Shadowrocket on the App Store
Purchase & Restore Guide

1. Storefronts & App Availability

Whether Shadowrocket appears depends on the App Store storefront used by the currently signed-in account and what the product page displays. The device’s language, your physical location, or a product page opened in a browser for a particular storefront cannot, by itself, tell you which storefront the account is using. The storefront determines the available catalog, currency, and payment requirements; the device language mainly affects the interface. Distinguishing these factors helps avoid mistaking an empty search result for a device problem.

How storefront, language, and links differ

App Store product links include a storefront path, but the path shown in a browser is not the same as the account’s store settings. After you follow a product link, the system may open the App Store or ask whether you want to view a different storefront. Check the page that ultimately opens in the app and the account status. Seeing the app name on a web page does not mean the current account can purchase it. Likewise, one search with no results does not prove the app is unavailable in every storefront.

The device’s Language & Region settings and the country or region of the account used for purchases are separate settings. Changing the system language usually does not change which account owns a purchase, and it does not replace checking the App Store account. Check the account’s country or region, whether the product page opens, and the exact message displayed. Currency can offer a clue, but it should not be the only one: the browser display and actual checkout may use different contexts.

Open the product page before deciding whether to check the account

Start with the App Store link on the Getting the App page. If the page opens normally, check the app identity and compatibility before reviewing the button. If it says the app is unavailable in your region, note the full message and then check the account used for purchases instead of repeatedly changing network settings. Page access, purchase availability, and a successful download are three different outcomes. Record them separately rather than describing them all as “it won’t open.”

If a name search returns nothing but the product link opens, the issue may be the search term, result filtering, or search context; there’s no need to change accounts straight away. If the product link explicitly says the app is unavailable in the current storefront, check the account’s country or region. If the page appears but says the device is incompatible, move on to the compatibility check. If a download is already in progress, storefront availability is usually not the first thing to investigate. Address one confirmed issue at a time.

Before changing an account’s country or region

Changing an account’s country or region is an App Store account-management task. First read the system’s information about account balance, payment methods, existing subscriptions, and Family Sharing. Don’t treat a region change as a standard prerequisite for purchasing an app, and don’t switch back and forth without understanding your purchase history and account use. If the account already uses the intended storefront, changing its region won’t restore a purchase made on another account.

A useful check should record the account used for purchases, its displayed country or region, whether the product page opens, the button label, and the full error message. There’s no need to send anyone your full account identifier, payment details, or verification code. The following chapters use these details to distinguish storefront issues from payment, device, and restore issues. That makes it easier to see what changed if you need to check again later, rather than retrying every setting from scratch.

2. Check the App Store Account Used for Purchases

Check the account used for App Store purchases, not just the name shown at the top of the device. The account used for cloud services may differ from the one under Media & Purchases. If you bought Shadowrocket before but see a price again on a new device, first check which account owns the purchase. This is usually more useful than reinstalling the app, resetting network settings, or changing in-app options, because app settings cannot change App Store purchase records.

Check the account and country or region on your device

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, go to your account, and look for Media & Purchases. Use the options shown by the system to view the account. The names and locations of Country or Region and purchase history may change with the system interface, so follow what your device currently displays. You can also open the App Store, go to your account page, and check which account is being used for the store. Consider both places; a matching profile picture alone does not prove that the purchase accounts match.

The system may ask you to verify your identity when you view account details. Complete this within the device’s system interface. Don’t enter a verification code on this guide or send anyone your password, payment details, or complete purchase receipt. If the device is shared with family members, first confirm who owns the account before making changes that affect purchases, payments, or Family Sharing. You don’t need to sign out of the device’s cloud account just to check an app purchase.

Match the account to its purchase history

In the purchase history, check whether there’s a Shadowrocket transaction and which account it belongs to. When searching your purchased apps, try the full product name rather than a nickname. A purchase made using another account you own won’t automatically belong to the account currently signed in, even on the same device. First locate the record on the account that made the purchase, then decide whether to use the account-management or restore options provided by the system.

Choose the next step after checking

If the account is correct, the product page is available, and the purchase appears in your history, but the button still shows a price, leave the product page and reopen it so the store can refresh the account status. Don’t confirm a new payment just to test the button. If the page asks you to resolve a pending transaction, payment details, or terms, follow the store’s instructions for that account. If the purchase belongs to another account you own, resolve the account mismatch first; clearing Shadowrocket’s configuration won’t restore the purchase.

If you need to switch the account under Media & Purchases, first review the system’s prompts and their effects. After switching, check the current account and product page again. Switching accounts is not the same as syncing app data: existing configuration may remain on the device, or you may need to import it again after reinstalling. If you can’t access an account, use the account recovery process provided by your device and the App Store. This guide does not collect account details or perform identity verification for you.

You may want to keep a brief note locally, such as “Purchase found, App Store account matches, product page offers redownload.” Record the status without saving sensitive screenshots. If you switch devices or reinstall later, these details can help avoid confusion about whether you need to pay again. For more on how App Store buttons relate to purchased items, see Switch devices & restore purchases. The app still being on an old device is not proof by itself.

3. Identify the Genuine Shadowrocket App

Check three details together to identify the genuine app: developer Shadow Launch Technology Limited, the official icon, and app ID 932747118. Verify them on the actual App Store product page, not just in search results or from an image. Follow these checks in order to avoid confusing a similarly named result with Shadowrocket.

Check the developer, then the app ID

On the product page, find the developer or provider information and confirm the name is Shadow Launch Technology Limited. The field may appear in different places on different devices; scroll down to the information section if needed. Don’t skip this check because a result ranks highly in search or has similar wording or icon colors. Match the complete developer name shown in this guide rather than guessing from an abbreviation or description.

Next, check the app ID in the product link. Shadowrocket’s app ID is 932747118, and its product page link includes id932747118. A change in storefront path or title text does not mean the app’s identity has changed; the numeric ID is the key detail to match. If you view the link using App Store’s sharing feature, check that it points to the same app. Don’t mistake another product from the same developer or a search page for the Shadowrocket product page.

Use the icon as a visual aid, not a substitute for checking the details

This site’s header uses the official App Store icon supplied by the build. Use it as a visual reference, comparing the overall shape and composition rather than just the colors or rocket outline. The icon may appear at different sizes, and the surrounding crop can vary by device interface. Always check the developer and app ID as well. If the three details don’t match, stop and verify before proceeding to payment.

Check the description, compatibility, price, and update history on the same product page. Don’t combine prices or system requirements from other pages with the listing you’re checking. Store information can vary by storefront and display context. This guide does not provide a version list or use old screenshots to determine current availability. To check whether your device is supported, read the compatibility section on that product page instead of relying on older information.

Check the button and the page it opens

After opening the App Store from this site, check the page title, developer, icon, and app ID, then review the purchase or redownload button. If your browser shows a product preview, open it in the App Store and confirm where it lands. A successful redirect only means the link opened; it does not confirm the purchase account, device compatibility, or purchase status. If more than one account has been used on the device, check the account identity and app identity separately.

A price means the current page offers a purchase; it does not prove that you never bought the app. If you see a cloud or redownload icon, confirm that you’re on the correct product page, not a similarly named result. If the button says “Open,” it can launch the app installed on the device, but it does not prove that the current purchase account matches the original one. The button shows the available action; account records determine purchase ownership.

After checking, you can review the three details in the genuine-app check on the Getting the App page. For a first purchase, check them before paying; when switching devices, check them again before downloading. There’s no need to upload account screenshots to this site or provide your App Store password to any page. The details should match on the same App Store product page; a claim in a description is not a guarantee.

4. Purchase, Pricing & One-Time Payment

Shadowrocket is a paid commercial app sold on the App Store, with a one-time purchase. The US price is $2.99; check the App Store page for the current price. Other storefronts show local currency, and the amount charged is the one shown at confirmation for the current account. This chapter explains what the app purchase covers and how it differs from payment for your own connection services.

From the product page to payment confirmation

After confirming the three app details, check the price, device compatibility, and current purchase account, then use the App Store button to begin checkout. The system may ask you to verify your identity or account; complete this in the system interface. Before confirming payment, check the app name and amount again. If you were trying to restore a purchase but are asked to pay, cancel and check your purchase history instead of completing the transaction as a test.

Payment availability depends on the current account, storefront requirements, and payment status. If payment fails, read the store’s reason, such as a request to verify the account, update payment details, or resolve a pending transaction. Global Routing, Config, and server settings in the app do not affect whether the App Store accepts payment. Don’t change existing connection configuration to address a payment issue, and don’t treat a failed transaction attempt as a completed purchase.

The app purchase and connection details are managed separately

A one-time purchase of the app is not a connection plan. Buying Shadowrocket completes the App Store purchase of the app; it does not provide a usable subscription or server details. Connecting requires your own subscription or server details, which you must check for accuracy and validity. This site explains app configuration and use; it does not provide, sell, or recommend nodes or subscriptions.

Likewise, a subscription link that refreshes successfully does not prove that the App Store purchase belongs to the current account; these use separate records. The store handles app purchases, redownloads, and updates. In Shadowrocket, Subscribe, Add Server, and Config manage connection details and configuration. First identify which side the issue belongs to: check the store for missing payment records, and the app configuration for incomplete details or connection failures. Don’t change unrelated settings across both.

Check whether the purchase completed

After checkout, check the product page status and your purchase history. The page entering the download stage is one result; the account transaction record confirms which account made the purchase. If the download doesn’t start right away, check for an unfinished confirmation step, account information the system needs, or a paused download queue. Don’t pay repeatedly because the icon hasn’t appeared on the Home Screen, and don’t use a temporary bank record alone to judge the final App Store transaction status.

If you suspect a duplicate charge, first check the app, account, and transaction status in your App Store purchase history, then use the system’s purchase-support options. Don’t share complete order details in public discussions. If payment completed but the device is incompatible, app settings can’t bypass compatibility requirements. If the purchase completed but the download is paused, troubleshoot the network, storage, and store status instead of buying again.

A one-time purchase is not a promise of future storefront availability, compatibility with every device, or access to connection services. App updates are managed through the App Store; check the store for available updates. To keep using the app after reinstalling, restore the original purchase first. To connect using your existing details, go to the user guide after installation and follow the configuration and verification steps.

5. Device Compatibility & First Launch

Shadowrocket is primarily used on iPhone and iPad. The compatibility section of the same App Store product page also lists Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision. System requirements and purchase eligibility are always as listed on the App Store page. The same product page does not mean the interface, configuration options, or steps are identical on every device. The main getting-started instructions in this guide focus on iPhone and iPad.

Check device compatibility before downloading

On the device where you plan to install the app, open the product page and read its compatibility information. Confirm that the device and system meet the requirements. A product page that opens in a browser does not mean the device meets the requirements, and a successful installation on an older device does not confirm current compatibility. If the store says the device is incompatible, check for any required system update and review the listed requirements. Repeated payment attempts or deleting other apps won’t resolve a system compatibility issue.

On iPhone, server selection and configuration usually use a single-column interface. iPad has more screen space, so the layout may use columns or a different arrangement. Find controls by their interface labels, such as Home, Config, and Settings, rather than remembering which row a button appeared in on a screenshot. The current app interface is the source of truth. Switching between portrait and landscape does not indicate a different purchase, and connection details do not automatically sync from another device.

Installation, import, and system authorization are separate steps

After installation, first confirm that Shadowrocket opens normally, then prepare your own subscription or server details. Adding a server manually with Add Server or managing an existing subscription with Subscribe are in-app configuration steps, separate from the App Store download. After installation alone, the app does not know your server address or other details, so an empty list does not mean the purchase failed.

The first time you try to connect, the system may ask for permission to add a VPN configuration. This allows the app to create the required VPN configuration in the system; it is not another app purchase and does not verify your server details. The device user decides whether to grant permission in the system interface. Afterward, check the current selection and connection status in the app. See About the Add VPN Configuration prompt for more on this system prompt.

Rule examples: what to check after installation

The following .conf snippet illustrates rule matching. It is not a complete connection configuration and contains no server details. When Global Routing is set to Config, check the active configuration and policies. Proxy and Direct handle traffic differently from routing by configuration rules. App Store purchase does not set these options, so treat “installed” and “routing as expected” as separate checks.

[General]
bypass-system = true
dns-server = system

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

Rules are matched from top to bottom; the first match uses its corresponding policy, and FINAL goes last as the fallback. PROXY in the example still requires your own valid connection configuration; a rule snippet does not provide a server. When troubleshooting, check the current Global Routing selection first, then the active Config. If you haven’t imported connection details, follow the getting-started steps rather than rewriting rules to conceal missing information.

The same purchase and configuration distinction applies on iPad: redownloading an eligible purchase from the store does not transfer subscriptions or custom rules from another device. After moving to a new device, check the server selection, configuration files, and system authorization. Don’t assume everything matches just because the same icon appears. See Installing Shadowrocket on iPad and interface differences for more, or visit Getting Shadowrocket on iPad for store access information.

6. Switching Devices, Reinstalling & Restoring Purchases

When switching devices or reinstalling, restore the app purchase through the App Store first, then handle Shadowrocket connection details and configuration. Redownloading a purchased app and restoring its app data are separate processes. Redownload depends on the original purchase account and store conditions; data restoration depends on whether you saved your own subscription, server details, and configuration. Keeping these processes separate explains why an app may redownload while its list is empty, and why restoring a purchase does not automatically restore every connection setting.

Start with the purchased apps list for the original account

On the new device, open your App Store account page and look for the purchase history or purchased apps section. Names may vary by system version; find the list of apps purchased by this account and search for Shadowrocket. Confirm that Media & Purchases is using the account that made the original purchase, then check whether redownload is available. If the app isn’t listed, check the purchase history, search terms, and hidden purchases before assuming the purchase is no longer valid.

An icon on an old device only proves that the app was installed there; it does not by itself prove that the current account owns the purchase. If the old device is available, check its App Store account and purchase history as a reference for the new device. Don’t rely only on the device name or cloud account profile picture. If you’ve used more than one of your own purchase accounts, check each account you can access. Don’t share passwords or let anyone else take over your device account.

If you see a price, stop before making another purchase

If you expected to redownload but see a price, first check the account, app identity, and Family Sharing options. Leave the product page, open it again from your purchased apps list, and check that the store has loaded the current account status. If the record clearly exists but the page still doesn’t look right, note the non-sensitive error message and follow the App Store purchase support process. Don’t repeatedly tap the price and complete verification as a way to restore a purchase.

A hidden purchase may not appear in your purchased apps list; that doesn’t mean the original transaction never happened. Check the account’s hidden-purchase management options and use the methods provided by the system. If the current storefront says the app is unavailable, or the device doesn’t meet compatibility requirements, follow the store’s current message even if you have an earlier purchase. This guide cannot guarantee that a past purchase can always be redownloaded in every storefront or on every device.

Verify each item after restoring; don’t delete data from the old device right away

After opening Shadowrocket on the new device, first check for the expected server entries and configurations, then decide what needs to be imported again. Reimport your own subscription using the details you already have and check the refresh result. For manually added servers, recheck the address, port, protocol, and relevant parameters. A matching entry name does not guarantee that all details are intact. Don’t post a subscription link publicly to ask someone to check it; it may contain access credentials.

If you used device migration or a system backup, check the restored app data in the app itself. Review the selected server, Global Routing, and Config, then confirm system authorization. A working setup on the old device does not mean every setting is the same on the new one; changes in network conditions can also affect test results. Keep your original configuration details somewhere safe until you’ve verified the new device, so you don’t lose the only copy before confirming the migration.

Consider the risk to your data before deleting the app. If the store download is paused, address the store or network issue. If the connection fails, check the existing configuration rather than treating reinstallation as the default fix. Reinstall only when you know it’s necessary and have saved the information you need. A complete restore means confirming purchase ownership, installing the app, checking connection details, and completing a real test—not just seeing the icon on the Home Screen again.

7. Family Sharing: Eligibility & Limits

For Family Sharing, follow the current support information on Shadowrocket’s App Store product page and the actual sharing eligibility of your family group. One family member having purchased the app does not mean every account and device can redownload it. Check app support, family group settings, purchase sharing, and the storefront used by each member. Family Sharing provides access to eligible app purchases; it does not combine family members’ accounts, configurations, or connection details.

Check app support before reviewing Family Sharing settings

First check the product page for Family Sharing information and the conditions it lists, then review the family group in your device settings. Check that the member has joined, purchase sharing is enabled if needed, and the person who bought the app is in the relevant group. Follow the system prompts. Don’t skip the checks on the device just because someone in a chat says they’ve joined: invitation status, membership, and purchase sharing can be separate steps.

Family members must also meet the system’s storefront requirements. If the system says storefronts don’t match, sharing is unavailable, or an account is restricted, address the stated condition first rather than blaming Shadowrocket’s configuration. Family settings may also involve payment arrangements, child account restrictions, and purchase approval. Understand the effects on the whole family before making changes; don’t overlook other members’ existing needs just to download one app.

Find the app in the family member’s purchases

In the App Store account page, look for the section for family members’ purchases. Open the list for the person who actually bought the app and search for Shadowrocket. If it isn’t there, confirm that you selected the right family member, that they completed the purchase, and that it isn’t hidden. The family purchases list and your personal purchased apps list are different views. Not finding the app in your own list does not prove Family Sharing has failed. Don’t confirm a new payment just to try to refresh eligibility.

If the app appears in the family purchases list but still won’t download, check device compatibility, account restrictions, and the exact message on the page. If the product page shows a price, return to the Family Sharing section to confirm eligibility instead of assuming the price means you must buy it again. The App Store determines whether sharing requirements are met. This guide can help you check the details, but it cannot change purchase ownership or grant access on the system’s behalf.

App purchase access does not include connection details

After downloading the app, eligible family members still need to configure it with their own subscription or server details that they’re authorized to use. Family Sharing does not distribute the purchaser’s server list, Config, or connection status in Shadowrocket, and it does not change the terms that apply to a connection service. Check app download eligibility and connection details separately; eligibility for shared app purchases does not determine access to other services.

Each family member must also grant system VPN authorization and test the connection on their own device. Even with the same app and purchase source, the device’s system, current network, and selected configuration may differ. For connection issues, see Connection troubleshooting or the user guide instead of repeatedly changing Family Sharing settings. Changing family purchase options won’t fix incorrect server details or replace a subscription refresh check.

Before leaving or changing a family group, read the system’s information about purchase access, payments, and membership. Don’t assume that because you can open the app now, the conditions for future updates and redownloads will never change. For eligibility questions, keep the system message and check through App Store account support. Check existing configuration on the device itself. This guide does not collect family members’ account details or provide account or group arrangements.

8. Troubleshoot Search, Purchase & Download Issues

Start with the stage where the problem occurs: no search results, product page unavailable, payment incomplete, download paused, app won’t open after installation, or connection failure after launch. First note where it happened, what the page displayed, and whether a purchase record exists. Then change settings. Repeatedly retrying everything can change account status, network conditions, and app data at once, making it hard to identify the cause and potentially creating more recovery work.

Can’t find the app or open its product page

If search returns nothing, search for the full name Shadowrocket, then use the Getting the App page to open the direct product page. If that link works, check that you’re searching in the right place and that other results aren’t obscuring it. If the store says the app is unavailable, return to the storefront and purchase-account checks. Don’t change the system language just because search didn’t find the app, and don’t assume that seeing a web preview means the account is eligible to purchase it.

If the product page takes a long time to load, first check whether other App Store content also fails to refresh, then check whether the device’s current network is working normally. You can compare once across networks available to you and note the original message. If only this product page shows a clear region or compatibility notice, follow that information instead of treating it as a general network failure. Changing Shadowrocket configuration repeatedly won’t change purchase eligibility in the App Store catalog.

Payment declined or download paused

If payment is declined, check whether the current account needs payment verification, has an outstanding issue, or needs to accept updated terms. Check your purchase history to see whether the transaction failed or completed but the download hasn’t started. If the purchase is listed, don’t pay again. If it isn’t listed, don’t assume a tap on the purchase button completed it. For questions about the amount or transaction status, use App Store purchase support. In public discussions, describe the status without sharing full payment details.

If the download is paused, check the download queue, available storage, network connection, and any system restrictions. A waiting icon on the Home Screen is not the same as a failed purchase. First try the system’s option to resume the download, then decide whether to reopen the product page. If the device is managed by a family or organization, check for download restrictions. Don’t delete Shadowrocket to free up space before saving any unsaved details, and don’t reset the device as a first step.

Follow the relevant steps for issues after installation

If Shadowrocket opens, the issue has usually moved past the App Store download stage. Check that you’ve imported your own valid subscription or server details, the right option is selected, and Global Routing is set as expected. Then check system VPN authorization and run a connection test. A failed Subscribe refresh is not an App Store purchase failure. See Subscription refresh and troubleshooting to check the link, response, and format separately.

If the connection is established but access isn’t as expected, check the active Config and rule order rather than continuing to troubleshoot the purchase. For first-match behavior, the FINAL fallback, and how PROXY, DIRECT, and REJECT work, see Custom rule priority. If the app behaves unexpectedly on launch, note the steps that trigger the issue and check the system and app compatibility requirements. Before deleting and reinstalling, save the connection details you need so a single issue doesn’t turn into a data recovery problem.

After a round of checks, you should be able to state the result clearly, for example: “The product page is available, the purchase is in my history, and storage is blocking the download,” or “The app is installed, but the subscription refresh failed.” Work only on the step that hasn’t passed. For quick answers, visit the FAQ. To continue configuring the app, return to the user guide. The store handles getting the app; the client handles your existing connection details. Keeping those paths separate is the key to troubleshooting.