Shadowrocket
App Store Guide

01 / STOREFRONT

Storefront availability and app visibility

First, distinguish between whether the app is available in a storefront and whether your device can install it. Availability depends on the storefront associated with the Apple Account used for purchases and the app’s status in that storefront. Installation also depends on device and system compatibility. Not finding the app in search does not, by itself, mean your device is incompatible or that a past purchase has disappeared. Start by identifying where the process stops: search, opening the product page, payment, or download. This helps avoid conflating different issues.

Your storefront is not your device language

Changing your iPhone’s display language to English or adjusting its regional format does not change the storefront used by the App Store. Language mainly affects interface text, while regional format affects how dates, numbers, and other details appear. The Apple Account used for media purchases and its country or region determine which storefront to check. Your physical location or network connection cannot substitute for the account settings. Check both the account page and what the App Store actually displays; don’t rely only on the device’s region settings or system language.

The account signed in to iCloud and the account shown under Media & Purchases may differ on the same device. So the account used for photos and contacts may not be the one currently used to buy apps. If the storefront doesn’t match your expectations, check the purchasing account first rather than changing the account for the entire device. Signing out of your system account may affect other synced services without fixing storefront visibility. The next section outlines what to check before taking action.

What search results and product pages can tell you

Search results depend on your keywords, current storefront, and how results are displayed. Searching for the full name Shadowrocket is a better way to verify the app than using a nickname, but a result alone does not confirm its identity. Open the product page through the official app verification guide, then check the developer and app ID. The storefront path in a link is an entry point; the region shown in the URL alone does not determine the storefront used for a purchase. If the system asks you to switch storefronts or says the app is unavailable, read the full message and check the current account settings.

Being able to open a product page does not necessarily mean you can buy or install the app. You may be able to view the listing, but payment can still require account verification, an accepted local payment method, or resolution of purchase restrictions. If your device isn’t compatible, the download may not proceed. Conversely, if search doesn’t show the app but its product page loads, you can verify it there instead of trying more search terms. Focus on the actual status shown on the page rather than drawing broad conclusions from a single sign.

Treat storefront changes as an account matter

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 purchases, Family Sharing membership, and payment details may affect the process. Don’t confirm a change just to make a search result appear, and don’t enter information that isn’t yours. A region change may affect the availability of other content and payment arrangements, so it has broader consequences than a single app. Review your existing account items before proceeding.

If Shadowrocket doesn’t appear in the mainland China App Store, first check the storefront associated with your purchasing account and read the message on the product page. Reinstalling the App Store or changing app settings won’t resolve this. For more information, read Storefront Availability and App Visibility. If the product page says the app isn’t available in your region, follow that notice and verify your account settings; connection settings won’t resolve an App Store availability issue.

02 / ACCOUNT CHECK

How to check your storefront and purchasing account

The goal is to establish two things: which account currently makes App Store purchases, and whether it’s the same account that purchased Shadowrocket. Check first; don’t rush to sign out or make changes. Some system screens and older records may still use the name Apple ID for an Apple Account. The terminology doesn’t change what you need to verify. Enter account details only in Settings, the App Store, or a verification flow presented by the system. Never send your password or verification code to anyone.

Find your Media & Purchases account in Settings

On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap the account area at the top, and look for Media & Purchases. Follow the prompts to view the account. If authentication is required, make sure the request is part of the system’s account flow. The Country/Region field on the account page can help confirm the current storefront. Menu names and locations may differ across system versions, so follow what your device currently shows. A different button location from a guide does not, by itself, indicate an account problem.

Make a note of enough account information to recognize it, but don’t share screenshots containing your full personal details. If the Media & Purchases account differs from the account at the top of Settings, consider whether that is an arrangement you’ve used before. Viewing and changing an account are different actions: checking the account won’t move purchase records, and signing out won’t transfer them to another account. Don’t switch accounts repeatedly to test things before confirming which account made the original purchase; it makes the situation harder to diagnose.

Cross-check purchase records in the App Store

Open the account section in the App Store and check which account is signed in. Then look in the app or purchased-items sections. The interface may separate Purchase History, which shows transactions, from the list of apps available to download again. When searching for Shadowrocket, check whether a filter such as “Not on this device” is enabled. Some filtered views won’t show apps that are already installed. Clear any unnecessary filters before deciding that a purchase record is missing.

A receipt can help confirm the account and item associated with a purchase, but it doesn’t prove the app is installed on the current device or replace checking the product’s identity. If you have a receipt, review the date, item, and payment status in your own account; there’s no need to share the full bill with anyone. A family member’s purchase, your own purchase, and a pending transaction are different cases. A payment notification alone doesn’t prove that the current account can download the app again.

Decide whether a change is really necessary

If the account and storefront are correct but the product page still won’t let you download, check compatibility, device restrictions, or download status instead of repeatedly changing the account region. If the purchase belongs to another account of yours, first confirm you can access that account and understand how to restore the purchase. This manual does not provide accounts. If you can’t verify the account, use the system’s account recovery process rather than asking someone else to handle your verification details.

Signing out of Media & Purchases and signing out of the system account for the entire device have different effects and are not interchangeable. The former affects App Store purchasing; the latter also affects device syncing and account services. You don’t need to reset or erase the entire device just to check one app. Once you’ve checked, note a brief conclusion such as “purchasing account confirmed, storefront verified, app visible in Purchased.” Then go to the relevant product verification or restore section instead of repeating the same checks.

03 / PRODUCT IDENTITY

Verify the official app: developer, icon, and app ID

To confirm you have the right app, check the developer name, official icon, and app ID together—not just the app name or nickname. Names and search terms can look similar, and the icon should be verified on the specific product page. The App Store page on this site links to the sole official product listing. Check each detail before purchasing. Verification confirms that you’re viewing the intended app; it does not make any further promises about how the app will work.

Check the full developer name

On the App Store product page, check the developer or provider information and confirm the name is Shadow Launch Technology Limited. Some screens abbreviate long names; open the relevant information section to see the full name. Don’t stop checking just because a name includes Shadow or Rocket, and don’t mistake brand mentions in search ads, editorial descriptions, or other page text for the developer field. Use the entity named on the product page as your reference.

Cross-check the developer name against the other two details. If it doesn’t match, don’t proceed with a purchase just because the title says Shadowrocket. If the full name isn’t shown, expand the information section before deciding. The payment confirmation screen may emphasize the item name and price without showing developer details in the same place, so it’s best to verify the app before starting a purchase. That’s more reliable than trying to identify it from its appearance after paying.

What the icon and app ID each tell you

The official icon is a rocket with a blue-purple outline on a white background, matching the official icon in this site’s header. Use it for visual identification, but check it alongside the developer and app ID. A similar-looking image alone is not enough to confirm the app.

The app ID is 932747118, shown in the product URL as id932747118. It is not a device serial number, account number, or order number. When checking or copying the product link, verify the app ID at the end. Don’t substitute another number in the URL. The language or storefront path may vary, but the app ID should not. If the ID differs, it isn’t the app covered by this guide.

The full product URL may not always be visible when browsing in the App Store. Use the system’s share option to view the product link, or open the listing from this site’s App Store page and check its details. Don’t mistake an article headline in a browser for the App Store product title, or assume that seeing the word “Download” on a webpage means the app has been installed. Purchases and downloads take place on the specified App Store product page through the system’s confirmation flow; following a link is just the first step in verification.

Pair app verification with a compatibility check

Once all three identifiers match, check the compatibility section, the current storefront price, and the purchase details. Identity answers “Is this the app I’m looking for?” Compatibility answers “Can this device run it?” Price answers “What are the terms of this purchase?” Each has its own source. Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision compatibility can also be checked in the same App Store listing. System requirements, device compatibility, and purchase eligibility are determined by the App Store listing; don’t assume that a matching icon means every device has the same requirements.

If the App Store shows something unexpected, pause and note the message rather than ignoring the discrepancy to continue. Check the Troubleshooting section on access and purchases, then compare the product details again. This manual explains how to verify the listing; the actual app identity, transaction amount, and installation requirements are shown by the App Store. Once you’ve checked all three identifiers, continue to the next section on purchases and the one-time payment. No in-app connection details are needed for this process.

04 / PURCHASE SCOPE

Price, payment, and what the one-time purchase covers

Shadowrocket is sold on the App Store as a one-time client purchase. The US storefront reference price is $2.99; the actual amount, currency, taxes, and purchase terms depend on the current App Store listing and confirmation screen. Other storefronts may show local currency, so don’t assume the US reference price converts directly to the amount charged elsewhere. Before paying, confirm the item name, purchasing account, and final amount. You can still cancel before completing authentication.

Buying the app and having a server are separate things

A one-time client purchase is not a service plan. Buying the app gives you access to the client; it doesn’t automatically add a server address, authentication details, or a Subscribe link. Before connecting, you need your own existing subscription or server details, which you can import by following the tutorial. This site does not provide, sell, or recommend nodes or subscriptions. Keeping these two things separate helps explain why an empty list after installation doesn’t mean the App Store purchase failed.

A one-time purchase also doesn’t guarantee that an external connection service will remain available. The validity of a service, server response, and account expiration are separate from the client’s App Store purchase record. If the app opens but a connection fails, first check your existing configuration and service status rather than purchasing the client again. For more on this distinction, read One-Time Purchase and Client Purchase, then choose the right troubleshooting section for the issue.

What to check before and after confirming payment

Before starting a purchase, confirm that you’re using the personal account where you want the purchase record to remain. Your payment method must meet the storefront’s requirements; follow the system’s message to see whether it’s accepted. After authentication, if the app doesn’t immediately start downloading, don’t confirm the purchase again right away. Return to the product page to check the button, then look for a completed transaction in Purchase History. Payment notifications, pending transactions, and the option to download again may reflect different stages, so consider them together.

If your payment method is declined, billing information needs updating, or the account has a pending issue, address it through Apple Account payment and billing. Home, Config, and Settings in Shadowrocket can’t fix App Store payment requirements, and changing rules won’t affect billing. If a charge is unclear, keep the transaction details in your own account and use the system’s purchase support flow to check it. Don’t repeatedly tap the purchase button to find out whether you’ve already paid.

What one-time purchases do and don’t cover

Client updates are delivered through the App Store. Depending on your device settings, you can use automatic updates or check for updates in the store. The update history describes changes to the app, but this manual doesn’t list specific version numbers or release dates, since those can change. Whether an update can be installed on your device still depends on the compatibility requirements at the time. Having a purchase record doesn’t exempt a device from system requirements.

On the product page, review the purchase information near the price and the details shown in the information section. Don’t extend “one-time purchase” into an unlimited promise covering every future feature, region, or device; purchase eligibility is determined by the App Store listing. For a refund or transaction dispute, use Apple’s transaction support process. That process decides whether you’re eligible; this manual can’t determine the outcome on the store’s behalf.

Keep track of just three things from this section: the current purchasing account, whether the transaction completed, and the eligibility shown on the product page. Don’t put subscription links or server passwords in purchase notes or payment screenshots; they have nothing to do with the store transaction. Once the purchase is complete, continue to device installation. If you already have a purchase record but still see a price, check Restore purchases before assuming you need to pay again.

05 / DEVICE SETUP

Get Shadowrocket on iPhone or iPad and open it for the first time

For installation, check App Store compatibility first, then download status and system permissions. This guide focuses on iPhone and iPad; system requirements are determined by the App Store listing. Don’t assume your current device is eligible just because the app is installed on another device. Check the device model, system status, and purchasing account separately. Once the download completes, opening the app means installation is finished; it doesn’t confirm that your server details are correct or that a connection is established.

iPhone: from the product page to opening the app

After verifying the official app on your iPhone, tap the current App Store button to purchase or download it again. If the product page shows “Open,” launch the app from there to make sure you’re not still viewing only the store listing. If the icon is waiting or downloading, keep a working network connection and enough free storage, and check whether the system is processing other downloads. If the product page says the app is incompatible, follow its compatibility details instead of repeatedly trying to bypass the device requirements.

When you first open Shadowrocket, identify the actual interface entries such as Home, Config, and Settings, then follow the Quick Start Guide to add your own existing details. Completing the purchase doesn’t tell the app which server you want to connect to. If Home has no available items, complete Add Server or import a subscription first; an empty list isn’t a download problem. Before importing, make sure the details are for a service you’re entitled to use, rather than repeatedly pasting unrelated text as a configuration.

iPad: the same purchase, with a different screen layout

On your iPad, first check which account is signed in under Media & Purchases, then look up the same product. With the same purchasing account, check the App Store’s app or Purchased sections to see if you can download it again. Universal purchase availability and purchase eligibility are determined by the App Store listing. Don’t skip the iPad account and compatibility checks just because the app is installed on your iPhone. If the iPad still shows a price, check the account, family purchase source, and product identity before confirming payment again.

A larger screen may change how navigation, lists, and details are arranged, but the same interface terms still apply. When a tutorial refers to Config, look for that actual entry rather than a fixed screen position. System prompts may also look different, so read their wording. Having the app installed doesn’t mean its configuration has synced. Even if both devices use the same purchasing account, check Subscribe, rule selection, and server authentication details separately in the app.

VPN configuration permission and connection checks

When you first enable a connection, the system may ask permission to add a VPN configuration and confirm it with device authentication. This prompt authorizes a network configuration; it is not a new App Store purchase. Check the prompt’s source and contents when you initiate a connection, then decide whether to allow it. If you didn’t initiate the action, cancel and check the app. System authorization does not validate server settings or fill in missing configuration details.

Even after allowing the system configuration, check the Global Routing option and the server currently in use. Config applies rules according to the selected configuration; Proxy and Direct have different effects. Don’t switch between them just to keep a toggle on. Verify the connection using actual access, app records, and the status of your existing service—not just the status bar icon. If you deny permission, return to the connection step you initiated and check it again; you don’t need to buy the app again to get system authorization.

Check the same App Store listing for Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision compatibility. System requirements, device compatibility, and purchase eligibility are determined by the App Store listing. This section doesn’t apply other devices’ interfaces to iPhone or iPad. Find the basic steps for each of the two main devices in the iPhone download guide and iPad download guide. The tutorial covers connection setup after installation.

06 / PURCHASE RESTORE

Moving to a new device, reinstalling, and restoring purchases

Treat restoring as two separate tasks: recovering your App Store eligibility to download the app, and restoring your own in-app configuration. They don’t happen automatically as one step. Purchase records are generally tied to the original purchasing account, while configuration recovery depends on your device backup, how the app saved data, and the details you kept. Before starting, check whether you can still access the old device, verify the original purchasing account, and make sure your existing subscription or server details are saved safely. Don’t delete the only usable copy of your configuration in a hurry.

Find the app using the original purchasing account

On your new device, sign in to the Media & Purchases account you originally used to buy the app. Open the App Store’s app or Purchased list and look for Shadowrocket. The section name may vary, so follow what the current page shows. Once you’ve found the correct product, tap the redownload button. If a filter shows only apps not installed on this device, an already installed app may not appear. Check filters and hidden purchases before deciding that the purchase record is missing; a different view doesn’t mean your eligibility has changed.

If you can find the transaction in Purchase History but not the app in the redownload list, check the transaction status, hidden purchases, current storefront availability, and device compatibility. A history entry confirms that a transaction took place; it doesn’t mean every condition for downloading on the current device is met. If the purchase belongs to a family member, check Family Sharing rather than treating it as your personal purchase. For refunds, pending transactions, or other purchase statuses, rely on the account record and Apple’s decision.

Pause before buying again if you see a price

If you bought the app before but now see a price, common things to check include a different purchasing account, a different product, eligibility from a family purchase, or a storefront page that hasn’t updated to reflect the account. Check these in order; don’t assume the original purchase is no longer valid. First verify the developer and app ID, then check Media & Purchases, and finally cross-check the app list and transaction history. An app icon on an old device’s Home Screen doesn’t prove that the account signed in on a new device has the same purchase record.

Once you’ve confirmed that the account and product are correct, leave the product page and reopen it, or refresh the storefront as the system suggests. Don’t start by repeatedly signing out of the entire device. If the issue persists, note the product page button, Purchased list result, and transaction status, then contact Apple through its purchase support process. Don’t share a full bill or account credentials; just describe the stage and system message. Check Purchase History to see whether a new transaction occurred rather than guessing from the button’s appearance.

Check your configuration before reconnecting

After downloading the app again, check the server entries in Home, the selected configuration in Config, and the update status under Subscribe. A device backup may restore some data, but don’t assume all authentication details, rule selections, and system permissions are unchanged. If you need to import details again, use your own saved subscription or server information. If the old device still works, note the configuration structure and required settings before proceeding with the options currently available in the app. Treat subscription links as credentials and store them securely.

This configuration snippet is for identifying rule structure only; it contains no usable server. example.com is a documentation domain, and PROXY must refer to an available policy in your actual configuration. Use it only to check whether rules have been restored. It can’t replace existing connection details and shouldn’t overwrite your full configuration.

[Rule]
DOMAIN-SUFFIX,example.com,PROXY
IP-CIDR,192.168.0.0/16,DIRECT,no-resolve
GEOIP,CN,DIRECT
FINAL,PROXY

Rules are matched in order, so after restoring them, check the individual rules and then FINAL. The system VPN configuration may also need authorization again; seeing the app icon doesn’t mean permission has been restored. Check the server, selected configuration, and Global Routing before testing the connection. If the app opens but access fails, go to Connection and Rules Troubleshooting. Don’t keep redownloading from the App Store; that mixes purchase recovery with connection diagnosis.

07 / FAMILY PURCHASES

Family Sharing eligibility and what to check

Check the App Store listing, Family settings, and the member accounts to see whether Family Sharing applies. Having a family group doesn’t automatically mean every app is available to everyone. First check whether the product currently supports Family Sharing, then confirm Purchase Sharing is enabled, each member meets the relevant conditions, and the purchase appears in the family purchase list. System requirements and purchase eligibility are determined by the App Store listing. This manual can’t promise that a particular family will be able to access the app.

Check family membership and Purchase Sharing separately

In device settings, check the family membership and confirm that you’re in the intended group. Then check whether Purchase Sharing is enabled. Other family services working correctly doesn’t prove that app purchases are shared. Likewise, Purchase Sharing being enabled doesn’t mean every transaction is eligible. Conditions may depend on account region, item eligibility, member status, and purchase history. Read each setting’s prompts rather than drawing conclusions from the family name or member icons.

Each family member should use their own account in the system’s Family Sharing flow. The original purchaser retains the purchase record, and access through Family Sharing may have a different download path from a personal purchase. To download the app again, check the relevant family member in the App Store’s family purchases section rather than only searching your personal Purchased list. Section names can change; the key is to check whose purchases you’re viewing. This helps avoid mistaking an empty personal list for an absence of purchases across the family.

If a shared item is missing, check the chain of eligibility

First, confirm that the original purchaser can find Shadowrocket in their app list or transaction history, and verify the developer and app ID. Then check whether the purchase is hidden, Purchase Sharing is enabled, and the current member belongs to the right family. Finally, review the current product page details and any restrictions shown by the system. Different storefront regions among family members may affect shared-item availability. Follow Apple’s current requirements; matching device languages don’t mean storefront conditions match.

If the app appears in the shared list but the download still requires action, read the prompt and determine whether it concerns purchase approval, payment account verification, device compatibility, or product availability. Child accounts may also be subject to Ask to Buy or family management restrictions. Whether approval is required depends on family settings; don’t keep tapping to bypass confirmation. Check the app identity and price in any approval request rather than approving it based only on a familiar icon. Each person should complete confirmations through their own account.

Sharing the app doesn’t share in-app details

Even if a family member gets the app through an eligible family purchase, that doesn’t give them another member’s Subscribe details, server password, or Config. App Store sharing covers the app purchase; connection details belong to each person’s own services and configuration. Each user should set up connections only with information they’re entitled to use and follow the service’s device and usage terms. This site does not provide nodes or subscriptions, and family relationships aren’t a reason to share authentication details.

If someone leaves the family, Purchase Sharing settings change, or the original purchase status changes, recheck eligibility for future downloads and updates. A past successful installation doesn’t prove that access will remain available. Follow system prompts to understand how changes affect the app and its data on the current device. Before changing family membership, organize your own configuration backups and confirm the source of your purchase. This can prevent problems when moving to a new device if the app is only listed under another member’s purchases and you have no personal transaction record.

When discussing the issue with family, share only whether the product supports Family Sharing, whether Purchase Sharing is enabled, whether the original purchaser can see the app, and what the current member sees when downloading. There’s no need to send passwords, verification codes, or a complete bill. These four checks help separate product eligibility, family settings, purchase ownership, and device restrictions. If the issue remains unresolved, the account holder should contact purchase support through the system instead of having another member change account details on their behalf.

08 / DIAGNOSTIC ORDER

Troubleshooting: can’t find or download Shadowrocket, or it won’t work after opening

Troubleshoot by identifying the stage before changing settings. Describe what you can observe: no search results, an unavailable product page, a failed purchase confirmation, a download stuck waiting, an app that won’t open after installation, or an app that opens but can’t connect. Each points to a different set of checks. Don’t lump everything under “can’t download,” and don’t change the account, network, and app configuration all at once. Changing several things at the same time makes it harder to tell what helped.

Search and purchase: check storefront conditions first

If search returns no results, try the full product name, then open the specified listing through the App Verification Guide. If the product page says it’s unavailable in your region, check the storefront associated with your purchasing account. If it opens but says the app isn’t compatible, review the compatibility section. Confirm the app’s identity, storefront availability, and device requirements before checking payment. For a failed purchase, check billing details, pending account issues, and system restrictions—not Shadowrocket’s configuration file.

Screen Time, content restrictions, or device management by an organization may impose additional limits on app installation and purchases. Read the restriction shown on the device and ask the authorized device owner or administrator to address it. Restrictions on a managed device aren’t necessarily a product issue. If the account requires additional verification, complete the system flow first. Don’t keep starting purchases until you know the transaction status. If a charge is in question, check Purchase History before troubleshooting the download.

Download and launch: check system status first

If a download is waiting or interrupted, check whether the device can access the App Store, has enough free storage, or is asking for authentication. You can pause and resume the current task, or test another network you can use normally without changing anything else. Don’t repeatedly delete the download and buy the app again. If other apps are also affected, the issue is more likely with the device, store connection, or account; check those shared conditions first.

If the app finishes downloading but won’t open, restart the device, check for an App Store update compatible with your device, and review the compatibility requirements. Before deleting the app, consider whether your local configuration is backed up; deletion may affect local data, so it shouldn’t be the first step. If the system shows a specific error, record its exact wording rather than describing it only as a crash. Once the app opens normally, the App Store access process is essentially complete; move on to in-app troubleshooting.

The app opens but can’t connect: check your configuration

First, make sure your existing server or Subscribe details are valid. Then check the current item in Home, Global Routing, Config, and system VPN authorization. Connectivity Test results reflect only the conditions of that test; they don’t prove that all websites or DNS lookups are working. If the test responds but pages won’t load, check configuration, DNS, and rules in order. Read How to Troubleshoot DNS Resolution Issues instead of purchasing the app again.

When reporting an issue, include the device type, the stage where it stops, the full error message, and the checks you’ve already done. Don’t share subscription links, server credentials, payment details, or verification codes. For help with the interface, look for the relevant section in Troubleshooting. To configure the app from scratch, follow the main steps in the Setup Guide. App Store purchase issues belong to the account and transaction process; connection issues belong to in-app configuration troubleshooting. Keeping these separate avoids repeating steps.

At the end, verify only the issue addressed by your change: for a store issue, check that the correct product page opens and the app can be obtained; for a restore issue, check whether the original purchase is available; for a connection issue, check actual access and configuration records. Resolving one stage doesn’t mean every stage is fixed. A clear sequence of checks is more useful than adding unrelated settings. If the problem persists, return to the earliest failed step in this page’s contents and continue there instead of starting the purchase process again.