Shadowrocket
Purchase & Restore Guide

01 Store Availability and App Visibility

Check the store, device, and network separately

Shadowrocket is a paid app on the App Store, primarily for iPhone and iPad. The same product page also lists compatibility information for Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision. Check the App Store page for current system requirements and purchase eligibility. Start by identifying which storefront your account is using, rather than repeatedly trying different search terms. App visibility, purchase availability, and device compatibility are separate questions; a single search result cannot answer all three.

App Store availability depends on the storefront associated with your account. Your physical location, network connection, system language, and the region setting under Language & Region are not the same as the storefront used for purchases. Changing your device language to English does not automatically change your account’s purchase region, and opening a webpage with a different storefront path does not switch your account to that storefront. If someone else can open the product page but you cannot find Shadowrocket in the App Store, that alone does not mean the app is no longer available.

Not finding the app doesn’t mean you haven’t purchased it

Shadowrocket may not appear in the mainland China App Store; check the current storefront for availability. Search results can also depend on spelling, indexing, and filters, so search is not a reliable way to verify purchase history. Search for the full name, Shadowrocket, rather than a nickname. If it still does not appear, check your account’s storefront and the product page details. Do not select a similarly named app and proceed to payment.

Being able to open a product webpage does not mean the app can be purchased in the App Store. A webpage may show details for one storefront, while your device handles purchases according to the account signed in to the App Store. If you see a message that the app is unavailable in your country or region, check storefront availability. If the message says the device is incompatible, check the compatibility section. These require different checks: the first concerns the storefront; the second concerns the device model, system, and product page requirements.

Use the available evidence to identify the stage

When an issue occurs, note both where you started and what message appeared: is the app missing from search results, does the product page show a region restriction, or is a price visible but payment fails? If search returns no results, there is no need to troubleshoot payment yet. If a download is already in progress, the issue is no longer about search indexing. Matching what you see to the relevant stage helps avoid unnecessary steps and prevents a second purchase before you have checked the original transaction.

If you have purchased the app before, include Purchased in your visibility checks. Search results and purchase history serve different purposes: not finding the app in search does not prove that the account has no purchase record. Conversely, a past purchase does not guarantee immediate redownload under every device or storefront condition. First confirm which account owns the purchase, then follow the information shown by the App Store. For more on search and storefronts, see How to Check Apple ID Region and App Store Visibility.

Check your region using your own account details and the settings provided by Apple. Do not rush to change your storefront just to test a search result: a region change can affect your balance, active subscriptions, payment methods, and Family Sharing, and will not resolve device compatibility or network issues. Complete the read-only checks in the next section first. Once you know the storefront and account status, decide whether to change account settings based on the App Store’s instructions.

02 How to Check Your App Store Account

Check the account under Media & Purchases

Distinguish the system account on your device from the identity used for App Store purchases. The Apple Account shown at the top of Settings is used for multiple system services. To check purchases, verify the account under Media & Purchases and on the App Store account page. These accounts may be the same, but the profile shown at the top of your device does not prove that past purchases belong to it. This assumption can cause confusion when you switch devices or restore one and see a price for an app you remember buying.

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your Apple Account at the top, then choose Media & Purchases and check the Country/Region in the account information. You may be asked to authenticate, and menu names or locations may vary by system version; follow the labels shown on your device. The goal is to read the current purchase storefront, not change it. Note the region shown. You do not need to sign out or repeatedly submit account details.

Cross-check in two places

Next, open the App Store and tap the profile icon to check the account used for purchases. Confirm that it matches the account you checked in the previous step. Look in Purchased or the relevant app list for a purchase record you recognize. Depending on the system, the entry may be called Apps or appear in a subpage of the account screen. Different menu labels do not mean a purchase record is missing. An in-app subscription address or server account is not an App Store purchase identity; these are separate kinds of information.

1. Note the account identifier currently signed in under Media & Purchases, keeping only enough detail to recognize it yourself.
2. Check Country/Region to identify the current purchase storefront; changing the system language is not a substitute.
3. Return to the App Store account page and check the app list and purchase history for relevant records.
4. Open the Shadowrocket product page and compare what appears on the web and on your device. Note any differences.

Purchase history and the list of apps available to redownload may use different layouts. Purchase history is for checking transactions and may be organized by date or other criteria; the app list is more useful for finding apps you previously obtained. Check the filters before drawing conclusions, and do not rely only on the most recent transactions. An original receipt can help verify the transaction name and purchasing account, but its date and amount do not indicate the current price or whether your device is compatible.

Make changes only after read-only checks

The region under Language & Region on your device mainly affects display formats and similar preferences; it is not a substitute for checking the App Store storefront. The currency used by a bank card or the location shown by a network address cannot, by itself, prove which storefront an account uses. If details appear inconsistent, rely on the account information and App Store transaction records. Check that you are not comparing pages from different accounts or screenshots from different devices.

If you need to change the country or region on your own account, first read the conditions shown in Settings. Check for pending transactions, remaining balance, active subscriptions, or Family Sharing restrictions. The steps depend on the account’s status, so do not copy someone else’s sequence of actions. Use accurate residence, payment, and billing details. Whether a change is allowed and when it takes effect depend on the information shown in your account settings. This guide does not provide accounts or handle account changes for you.

After checking, you should be able to answer three questions: Which account is being used for purchases? Which storefront is that account associated with? Does it have a Shadowrocket purchase history? If any answer is unclear, stop and verify before proceeding to payment. If the storefront is correct but the product page still cannot be used, go to Troubleshoot by Stage. If a purchase record exists, check Restore Past Purchases first rather than treating a displayed price as a reason to buy again.

03 Verify the Official Listing: Developer, Icon, and App ID

Verify the full product identity, not just the name

Use three checks to verify the official Shadowrocket listing: the developer is Shadow Launch Technology Limited, the app icon matches the official icon used in this site’s header, and the product URL contains App ID 932747118. The name and icon help you recognize the app; the App ID identifies the listing, and the developer field confirms who published it. Search results may include apps with similar names or artwork. If any detail does not match, stop and check again rather than proceeding to payment based on familiar-looking text alone.

Start with the official listing check on the Get the App page, review all three details, then open the App Store product page. Developer information may appear near the app name, in a developer link, or in the product information section. The seller field may be arranged differently from one page to another. Check the field’s contents rather than expecting it in the same place as an old screenshot. Layout changes do not change the verification criteria: compare the full developer name and App ID.

The App ID is not your purchase account

The App ID is the number the App Store uses to identify a product listing. It is not a user account or proof of purchase. The name in the product URL can make it easier to read, but check that the numeric ID matches in full. A storefront path can change which region’s page is displayed; the numeric ID identifies the app. If you check only the name and not the number, you could still open a different listing. Do not treat a similar-looking link as verification.

The icon is useful for a quick visual check, but it should not be your only source of confirmation. Search thumbnails are small, and themes or screen settings can affect how they look. Open the full product page and check the developer and App ID. This site uses only the official app icon provided by the build; it does not redraw the artwork to explain the app’s identity. Checking all three details is more reliable than trying to remember a particular line or color, especially when switching devices.

Separate identity checks from changing store details

After verifying the app’s identity, check its compatibility, price, and purchase information. These details can change with the device and storefront, so do not rely on figures from an old article. Ratings, review counts, and search rankings are not part of the three identity checks. Changes to those details do not affect verification of the developer name or App ID. This guide does not use ratings or download counts as a basis for purchase. Always check the App Store page for current system requirements.

If you have an old link saved from a message, webpage, or note, confirm that it opens the Shadowrocket product listing in the App Store before proceeding. A page that looks like a store listing is not the same as the purchase confirmation screen on your device. Before paying, check the app name and current price again to confirm the transaction. After purchase, keep your transaction record so you can check your restore eligibility later. These steps happen at different times and do not replace each other.

If all three details match but you see a region or download error, keep the exact error message and continue troubleshooting in the relevant section. There is no need to search for another app with the same name. If any of the three details do not match, stop the transaction and return to Get the App to check the listing again. This separates “wrong app” from “correct app, currently unavailable” and avoids repeatedly changing account, payment, or network settings for the wrong listing.

04 Purchase, One-Time Payment, and Service Boundaries

A one-time payment buys the client app

Shadowrocket is a closed-source commercial app available for a one-time purchase on the App Store. The US storefront price is approximately $2.99; the actual amount, currency, and billing details depend on the App Store page at the time of purchase. Other storefronts show local currency. This price is for the client app only; it does not cover any connection service or automatically provide a server. Before paying, verify the listing, purchasing account, and device compatibility, then check the final amount in the system confirmation.

A one-time purchase and a recurring subscription are different billing arrangements. The app purchase is billed through the App Store; the term, data allowance, or server status of any service you already have depends on that service. If the app installs successfully but shows no server list, that does not mean the app purchase failed; you may not have imported your own details yet. Conversely, a working subscription does not prove that the App Store purchase is complete. Check each status separately.

Check these four things before confirming payment

First, check that Media & Purchases is signed in to the personal account you plan to keep using, since you will need the original purchasing identity to restore the app later. Next, check that the App Store page allows this device to get the app; see the page for current system requirements. Then review the displayed price and currency rather than comparing it directly with a different storefront. Finally, read the purchase confirmation and make sure it is for Shadowrocket, not another item you accidentally tapped in search results.

Payment availability depends on the account’s storefront and billing status. If the system asks you to update payment details, check that the information is complete and resolve any billing issue shown on the account page. Do not repeatedly submit the same purchase to test it. Successful authentication only means the authentication step passed; it does not, by itself, confirm that the transaction is complete. Likewise, a brief pending state does not prove that payment failed. Check the App Store purchase history, app button status, and any follow-up messages together.

Transaction records and updates after purchase

After a successful purchase, check the app name and transaction status in your account’s purchase history and keep your receipt. Purchase history is useful for verifying billing; the app list is useful for finding a redownload option. They may display information differently. If there is a billing issue, check it through the transaction support options in your App Store account rather than trying to fix it by purchasing the app again. Apple handles payment and refund requests under its current policies; this guide cannot guarantee the outcome of a request.

Client updates are provided through the App Store. Automatic updates depend on device settings, network, storage, and storefront status. An update not appearing immediately does not mean that your one-time purchase has expired. To check manually, open the updates section of your App Store account. This guide does not specify a fixed app version or treat past prices or system requirements as permanent. Check the current product page when purchasing or updating.

A one-time purchase does not automatically save your local configuration in your purchase history. The App Store records that you obtained the app; it does not save subscription addresses, server passwords, or rule files you later add. Understanding this distinction before switching devices helps you avoid confusing app restoration with configuration restoration. If you already have a configuration, back it up yourself while the old device is available, and take care with the access credentials it may contain. Keep transaction records and configuration backups separately.

If the current screen shows a price but you remember purchasing the app, pause before confirming and check your account and purchase history under Restore Past Purchases. If you have not purchased it, follow the App Store prompts to complete the transaction, then continue to first launch. For cases such as “charged but not downloaded” or “still on the same page after authentication,” first establish the billing status, then check the download stage. Do not attribute every issue to the client app, and do not pay again just to test whether it works.

05 First Launch on iPhone and iPad

Treat App Store installation and setting up a connection as separate steps

After getting the app from the App Store, wait for the download and installation to finish, then confirm that the button lets you open it. If the icon still shows Waiting or progress is incomplete, troubleshoot the store or device download first; do not change connection settings in the app yet. Check the App Store page for current iPhone and iPad system requirements. Whether the same purchasing account can redownload the app on this device depends on compatibility and account history. A successful installation on another device is not enough to confirm eligibility.

When you first open Shadowrocket, take a moment to identify the main sections, such as Home, Config, and Settings. Home shows existing servers and connection status; Config relates to configuration and rules; Settings contains related options. The current app layout and labels take precedence. An empty server list is not an App Store purchase issue. You will need your own subscription or server details and can then import them from the relevant section. Purchasing the app does not create these details for you.

What the system VPN configuration prompt means

When you first connect, the system may ask permission to add a VPN configuration and require device authentication. This grants permission for a network configuration; it is not a second payment for Shadowrocket. Check that the prompt was triggered by your current action, read it, and then decide whether to allow it. If you previously denied or interrupted authorization, return to the app and check the connection action and system prompt again. If needed, check the VPN configuration status in Settings; the menu name depends on what your device shows.

Allowing a system configuration does not guarantee that a server will connect. The server address, port, protocol parameters, subscription validity, and current network must all be correct. Authorization only controls whether the system allows the relevant network configuration. If your device is managed by an organization, network settings may be restricted; check with the administrator rather than removing an unfamiliar configuration to troubleshoot. On a personal device, identify the purpose of any old configuration before changing it.

Have your own connection details ready before choosing a routing mode

For an existing subscription, use the corresponding in-app option, such as Subscribe. To enter server details manually, start with Add Server. All parameters must come from information you already have; do not guess them from a protocol name. After importing, check the list and selected item, then review the three Global Routing modes: Config, Proxy, and Direct. For your first test, confirm which mode is selected so you do not mistake a result under Direct for a working proxy server.

The following is a real rule section from a Shadowrocket .conf file. It illustrates that configuration and purchase history are separate. This is not a complete file that can establish a connection, and it contains no server credentials. The example sends the specified domain through PROXY, uses DIRECT for targets matching GEOIP, and handles the remaining traffic with FINAL. Rules are matched in order; the actual result still depends on the active configuration, routing mode, and available server details.

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

Display differences and completion criteria on iPad

The interface on iPad may be arranged differently depending on screen size, orientation, and system display settings, but checking purchases, importing details, and granting system authorization follow the same logic. Do not rely on the exact coordinates shown in an iPhone screenshot; look for the relevant functions using their original interface labels, such as Home, Config, and Global Routing. If the app was obtained on an iPhone using the same purchasing account, check Purchased on the iPad first. Check the App Store page for availability and current system requirements.

Track first-use completion as four separate checks: “the app opens,” “my details are imported,” “system configuration is allowed,” and “the selected routing mode works as expected.” Connectivity Test can help with troubleshooting, but one result does not replace checking actual access and rule behavior. For a complete walkthrough of importing, connecting, and testing, see the Quick Start Guide. This section covers what happens after getting the app, keeping store, permission, and service-detail issues separate.

06 Switching Devices and Restoring Past Purchases

Restore the app first, then restore your own configuration

When setting up a new device or reinstalling after deletion, first sign in to the App Store with the original purchasing account. Then find Shadowrocket under Purchased or the corresponding app list in your account. If the current storefront and device meet the requirements, you can generally redownload it without paying again. This restores eligibility to download the app; it does not restore all the details you later imported. Even after the app opens successfully, check your subscription, server details, and custom rules separately.

If the old device is still available, organize your existing configuration first. Note which configuration files you use, confirm that you can retrieve your subscription address and server details, and check the scope of any export or backup option available in the app. Do not assume that a device backup includes every piece of app data. What can be restored depends on the backup method and what the app actually saved. Verify each item on the new device before handling data on the old one.

Look in the correct app list

On the new device, open the App Store, go to your account, and look for Purchased, Apps, or a similar app management entry. Then find apps you have obtained. Menu names may vary by system version; the important thing is to check the account’s history of apps, not just search from the store’s home screen. If there is a filter such as Not on this device, check its scope. An app that has already been partly restored or is currently downloading may not appear in the expected filtered list.

1. Check that the account signed in under Media & Purchases matches the original purchasing account.
2. Search for Shadowrocket in the account’s app list and check the filters.
3. Check the redownload button and any messages for current device and storefront eligibility.
4. After opening the app, restore your own details and check Config and Global Routing.

If the app is missing from the list, first check purchase history or the original receipt to confirm which personal account made the purchase. Seeing a familiar profile after restoring a device does not verify the purchasing identity. Also consider whether the app was hidden: hidden purchases may not appear in the regular Purchased list, so check the hidden purchases section in account settings. Follow the information shown in the current account page to determine whether the app can be viewed or redownloaded. A missing entry alone does not prove the purchase record is invalid.

If a price appears, pause before confirming

If you remember purchasing the app but still see a price, common causes to check include a different account, changes to Family Sharing, the original transaction status, list filters, and current storefront availability. The price button alone does not identify the cause. Do not make another payment as your first troubleshooting step; return to your records and check. If the only record you find belongs to a family member rather than your own transaction, check the Family Sharing requirements in the next section. These are not the same restore eligibility.

If a past purchase exists but the app cannot currently be redownloaded, also check storefront availability, compatibility, account restrictions, and the exact error shown by the system. A past purchase does not guarantee restoration at every time or on every device. If the account needs to be checked, use the Apple support options available on your device. Have the app name, clues to the purchasing account, and the exact error message ready. Remove full payment details and other sensitive information before sharing anything.

Reinstalling is not the first step for every issue

If the app still opens but a server or subscription has stopped working, check your existing service details before deleting the app. Deleting it increases the risk of losing local data and may not change the server’s status. If reinstalling is necessary, first confirm the purchasing account and back up your details. If On Demand or connection status differs from what you expect after restoring, check the settings again rather than assuming every switch carried over correctly from the old device.

Your final check should cover two things: confirm ownership of the app in the App Store, and confirm your own details and usage status in the app. Once the first is resolved, you have identified the purchase and restore issue. If the second is still a problem, see the User Guide or Troubleshooting. For details on app lists and accounts, read How to Restore a Past Purchase After Switching Devices. Do not mistake a configuration migration issue for a need to buy the client app again.

07 Family Sharing: Eligibility and Limits

Check the product page and Family Sharing settings

Family Sharing is an Apple family feature. To check whether Shadowrocket is eligible under your current family purchase arrangement, review the relevant information on the App Store product page, Family Sharing settings, and member account status. Check the App Store page for current purchase eligibility. Joining a family group does not mean every app can be downloaded. Membership, purchase sharing, and the app’s own eligibility requirements determine different parts of the process.

Start by checking the product page for Family Sharing or related support information, then check your current family group in system settings. A family group supports several features; having one enabled does not mean purchase sharing is also enabled. Check the setting that explicitly shows the status of purchase sharing. Do not infer app purchase access from whether Photos, storage, or another family feature works. Each feature must be checked separately.

Check the source in a family member’s purchase history

If permitted by the family purchase settings, the App Store account may provide a way to view a family member’s purchased apps. Select the member who actually purchased Shadowrocket, then look for the app. An empty personal purchase list does not mean the family member’s list is empty. If you find the app, follow the App Store’s redownload instructions. If not, check who made the purchase, whether the app is hidden, and whether current Family Sharing conditions allow access rather than repeatedly refreshing search results.

Family members generally continue to use their own Apple Accounts. When checking a family purchase, verify whether Apple’s Family Sharing feature gives the current member access; do not switch every device to the same purchasing account. Keeping accounts separate helps distinguish personal purchases, shared access, and local device configurations, and makes future membership changes or restores easier to manage. Check the transaction records to confirm who paid and whose account the app appears under.

App purchase access does not replace service details

Even if you get the client through an eligible family purchase, you still need your own subscription or server details. App purchase eligibility does not determine how many devices an external service supports, how long it is valid, or where it can be used. Check those conditions in your own service information. Do not assume that a service allows simultaneous use simply because the client opens on another device. This guide explains how to get and configure the app; it makes no additional claims about access to services you already have.

Family Sharing does not automatically transfer local Shadowrocket settings. Do not assume that another family member will have the rules you changed in Config, your selected server, subscription address, or On Demand status. Configuration files may contain access credentials; before transferring them, confirm who they belong to and what access is authorized. Be careful with screenshots used to check purchase eligibility: do not include full email addresses, billing addresses, or details other family members do not need to see.

Downloads and updates after family changes

Changes to purchase sharing, family membership, or storefront region may affect app access and future updates. A successful installation in the past does not guarantee the same result for a later redownload, and current access restrictions do not automatically mean the app is broken. Note what changed, then check the App Store message. If a member’s region does not meet the system requirements, follow the conditions shown in the account and Family Sharing settings. Do not repeatedly leave and rejoin a family to guess at the outcome.

For child accounts, Ask to Buy, or managed devices, also check approval and content restrictions. If a request is awaiting approval, the relevant family organizer or parent should review it. If it has been approved but the download has not started, check the device’s network and storage. Separating approval, purchase eligibility, and download progress avoids submitting the same request repeatedly. If you still cannot determine the cause, save the product page’s Family Sharing information and the current message, then use Apple’s family and account support options. Do not share member credentials or assume every family arrangement is eligible.

08 Troubleshoot Search, Purchase, and Download Issues by Stage

First, note where the process stopped

Start troubleshooting with the last action you know completed. No search results, a product page that will not open, an unavailable price button, failed payment authentication, a pending download, an app that will not open after installation, and a connection failure after launch are different stages. Note the device type, current purchase storefront, where you started, the last successful step, and the exact error before choosing what to check next. “It doesn’t work” is not specific enough to locate the issue; “purchase completed, but the App Store button stays at Waiting” points directly to the download stage.

If the issue occurs only during search, check the full app name, account storefront, and product page message. If the direct product page works but search returns nothing, focus first on search results and availability rather than payment. If the product page says the app is unavailable in your region, check your App Store account. If it says the device is incompatible, read the compatibility section; check the App Store page for current system requirements. Changing the device language will not fix compatibility, and opening a webpage does not prove that the app can be purchased on your device.

Troubleshoot purchase failures and pending downloads separately

If a price is shown but the transaction cannot be completed, check whether the account needs to accept terms, update billing details, complete authentication, or resolve another account issue. If you see content restrictions or purchase approval, check the relevant system settings. Address one item at a time, following the prompt, then check the status again. Repeatedly switching networks, signing out, and resubmitting a purchase changes multiple conditions and makes it harder to identify what helped. If the transaction status is unclear, check your records before trying again.

If a download is pending or in progress, check whether other App Store pages load normally, whether the current network is stable, how much storage is available, whether cellular downloads are enabled, and whether the system needs confirmation. You can retry on a network that is available and permitted by device management, but do not delete existing app data at the same time. If the system reports insufficient storage, make room deliberately. If the download has finished but the icon has not updated, check the App Store button status again before taking further action.

Once the app opens, stop troubleshooting the App Store

If the app opens but cannot connect, first check system VPN configuration permission. Then confirm that your own subscription or server details are valid, that the expected item is selected, and that Global Routing is set for your needs. A failed subscription refresh is not the same as an App Store purchase failure; paying again will not fix an invalid address. See Subscription Refresh and Error Troubleshooting for related checks. If rules do not behave as expected, check which file is active in Config and review the rule order.

If the app itself will not launch, note whether it closes immediately, stays on the launch screen, or is explicitly blocked by the system. Then check the App Store update status, what happens after restarting the device, and system compatibility. Reinstall only after confirming the purchasing account and backing up your data; do not make it the first step. On managed or family-restricted devices, check the relevant policies before assuming the app is at fault. Do not remove an unfamiliar system profile or management setting without understanding its purpose.

Keep a troubleshooting record you can review

After each check, record the result as “confirmed,” “not confirmed,” or “not applicable.” Do not present a guess as a conclusion. For example, being able to open the App Store home page only confirms that some access is working; it does not prove that payment will work. A receipt is evidence of a transaction, but its account and status still need to be verified. When describing the issue to others, you can provide the device type, exact error, and checks already completed. Remove sensitive account details, subscription addresses, server passwords, and payment information to avoid exposing private data during troubleshooting.

Choose the next step based on the issue: check purchase and restore eligibility on this page; see the User Guide for your first import and connection; use Troubleshooting for individual issues; or check Verify the Official Listing to confirm the App Store product. If Apple needs to verify your account or transaction, use the support options on your device and provide the error details you have collected. Clearly identifying the stage is more useful than repeating the same failed action, and helps avoid unnecessary settings changes or duplicate purchases.