This guide is for anyone installing Shadowrocket on an Android device. Follow these steps in order: check the device architecture, download the APK in a browser, grant permission to install from that source, install the app, and turn off the temporary permission. If tapping a link in WeChat starts no download, the installer says the source isn’t allowed, or the file can’t be parsed, each points to a different step. Identify where the process stopped, then adjust the relevant setting.
1. Before installing on Android: check arm64 and get the APK
First, confirm that your Android device can run arm64 apps, then get the APK from this site. arm64 refers to the processor architecture the package is built for—not its file size or app version. A 64-bit-capable processor does not necessarily mean the current system has the required app runtime. If your device documentation lists only the processor model, check the manufacturer’s information about the system and architecture instead of assuming a newer phone is compatible.
For all platforms, start at the download page: get the iPhone / iPad version from the App Store. The developer is Shadow Launch Technology Limited, and the app costs $2.99 as a one-time purchase. Check the App Store listing for system requirements. The Mac (Apple silicon / Intel), Windows, Android, and Linux versions are free. The Android installer is linked from the download page in this site’s /dl/shadowrocket/ directory, so there’s no need to look for a file in search results.
- Check the device manufacturer’s system architecture information, then choose the Android arm64 package on the download page.
- Leave enough space for the browser to save the file and for the system to install it. Installation also needs room to unpack the package, so the APK’s file size alone isn’t a sufficient guide.
- If Shadowrocket is already installed, make sure your configuration is backed up first. Uninstalling should not be your first response to an installation problem.
- This guide assumes you already have your own service provider and subscription. Installing the app does not create a working configuration, and this site does not provide, sell, or recommend nodes or subscriptions.
2. Download and open the APK in your system browser
On Android, finish downloading the file in your system browser before opening the installer. Seeing the web page does not mean the APK has been saved: check the browser’s downloads and make sure the task is complete, then open that file. If you’re viewing the page in WeChat, switch to a browser as described in the next section before continuing. This avoids repeated taps creating multiple incomplete downloads.
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Open the download page
In your system browser, visit this site’s download page, find the Android section, and select the arm64 APK. Don’t use the browser’s “Save page” option as a substitute for downloading the installer.
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Wait for the download to finish
Open Downloads from the browser menu and make sure the task isn’t paused or marked as failed. If the download stops after a network change, resume it from the download history. If it can’t be resumed, delete the incomplete task and download the file again.
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Open the installer
Tap the APK in the browser’s completed downloads. If Android says installation from this source isn’t allowed, tap Settings in the prompt and enable install-source permission only for the browser you used to open the file.
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Complete the system installation
Return to the system installer, check that the app name is Shadowrocket, and confirm the installation. If you return to the browser without seeing the installer, tap the completed APK again; you don’t need to download it again.
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Turn off temporary permission
After confirming the app opens, return to Android’s Install unknown apps settings and turn off “Allow from this source” for that browser. This won’t uninstall the app. Enable the permission again only if you need to install an update manually.
Menu labels vary across Android manufacturers. “Downloads,” “Downloaded files,” or similar usually refers to the same file history. Follow the system’s actual interface and check whether the download is complete, which app started the installation, and whether the installer has reported a result. Don’t rely only on whether a download icon appeared in the notification bar.
3. Can’t download in WeChat? Switch browsers instead of changing install permissions
If tapping a download link in WeChat’s built-in browser on Android creates no file entry, switch to your system browser first. Embedded web views may handle downloads and external apps differently. Enabling “Install unknown apps” won’t help if you don’t yet have the APK. Check whether WeChat’s menu offers “Open in browser.” If it doesn’t, copy the link and open it yourself.
Choose how to open the link based on the menu options
If the menu has an open-in-browser option
- Tap the menu in the top-right corner of the WeChat page.
- Choose “Open in browser” or the equivalent option provided by your system.
- Make sure the page is open in a standalone browser, then go to this site’s Android download section.
If the menu doesn’t have that option
- Choose “Copy link” to copy the address of this site’s download page.
- Open your system browser, paste the address into the address bar, and visit it.
- Check that the address is on shadowrocketinstall.com, then start the download again.
In short: confirm the APK has finished downloading in your browser before changing install permissions. You don’t need to allow WeChat to install apps from unknown sources.
If a download task appears in your system browser but fails, check your network connection, available storage, and whether the browser can save files normally. At this point, the issue is no longer with WeChat’s built-in browser. Don’t change a file extension to turn a web page or error response into an APK. Download a complete file again from the download page.
4. Which app needs “Install unknown apps” permission? Check the actual source
On Android 8.0 and later, install-source permissions are managed separately for each app. Grant permission to the app that actually hands the APK to the installer. A common path is Settings → Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps → Browser → Allow from this source. On some systems, Special app access is under App management or Security. You can also search Settings for “Install unknown apps.” These are Android system settings, not Shadowrocket’s Settings.
If you open the file from the browser’s download history, the source is usually that browser. If you open the APK from Files or another file manager, the source may instead be the file manager. If the browser is already allowed but Android still blocks the installation, check which app is named in the prompt. Don’t enable install permissions for every app.
Turn off source permission after installation
RecommendedAllow installation only for the app you’re using, and turn the permission off when installation is complete. Shadowrocket will still open normally. Enable it temporarily again when you need to install an update manually.
Best for: devices where installation is complete and the browser doesn’t normally need to install apps.
Keep source permission enabled during maintenance
The selected source can continue to start the installation process, but each installation still follows the system’s steps. This setting does not enable automatic updates or give an app VPN access.
Best for: working through a series of installations from a verified source. Check the setting again when you’re done.
- If the setting is unavailable and says it’s managed by an administrator, check for a work profile, parental controls, or device management policies, and contact the device administrator.
- If an overlay or system security warning appears, read the full message. If needed, close any floating window covering the installer, then return to the system installation screen.
- If the system reports a risk or blocks the installation, verify the file’s source and read the system’s explanation. Don’t disable all security protections instead of investigating the cause.
5. APK won’t install? Check the file, architecture, and update status
Different Android installer messages point to different causes; don’t assume every problem means a permission is disabled. Source-permission errors usually appear before you confirm installation. Parsing, compatibility, and update conflicts can occur when Android identifies or installs the file. Note the full message and when it appeared, then follow the relevant steps below.
“There was a problem parsing the package.” Do I need to grant permission again?
First check that the browser shows the download as complete and that you opened the APK, not a saved web page. Delete any incomplete file and download it again from this site. If the complete file still can’t be parsed, check system compatibility. Repeatedly enabling install-source permission won’t fix a damaged or incorrect file.
“App not compatible with your device.” Did I choose the wrong arm64 package?
Check that your device has an arm64 app runtime, then compare your current system with the requirements listed on the download page. The processor name is only a clue. Renaming the file or trying the installation again won’t change the system’s architecture requirements.
It was installed before, but now says “App not installed.” What should I do?
Keep the existing app for now, and note whether the installer mentions a package conflict or an incompatible update. Confirm the new package came from this site and check available storage. Don’t uninstall the existing app just to try again—uninstalling may remove local configuration. Before reinstalling, make sure your configuration is backed up and can be restored.
The browser says the download is complete, but I can’t find the installer when I tap it.
Open Downloads in the browser and check the actual file and its save location, then check the Downloads folder in your file manager. If the file has been cleaned up, a notification or history entry may still remain. Delete the stale entry and download the file again; an outdated record is not an installer that’s still on your device.
When reporting an issue on the troubleshooting page, note your phone model, Android version, browser, the name of the app that started the installation, and the full error message. Don’t share subscription links, connection passwords, or other credentials. The exact system message is more useful than “it won’t install” for distinguishing a download problem from an installation problem. For more help, see Troubleshooting.
6. First launch and updates: installation doesn’t mean you’re connected
Once installation is complete on Android, first make sure the app starts normally, then set up your configuration and connection. Install-source permission only controls whether an external app can start an installation. The system confirmation shown when starting a VPN connection is a separate permission. Allowing one doesn’t grant the other: enabling installation permission won’t automatically allow a VPN connection, and allowing a VPN won’t give your browser permission to install apps.
- Check that the app launches: Open Shadowrocket from the system app list and make sure it doesn’t close immediately. If it fails on first launch, note the system message instead of repeatedly downloading and reinstalling while skipping compatibility checks.
- Import your existing configuration: Use configuration details you already have. If you copy a subscription URL, make sure the clipboard contains the entire address with no extra spaces. Don’t expose its token in screenshots or feedback.
- Understand the connection permission: When starting a connection, read the Android VPN confirmation and make sure the request is from Shadowrocket before deciding whether to allow it. This does not reinstall the app.
- Install future updates: Get Android packages from this site’s download page. Save any configuration you need before updating. If Android allows it, install the update over the existing app; if there’s a conflict, stop and check the message first.