This guide is for first-time Shadowrocket buyers and anyone who needs to redownload an app they already purchased. First, confirm the account currently used for App Store purchases, then verify the app name, developer, official icon, and app ID. Check the price and compatibility before completing the purchase. Buying the app gives you the client; connecting for the first time still requires your own service configuration and system VPN authorization.
Before You Buy: Understand the App, Service Configuration, and Device Compatibility
Shadowrocket is a closed-source commercial app available exclusively on Apple platforms through the App Store. This guide focuses on purchases on iPhone and iPad. For Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision, check the compatibility section on the same product page. Refer to the App Store listing for system requirements and device-specific availability; do not assume an app is compatible based on the device name alone.
Shadowrocket is a one-time purchase. Buying the app does not include a service plan: your App Store payment covers the app only and does not provide a server address, password, or subscription. Importing a configuration later assumes you already have a service provider and subscription. This site does not provide, sell, or recommend nodes or subscriptions.
First, confirm what you’re buying
Before paying, check two things separately: that your device meets the store’s requirements and that you already have a usable service configuration. A completed payment does not mean you’re ready to connect.
Find and Verify the App: Don’t Rely on Search Results
Open the App Store and enter the full app name, Shadowrocket, in Search. Search result position is not proof of identity, and a similar name or icon does not mean it’s the same app. Open the product page and verify these four details before checking the purchase button.
| Item to check | What to verify | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| App name | Shadowrocket | Name at the top of the product page |
| Developer | Shadow Launch Technology Limited | Developer shown below the name; you can also scroll to Information to check the provider |
| Official icon | Rocket icon with a white background and blue-purple outline | Icon at the top of the product page; compare it with the official icon in this site’s header |
| App ID | 932747118 |
id932747118 at the end of the product page URL |
The app ID is the numeric identifier in the product link, not a version number or order number. To check the link, use the product page’s share option to view its URL; you only need to inspect the product address, not send anyone your account details. This site’s app verification page provides the corresponding App Store link.
Buy and Download: Confirm Your Account Before Authorizing Payment
The account used for App Store purchases may differ from the iCloud account shown at the top of your device. Before paying, tap the account icon in the top-right corner of the App Store and confirm which account is used for store purchases. Check that you’re using the account where you want to keep the purchase history before paying. The system interface labels below are given in English; if your device is set to another language, use the equivalent labels.
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Confirm your account
Open the App Store → tap the account icon in the top-right corner and confirm the current store account. To check further, go to Settings → Apple Account → Media & Purchases → View Account. Review only the information you need and leave unrelated settings unchanged.
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Find the app
Return to the App Store → Search, enter Shadowrocket, and open the product page. If it doesn’t appear in search, first check the store region and product availability. Don’t search for an alternative name with an unclear meaning.
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Verify the listing
Check the developer, Shadow Launch Technology Limited, the official icon, and app ID 932747118. Scroll to Compatibility to check device and system requirements.
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Confirm the purchase
Tap the price button. Check the app name, amount, and currency in the system purchase confirmation, then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your account password as prompted. The current App Store listing and purchase confirmation show the applicable price.
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Wait for installation
Keep your device connected to the internet and wait for the download and installation to finish. Open the app once the product page button says Open. If you leave the product page, check the download progress from the Home Screen.
If payment fails, first read the system message. If it points to a payment method issue, check the payment information on your current account. If the transaction is pending, check your purchase history first. Don’t repeatedly tap the price button to check whether you were charged, and don’t assume installation is complete based only on a bank notification.
Redownload a Purchased App: Check the Button State
The price, cloud download button, and Open button on the same product page indicate different states. A cloud download button usually means you can redownload the app. Open means the app is already installed on this device. If you’re sure you bought it but still see a price, check the purchase account and history before paying again.
- Price displayed: The current store view isn’t showing a purchase available for redownload. Check the original purchase account on the account page, then look for a completed transaction in Purchase History.
- Cloud download button displayed: Tap it and wait for installation. If progress doesn’t start, check your network connection, available storage, and whether the App Store is asking you to confirm your account.
- Open displayed: Open the app. If you can’t find its icon on the Home Screen, search for Shadowrocket on your device.
- Compatibility notice displayed: Return to the Compatibility section on the product page and check the requirements. A purchase record does not mean every device meets the installation requirements.
To find purchased apps, go to App Store → account icon → Apps or Purchased, then check the app list for the current account. Menu names may vary by system version. To verify a transaction, go to Settings → Apple Account → Media & Purchases → View Account → Purchase History. The app list is for redownloading; purchase history is for confirming whether a transaction is complete. They serve different purposes.
Common Purchase Problems: Check the Symptoms First
A missing search result, a failed payment, and a stalled download happen at different stages. First identify whether the issue is in Search, the purchase confirmation, or download progress, then check the relevant item. You don’t need to change Config or connection settings in Shadowrocket at this stage.
Why can’t I find Shadowrocket in Search?
First, make sure you’re searching in the App Store, then check the Country/Region for your current purchase account. Go to Settings → Apple Account → Media & Purchases → View Account → Country/Region to verify. Store availability depends on the account region, not directly on the system language. Before changing regions, check account requirements such as your balance, existing subscriptions, and payment method. Don’t make a region change your first troubleshooting step.
Why does the App Store still show a price after I paid?
First, confirm that you’re signed in to the same App Store account used for the purchase, then look for the app and transaction status in Purchase History. If the transaction is still pending, resolve its status first. If you’re using a different account, switch back to the original purchase account and check again. Don’t purchase again or rely on a single account notification before confirming the result.
The download button has been spinning for a long time. Should I buy it again?
No. Paying again won’t fix a download that’s stuck. First check whether your network can reach the App Store, then check available device storage and any pending prompts on your account page. Seeing whether other purchased apps download normally can help distinguish a store connection issue from a compatibility issue with this app.
I opened the app after buying it, but there’s no server. Did I buy the wrong app?
An app without a preloaded service configuration does not mean you bought the wrong product. First check the developer and app ID on the product page. Once they match, follow the Getting Started guide to import your existing configuration. Purchase history confirms the app transaction; service configuration must be set up separately. Neither replaces the other.
After Installation: Import a Configuration and Authorize the VPN
After installation, first make sure the app opens, then continue to configuration. Home shows information such as the connection and servers; Config is for configuration file operations; Settings contains app settings. Don’t confuse a configuration file in Config with the system’s VPN configuration authorization.
- Import an existing service configuration: Have a configuration from a service provider you already use. To enter a single server, tap “+” in the top-right corner of Home to open Add Server, then enter the address, port, and authentication details for the actual protocol. Don’t copy parameters from a different protocol.
- Protect sensitive information: Subscription URL tokens and server passwords are sensitive. When troubleshooting, keep only the fields you need and don’t share complete links. Don’t import purchase credentials as subscription content.
- Authorize the system VPN: The first time you turn on the connection, the system may ask to add a VPN configuration. Confirm that the request was triggered by opening Shadowrocket, then follow the system prompts to authorize it. Purchase confirmation and VPN authorization are separate steps.
- Distinguish connection from access: A system status showing VPN connected means the tunnel is connected; it doesn’t guarantee that every destination is reachable. If access problems occur, check your existing service settings, DNS, and current rules separately. There’s no need to repeat the purchase process.
The purchase is complete when the product details match, the transaction is finished, and the app is installed and opens successfully. Accessing destinations through your existing service is a separate configuration and connection issue. Continue with the Getting Started guide, or consult Troubleshooting if system authorization or the connection isn’t working as expected.