How To Use Shadowrocket – Complete User Manual

Shadowrocket, often referred to as a "rule-based proxy utility for iPhone and iPad," is a powerful tool that allows you to customize your internet traffic routing. While it might seem intimidating at first, understanding its core features and functionalities can unlock a whole new level of control over your online experience. This guide will walk you through the essential aspects of using Shadowrocket, from initial setup to advanced configurations.

This isn't just about bypassing geo-restrictions (though it can do that!). Shadowrocket allows you to block ads, track data usage, and even improve your connection speed in certain situations. Think of it as a customizable firewall and proxy manager all rolled into one. Let's dive in!

1. Installation and Initial Setup

The first step is, naturally, downloading and installing Shadowrocket from the App Store. Once installed, follow these steps:

  • Launch Shadowrocket: Open the app. You'll be greeted with a relatively clean interface.
  • Add a Server: This is where you input the details of your proxy server. Tap the "+" button at the top right corner.
  • Server Type: Choose the correct server type. Common options include:
    • HTTP: A standard, unencrypted proxy.
    • HTTPS: A secure, encrypted proxy.
    • SOCKS5: A more versatile proxy protocol that supports various types of traffic.
    • Shadowsocks: A popular open-source encrypted proxy protocol designed to bypass censorship.
  • Enter Server Details: Fill in the required information:
    • Address: The IP address or domain name of the proxy server.
    • Port: The port number the proxy server is listening on.
    • Method: (For Shadowsocks) Choose the encryption method used by the server (e.g., aes-256-cfb).
    • Password: The password required to authenticate with the proxy server.
    • Remarks: (Optional) Add a descriptive name for the server to easily identify it later.
  • Save the Server: Tap "Save" in the top right corner.

2. Connecting to Your Proxy Server

Now that you've added your server, connecting is simple:

  • Toggle the Main Switch: On the main screen, you'll see a large toggle switch at the top. Flip this switch to "On."
  • Allow VPN Configuration: iOS will prompt you to allow Shadowrocket to configure a VPN profile. This is necessary for Shadowrocket to route your traffic. Tap "Allow." You may need to authenticate with your device's passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID.
  • Verify Connection: Once connected, the switch will turn green, and you'll see a VPN icon in your device's status bar. You can also check your IP address online to confirm that it matches the proxy server's IP.

3. Understanding Shadowrocket's Modes

Shadowrocket offers different modes to control how your traffic is routed:

  • Global Routing: This is the simplest mode. All your device's internet traffic is routed through the proxy server. This is useful for bypassing geo-restrictions or masking your IP address completely.
  • Rule-Based Routing: This is where Shadowrocket truly shines. It allows you to define rules that determine which traffic should be routed through the proxy server and which should bypass it. This is ideal for selectively routing traffic, such as only routing traffic to specific websites or apps through the proxy.
  • Direct: This mode bypasses the proxy server entirely. Your traffic will be routed directly to the internet.

You can switch between these modes by tapping the "Global Routing" option on the main screen.

4. Configuring Rule-Based Routing

Rule-based routing is the heart of Shadowrocket's power. Here's how to set it up:

  • Access Configuration: On the main screen, tap the "Configuration" icon (usually a paperclip or gear icon).
  • Edit Configuration: Choose "Edit Config."
  • Understanding Rule Syntax: Shadowrocket rules are based on a simple syntax: [Rule Type], [Rule Value], [Action]
    • Rule Type: Specifies the type of matching to perform. Common types include:
      • DOMAIN: Matches a specific domain name (e.g., DOMAIN,example.com,PROXY).
      • DOMAIN-SUFFIX: Matches any domain ending with the specified suffix (e.g., DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY).
      • DOMAIN-KEYWORD: Matches any domain containing the specified keyword (e.g., DOMAIN-KEYWORD,example,PROXY).
      • IP-CIDR: Matches a specific IP address range (e.g., IP-CIDR,192.168.1.0/24,DIRECT).
      • GEOIP: Matches traffic originating from a specific country (e.g., GEOIP,US,DIRECT).
      • USER-AGENT: Matches traffic based on the user agent string (e.g., USER-AGENT,Chrome,DIRECT).
      • PROCESS-NAME: Matches traffic generated by a specific app (e.g., PROCESS-NAME,com.example.app,PROXY).
    • Rule Value: The value to match against (e.g., a domain name, IP address, or country code).
    • Action: The action to take when the rule matches. Common actions include:
      • PROXY: Route the traffic through the configured proxy server.
      • DIRECT: Route the traffic directly to the internet.
      • REJECT: Block the traffic.
  • Adding Rules: You can manually add rules by editing the configuration file directly or by using the built-in rule editor (if available in your version of Shadowrocket).
  • Example Rules:
    • DOMAIN-SUFFIX,netflix.com,PROXY: Route all traffic to Netflix through the proxy.
    • GEOIP,CN,DIRECT: Route all traffic originating from China directly to the internet.
    • DOMAIN-KEYWORD,adservice,REJECT: Block traffic to domains containing "adservice" (ad blocking).

Tip: Start with a simple configuration and gradually add more rules as needed. Test your rules thoroughly to ensure they are working as expected.

5. Using Pre-Made Rule Sets

Manually creating and maintaining rule sets can be time-consuming. Fortunately, Shadowrocket supports importing pre-made rule sets from external sources. These rule sets are often created and maintained by the community and can provide a convenient way to block ads, bypass censorship, or optimize your traffic routing.

  • Find a Rule Set URL: Search online for Shadowrocket rule sets. Many websites and GitHub repositories host these rule sets. Look for URLs that end in .conf or .txt.
  • Import the Rule Set: In Shadowrocket, go to "Configuration" -> "Download Config." Enter the URL of the rule set and tap "Download."
  • Enable the Rule Set: Once downloaded, the rule set will be added to your configuration. Make sure it's enabled in the configuration file.

Caution: Be careful when using pre-made rule sets from untrusted sources. They may contain malicious rules that could compromise your privacy or security. Always review the contents of a rule set before enabling it.

6. Monitoring Data Usage

Shadowrocket can track your data usage, both overall and per-app. This can be helpful for monitoring your data consumption and identifying apps that are using excessive amounts of data.

  • Access Data Usage Statistics: On the main screen, you'll find a section that displays your data usage.
  • View Per-App Usage: Tap on the data usage section to view a breakdown of data usage by app.

7. Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Connection Issues: If you're unable to connect to the proxy server, double-check your server details (address, port, method, password). Ensure that the proxy server is online and accessible.
  • Slow Speeds: Slow speeds can be caused by a number of factors, including a slow proxy server, network congestion, or incorrect configuration. Try switching to a different proxy server or optimizing your rules.
  • Website Not Loading: If a website is not loading, it may be blocked by a rule in your configuration. Try disabling the rule or adding an exception for the website.
  • VPN Profile Issues: If you encounter issues with the VPN profile, try deleting and recreating it. Go to Settings -> General -> VPN & Device Management, select the Shadowrocket profile, and tap "Delete VPN." Then, reconnect to Shadowrocket to create a new profile.

Conclusion

Shadowrocket is a powerful and versatile tool that can significantly enhance your online experience. By understanding its core features and functionalities, you can unlock a whole new level of control over your internet traffic. Experiment with different configurations and rule sets to find what works best for you. Remember to prioritize security and privacy when using proxy servers and rule sets from external sources. With a little practice, you'll be able to harness the full potential of Shadowrocket and enjoy a more customized and secure online experience. Happy surfing!