Shadowrocket App Store Guide

1. Store Availability and App Visibility

In brief: Whether Shadowrocket appears in the App Store depends on the region of the account used for purchases, the app's availability in that storefront, and device compatibility. The network your device is connected to and the language shown on a webpage don't, by themselves, identify your storefront. Before troubleshooting, distinguish among the product webpage in a browser, the product page in the App Store, and the country or region recorded on your account. They may be related, but they're separate settings; don't infer the full picture from just one of them.

A storefront link doesn't determine your account region

The App Store product link on this site includes a storefront path. When you open it, your browser may display a webpage first and then ask whether to open the App Store. Once in the app, the storefront shown may depend on your account. Being able to read the webpage only confirms that the page is accessible; it doesn't mean your account can complete a purchase. Likewise, a webpage saying the item isn't available in a region doesn't mean your device is incompatible. Check the purchase button, compatibility details, and system messages shown in the App Store.

The app's display language, your device's regional format, and the storefront country or region are different things. Changing your device language to English won't change which account owns a purchase. Adjusting the time, date, or number format won't change your App Store account settings either. Location Services data is not the sole basis for determining a purchase region. Check only the settings relevant to the issue. Changing your language, network, and account all at once to test a search result makes it hard to tell what affected the outcome.

Distinguish search results from the product page

Search is one way to find an app, not the final way to confirm its identity or purchase availability. Abbreviations, spaces, or similar spellings can return different results, and search results may include other items with similar names. Search for the full name, Shadowrocket, then open the product page using the App Store link in this guide. If search returns nothing but the product page loads, verify the developer, app ID, and availability on that page instead of repeatedly changing your search terms.

If the product page explicitly says the app isn't available in your current region, note the exact message and then check your actual storefront region. This is different from a declined payment; repeated payment attempts won't change regional availability. Changing your region may affect payment methods, account balance, existing services, and other account requirements, so don't do it casually just to test a search. If you have a legitimate reason to change regions, read the requirements shown in your device settings and follow Apple's account process. This guide does not provide accounts or make decisions on an account holder's behalf.

Check compatibility and availability separately

Being able to see the app doesn't mean every device can install it. The product page's compatibility section lists supported device types and system requirements; always refer to the App Store page for system requirements. This guide focuses on iPhone and iPad. Check the same product page for compatibility with Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision rather than assuming purchase availability on one device applies to another. If a device isn't compatible, check its device and system requirements before considering a storefront change.

2. Check Which App Store You're Using

In brief: Check the account used for Media & Purchases, then confirm its country or region and purchase history. Don't rely only on the name at the top of Settings or the nickname shown with your App Store profile picture. The account used to sync device data may differ from the one used for store purchases. This distinction matters especially if you've changed sign-in details, used an older device for a long time, or restored from a backup. The goal is to identify which account owns this purchase and any past purchases—not to keep switching accounts.

Check your account details

On an iPhone or iPad, open the account section in Settings, tap “Media & Purchases,” then review the account information and country or region. Labels can vary with the device language and system interface, so follow what's on screen. You may need to authenticate to view account details. You can also check the current store account from your profile in the App Store. Use both paths as needed, and verify the full account identifier and region. Don't mistake a display name, Family Sharing organizer's name, or device name for the purchasing account.

You only need to check the account; don't sign out. First confirm it's an account you control, that you can authenticate, and that you know how to recover access. If asked to sign in again, accept terms, or provide additional information, complete the relevant account steps before returning to the product page. The store may not let a transaction proceed until account verification is complete. That doesn't mean Shadowrocket is malfunctioning, and repeatedly tapping the purchase button won't fix it.

Separate storefront availability from payment status

After confirming the country or region, check whether your payment method is supported by that storefront and whether your billing details are complete. Store availability answers “Can this account see the app here?” Payment status answers “Can this transaction go through?” One doesn't replace the other. If the product page shows a price but purchase confirmation fails, note the transaction message and check payment requirements and account restrictions. If the page says the app isn't available in your region, investigate the region first. Narrow down the issue before taking action to avoid repeatedly changing unrelated settings.

If the device still has an earlier purchase record, check Shadowrocket in the account's purchase history rather than relying on whether its icon appears on the Home Screen. The icon could be from an earlier installation, a device transfer, or Family Sharing; it doesn't prove the current account purchased the app independently. The item name, transaction status, and account shown in purchase history are better ways to confirm ownership. You don't need to share a full receipt, account balance, or personal information with anyone; keep only the details you need for troubleshooting.

Managed devices and purchase restrictions

Child accounts, devices with Screen Time enabled, and devices managed by a school or workplace may have restrictions on purchases, installations, or displayed content. As a result, the normal purchase option may not appear even when the account region and device compatibility are both suitable. Check for app installation restrictions, purchase approval requirements, or management profiles. If a parent or device manager controls these settings, ask them to verify the permissions. Don't mistake a managed-device restriction for regional unavailability, and don't repeatedly reset the device to test it.

Before taking action, make a private checklist: the current store account, its country or region, whether you found a purchase history entry, and whether any purchase restrictions apply. If the first two are clear but you're unsure about the others, check the relevant pages before starting another transaction. Once you've finished, visit the app verification section. For common differences between the purchased-items section and payment messages, see Troubleshooting.

3. Verify the App: Developer, Icon, and App ID

In brief: Verify Shadowrocket by checking the developer name, official icon, and app ID together. Don't rely only on the nickname, the icon's outline, or search ranking. The app name may appear in articles, related searches, or descriptions of other items; the first search result may not be the right product. Before purchasing, open the product details, check all three identifiers, and then review the price and compatibility. The icon shown here comes from the official App Store artwork; it isn't a redrawn illustration.

Check the app and developer first

The product name should be Shadowrocket and the developer should be Shadow Launch Technology Limited. Depending on the App Store interface and language, developer information may appear near the product title or farther down in the information section. Check the full spelling; don't stop after spotting just one matching word. If the search listing doesn't show the full name, open the details page. If the developer listed there doesn't match, don't proceed with it as the app described in this guide.

The official icon is a rocket with a blue-violet outline on a white background; it should match the icon above. Compare the overall shape, background, and outline rather than relying on a single similar color. Dark appearance settings, screen conditions, and thumbnail size can affect how it looks, so the icon is only one of the three identifiers. It doesn't replace checking the developer and app ID. There's no need to download the image or use image-editing tools; compare the official icon shown here with the one on the product page.

The app ID is a fixed identifier in the link

Shadowrocket's app ID is 932747118. The id932747118 in the product link is the same identifier; a different storefront path or page language doesn't mean the app ID has changed. If you open the link in a browser, check the address bar. If you're already in the App Store, use the product page's share option to view the link and check the ID. Sharing is only needed to inspect the address; you don't need to send the link to anyone. Don't share an account page instead of the product page.

If you reach the page from an article, a message, or a search engine, first confirm that it opens the Shadowrocket product page in the App Store. An intermediate page's title and images aren't a substitute for the details on the product page. The Getting the App page on this site explains the verification process. The App Store handles the actual purchase and installation. Check the price, system requirements, and compatibility there too; don't rely on old information in article screenshots.

What to do if details don't match

If you can't confirm even one of the three identifiers, stop on the details page and don't proceed to payment based on a similar-looking name. Return to this site's guide, reopen the designated link, and check the same details again. If they still don't match, note the product name, developer, and app ID in the link; avoid recording unrelated personal information. If you opened another product page but haven't purchased it, simply leave that page. If a transaction has already occurred, check the item in your App Store purchase history and follow the transaction process provided by the system.

After verification, don't treat a price, rating, or update label shown at one point in time as a permanent identifier. These details can change by storefront and over time; the three identifiers above are the basis for locating the right product. For the full purchase sequence, continue to the next chapter or read How to find, verify, and install Shadowrocket from the App Store. Both use the same product details.

4. Purchasing and What a One-Time Purchase Means

In brief: Shadowrocket is a paid app available as a one-time purchase through the App Store. Before purchasing, verify the product, the current store account, and device compatibility. During checkout, rely on the currency, amount, and payment details shown on the system confirmation screen. The US storefront's reference price is $2.99; the actual price is as listed on the App Store page, and other storefronts show local currency. This guide doesn't guarantee a specific price or treat amounts in different storefronts as directly equivalent.

What to check before confirming a purchase

After tapping the price or purchase option on the verified product page, the system will begin the relevant confirmation process. It may ask you to authenticate with your device, account password, or another account verification method. When the confirmation screen appears, check the app name, account, and amount again. If it shows a different product or an account you didn't intend to use, cancel and check before proceeding. Never give anyone your password, device passcode, or verification details to complete a purchase. The account holder should complete the transaction on their own device.

Payment method availability, complete billing details, and pending transactions can all affect whether a purchase goes through. If you see a message such as “Unable to Complete Purchase,” note the full text and check your account's payment settings rather than confirming multiple transactions in a row. If your bank or payment record shows a charge but the App Store hasn't confirmed completion, check purchase history and transaction details first. Payment notifications and store order statuses may not update at the same time; a notification alone doesn't prove the app is available to download again.

The one-time purchase covers the app, not a connection service

A one-time purchase of the client ≠ a service plan. Buying Shadowrocket gives you a license to use the client; it doesn't automatically provide a server address, subscription link, or connection parameters. To connect, you'll need your own existing subscription or server details. Get those details from your service provider. The app purchase and connection service are managed separately, with different payment recipients, eligibility conditions, and potential causes of problems. A successful app purchase only confirms that the app transaction is complete; it doesn't prove that any server you already have is reachable.

A one-time purchase doesn't guarantee the same eligibility on every device, account, and storefront. Check the App Store listing, purchasing account, and current account conditions to find out whether you can redownload on another device, whether universal purchase applies, or whether family members can use the app. In particular, “same family” doesn't mean every member owns the same purchase, and an icon on one device doesn't prove the currently signed-in account purchased the app. Confirm which account owns the purchase first to avoid confusion when restoring it or moving to a new device.

Install and configure the app after purchase

After the transaction is complete, the product page will usually show a download option or let you open the app; follow the current interface. Wait until installation finishes before opening the app for the first time. If the icon is still waiting, an in-app connection guide won't help troubleshoot the download. Once installed, confirm the app opens normally, then follow the quick-start guide to import your existing details, select Global Routing, and test the connection. Purchasing, installing, and connecting are consecutive but separate stages. Complete each one before moving on to avoid confusion.

Start refunds, cancellations, and other transaction requests from your purchase history and the process provided by Apple. This guide doesn't handle transactions or predict their outcome. A change in transaction status may affect redownloading and Family Sharing eligibility, so follow what your account and the store actually show. If you plan to keep the purchase long-term, make sure you can access the account and know how to check purchase history; don't rely on a screenshot of the product page alone.

The App Store manages app updates. Check the store for available updates and automatic update settings. Don't confuse an update with buying the app again. If an update asks you to verify an account, first check which account was used for the original installation. If compatibility or availability has changed, check the current product page rather than assuming the device requirements are unchanged from your last purchase.

5. Installing on iPhone and iPad and First-Time Authorization

In brief: On both iPhone and iPad, verify and get the app from the same Shadowrocket product page in the App Store. System requirements are as listed on the App Store page. During installation, check compatibility, storage, and download status. After first opening the app, focus on importing your details and granting system permissions. An installed app that can't connect is a different issue from a download that hasn't finished. Don't delete the app or purchase it again just because the first connection attempt failed; first identify whether the problem occurred before or after the app opened.

Check device requirements before installing

Expand the compatibility details on the product page and check the device type and system requirements. If a system update is needed, first assess available storage, backups, and update requirements, then follow the process provided by your device. Don't repeatedly try to download the app while a system update is in progress. When storage is nearly full, installation may fail even if the product page lets you purchase the app. Check available space in system storage settings and start by removing data you can identify, rather than deleting existing app configurations at random.

After starting the download, check its progress in the App Store or on the Home Screen. Waiting, paused, and installed indicate different states. Progress may also be temporarily hard to see if the network just changed, the device is restoring other content, or several downloads are running at once. Keep a working network connection and give the current task time to finish. If a clear error appears, save its full text before troubleshooting. If the product page says the app is ready to open but you can't find its icon, use device search or the App Library to locate it instead of assuming installation failed.

iPad layout and purchase eligibility

When getting the app on an iPad with the same purchasing account, first check purchase history and the state of the product page button. If the purchase is eligible under current conditions, you can usually redownload it from your history; whether universal purchase applies is as listed on the App Store page. The iPad's screen size, orientation, and multitasking layout may move controls, so don't look for a button at the same fixed screen position as in an iPhone tutorial. Use interface terms such as Home, Config, and Settings to find features, then follow the layout on your device.

If Shadowrocket is installed on your iPhone but the iPad still shows a price, first check that both devices use the same account for store purchases, then check purchase history and sharing eligibility. Don't assume you must pay again. Conversely, if the iPad shows a download option, confirm whether it's available through your own purchase or Family Sharing so you can find the right place when you change devices later. App eligibility across devices and in-app data sync are separate; being able to download the app doesn't mean your existing configuration has transferred.

VPN configuration prompt on first connection

When you enable relevant connection features, Shadowrocket may prompt you to authorize adding a VPN configuration in the system. This lets the app create the required system network configuration; it isn't a purchase screen and doesn't fill in server details for you. First confirm that the prompt was triggered by an action you just took in Shadowrocket, then decide whether to allow it through the system flow. Authorization may require device authentication. Confirm only when you understand the action and are ready to establish a connection; don't mechanically accept prompts from an unclear source.

If you didn't allow the prompt earlier, the app may not be able to complete the system steps required to connect. Return to the app and try again through the normal flow, then check the system VPN settings instead of reinstalling right away. A workplace- or school-managed device may restrict adding network configurations; ask the device manager to confirm permissions. Authorization alone doesn't guarantee that the destination server is available. You'll also need a valid address, port, authentication details, and matching transport parameters. Get these from your service provider; they can't be inferred from the purchase record.

For the full first-run workflow, see the setup guide: import your existing details, check the selected item, choose Global Routing, enable the connection, and verify the result. This chapter only explains installation and authorization. If the app opens normally but the connection fails, keep the current configuration and troubleshoot in the app; there's no need to change the store region. If the app itself won't open, check device requirements and whether installation completed.

6. Moving to a New Device, Reinstalling, and Restoring Purchases

In brief: Restoring app eligibility and restoring app data are separate processes. App Store purchase history helps you get the app again. Nodes, configuration files, and personal settings on the old device require a separate check of your backup and transfer options. Seeing the Shadowrocket icon on a new device doesn't mean all your data has been restored; not seeing the icon doesn't mean your purchase history is gone. Before switching devices, confirm the original purchasing account and back up your data. Afterward, verify the app download and configuration separately, in that order.

Find the app in the correct purchase history

On the new device, confirm the current App Store account, open the section for apps or purchased items under your profile, and search for Shadowrocket. The section name may vary with the system interface, so follow what you see on screen. Check the current account's app history rather than simply searching again from the store home page. When you find the item, verify the developer and app ID to confirm it's the same product. If it's currently available to you, use the page's redownload option; you don't need to start a new purchase just to test whether an old one exists.

If you can't find the purchase, check the old device or your own purchase records to identify the account used originally. The account used to sync device data may not be the one that purchased the app. The app may also have come from Family Sharing, or the item may have been hidden. Check these possibilities one by one; it's more effective than repeatedly signing out and in. Hidden items usually aren't deleted transactions, so check their status in the relevant account management section. Whether you can download the app again still depends on what the store currently shows.

If you see a price, confirm purchase ownership first

If you've already purchased the app but see a price again, don't immediately confirm payment. First verify that it's the same product, the same purchasing account, a completed transaction, and not a purchase obtained through Family Sharing. If you viewed a webpage for another storefront, check the actual status in the App Store on your device. If purchase history clearly lists the item but the product page doesn't show the expected option, keep the order details and message, then use Apple's account support process. This guide can't change purchase eligibility in the account system based on a screenshot.

Redownloading also depends on the app's current availability, device compatibility, and account conditions. One purchase doesn't guarantee that the app will always be available in every future situation. If you encounter a restriction, read the system's explanation rather than repeatedly deleting the app to test it. If the old device still has a working configuration, preserve its data while troubleshooting the new device. Deleting the only copy too soon can turn an app availability issue into a data recovery problem.

Verify configuration transfer separately

If you use iCloud sync or an export option provided by the app, first confirm that the feature is enabled and check which items it actually includes. Don't assume all nodes, authentication details, rules, and personal settings are covered by the same method. On the old device, note the number of items, selected configuration name, and key settings; then back them up using a method the app supports. Keep sensitive information somewhere you control, and don't share files containing authentication details as ordinary tutorial attachments.

After opening the app on the new device, check each item: whether your existing details are present, whether the selected server is correct, whether the file used in Config is the one you expect, and whether Global Routing matches its original purpose. Even if a name is the same, check that the required fields are complete. Then grant VPN configuration permission on the new device if prompted. Authorization on the old device doesn't automatically apply to the new one. Verify purchase eligibility, data sync, and system authorization separately.

After the transfer, verify an actual connection before deciding whether to clear the old device. If it doesn't connect, note the specific stage to avoid importing multiple copies of the same details and creating confusion. For a more detailed backup and migration sequence, read Backing Up Configurations and Moving to a New Device. App eligibility is always based on the App Store account's purchase history.

7. Family Sharing, Universal Purchase, and Data Boundaries

In brief: Family Sharing eligibility and which devices a purchase covers are determined by the App Store listing and your current family account settings. Family Sharing, restoring a purchase on the original account, and universal purchase across devices are three different relationships that are easy to confuse. The first concerns whether family members can use a purchase; the second concerns how the original purchaser gets the app again; the third concerns which devices a purchase supports. One doesn't guarantee the others.

Check eligibility on the product page first

Before considering family access, check the current Shadowrocket product page for Family Sharing and compatibility details, then review your device's family settings. Don't assume your situation matches another family's past experience. The App Store listing describes product eligibility; family settings show the current account relationships and sharing status. Both must meet the relevant requirements. A feature being supported on the product page doesn't mean it's already enabled on your device, and having a family group doesn't mean every item is automatically visible.

The Family Sharing organizer and the person who purchased the app may be different people. When looking for the app, first confirm which member owns the purchase, then check through the family purchase section provided by the system. Members don't need to share account sign-in details to verify eligibility; use the official Family Sharing features on each person's own account. For child accounts, also check whether purchase approval, installation restrictions, or other parental controls apply. These can affect the process, but don't prove that the app itself can't be shared.

Understand the three types of access

To get the app again on another compatible device using the same purchasing account, start with purchase restoration; you don't need to set up Family Sharing first. Different family members using their own accounts need to check Family Sharing eligibility. Don't assume that a button shown to the purchaser will appear the same way for other members. If you plan to use Shadowrocket on Mac, Apple TV, or Apple Vision, check the same product page for the relevant compatibility and purchase details. Don't treat the result on iPhone as a guarantee for every device.

Shared app access doesn't share configurations

Even if a family member can get the app, they won't automatically receive another member's servers, subscriptions, rules, or personal settings. App eligibility and connection details are managed separately, and each person should know where their data comes from. Get any subscription or server details from your service provider and follow the applicable service terms. Being able to open the same app doesn't mean connection details can be copied directly to everyone's devices.

Configuration files and subscription links may contain access credentials. Treat them as sensitive information, not proof of an app purchase. Family Sharing settings don't normally ask for a server password, and an App Store receipt can't restore a connection parameter. If a family member has installed the app but has no nodes or can't connect, troubleshoot configuration and network settings instead of looking for missing details in Family Sharing. Keeping these issues separate helps identify whether the problem belongs in the store or the app.

What to check when family settings change

If a member leaves the family, sharing settings change, purchase status changes, or a device is replaced, check app availability again. First verify that the family relationship is still active, then confirm purchase sharing is enabled as expected, and finally check the product page and family purchase history. An icon already on a device only shows that the app is still there; it doesn't guarantee eligibility to download it again. Before clearing an old device, make sure the new one can get the app and restore its data.

If a family member can't see the app, check whether it's hidden, whether the account's region meets current sharing requirements, and whether the device is restricted. Change only settings you've confirmed are relevant, and note the result after each change. If the account interface shows a specific requirement or error, use it to guide your next step. For account eligibility questions you can't resolve, follow Apple's support process. This guide doesn't guarantee that every family qualifies, and Family Sharing isn't a shortcut around normal purchase verification.

8. Troubleshooting Search, Downloads, and Post-Installation Issues

In brief: First identify the stage where the problem occurs, then test one condition at a time. No search results, an unavailable product, a failed purchase, a stalled download, and a connection failure each call for different checks. Record the full message, where it appeared, and what changed before and after the issue; “it doesn't work” isn't enough to troubleshoot. If you need to describe a screenshot, leave out account identifiers, billing details, server credentials, and subscription links. A clear problem statement is usually more useful than changing your account, network, and configuration all at once.

No search results or the product page won't open

If search returns nothing, check the spelling—Shadowrocket—then open the product page using the App Store link in the Getting the App guide. If the page loads, verify the three identifiers and availability. If it says the app isn't available in your region, check the store account as described in the first two chapters. If the page keeps loading, first check whether regular webpages and the App Store itself are working. Record browser issues separately from problems in the App Store; don't combine them into a conclusion without context.

If only one device can't view the page, compare device compatibility, system restrictions, and account status instead of changing other devices. If several App Store pages won't load, check the network and store status on the device first. If only the target product has a specific message, check the region or compatibility indicated. There's no need to guess at a single cause or try every unrelated troubleshooting step. Each check should answer a specific question, and you should preserve the original state so you can undo a change if needed.

Purchase failed or download is stuck

If you can't proceed with a purchase, check whether the account needs additional information, the payment method needs attention, a pending transaction must be resolved, or approval is required from a parent or guardian. Once a download has started, check the network, storage, paused tasks, and device restrictions instead. See whether the download was paused manually, then confirm the connection is stable and there is enough storage. If needed, retry through the normal system process. Don't repeatedly confirm a payment while the order status is unclear, and don't treat a new purchase as a general fix for download progress.

If the product page says the app is ready to open but you can't find its icon, use device search. If the icon is there but the app behaves unexpectedly, check whether installation completed and whether the device meets the requirements. Follow the system's explicit instructions rather than guessing. Before deleting the app during troubleshooting, confirm that your configuration is backed up—especially if the old device holds the only copy. For concise answers about getting the app, see Troubleshooting and find the section for your current stage.

Troubleshoot configuration separately after installation

Once the app opens, the App Store acquisition process is usually complete. If there's no server to select, check whether you've imported your existing details. If a server is listed but the connection fails, verify the address, port, authentication, and transport parameters. If it connects but some requests take an unexpected route, check Global Routing and Config. In the interface, configuration, proxy, and direct connection correspond to Config, Proxy, and Direct. Don't change the store region to fix rule matching or treat the app purchase as proof that a server is available.

The following Shadowrocket .conf snippet illustrates the distinction between rules and getting the app. It's not required to get the app and contains no server details. It shows how rules can determine how requests are handled: send the example domain to PROXY, route matching addresses in the specified region through DIRECT, and let FINAL handle requests that don't match. Actual behavior also depends on a complete configuration and valid policies; this snippet isn't a ready-to-use configuration for every network.

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

In this syntax, DOMAIN-SUFFIX matches domain suffixes, GEOIP matches based on address geolocation data, and FINAL is the fallback rule. PROXY and DIRECT are traffic-handling policies, not App Store purchase options. The actual outcome also depends on preceding rules, resolution results, and the current Global Routing setting; one line isn't enough to assess all traffic. Understand these distinctions, then see the setup guide or Features and Settings for specific steps.