Shadowrocket for Mac: Choose the Right DMG and Install

Check your Mac model before choosing a DMG

Start by identifying the processor in your Mac. Shadowrocket provides separate Mac packages for Apple silicon and Intel computers. The package type is determined by the processor architecture, not by the macOS version, screen size, or the year shown in a product description. Choosing the wrong DMG can prevent the app from opening or lead to an architecture warning, so check the device itself before downloading.

On your Mac, open the Apple menu → About This Mac. Look for the processor or chip information. A Mac that lists an Apple M-series chip uses the Apple silicon package. A Mac that lists an Intel processor uses the Intel package. The label varies across macOS releases, but the distinction between an Apple chip and an Intel processor is what matters. If you are checking a managed or shared Mac, confirm the model with its owner or administrator rather than inferring the architecture from the appearance of the computer.

Use the download page to select the Mac package. It provides the current download choice without requiring you to guess a filename or rely on an old copy saved in Downloads. Select the option corresponding to the architecture you just checked. Do not choose a package merely because its file size looks familiar: package sizes can change, and size alone does not verify that a file is the right architecture or a complete download.

Shadowrocket is available across platforms. The Mac version, whether for Apple silicon or Intel, is free, as are the Windows, Android, and Linux versions. The iPhone / iPad version is a separate App Store purchase at $2.99 one time; the store’s listing is the reference for its system requirements and current regional presentation. An app purchase is not a service plan. This guide does not provide, sell, or recommend proxy nodes, subscriptions, or providers.

Download and open the DMG

Before downloading, make sure you have a reliable internet connection, enough free disk space for the download and installation, and access to an account permitted to install apps on this Mac. If the Mac is managed by a school or workplace, its administrator may control app installation. A browser may also ask where to save the file; note the chosen location so you can find the completed download.

1. Confirm the architecture

   Open Apple menu → About This Mac. Record whether it identifies an Apple chip or an Intel processor. Return to the download page and choose the corresponding Mac package.

2. Download the current DMG

   On the download page, select the matching Mac option and wait for the browser to finish. If the download appears incomplete or the browser reports an error, remove that partial file and start again from the download page.

3. Open the disk image

   In Finder, open Downloads or the folder you selected, then double-click the completed DMG. macOS should mount it as a disk image and show its contents in a Finder window. Wait for that window to finish loading before continuing.

4. Install the app

   If the mounted window presents an application and an Applications folder, drag the application into Applications. If the window provides a different installation instruction, follow the instruction included with that download. Wait for copying to finish before ejecting the mounted disk image.

5. Launch from Applications

   In Finder, open Applications and start Shadowrocket from there. If macOS displays a security warning, pause and use the download page’s Install Allow instructions for the warning you see. Do not respond by disabling macOS security checks across the system.

A DMG is a disk image used to deliver files; opening it does not necessarily complete installation. Keep the mounted image open until the app has been copied or the package’s stated steps are complete. When installation finishes, eject the mounted disk from Finder. You may keep the downloaded DMG temporarily in case you need to repeat the installation, but an old installer should not be treated as the current download. When installing or updating later, return to the download page and choose the package currently listed for your Mac.

Once the app is in Applications, launch that copy rather than repeatedly opening the app directly from the mounted DMG. This makes it easier to identify which copy you are using and avoids relying on a disk image that may later be ejected. If you keep more than one copy, check the location of the app you opened before troubleshooting; otherwise, you may update one copy and continue launching another.

Handle macOS security warnings carefully

A security warning can appear the first time you open an app downloaded from the internet. The wording and available controls depend on your macOS version and the warning shown. A warning is a reason to verify the download and follow the instructions for that specific case, not a reason to turn off system protections or try unrelated commands. The download page includes Install Allow guidance for handling a first-launch block. Read the applicable steps before changing anything, and stop if the message does not match the situation described there.

If the warning persists, verify that you are opening the app you just installed, not another copy in Downloads or on a mounted disk image. Check the package choice again against About This Mac, and confirm the download completed before the DMG was opened. If you see an error different from the one described in the download page’s guidance, do not improvise by changing system-wide controls. Record the message and consult the applicable help information or the administrator responsible for the Mac.

On a managed Mac, restrictions may be enforced by a configuration profile or organizational policy. In that case, a local user may not have permission to approve an installation. Contact the administrator and provide the exact warning text, the Mac’s processor type, and the fact that you selected the matching package from the download page. Avoid sharing account passwords or unrelated personal information when asking for help.

Complete the first launch and verify the app

After Shadowrocket opens, take a moment to confirm that the app starts normally and that you launched it from Applications. If the app opens but the window is blank, closes unexpectedly, or shows an error, first distinguish an installation problem from a connection-configuration problem. A successful launch only confirms that the app opened; it does not indicate that a proxy connection has been configured or that a service is included.

• App does not appear in Applications: Reopen the mounted DMG and follow the installation instruction shown in its window. Confirm that copying finished and that you did not merely open the app from the installer.
• macOS reports an incompatible app: Recheck About This Mac and compare the result with the architecture of the package you selected. Download the matching current installer again if necessary.
• The DMG will not open: Check whether the browser finished downloading it. If the download was interrupted, remove the incomplete file and start a fresh download from the site download page.
• The app opens but there is no working connection: Installation and connection setup are separate tasks. Connection steps assume you already have your own provider and subscription; check your existing configuration and its details rather than reinstalling immediately.

When reviewing an existing connection configuration, keep sensitive information private. Do not post a full subscription URL, password, private key, or other credentials in screenshots or public support requests. If you need to compare settings, record non-sensitive details such as the selected entry name and whether the app launches, while keeping account and connection secrets out of the record.

Updates should follow the same basic checks as a first installation: confirm your Mac architecture, return to the download page, select the matching current package, and follow the instructions included with it. Before replacing or removing an existing copy, make sure you know where it is installed and whether you need to preserve any configuration. Do not assume that a new DMG automatically updates every copy on the computer, especially if you have previously installed the app in more than one location.

Resolve common installation problems

Most installation problems become easier to narrow down when you identify the stage at which they occur. A download error happens before Finder mounts the DMG; a mount error concerns opening the disk image; an installation issue concerns copying or placing the app; and a launch warning appears when macOS tries to start the installed app. Treat these as separate checks instead of repeating the entire process without noting what changed.

If you need to restart from a clean download, first eject the mounted disk image, remove the incomplete or mismatched installer, and return to the download page. Check the processor type again before selecting a package. If you are unsure whether a copy in Applications is the one you installed, use Finder to inspect its location and avoid opening older copies elsewhere. These small checks help prevent a second installation from creating more confusion.

Once the app launches, you can proceed to configuring your own existing connection information. Keep installation troubleshooting separate from subscription or service questions: a correctly installed app does not supply connection details. Conversely, a missing or expired configuration cannot usually be fixed by downloading the DMG again. Identify which part is failing before making changes, and preserve a backup of any configuration you need to keep.