Shadowrocket is connected in Shanghai, but two apps still time out

River_Entry169

I’m a foreigner in Shanghai using Shadowrocket on my iPhone to reach services that don’t load normally on my connection. The profile says it’s connected and a couple of websites open, but a messaging app and a video service still time out. I’ve switched between apartment Wi-Fi and mobile data and restarted the app, but the results are inconsistent. I’m unsure whether to look at the server, routing rules, or the apps themselves, and I don’t want to change settings blindly. For anyone using Shadowrocket in China recently, in 2026, what would you check first when only some apps fail?

Cedar_Passport845

A connected indicator doesn’t mean every app is using the same route. Compare the failing app on Wi-Fi and mobile data, then check whether the profile’s rules send it through the connection you expect.

Urban_Signal541

I’d change one thing at a time: see whether the app works with the connection off, compare the two networks, inspect the profile’s routing mode and app-specific rules, then try another available node if you have one. Reopen the affected app after reconnecting.

Lucky_Parcel320

Be careful with configuration files shared by strangers, and don’t disable security protections just to get an app working. A profile may route more traffic than you expect, and access can change without warning.

Lucky_Courier198

Write down which network, profile, and apps are affected before changing anything. If several apps fail only on one Wi-Fi network, that points somewhere different from a single app failing on both networks.

Panda_Permit564

This overview covers why some apps may behave differently even when a VPN appears connected: China VPN and app access guide.