Restore Shadowrocket on a New iPhone: Redownload from App Store Purchases

1. Restoring a Purchase and Restoring Configuration Are Different

Shadowrocket is a one-time purchase that grants the right to use the app. If you sign in with the Apple Account used for the original purchase, you can usually redownload it on a new device or after reinstalling without paying again, provided the app is still available for redownload and the device meets the requirements. Here, “restore” means redownloading the app from the App Store, not purchasing it again in the app.

Your purchase history does not store your service passwords, subscription URLs, or custom rules. After using device migration or restoring a backup, check the new device to confirm which app data carried over. If you install directly from the App Store, be prepared to check your existing details again. This guide assumes you already have your own service provider and subscription.

• Purchase eligibility: Check the original purchasing account, purchase history, and product identity.
• App data: Check service entries in Home, configuration files in Config, and preferences in Settings.
• Service status: Check that your own service is still active. An app purchase does not indicate whether a service endpoint is working.
• Device requirements: Refer to the App Store listing for system requirements and purchase compatibility.

2. Redownload from App Store Purchases

The steps below use English interface labels. Names in the App Store account menu may vary by system version: you may see Apps → My Apps or Purchased. In other languages, look for the equivalent of “Apps,” “My Apps,” or “Purchased.” You don't need to change your system language to find the same option.

1. Check the purchasing account

   Open Settings → Apple Account at the top → Media & Purchases, then confirm the account used for media purchases. This may differ from the account used for iCloud on the device. Use the account that originally purchased Shadowrocket.

2. Open your purchase history

   Open App Store → your account profile in the top-right corner → Apps → My Apps. If the account page shows Purchased, open Purchased instead. Search your purchase history rather than relying only on App Store search results.

3. Search for the app

   Search for Shadowrocket. If the list has a Not on this iPhone filter, select it to view items that aren't installed. If the app doesn't appear, switch back to all items and search again in case a filter is hiding it.

4. Verify the product

   Open the product page and confirm the name Shadowrocket, the developer Shadow Launch Technology Limited, and app ID 932747118. Use the icon only as a secondary clue; verify the product details as well.

5. Redownload and open the app

   Tap the cloud download button, complete any verification requested by the system, and wait for installation to finish. Open the app and check Home and Config. If the product page still shows a price, don't proceed with payment; check your account using the next section first.

The cloud button lets you start a redownload, but it doesn't guarantee the download will complete. If it remains pending, check that the App Store is accessible and that your device has enough free storage, then note any system message. Don't assume a pending download is caused by Shadowrocket's routing rules.

3. What to Check If the Purchase Is Missing or a Price Still Appears

First distinguish between “no purchase record” and “a purchase record exists, but the app won't download.” For the former, check the account and purchase list first. For the latter, check App Store availability, system requirements, and the specific error message. Repeatedly changing regions or paying again won't answer which issue you're facing.

To investigate further, go to Settings → Apple Account → Media & Purchases → View Account → Purchase History and adjust the date range to look for older transactions. Use purchase history to verify the transaction; to reinstall, return to the app list in the App Store. Don't share full order details, account passwords, or verification codes in this guide or in public support posts.

4. Check the Original Account and Store Region Separately

The Apple Account identity, the account currently signed in for purchases, and the store's Country/Region are three separate things to check. Signing in to iCloud on a new iPhone doesn't automatically mean the App Store is using the original purchasing account. If the same account later changes regions, that doesn't guarantee every past purchase can be redownloaded in the current region.

• Check the account first: Review Media & Purchases on the old device and your purchase receipt to confirm the original purchasing account before proceeding on the new device.
• Then check the region: Go to View Account → Country/Region to see the current setting. Don't infer it from the system language, device location, or phone number.
• Don't treat a region change as a fix: Changing regions may affect account balance, active subscriptions, and payment method requirements. Read the prompts on Apple's account page first.
• Keep a working device: If the app still opens on your old device, organize your own configuration details first. Verify everything on the new device before erasing the old one.

If you found the correct purchase record but the store still won't let you redownload the app, keep the error message and purchase receipt, then use Apple's support channels to check for an account or store issue. Global Routing, DNS, and On Demand settings in the app can't change App Store purchase eligibility.

5. Restore Your Own Details and Settings After Installation

First check whether your original service entries are still in Home, then check whether Config still contains the configuration files you need. Being able to open the app and toggle the connection are separate from having a working service. If details are missing, restore them only from your own backup or existing service information. Avoid changing protocols, DNS, and rules all at once.

1. Check Home: Confirm the service entry names and required details. To reimport a subscription you already have, tap “+” in the top-right corner of Home → Type → Subscribe, enter your own subscription URL, save it, and check the updated entry.
2. Check Config: Confirm that the expected configuration file is present and selected. If you use custom rules, check the target policies for entries such as DOMAIN-SUFFIX, IP-CIDR, and GEOIP, as well as the fallback behavior at the end of FINAL.
3. Check Global Routing: Choose a mode using the guidance below. Don't mistake Direct mode for a problem with an existing proxy service.
4. Confirm connection permissions: The first time you enable a connection, follow the iOS prompt to allow adding a VPN configuration and complete any required device verification. A purchase record doesn't grant this system permission.
5. Check automatic connections last: Verify a manual connection first, then go to Settings → On Demand and check your existing automatic connection conditions. This keeps automatic triggers separate from manual troubleshooting.

The comparison below covers only Shadowrocket's Global Routing modes. The recommendation assumes you have a complete Config and want to resume everyday rule-based routing. Selecting Config won't create missing rules or service details.

If you previously used Scene, check the relevant scene settings separately; don't assume the scene conditions transferred completely to your new device. For testing, keep the network, service entry, and test page the same, and change one setting at a time. This helps distinguish missing data from changes in network conditions.

6. Common Questions About Restoring on a New Device