the end to handle remaining requests. Proxy and Direct are available when you want to apply one mode consistently. Save a copy of your configuration before making changes, then test against a specific destination. Changing several rules at once makes problems harder to trace.

DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY
Documentation Index · Routing & Configuration
  • Global Routing
  • Config
  • Add Rule
Rule Syntax Example
GEOIP,CN,DIRECT
FINAL,PROXY

Choosing a Global Routing Mode

When getting started, separate two questions: which server is selected, and whether requests are routed through it. A server entry defines connection parameters; Global Routing determines how requests are handled. If Direct is selected, having a server in the list doesn’t mean requests will use a proxy. For everyday rule-based routing, check Config and the active configuration. Switch modes temporarily only when you have a specific troubleshooting goal.

Interface OptionHow It WorksWhat to Check
Config · ConfigurationHandles requests according to the rules in the active configuration.Confirm the configuration is selected, rules are ordered correctly, and the final fallback is what you expect.
Proxy · ProxyRoutes applicable requests through a proxy.Confirm the server parameters are valid and test the connection against an actual destination.
Direct · DirectConnects directly to the destination.Useful for checking direct connectivity; it does not verify that a proxy connection works.

In rules, PROXY, DIRECT, and REJECT are policy keywords for proxying, direct connections, and rejecting requests. They relate to the mode selected in the interface, but these are separate settings. After editing rules, check that they match in Config mode. To learn more about Data, Settings, and configuration maintenance, read the complete guide, from beginner to advanced.

Devices and App Store

Getting Shadowrocket on iPhone and iPad

The App Store is the only way to get Shadowrocket. First check whether the product appears in the storefront for your Apple ID, then verify the developer and compatibility details. Refer to the App Store listing for system requirements and general purchase availability.

On the App StoreDownload Shadowrocket

iPhone

Complete your purchase and import your existing service details before connecting for the first time. After opening the app, confirm that the entry has been saved—not just copied as a link. Select the server you want and check Global Routing. On the first connection, the system may ask to add a VPN configuration. Review what it does and authorize it, then return to the app and check the connection toggle.

A VPN indicator means the relevant connection is active; it doesn’t mean every request uses the same policy. For an initial check, use one specific website and note your network, selected entry, and routing mode. If access fails, keep other settings unchanged and check the network, parameters, DNS resolution, and rules in that order. This is usually more effective than switching several settings at once.

See how to get Shadowrocket and open it for the first time on iPhone →

iPad

Use the same Apple ID you used for the purchase to find Shadowrocket in the App Store’s Purchased section. Check the App Store listing for purchase sharing between iPhone and iPad, device compatibility, and other applicable conditions. A larger screen may change the layout; look for the English labels Home, Config, Data, and Settings.

Purchase history and in-app configuration are separate. After restoring the app, check that your existing servers, subscriptions, and rules are still in place. Before using iCloud features, check your device’s sign-in status, the options available in the app, and what will sync. Don’t rely on sync as your only backup. Keep a separate copy of important configurations, then recheck selections and VPN configuration permissions on the device.

See purchase sharing and usage on iPad →

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

If the App Store shows a price, cloud, or Open button, interpret it in light of the signed-in account and purchase history. Don’t rely on a name in search results to determine whether you’ve purchased the app. Before switching devices, confirm which account made the purchase and save your existing service details. Purchase history does not back up server parameters.

View the steps to get the app →
App Authenticity and Purchase Details

Verify the Listing and Understand the One-Time Purchase

This is Shadowrocket’s official website and manual. The verification panel is an illustrative checklist; it doesn’t access App Store data or automatically authenticate the app. Before purchasing, confirm each of the following on the App Store product page.

Check the Developer, Then the App ID

After opening the App Store from our getting-started instructions, confirm that the product is Shadowrocket and the developer is Shadow Launch Technology Limited. A name, search term, or similar-looking icon alone is not enough to verify the product. Check for id932747118 in the link; the digits are the app ID. If you opened the listing from search results, go to the product page and verify the details there rather than relying on the results list.

The official icon has a white background with a blue-purple outline; check the actual App Store listing. The developer, app ID, and official icon should all match. If any detail differs, return to the product page and verify its source. The checkmarks in the homepage illustration show items to verify; they don’t mean the App Store has been checked on your device and aren’t a substitute for checking before purchase.

App Store Availability and Account Region

Whether Shadowrocket appears in App Store search depends on the country or region of the Apple ID used for App Store purchases and the products currently offered in that storefront. Device language, network location, and storefront region are different things. Changing the device language alone won’t change the storefront used for purchases. If you can’t find the app, check your App Store account details, then try opening the verified product page.

If the page says the app isn’t available in your current storefront, check the account’s storefront and Apple’s requirements. Don’t mistake this for a client connection problem. Check payment methods, account settings, and region-change requirements in your Apple device’s account interface. This guide explains how to identify the app and understand the purchase process; it doesn’t handle accounts or payments.

What the One-Time Purchase Covers

Shadowrocket is a paid, closed-source commercial app. The US storefront reference price is $2.99 as a one-time purchase; other storefronts display local currency, and the App Store listing shows the current price. The one-time purchase covers the client, not network access, server access, or an ongoing subscription. The client and any existing service are managed separately, so check them separately when troubleshooting.

Buying the client doesn’t buy a service plan. This guide does not provide, sell, or recommend servers or subscriptions. The instructions assume you already have your own subscription or server details.

After purchasing, if Home doesn’t show a usable server entry, choose Subscribe, Scan QR Code, or manual entry based on the details you already have. The address, authentication parameters, validity period, and usage limits for an existing service come from its provider; purchasing the app won’t fill them in or extend them. Contact your existing service provider to confirm any missing details.

Using the App on Two Devices and Restoring Purchases

To get Shadowrocket on iPhone or iPad, start by looking for it in the App Store’s Purchased section using the same Apple ID used for the purchase. Check the App Store listing for purchase sharing between the two devices, system requirements, and Family Sharing availability. If you see a price after switching devices, first check that you’re signed in to the correct App Store account and that the purchase appears in its history. Don’t judge by the device or its iCloud account alone.

Restoring the app doesn’t restore all in-app data. Servers, subscriptions, configuration files, and selections from your old device may need to be recovered through an enabled sync feature or from saved details. Back up before reinstalling; afterward, check each item and test the connection. For steps to find your purchase history, see switching devices and restoring purchases.

Update the App and Maintain Configurations Separately

Update the app through the App Store. Refer to the product page for system requirements, feature changes, and update history. App updates, subscription updates, and rule or configuration updates are different: the first updates the client, a subscription update retrieves entries from your existing service, and a configuration update may change how requests are handled. If entries change, first check which type of update you just ran.

For routine maintenance, save a copy of the configuration that currently works and note the selected server and Global Routing mode before making individual changes. After updating a subscription, check that the selected entry is still there. After changing configurations, confirm that the FINAL fallback behaves as expected. Subscription links, QR codes, and exported configurations may contain credentials. Limit who can access them, and don’t share the full contents publicly when troubleshooting.

Common Checks for First-Time Use

I’ve purchased the app. Why do I still need to add a server?

The purchase gives you access to the client; connection details must come from information you already have. First identify whether you have a subscription link, QR code, or individual server parameters, then choose the matching import method. After importing, confirm that the entry appears and its parameters are complete, then select the server to connect to. See the getting started guide for details.

The subscription imported successfully. Why might the connection still fail?

A successful import only means the app could read recognizable content; it doesn’t mean every server in it is available. First check that your existing service is still valid, then check the selected entry, Global Routing, and your current network. After a connection test, try the actual destination to distinguish server connectivity, DNS resolution, and rule-matching issues. Follow the connection and verification guide for the steps.

Where should I look if the connection keeps starting automatically after I switch networks?

First check whether On Demand is enabled and whether the current network meets a trigger condition. Automatic connection triggers and routing rules are configured separately, so changing Global Routing may not affect an On Demand trigger. Note the current conditions, temporarily disable the relevant trigger, test a manual connection, then restore conditions one at a time. For more background, see the complete user guide.

Can I treat the usage shown in Data as my service balance?

No. Data shows traffic recorded by the client, and its measurement period and scope may differ from the provider’s accounting. Check the service’s own information for remaining usage or validity. During troubleshooting, use Data as a clue about whether requests generated traffic—not as the sole proof that a connection is working. See Data and routine maintenance.

Related Guides

Continue with the Topic You Need

After establishing a basic connection, explore the settings relevant to your situation. These three guides cover On Demand, App Store availability, and DNS troubleshooting. Compare your symptoms with each guide, keep a working configuration, and follow the checks in order.

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