Official Manual · Installation Guide

Shadowrocket Installation Guide:
App Store access and purchase help

Shadowrocket is available for multiple platforms. The iPhone / iPad version is a one-time $2.99 App Store purchase; Mac / Windows / Android / Linux versions are free. Mac downloads are available for Apple silicon and Intel. Other platform installers are available at /dl/shadowrocket/ on this site. Choose your device on the download page and review the first-launch instructions.

This page is a practical guide to getting Shadowrocket on iPhone and iPad. It answers questions such as “Why can’t I find it in the store?”, “How do I identify the correct listing?” and “How do I restore it on a new device?” If the app is already installed and you’re ready to import your own subscription or server details, follow the Getting Started guide to add a server, choose Global Routing, connect, and verify. Use this page for account or store questions.

APP STORE / REGION

Store regions and app availability

Your location and the store catalog are separate

The App Store catalog you see is mainly determined by the country or region of the Apple Account used for Media & Purchases—not the name of the Wi-Fi network your device is connected to. Using your phone in a particular region does not mean your account belongs to that region’s store. Changing your system language to English will not switch your account to another storefront either. Before assessing search results, check which store your account uses so you don’t mistake a catalog difference for a search term problem.

Shadowrocket is currently unavailable in the mainland China App Store. If you search while signed in to that storefront, the listing may not appear. Trying different Chinese nicknames, restarting the App Store, or changing your keyboard language generally won’t change which catalog your account uses. Check your account’s storefront and the actual message on the product page instead. Store availability can change; rely on what the App Store shows on your signed-in device, not a web search snippet, to determine whether you can purchase it.

A storefront in a link is not your account’s region

The product link on this site includes the path /us/, which identifies the web storefront the link points to. The id932747118 at the end identifies the app listing. Being able to open the page in a browser does not mean your current account can complete a purchase. After you open the App Store, it still checks your signed-in account, region, payment requirements, and device compatibility. It may indicate that the item is unavailable in your storefront or direct you to the relevant storefront.

Treat “the web page opens,” “the store displays the listing,” “this account can purchase it,” and “this device can install it” as four separate checks. Passing one does not guarantee the next. An exact error message is more useful than repeatedly tapping Get: does the entire store fail to load, or just this listing? Does the error appear when you tap the price, or does a download start and then pause? Those details determine what to check next.

Check account requirements before changing your region

If you need to change your account’s country or region, first review the requirements shown in your Apple Account settings. Account balance, active subscriptions, pending orders, pre-orders, and Family Sharing membership may affect the change. Don’t repeatedly save different regions without reading the prompts, and don’t enter payment or billing details that aren’t yours. A region setting applies to the store account as a whole; it isn’t a temporary filter for one app.

Before changing regions, check whether your existing purchases are available in the destination storefront and consider whether other services you use will be affected. If you already purchased Shadowrocket, look for your purchase record first rather than treating a region change as the first step to restoring it. Changing regions does not merge two accounts’ purchase histories or move app settings to another device. If the system says you haven’t met the requirements, follow the prompt to resolve the account issue.

For more on how to assess this, read Account regions and App Store availability. Computer and Android users don’t need to follow this store troubleshooting chapter; choose your platform on the download page instead. This keeps iPhone purchase steps separate from installation on other devices.

ACCOUNT / CHECKLIST

How to check your current storefront

Check Media & Purchases

On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your Apple Account at the top, then select Media & Purchases. View your account and find the country or region. Labels and screen layouts may vary slightly by system version, and you may need to verify your identity. The goal is to check the region for your purchase account—not the Language & Region settings. Follow the requirements and options shown on your device.

Check which account is signed in as well. The account used for iCloud data may differ from the one used for Media & Purchases, so the profile photo at the top of Settings alone doesn’t confirm who owns a purchase. Check the account details on your own device; don’t send anyone your full email address, phone number, payment details, or verification code. A troubleshooting note can simply say “the current purchase account matches the original account” without copying sensitive information.

Cross-check in the App Store

Open the App Store, tap the account icon in the top-right corner, and check the signed-in account and the apps or purchase history section. The label may vary by system version; look for the list of apps acquired with the current account. If the account shown there differs from the one you checked in Settings, pause before purchasing. Confirm whether you’re using a different purchase account so you don’t charge the wrong one.

Then return to search and enter the full English name, Shadowrocket. Don’t search only by a Chinese nickname, since results may include similarly named apps with a different identity. Note whether the product page shows a price, a cloud download icon, or Open; you don’t need to tap anything yet. A price generally means the current account isn’t recognized as eligible to download the purchase; a cloud icon usually means it can be downloaded again; Open means the app is already on the device.

Limits when changing your region

The account page may offer a way to change your country or region. Before proceeding, review the requirements in the previous section. Then check the terms, payment method, and billing information on the actual screen, and continue only if they reflect your circumstances. If you’re told to resolve a Family Sharing, balance, or subscription issue, repeatedly signing out won’t bypass it; these are account conditions, not page cache.

After changing the region, reopen the App Store and allow the catalog to refresh before returning to the product page. A change in currency alone doesn’t confirm that all settings have taken effect; also check that the account region and product availability match. If a terms confirmation appears, complete the normal confirmation first, then check whether the download is still blocked. To keep troubleshooting clear, address one account issue at a time and check the result before changing network, region, or payment settings.

Keep a short private checklist: whether other store pages open, whether the purchase account is correct, whether the region is as expected, what the product page button says, and where the error occurs. That’s enough for troubleshooting; there’s no need to save passwords or verification codes. If the cause is still unclear, continue with the categories in Troubleshooting. Don’t delete an app that’s working normally.

IDENTITY / PRODUCT PAGE

Verify the listing: developer, icon, and app ID

All three details should match the same product page

To verify Shadowrocket, check the product name, then the developer, Shadow Launch Technology Limited, and finally app ID 932747118. The name helps you find it, the developer identifies the publisher, and the app ID identifies the listing. Confirm all three together on the same page. The first search result, a roughly similar icon, or proxy-related words in a description aren’t enough to verify the app.

The official icon is a rocket outlined in blue and purple on a white background, matching the official icon shown in this site’s header. Treat the icon as just one check: visual similarity doesn’t prove it’s the same product. Open the details page and check the developer rather than relying on the search thumbnail. The system may crop the icon into rounded corners, but still verify the developer and app ID in the link. Promotional text in a screenshot is not a substitute for checking the listing itself.

How to read the app ID in a link

Open the product page’s share options and check or copy the link. The final part should include id932747118. Storefront paths can vary, and the words in an app name aren’t a reliable identity check; the numeric ID is easier to verify. This site’s Shadowrocket App Store page points to the listing. After opening it from this site’s download page, still check your signed-in account and device requirements.

If the developer or link ID differs from the details above, leave that listing and search again instead of looking for a Shadowrocket purchase option on it. Browser search snippets may show cached descriptions, and a page title may not match the actual product. Verify the final App Store product details. Search ads, ranking, and the number of user reviews do not authenticate an app.

Understand the button and price

The iPhone / iPad version is a one-time $2.99 App Store purchase; Mac / Windows / Android / Linux versions are free. Other storefronts may show local currency; the store’s confirmation screen shows the final transaction details. If an iPhone storefront shows a similarly named listing as free when you expect to make an initial purchase, check its developer and ID before installing. A cloud download icon on an account that already owns the app indicates a restore, not a first-time download of a similarly named listing.

If the app is already installed, the product page may show Open. That means the app is on the device; it does not prove that the current purchase account owns the transaction. The system may still check the original purchase account for updates or restores. If the app came from an old device migration, verify the purchase history before deleting it. For desktop and Android versions, check this site’s download entry and installer path; mobile store button states do not apply.

Once you’ve verified the app, continue to purchase or restore it. If the listing doesn’t match your account records, note the message and stop before confirming payment. Tapping again won’t correct the wrong listing. Handle “can’t find it” separately from “found it, but it’s the wrong app”: check the storefront for the former, and the developer and ID for the latter.

PURCHASE / ENTITLEMENT

What a one-time purchase actually covers

Know what you’re buying before you pay

The iPhone / iPad version is a one-time $2.99 App Store purchase; Mac / Windows / Android / Linux versions are free. These are ways to get the client, not fees for a connection service. With the same purchase account, you can redownload the iPhone or iPad version on compatible devices from your purchase history. Get other platform installers from this site’s download page; a mobile store purchase does not convert into a desktop installation license.

A one-time purchase means the app itself isn’t a recurring monthly transaction. It does not mean an external server will remain available forever or that every network environment will configure itself automatically. After installing Shadowrocket, you need your own subscription or server details. Validity, traffic, and connection terms are part of your own service arrangement. Check app access, importing configuration, and network connectivity as separate steps.

Complete the purchase on the system confirmation screen

After confirming the product identity, tap the price shown by the store. Review the app name, account, currency, and amount on the system purchase confirmation screen, then authenticate as required by your device. Authentication may use a device passcode, Face ID, Touch ID, or account verification; follow the prompt shown. Handle payment details through Apple’s account or purchase flow, not on this site, and never send a verification code to someone offering to process the purchase for you.

If tapping the purchase button leads to billing verification or a payment error, check the account before trying again. Confirm the payment method is valid, billing information matches the account region, and there are no unresolved account issues. Don’t assume the purchase succeeded just because the button briefly spun. Check the purchase history, system receipt, and product page status to avoid duplicate attempts or confusion.

Purchase success and download success are separate

After a transaction is confirmed, the app still needs to download from the store. A network interruption, low storage, or device restriction may pause the download without affecting the completed purchase. Check the store account’s purchase history first, then troubleshoot the download; don’t pay again just because the icon hasn’t appeared on the Home Screen. If the product page shows a cloud icon, use the redownload flow rather than purchasing again.

An app icon on the device doesn’t prove that the current account completed the purchase either. The icon may reflect a pending download after migration, and opening the app may still require purchase verification. Check whether the app opens fully to assess availability; check account transaction history to confirm the purchase. These are separate questions. Keeping them distinct helps explain cases such as “the app is there but won’t update” or “I paid but the download is still pending.”

Receipts, refunds, and updates

Keep the purchase record in your own account. A receipt helps verify the transaction and resolve billing issues; it is not a configuration file to import into Shadowrocket. Don’t post a full order, billing address, or account details publicly. For a transaction issue or refund request, use Apple’s purchase history and support process. Apple determines the outcome based on the transaction; this site can’t confirm a charge or refund status on the store’s behalf.

Update the iPhone and iPad app through the App Store. Whether updates install automatically depends on device settings and account status. Keep your configuration backed up before updating; purchase eligibility and configuration backup are separate matters. Update instructions for computer and Android versions are on the download page. Don’t use the mobile store’s restore button for other platforms. For common pricing and device questions, see Troubleshooting.

RESTORE / PURCHASE HISTORY

New devices, reinstalling, and restoring purchases

Confirm the purchase account before restoring

When replacing an iPhone, adding an iPad, or reinstalling the app, first check that the new device’s Media & Purchases account is the one originally used to get it. Signing in to the same iCloud account may not be enough, since the purchase account can be set separately. Restoring the app depends on purchase history, not the old device’s name, whether the phone number is the same, or whether you imported the same system backup. Verify the account first to avoid assuming you need to pay again.

The iPhone / iPad version is a one-time $2.99 App Store purchase; Mac / Windows / Android / Linux versions are free. On a compatible iPhone or iPad, redownload through the original purchase account’s history. For computer and Android, get the app again from this site’s download page; don’t use App Store purchase history to restore those installers. The processes differ, but in both cases you’re responsible for keeping your own server and subscription details.

Find the app in your list and download it again

Open the App Store account section, go to the app list or purchase history, search for Shadowrocket, and check whether a cloud download icon is available. Some system versions let you filter for apps not installed on the current device. If you find the correct listing, open its details, verify the developer and app ID again, then start the redownload. Wait for installation to finish before opening the app.

If it’s missing from your history, clear any filters and check whether you’re viewing a family member’s app list or signed in with a different purchase account. Hidden purchases may not appear in the usual list; check the relevant account management section. Whether you can redownload still depends on store availability and device compatibility. Don’t delete the app from your old device just because the first search came up empty; it may still contain important configuration.

Restoring the app does not restore its configuration

Redownloading restores the app and its purchase eligibility; it does not guarantee that every setting from your old device will reappear. Subscription URLs, manually added servers, rule files, custom policies, and other settings may be stored locally, in a system backup, or somewhere you manage yourself. Migration methods cover different data, so don’t assume that using the same purchase account automatically syncs everything.

Before changing devices, organize the subscription sources you already use and make sure you can retrieve the information you need. If you use an app or system backup method, check exactly what it exports. Configuration files may contain addresses, credentials, and other sensitive information; store them somewhere you control. Test importing and connecting on the new device before clearing the old one, so you don’t lose your only working configuration before verifying the transfer.

Don’t rush to confirm if the product page shows a price

If the product page on a new device still shows a price, return to your purchase history and verify the account and transaction before assuming you must pay again. Possible reasons include a different purchase account, unconfirmed Family Sharing eligibility, a refunded transaction, or an original purchase of a similarly named listing. The right next step depends on the cause; checking the records helps narrow it down.

If you’ve confirmed that you’re using the correct account and have a valid purchase record but still can’t redownload, note the product ID, button status, and exact system error, then use the account’s purchase support process. Don’t change multiple account settings at once or delete local data just to refresh the icon. If an update requires purchase verification, check the original purchase account first; reinstalling won’t transfer the purchase to another account.

If the old device still opens the app and the new one isn’t configured yet, install it from the store on the new device first, then follow the Getting Started guide to import your settings. This lets you verify app restoration and configuration migration separately, making it easier to identify what failed.

FAMILY / PURCHASE SHARING

Family Sharing requirements and checks

Family membership and purchase sharing are separate settings

Family Sharing is an Apple account and family management feature. Joining a family group doesn’t mean every app purchase automatically appears on every member’s device. Check whether Purchase Sharing is enabled and whether the app is eligible for sharing in your storefront. For Shadowrocket, first check the Family Sharing information on the App Store product page, then verify your family’s settings. Don’t assume the app is eligible just because another app can be downloaded.

The family organizer, purchasing member, and downloading member have different roles. The organizer manages family settings, the purchasing member owns the original transaction, and the downloading member accesses eligible content through the sharing options Apple provides. These roles shouldn’t be treated as one account. Each member should join the family group using their own account and access shared purchases through the system—not by sharing sign-in credentials.

Check app eligibility, family settings, and member status

First, open the correct Shadowrocket product page, verify the developer and app ID, and check its Family Sharing information. Next, check that Purchase Sharing is enabled in your family settings and that the relevant members appear normally. Then, on the downloading member’s device, open their App Store account section and family purchases list, select the purchaser, and find the listing. Screen locations may change between system versions; follow what your device shows.

If the app isn’t listed, check that the purchasing member’s original transaction is still valid and that the app isn’t hidden. Then confirm the downloading member opened the correct family purchase list. Family group country or region requirements, changes to membership, content restrictions, and age settings may also affect what appears. Don’t assume “not visible” means a product issue. Family Sharing eligibility is an account matter; follow the prompts instead of changing Shadowrocket server settings.

Check download eligibility and service terms separately

Even if a family member can download the client, that doesn’t mean the purchaser’s subscription can be used on every family member’s device. Server services may limit device count, simultaneous connections, or who can use the account, depending on the terms of the service you already have. This site does not review or recommend services. Check whether your own details are valid for the device before adding them to the client; sharing an app does not mean sharing a connection service.

The iPhone / iPad version is a one-time $2.99 App Store purchase; Mac / Windows / Android / Linux versions are free. Family Sharing concerns how mobile store purchases can be used under Apple’s rules. It does not change how you get the app on other platforms or provide a server service. After a change to family membership, check the App Store’s current eligibility information to see whether members can still update or redownload shared content.

Child devices and purchase approval

A child’s device may have Ask to Buy, Screen Time, or content restrictions enabled. If a request has been sent but not approved, repeated taps won’t complete the download; the family organizer should check pending requests. If the device blocks app installation, a guardian with the appropriate permissions should check what’s allowed in system settings. Don’t enter the organizer’s password on an unfamiliar page. There is no Family Sharing authorization screen in Shadowrocket.

If there’s a dispute about sharing eligibility or a member’s status, keep the system message and use the relevant family or purchase support process. The app’s configuration screen can’t change family membership, and reimporting a subscription won’t affect store eligibility. First identify the right level of the issue, then decide whether to check purchase history, family settings, or download restrictions. This avoids changes to configuration that was working normally.

TROUBLESHOOTING / DOWNLOAD

Troubleshoot search, downloads, and pending installs

Start by identifying where the process failed

App access issues fall into four stages: search, purchase, file download, and opening the app after installation. If search returns nothing, check the storefront and search term. If purchase confirmation fails, check account verification and billing. If the icon is pending, check the network, storage, and download queue. If the app opens but won’t connect, move on to configuration and network troubleshooting. Working by stage is more effective than describing every issue as “can’t download.”

First check whether other App Store pages also fail to load. If the entire store is having trouble, check that the device network has completed any sign-in, that the date and time are correct, and whether the system shows a connection error. You can compare using another network available to you, but don’t change the account region and payment details during the same test. Change one condition at a time so you can tell whether it affected the result.

Can’t find it, or the product page is unavailable

Search for the full English name, Shadowrocket, and check the storefront used by your current purchase account. The app isn’t available in the mainland China App Store, so refreshing search results won’t resolve a catalog difference. Refer back to the first two chapters to check your account. If a browser shows the product page but the App Store says it isn’t available in your region, the web listing and your account’s eligibility are different. Use the latter to determine availability; a screenshot of the web page doesn’t prove a purchase succeeded.

If the listing appears but says your device is incompatible, review the compatibility details and follow the requirements shown on the App Store page. System version, device model, and store status may all affect compatibility. Don’t assume that because another device can download the app, yours can too. Don’t delete an app that still works just to try installing it on an older device. Availability of compatible versions depends on what the store actually offers; this guide cannot guarantee restoration on older systems.

Download waiting, spinning, or installation paused after payment

If the product page has switched to a download state, first check the device’s available storage. Installation may need temporary space in addition to the downloaded files. If the system reports that storage is low, remove only data you’ve confirmed you can delete. Then check whether other apps are downloading or updating, whether the device is on a restricted network, and whether cellular downloads need additional confirmation. Follow the system prompts.

You can pause and resume the current download, then reopen the App Store to check for pending account terms. If there’s no progress for a long time, try a normal restart and check again. Don’t start by deleting the app, signing out of every account, or resetting device settings; those steps affect more than the download. If the purchase is confirmed but the download still fails, troubleshoot the download task rather than confirming another payment.

Managed devices and system restrictions

School- or workplace-managed devices may restrict app installation, account changes, or network extension permissions, causing symptoms similar to ordinary download issues. Check for a management policy or permission restriction and follow the device administrator’s rules. On a child’s device, check Screen Time and purchase approval. These restrictions can’t be fixed by changing rule files, and you shouldn’t try to bypass management requirements. First confirm that the device allows the app and its required features.

System blocks on first launch for computer and Android versions are a separate issue. On Mac, verify the download source and follow the prompt under Privacy & Security. On Windows, verify the source before selecting More info in SmartScreen. On Android, follow the system prompts to allow apps from the actual installation source; stop if device policy prohibits it. See Installation approval on the download page for steps and limitations. Don’t apply the iPhone App Store restore process to these platforms.

If the issue persists, note your platform, store region, product ID, button state, exact error message, and the step where it occurred, then check Troubleshooting. Hide account, receipt, and payment details in screenshots. Describing exactly where the process failed is usually more useful than simply saying “it won’t install” and helps distinguish account, store, device, and network issues.

AFTER INSTALL / CONFIGURATION

Verify the installation and protect your information

Make sure the app opens before troubleshooting connections

Once the app icon appears, open Shadowrocket and confirm that you can reach Home. Then check whether the system prompts you to authorize adding a VPN configuration. This permission enables the client’s network connection; it does not provide a working server. If you don’t have your own subscription or server details, gather your existing information first. Seeing no servers to select after the first launch doesn’t mean the purchase failed, and you don’t need to return to the store to get the app again.

Follow the Getting Started guide: add a server or import your existing information using Subscribe, confirm the import succeeded, choose how to use Global Routing, then connect and verify. Check the result after each step. Don’t change DNS, rules, and protocol settings at the same time before confirming that your subscription is valid. Purchasing, installing, and connecting each have separate success indicators; whether a particular webpage opens is not the only test for all three.

The three Global Routing options

The Global Routing options Config, Proxy, and Direct correspond to configuration-based routing, proxy routing, and direct connections. Config applies the policies in the configuration’s rules; Proxy sends applicable requests through the selected proxy path; Direct connects without using a proxy. Each option serves a different purpose when testing. Selecting Proxy doesn’t prove the server is available, and opening a webpage under Direct doesn’t verify the subscription. Note which option is selected so you can interpret the result correctly.

Use a minimal rule example to understand Config; don’t overwrite existing files

The following is a real .conf rule syntax snippet for reference. It is not a complete connection configuration and contains no server. Rules are evaluated from top to bottom: put more specific conditions first and use FINAL at the end for requests that don’t match. example.com is an illustrative domain. PROXY requires an actual working proxy configuration; copying the rule alone cannot create a connection.

[Rule]
DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY
DOMAIN-KEYWORD,example,PROXY
IP-CIDR,192.168.0.0/16,DIRECT
GEOIP,CN,DIRECT
FINAL,PROXY

If you already have a working configuration, save the original file and review these conditions in a copy. Don’t replace a full configuration containing servers, DNS, or other sections with a teaching snippet; you may lose required settings. A rule match and a server connection are separate issues: changing FINAL won’t fix incorrect authentication if the server can’t connect, and a rule not matching doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your store purchase. See Rule order and FINAL explained for details.

Back up sensitive information and troubleshoot in order

Subscription URLs may include access identifiers, and server details may contain passwords, keys, or authentication fields. Store them somewhere you control, and hide sensitive information before sharing screenshots or asking for help. Receipts, app installers, and configuration files serve different purposes and should be kept separately: a receipt can’t recover a server password, and a configuration file can’t prove store purchase ownership. When changing devices, verify that the app downloads, the configuration imports, and the connection works before clearing the old device.

If Connectivity Test returns a result but webpages still won’t load, continue by checking DNS resolution, rule policy, the destination service, and the network environment. A test result does not guarantee that every request works. Read DNS settings and webpage loading troubleshooting for more. For protocol questions, check your existing details one at a time rather than changing service information at random. Change one setting per test and keep a working baseline so you can revert if something goes wrong.

Use this page for App Store and account questions, and the Getting Started guide for connection setup. Continue to update iPhone and iPad versions through the App Store; get and install other platform versions from this site’s download page. If the app isn’t visible, check the region. If restoration fails, check the purchase account. If the connection fails, check your existing configuration. Working through these layers helps avoid repeat purchases, accidental data loss, and unrelated setting changes.