Complete guide to getting Shadowrocket from the App Store

App Store region and app availability

Whether Shadowrocket appears in search depends first on whether the current App Store storefront offers the app, not on whether the device can connect to the internet. The mainland China App Store does not currently offer it. Availability, displayed prices, and purchase requirements in other storefronts depend on the product page you open. No search results only means the current search did not return the listing; it does not prove the app has been removed everywhere or that an existing purchase record is invalid.

Check search results, the product page, and download eligibility separately

App Store search helps you find apps, but results can vary with keywords, content restrictions, and storefront. The product page confirms the app’s identity and current availability. Download eligibility also depends on the account, system compatibility, and transaction history. Check these in order. Search for the full product name, then open the product page linked here. If search returns nothing but the product page loads and its download button is available, there is no need to keep troubleshooting search ranking.

The product link in this manual uses the US storefront path, but the path does not change the device’s storefront or guarantee that the account can make a purchase. Opening the link in a browser may show a web preview before switching to the App Store; after the switch, availability may depend on the account’s storefront. If a message appears, note the final system prompt rather than relying on the region in the browser address. Being able to view a webpage and being able to purchase on a device are different things.

System language, location, and App Store region are separate settings

Changing the system language to English usually changes the display language of the system or apps. Changing the region format under “Language & Region” mainly affects dates, numbers, and some localized display details. Neither setting changes the Apple Account’s media and purchases region. The device’s network connection and physical location do not, by themselves, identify its storefront either. Check the account settings to determine the storefront; do not rely solely on the currency symbol, webpage language, or search page appearance.

If different media and purchases accounts have been used on the same device, the account that originally acquired an installed app may differ from the account currently browsing the store. An app opening successfully does not mean the current account owns it; an app missing from the current storefront does not mean the original purchase record is gone. When changing devices, reinstalling, or updating, keep separate notes of the account currently used in the store and the account that made the original purchase. This helps you choose the right restoration method.

What to do when you see a region warning

If the system explicitly says the app is unavailable in your country or region, stop at the App Store stage. You do not need to delete an installed app, reset the network, or clear its configuration. First confirm the account region in the next section, then decide whether a storefront change is actually necessary. Changing regions can affect balances, subscriptions, Family Sharing groups, and payment details; it is not a temporary switch for a single app. If your account is not ready for the change, keeping the current settings makes purchase history easier to track.

Devices managed by a school, employer, or other organization may have app installation restrictions. Even if the storefront offers the app, management policies can block searches or downloads. Check the device management guidance and contact the administrator; do not confuse an organization restriction with an App Store delisting. On personal devices, also check Screen Time content restrictions to make sure age ratings or installation permissions are not hiding the listing.

How to check your App Store storefront

When checking the storefront, focus on the Apple Account used for “Media & Purchases.” It may be the same account used for iCloud, or a different one. Open “Settings,” tap your account name at the top, select “Media & Purchases,” choose to view the account, and check “Country/Region.” Labels and menu placement may vary slightly by system version. If verification is required, use the system-provided screen; do not enter your account password into a webpage form.

Confirm the account first, then check its region

In the account details, first confirm that the displayed account identifier is your usual purchasing account, then check its region. You can privately note a recognizable part of the account, its current region, and whether you found the purchase record. Do not publish complete account details or order screenshots. If a family member helped set up the device, ask which account was used for the original purchase before signing out, switching accounts, or confirming another payment.

The profile icon in the top-right corner of the App Store also opens account-related pages, where you can review purchase history, acquired apps, and pending account notices. However, the name, interface language, or recommendations shown there do not replace the “Country/Region” field. If the web product page and the App Store app show different information, rely on the status of the account actually used for purchases on the device. Then reopen the product page and check whether the message has changed.

What to check before changing regions

Changing regions is an account-level action. Before proceeding, check your store balance, active subscriptions, pending pre-orders, rentals, and transaction status. Some items must expire or be settled first, and Family Sharing members may be subject to additional requirements. If the system lists a reason preventing the change, resolve it first. Repeatedly tapping the region list will not bypass account settlement or service requirements.

Payment methods and billing addresses must meet the actual requirements of the destination region, and you should use only accurate information you are authorized to provide. Do not enter a made-up address or payment detail just to get past a form. A payment method accepted in one storefront may not work in another. Even with sufficient account balance, you may still need to verify your identity, billing details, or agreement to terms. Follow the requirements shown on the account page at the time; another person’s experience on a different device is no guarantee.

Once you meet the requirements, select the destination region under “Country/Region,” follow the system prompts, review the terms, and provide any required payment and billing details. When finished, leave the account details page, reopen the App Store, and check the app’s product page again. Here, “leave” means navigating away from the details page, not signing out of the Apple Account. Routine troubleshooting does not require signing out of the device-level account or erasing the device to refresh the storefront.

Keep a record before and after changing regions

A region change may affect previously available content, displayed prices, and the ability to download apps again later. Before making a change, confirm that important apps remain installed, back up current configurations, and keep any purchase records you can access. If an item temporarily disappears after a region change, do not assume that purchase rights have been revoked. Nor can you assume that every previously acquired app will be available for redownload in every storefront. Restoration depends on the original purchasing account and the app’s current availability.

If you are considering a region change just to fix one search issue, first verify the product identity in section 3 and classify the problem using section 7. This helps avoid mistaking a device restriction for a region restriction. If the system does not clearly explain why a region change is unavailable, use the account support option on your device and provide the current region, destination region, and exact message. Keep account and payment details within the system support process; you do not need to share them with this site or any configuration provider.

Verify the app: developer, icon, and app ID

To verify Shadowrocket, check the app name, developer, official icon, and app ID together; do not rely on a single image in search results. The product is named Shadowrocket, its developer is Shadow Launch Technology Limited, and its app ID is 932747118. Search terms may include similar names, but those are not identity checks. Search results can include other listings with similar names, purposes, or icons, so open the product details and verify each field.

Use the official product page as your reference

Use the Shadowrocket App Store product page linked here as the identity reference. After opening it, check the full app name and developer field, then verify the app ID at the end of the web address. Store section headings may change with the system language, but the developer name and app identity should not be replaced by a translated app name. If the page cannot load because of your region, do not buy a similarly named listing from search results instead.

The official icon shows a rocket outlined in blue and purple on a white background. The icon can help identify the app, but it should not be the sole basis for a purchase because similar visuals can be misleading. The site header also uses the official app icon. Compare against the App Store product page and the official icon on this site, not search ads, article covers, or images compiled by others. If an icon looks similar but the developer field differs, stop and verify the app identity again.

Price and feature descriptions are only supporting clues

The iPhone / iPad version is a one-time $2.99 purchase on the App Store. The Mac / Windows / Android / Linux versions are free. Storefronts may display local currencies and prices according to local rules, so the amount shown at checkout is the one that applies. Not every region will show the same currency symbol. Likewise, an app listing that mentions traffic routing rules or subscription imports is not necessarily the same product. Identity details are stronger evidence than generic feature descriptions.

If a listing with the same name is marked free on the App Store, but its developer or app ID does not match the details above, do not treat it as the Shadowrocket described here. The point is to establish whether it is the same product, not to judge what another listing does. Do not install a similar listing just to try it and then import your subscription or server details; configuration can contain access credentials, so verify the receiving app first.

Records you can check before and after purchase

Before purchasing, note the app name, developer, and app ID on the product page. After purchasing, check the app name and status in your own purchase history. An order number helps identify a transaction; it is not the app ID. The app ID is the same for everyone viewing that product, while an order number is personal transaction information. When contacting support, start with the app ID and error message. Share order details only when necessary and only through a trusted support process.

Verification also means checking the context: review product details in the system App Store or on the specified product page, and start account verification from the system interface. This site will not ask you to enter your Apple Account password, full payment card details, or device verification code on a documentation page. If a page turns “app verification” into a form requesting that information, stop and check directly in device settings and the App Store. You do not need to submit a configuration to prove a purchase.

The iPhone / iPad App Store purchase record does not determine download eligibility for desktop or Android versions. Get the relevant installer from the all-platform downloads section on this site. Files are served from /dl/shadowrocket/. For Mac, choose the Apple silicon or Intel build. If the system blocks installation, follow the download page’s instructions for allowing the app after checking its source; the App Store developer field is not a substitute for checking a desktop installer.

What a one-time purchase actually covers

The iPhone / iPad version is a one-time $2.99 purchase on the App Store. The Mac / Windows / Android / Linux versions are free. “One-time purchase” describes how you get the app; it is not a charge based on connection time, data usage, or number of servers. The actual amount, currency, and checkout requirements depend on the storefront. Keep the app purchase separate from bills for your own network services, and do not assume that having subscription details means the device has a purchase record for the client.

Check these four details before confirming payment

Open the verified product page and check the purchasing account, app identity, displayed price, and device compatibility in that order. System requirements are as listed on the App Store page. If the page says the device is incompatible, check the required system version against the one installed before paying; do not assume the app will install afterward. If the device is managed by an organization or has content restrictions enabled, confirm that installation is allowed before purchasing.

After you tap the price, the system starts the purchase confirmation. It may require the side button, Face ID, Touch ID, or account password. If your payment method is unavailable, check billing details and transaction status in the system account settings. Repeatedly triggering confirmation will not fix a payment problem and can make it harder to tell which requests were submitted. If the status says pending, processing, or verification required, leave the confirmation flow and check purchase history before trying again.

Distinguish a completed purchase, a payment alert, and an installed app

An alert from a bank or payment service does not necessarily mean the app was successfully added to purchase history. Conversely, a redownload button in the App Store does not mean every billing notification has arrived. Use the App Store record and transaction status to determine whether the purchase belongs to the account; use financial institution alerts as supporting evidence. If the statuses do not match yet, wait for processing to finish and keep your records. Do not make another purchase just to test whether the first one succeeded.

Even after a purchase completes, downloads can be affected by the network, available storage, system compatibility, or App Store service status. These are transaction and installation issues, respectively. If the purchase record exists but the app icon has not appeared, troubleshoot the download in section 7 rather than searching for another listing. If the store still shows a price, first check whether you switched Media & Purchases accounts, opened a different product, or are viewing another storefront before deciding whether to confirm another payment.

What a purchase does not include

A one-time client purchase is not a service plan. Buying the app does not create a working server or set up a subscription account for you. If Home has no servers when you first open the app, import your own subscription or server details using the tutorial. This site explains how to add those details to the client and troubleshoot; it does not provide service recommendations, sales arrangements, or accounts. Verify that the app opens and that the server connects as separate steps.

Purchase history is not a configuration backup. Server lists, Config files, rule changes, and some Settings items are usage data that need to be saved and transferred separately. Even if the same purchasing account can redownload the app on another compatible device, you may still need to import its configuration again. Before changing devices, make sure you still have the required subscription URL, server parameters, or a trusted backup. Do not rely only on whether the App Store button has changed to a cloud icon.

A one-time purchase does not mean you will never need to check a device’s storefront again, nor does it promise unlimited access across all future platform changes. System compatibility, storefront availability, and account status can still affect redownloads. For refunds or transaction disputes, use the purchase history and support process provided by the system; eligibility is determined by the applicable rules. This site cannot manage transactions for an account holder, and a connection issue is not automatically a failed purchase.

Restoring purchases after changing devices or reinstalling

To restore on a new device, start with the original purchasing account, not the app icon on the old device. First confirm that “Media & Purchases” on the new device uses the account that originally bought Shadowrocket. Then open the App Store account page and find the list of acquired apps. The system may call it “Purchased” or list your apps under “Apps”; labels can change, but the goal is to find the apps previously acquired by that account.

Redownload from purchase history instead of paying again

Search the acquired apps list for the full name. Once you find Shadowrocket, verify its identity and tap the redownload button. If the list can filter apps already on this device from those that are not, select the appropriate filter to narrow the results. Do not rely only on the price button on the App Store home page: what it shows depends on the current storefront, while the acquired apps list is better for checking purchase history. If the app is missing from the list, check that you are using the right account and whether the purchase was hidden.

Normally, you can restore an app you already own on a compatible device using the original purchasing account without buying it again. However, redownload availability still depends on the app’s current status and system requirements. If the page takes you to payment confirmation again, do not immediately approve it. Go back and check the current account, app ID, purchase history, and region. Until these details are confirmed, paying again is not a restoration method and does not guarantee that the original configuration or purchase ownership will transfer to a new account.

Hidden purchases, different accounts, and Family Sharing

If the app is missing from purchase history, you may be using a different Media & Purchases account, or the purchase may have been hidden. Hiding a purchase usually changes how it appears in the list; it does not mean all transaction records have been deleted. Check the account settings for the hidden purchases section and manage it using the system options. If you originally got the app through Family Sharing, look in the family member’s shareable purchases rather than only in your direct purchase history. These are different purchase sources.

If the old device still works, check its Media & Purchases account and relevant records before dealing with the new device. Do not delete the app from the old device just to verify ownership; storefront, system, or purchase-history issues could make redownloading difficult. Back up subscription URLs, server parameters, and Config changes on the old device too. Restoring the app from the store restores download eligibility; it does not automatically copy local data to a new device.

Check app restoration and configuration transfer separately

Once the Shadowrocket icon appears on the new device, open the app and confirm you can access pages such as Home, Config, and Settings before importing your existing configuration. During device migration or backup restoration, the app may need to download again from the store, and some sensitive information may need to be confirmed again. Do not assume device migration has finished acquiring every app; if an icon is still pending, check its download status.

For configuration migration, use information whose source you can verify, especially since a subscription URL may contain access credentials. Before importing, check that you are not bringing back expired links, duplicate entries, or configurations you no longer use. If the system asks for permission to add a network configuration during the first connection, read the prompt and confirm that Shadowrocket initiated it. After permission is granted, you still need to select a server and verify the connection; a system connection indicator alone does not prove that all access is working.

Before you stop using the old device, complete a final check: the app opens on the new device, the required servers are listed, the right one is selected, Config contains the expected settings, and Connectivity Test gives a result you can interpret. Once these checks are complete, handle the old device according to your own plans. For help finding server selection and testing controls, read the first connection and Connectivity Test guide.

Family Sharing requirements and limits

Family Sharing uses Apple’s family group and purchase sharing features to provide access to apps. It does not mean signing other devices in with the purchaser’s account. Each member should use their own Apple Account and check shareable items within the established family group. Whether a purchase can be shared depends on the app’s product page, Family Sharing settings, and member account requirements. Joining a family group alone does not mean every past purchase will automatically appear on every member’s device.

Check app eligibility and Family Sharing settings first

Check the Family Sharing details on Shadowrocket’s App Store product page and follow the conditions shown there at the time. Then open the Family section in device Settings and check the family members and whether “Purchase Sharing” is enabled as needed. Family subscription sharing, location sharing, and purchase sharing are separate settings. One active family service does not prove that purchase sharing is enabled; check the relevant setting directly.

The family organizer and purchaser may be different people, and payment arrangements are separate from app ownership. Find a member’s purchase in that member’s shareable items, not automatically in the organizer’s list. The iPhone / iPad App Store version costs $2.99 as a one-time purchase; the Mac / Windows / Android / Linux versions are free. Family Sharing concerns access to App Store purchases and does not change how other platform versions are downloaded from this site.

Find a family purchase using your own account

Open the App Store, go to your account and the acquired apps list, view a family member’s purchases, select the actual purchaser, and search for Shadowrocket. Verify the developer and app ID, then use the download button provided by the system. If you search only your own direct purchase list, you may not find an app bought by a family member. Before downloading, confirm the family member’s name, purchase source, and account currently signed in.

If the app is not listed, check in order whether the purchaser hid the purchase, Purchase Sharing is enabled, members meet the relevant storefront-region requirements, and content restrictions are blocking the listing. Family members may need to meet Apple’s requirements for using the same country or region storefront; follow the status shown in Family settings. Do not repeatedly leave and rejoin the family group to refresh the list. Joining or switching groups may be subject to restrictions and might not be immediately reversible.

Child accounts, approval requests, and error messages

Child accounts may be affected by Ask to Buy, Screen Time, and content rating settings. Even if the app is included in family purchases, follow the approval process shown on the device. Guardians should distinguish “waiting for approval” from “app not compatible”: handle the former in Family approval settings and check the device system for the latter. If tapping does nothing, look for a pending approval request before repeatedly starting more downloads.

Family Sharing provides eligible access to an app; it does not automatically copy the purchaser’s servers, subscription URL, or Config file. Each member needs to use configuration they are authorized to access and understand its scope. An app being available to family members does not mean a network service allows use by the same number of people. Check the service terms associated with your own service; this site does not extend those permissions.

After leaving a family group, turning off Purchase Sharing, or changing an account region, you may need to check access eligibility again for redownloads and updates. An app that is installed and still opens is not a guarantee that it will always be available to restore later. Before family arrangements change, save the configuration you need and confirm whether the purchase was direct or shared. If you decide to buy the app individually, first check your current eligibility and the price in the system, then make your own decision as the account holder.

Troubleshooting: can’t find, buy, or download Shadowrocket

Start by recording where the failure occurs: no search results, unavailable product page, failed purchase confirmation, a download stuck pending, or an app that will not open after installation. Each points to different causes. Note the device model, system version, account storefront, and exact message; this is more useful than a general “can’t download” report. Do not start by deleting the app, signing out of the device account, or resetting all settings. These actions change the situation and can make purchase history and existing configuration harder to verify.

Troubleshooting search and purchase issues

If search returns nothing, start with the fixed product link on this page. If it says the app is unavailable in your region, return to the App Store region section. If the product page opens but the button is unavailable, check compatibility, content restrictions, and account messages. On a managed device, check its installation policies too. Follow any specific instructions on the product page; there is no need to keep changing search terms or choose a listing with a similar icon instead.

If the purchase fails, check whether the Media & Purchases account needs to accept updated terms, add billing details, or resolve a pending transaction. If the system asks you to verify a payment method, do so on the system page. Do not send anyone your full card number, verification code, or account password. Account and payment issues cannot be fixed by changing Shadowrocket Config or switching servers; those settings do not affect an App Store transaction before the app has been acquired.

Pending downloads, pauses, and low storage

If the icon says pending or download progress stops, first confirm that the device has a stable network connection and enough free storage. Installation may need more temporary space than the app size shown on the page, so do not estimate available capacity from the file size alone. Check whether other system downloads are queued, then pause and resume as the system allows. Before cancelling a task, confirm it is a new download and not an existing app with important local configuration, so that clearing the queue does not become data loss.

If regular webpages also fail to load, troubleshoot the device’s basic internet connection first. If only App Store downloads are affected, check the store account, network restrictions, and system service status. You can retry on a known working personal network; avoid repeatedly waiting on a network that requires portal sign-in until you have completed it. If the device clock is significantly wrong, restore automatic date and time settings before reopening the App Store.

If the system says the device is incompatible, follow the current system requirements on the product page and check whether the device can update to a supported version. A previously installed app does not guarantee that an older device can download the currently available build. The App Store determines whether a compatible download is offered. Do not assume that an older device can download just because a newer one can, and do not look for replacement installers on untrusted pages.

Installed but won’t open, or opens but won’t connect

An app that closes immediately after launch is different from Home showing no servers or a server failing to connect. For a launch failure, first check system status, restart the device, and look for App Store update notices. Before reinstalling, save any configuration and purchase records you can access. If the app opens but cannot connect, troubleshoot the client configuration: check whether the subscription is valid, server parameters are complete, and a default server is selected. Once the app opens, do not continue treating every issue as an App Store download problem.

If you need more help, prepare four details: the failed step, the exact message, what you tried, and what changed. Do not share a complete subscription URL or server password. Direct transaction questions to the system’s account support process. For interface and configuration questions, see this site’s FAQ and first-connection tutorial. Retest after each action instead of changing the region, network, and account all at once; otherwise, it may be hard to tell what fixed the issue.

Configuration boundaries and what to read after installation

Once the app is acquired, keep App Store checks and connection checks in separate records. For the store, confirm the app identity, purchase source, and redownload path. For the connection, confirm that your own subscription or server details can be imported correctly. Shadowrocket is a closed-source commercial app; purchasing the client does not include permission to use a server. The official manual explains setup and troubleshooting, but an app purchase record is not a network service contract, and a single connection test does not verify where configuration came from.

The shortest check from Home to connection verification

When you first open Home, choose Subscribe, Add Server, or another appropriate import option based on the details you have. Enter subscription URLs exactly as provided; check for added spaces or line breaks and make sure the end has not been cut off. For manual setup, verify the protocol, address, port, and authentication details one by one. After adding the details, select a server and confirm the selection indicator appears, then check Global Routing. For exact button locations and steps, follow the quick-start walkthrough; this section only explains what to check.

In Global Routing, Config, Proxy, and Direct represent three routing modes: use the current configuration, route applicable traffic through the selected proxy, or connect directly. They are not purchase tiers and do not change App Store records. For troubleshooting, you can compare modes if you understand what each does, but note the original selection and restore it afterward. Otherwise, later traffic may behave differently than expected.

Use rule examples to understand configuration, not as a service

This is an explanatory excerpt using real syntax from a Shadowrocket .conf file. It contains no server and cannot establish a connection by itself. Rules are generally matched from top to bottom, so specific domain rules should come before broader rules. FINAL handles requests that did not match an earlier rule. The example domains are for syntax illustration only; PROXY, DIRECT, and REJECT are policy actions, not servers bundled with the app.

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

To understand this excerpt, consider both the current Global Routing mode and the active Config. If the current mode is Direct, the presence of PROXY in a file does not prove that requests are being proxied. If the configuration refers to other rules or policies, check the full context too. Do not overwrite Config to “restore a purchase”; rule files do not store App Store transactions. Likewise, a successful redownload does not fix incorrect rule ordering or expired subscription parameters.

How to interpret test results

After enabling the connection switch and granting any required system permission, use Connectivity Test to review the result. A successful test means only that the test passed under the conditions at that time; it does not mean every domain, protocol, or network will behave the same way. A failed test does not by itself indicate a purchase problem. First verify that the selected server is valid, then check rules, DNS, and the local network. Avoid changing several settings at once without evidence.

If the connection is established but some sites or services behave unexpectedly, read the DNS settings guide. If access works but speeds are lower than expected, use the layered slow-speed troubleshooting guide to distinguish server, route, protocol, and local network issues. Remove sensitive fields from screenshots and exports that contain authentication details. Do not publish test results together with a complete subscription URL.

For routine maintenance, check iPhone / iPad app updates in the App Store, keep necessary configurations before updating, and confirm that the Media & Purchases account can still access the original record. Before changing devices, review the restoration path; before family arrangements change, confirm the purchase source; and before changing regions, check the storefront requirements. This keeps account issues separate from configuration issues, without needing to buy the app again or reinstall it whenever connectivity changes.

By the end of this guide, you should have a clear personal record: the app identity is confirmed, the account or family member the purchase came from is known, device eligibility for the current storefront is checked, the source of your configuration is recorded, and the point where connection testing stopped is clear. These notes are more useful than remembering one temporary fix. Next, go to the download guide, tutorial, or glossary for your specific task; there is no need to repeat every section.