Download the genuine Shadowrocket app

Which apps appear in the App Store depends on the country or region of the Apple Account used for purchases. Shadowrocket isn’t available in the mainland China storefront, so searching for its full name there may not show the listing. Changing your device language, switching keyboards or searching for “Shadowrocket” in another way won’t change this. Check the account’s storefront first to see whether the app is available.

The button on this page opens Shadowrocket’s App Store product page. The storefront path in the link won’t change your account region; the store may still show an availability message based on your account. Read the message carefully. Being able to open the webpage doesn’t necessarily mean your account can purchase the app.

Check the account used for purchases

1. Open Settings on your device, then tap your Apple Account at the top.
2. Tap Media & Purchases, then View Account. Authenticate if prompted.
3. Check Country/Region to see which storefront is linked to the account used for App Store purchases.
4. To change the region, use the same Country/Region setting and follow the prompts. Review the account requirements first.

The full path is: Settings → Apple Account → Media & Purchases → View Account → Country/Region. Labels may vary slightly by system version; follow the prompts on your device. The account used for Media & Purchases may differ from the one shown at the top of Settings, so check the account under purchases rather than relying on the profile shown there.

Changing regions can depend on your account balance, active subscriptions, Family Sharing status and payment method. Check these first. Apple’s account process determines whether the change can be completed; this guide can’t guarantee an outcome. Don’t keep changing settings just to search for an app, and don’t pay again before checking your original purchase history.

If you’re looking for a Shadowrocket purchase you made earlier, check the original account’s purchase history first. Search results show what’s currently available in the storefront; purchase history shows the account’s past transactions. They aren’t the same. See the purchase restoration guide on this page for the steps.

After verifying the app on your iPhone, tap the price button on its App Store product page and follow the prompts to confirm payment. Purchase confirmation and download are separate steps: wait for the store to process the transaction, then wait for the app to appear on your device. If payment is complete but the app hasn’t appeared, check the download status and purchase history before trying to buy again.

Check the App Store listing for system requirements. Before buying, review Compatibility and your device’s current system version. If your device doesn’t meet the requirements, follow the store’s guidance; an app being available on another device doesn’t mean it will work on yours. Also check available storage so the download doesn’t get stuck waiting.

Authorize VPN configuration on first connection

After opening Shadowrocket, take a look at the Home screen, then import your own existing subscription or server details. The first time you turn on the connection switch, iOS may ask to add a VPN configuration and confirm with your device passcode or biometric authentication. This allows the app to establish the relevant network connection; it doesn’t purchase a connection service or create a working server automatically.

Before authorizing, make sure the prompt was triggered by Shadowrocket, which you just opened. If you cancel for now, check your details first, then turn on the connection switch later and follow the authorization prompts. You can usually find the related record under Settings → General → VPN & Device Management. If your device is managed, check whether its management policy restricts these settings.

Once the app is installed, check your imported details, then choose how Global Routing should work. Config applies configuration-based routing, Proxy uses the proxy mode, and Direct connects directly. There’s no need to change every setting right after purchase. Follow the first-use guide to import your details, connect and verify the setup step by step.

When reinstalling, check your purchase history first, then handle the app’s data. Sign in with the Apple Account used for the original purchase, find Shadowrocket in App Store purchases and download it again at no extra charge. Restoring the purchase restores access to the app; it doesn’t necessarily restore every server entry from your old device.

1. On your new device, check that the account under Media & Purchases matches the one used for the original purchase.
2. Open the App Store, go to your account page and tap Purchased. Depending on your system version, this may appear as Apps or a similar label.
3. Find Shadowrocket in your account’s purchase list, tap to download it again and wait for installation to finish.
4. Open the app and check whether your subscription, server details and configuration are there. Import them again if needed.
5. Authorize the first connection when prompted by your device, then check the selected entry and Global Routing settings.

If you see a price, check your purchase history first

If the store shows a price instead of a redownload option, check the account, purchase history and any hidden purchases first. Don’t assume the current account owns the app just because it was installed on an old device. If the account’s region has changed, the listing and availability may also differ. Check the current storefront message and original transaction record.

If your old device still works, note the configuration names, server details and subscription management method you actually need before switching devices. Keep sensitive information such as passwords and subscription URLs safe; don’t include it in public screenshots or support requests. After importing the details again, check that they’re valid before deciding whether a connection issue is related to device authorization.

Family Sharing eligibility

To see whether Family Sharing applies to this purchase, check the App Store product page and your Apple Family settings. Purchase-sharing status, account requirements and storefront region can all affect what family members see. Don’t assume that your purchase-restoration steps are guaranteed to work for everyone in your family. Sharing an app purchase doesn’t share connection service credentials or usage limits.