iOS / iPadOS · Genuine App Store app

Shadowrocket Guide: Download, Setup and Connection

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

Download on the App Store View the setup guide

Shadowrocket is a rule-based proxy client for Apple platforms, works on both iPhone and iPad, and one purchase with the same Apple ID installs on both; Mac and Apple TV can also get it from the same App Store listing (see the compatibility notes on the store page). The app is a one-time purchase, bought and updated through the App Store; get servers and subscriptions from your provider and import them.

Shadowsocks
VMess
VLESS
Trojan
Hysteria2
WireGuard
Global Routing
On Demand
One-time purchase $2.99

iPhone iPad Mac Apple TV App Store

Settings

Home
Config
Global Routing
On Demand

Rule

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

App Store

Shadow Launch Technology Limited ID 932747118

CAPABILITIES

What the client does: rule-based routing, on-demand connections,multiple protocols and traffic statistics

The five items below are the ones you will deal with most in daily use. Each one gives the exact interface wording, where to find the setting, and a real rule snippet, so you can check them off one by one in the client.

Global Routing the global routing mode that decides where traffic goes by default

Global Routing has three modes: Config matches rules one by one from the configuration file, Proxy sends everything through the proxy, and Direct connects everything directly. Rules are matched from top to bottom and stop at the first match, so put specific domain rules first and fallback rules such as GEOIP and FINAL last.

Rule files are maintained on the Config page and support keywords such as DOMAIN-SUFFIX, DOMAIN-KEYWORD, IP-CIDR and GEOIP; after saving your changes, reconnect once for them to take effect.

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

On Demand on-demand connection that switches automatically with the network

On Demand lets the client decide whether to turn the connection on automatically based on the current network. In Settings → On Demand you can set conditions separately for Wi-Fi and cellular, and add domain-based triggers.

When the conditions are met the connection starts automatically, and it turns off according to your settings once you leave that network. Conditions that are too broad keep the connection on all the time, while a misspelled network name means it never starts automatically — after configuring, switch once between Wi-Fi and cellular to verify.

Settings → On Demand → Wi-Fi / Cellular

Add Server · Type choose the protocol type when adding a server

When adding a server, the Type dropdown offers common protocols such as Shadowsocks, VMess, VLESS, Trojan, Hysteria2 and WireGuard; then fill in fields such as Host, Port, Password and Method with the details from your provider.

The protocol and parameters must match exactly what your provider gives you: a single wrong entry shows up as a failed connection or a timeout, and the client will not fall back to another protocol. Mixing several protocols in one subscription is normal.

Type: Shadowsocks / VMess / VLESS / Trojan / Hysteria2 / WireGuard

Subscribe importing and updating subscriptions

Once you have a subscription link from your provider, choose Subscribe as the Type when adding a server on the Home page and paste the link to import the server list; after that, tap Update on the subscription entry manually, or turn on automatic update on launch in Settings to keep the list current.

Existing configuration files are imported the same way, by URL; once imported, sections such as General, Rule, Hosts and URL Rewrite appear on the Config page, where you can review and edit them one by one.

Add Server → Type: Subscribe → URL

Connectivity Test · Data connectivity tests and traffic statistics

Connectivity Test checks DNS, proxy and direct connectivity one item at a time. When you cannot connect, look at the failing step it reports first, then go back to the server parameters and rule order — that is more efficient than toggling the connection on and off.

The Data page counts traffic in two separate readings, by server and by app, so you can tell which server and which app a period of traffic came from; it measures differently from the system statistics, so differences in the numbers are normal.

Data → By Server / By App

DEVICES

iPhone and iPad: one purchase,installs on both

The client is distributed through the App Store, and your purchase is tied to your Apple ID. The two cards below cover how to get it on each type of device and what to watch for on first launch.

iPhone

Buy once with the same Apple ID; after installing on iPhone, the first launch asks for VPN configuration permission, and the connection switch at the top of the Home page only works once you allow it.

Read the guide

iPad

If it is already purchased with the same Apple ID, you can download it directly; on iPadOS the interface is laid out for the larger screen, so lists, rules and statistics show more rows, while the settings are the same as on iPhone.

Read the guide

Mac and Apple TV can also get it from the same App Store listing (see the compatibility notes on the store page); Shadowrocket is released only on Apple platforms, and the App Store is the only place to get it.

On the App Store Download Shadowrocket

See the download steps

Interface preview · from the App Store listing

Shadowrocket interface: connection switch at the top of the Home page, Global Routing and the SERVER group — Home: connection switch, Global Routing and the SERVER group

Shadowrocket interface: Type, Host, Port, Password and Method fields on the Add Server page — Add Server: enter server and protocol details

GENUINE

Genuine app checks and purchase facts

Three details in the App Store confirm you are downloading this client: the developer name, the official icon and the app ID. Below are how to check them and the facts worth knowing before you buy.

DeveloperShadow Launch Technology Limited
App ID932747118
PriceOne-time purchase
PlatformWorks on iPhone and iPad

Note

A client purchase is not a server plan: what you pay for is the client itself, and it includes no servers, lines or traffic. Get servers and subscriptions from your provider; this site does not provide, sell or recommend any server service.

How to check the developer and app ID

Search for Shadowrocket in the App Store; on the detail page, check the developer field first — it should read Shadow Launch Technology Limited; then look at the end of the store link for id932747118; finally compare the app icon — a rocket with a blue-purple outline on a white background.

All three have to match for it to be the client this guide refers to. Search results include plenty of apps with the same or similar names, so going by name alone makes it easy to install the wrong one; if any detail does not match, go back to the search results and check again.

Store availability and account region

Availability and pricing in the App Store are determined by the storefront of the Apple ID you are signed in with; different storefronts may show different languages, currencies and availability, and system requirements are always those stated on that storefront's page.

Before buying, make sure you are signed in with the Apple ID you use long term, and that the storefront's country or region matches your payment method, so you do not end up unable to download again on your usual account after paying.

Purchase and restore

After purchase, the same Apple ID can download and install it directly on both iPhone and iPad; when you change devices or reinstall the system, find Shadowrocket under your purchased items in the App Store and download it again — no second payment. Whether Family Sharing applies to this app is stated on the store page.

App updates also come through the App Store; you can turn on automatic updates in system settings or update manually.

One-time purchase vs. a server plan

A one-time purchase pays for the right to use the client itself and includes no servers, lines or traffic. A client purchase is not a server plan: after installing the app you still need to get server details or a subscription link from your provider and import them into the client before you can connect.

This guide only covers how to use the client and does not compare or recommend any provider; issues such as an expired subscription or used-up traffic need to be handled by your provider.

QUICK ANSWERS

Selected FAQ

Four of the most common questions, answered in one line each; the full FAQ by category is on the FAQ page.

How much does Shadowrocket cost?

It is priced at about US$2.99 in the U.S. storefront as a one-time purchase; each storefront shows its local currency, and the App Store page is the final word.
Does buying the client include servers?

No. A client purchase is not a server plan; servers and subscriptions must come from your provider and then be imported into the client.
What if a subscription fails to update after import?

First check whether the subscription link is still valid and the device's network is working, then tap Update on the subscription entry manually; if it still fails, work through the prompts item by item — see the subscription and server import category on the FAQ page.
Do I have to buy it twice for iPhone and iPad?

No. One purchase with the same Apple ID installs on both devices; after switching devices, just download it again from your purchased items.

View all FAQ

BLOG

Usage notes and troubleshooting logs

Rule syntax, subscription updates, traffic statistics and policy limits, written up as short posts by topic for easy reference when troubleshooting.

Rules & Routing2026-09-14