Quantumult X Guide 2026 — Setup, Rules & Scripts Explained

What Is Quantumult X?

Quantumult X (QX) is a powerful iOS proxy app designed for users who want granular routing, automation, and scripting. It’s a one‑time ~$7.99 purchase on the App Store and is consistently rated highly. Unlike “subscription wrappers,” QX supports SS/SSR/VMess/VLESS/Trojan/HTTP/SOCKS5/WireGuard and offers strategy groups, rule‑based routing, HTTP rewrite, MITM, and a JavaScript runtime.

In short, Shadowrocket is simpler and cheaper; QX is more customizable and automation‑friendly. If you want different behavior by app, domain, time, or network, QX gives you that control.

• Strategy groups: Combine multiple nodes and switch by latency, region, or priority.
• Routing rules: Proxy what needs it, keep trusted/domestic traffic direct.
• HTTP rewrite + scripts: Remove tracking, force HTTPS, customize requests/responses.
• Subscription‑friendly: Works with common provider URLs and remote rule sets.

Buy & Download (App Store ~$7.99)

Quantumult X usually does not appear in the Mainland China App Store. Create a non‑China Apple ID (US/HK/JP) first. Apple gift cards are the easiest payment, with PayPal or an international card as alternatives.

• Recommended regions: United States, Hong Kong, Japan.
• Payment order of ease: Apple Gift Card → PayPal → international card.
• App Store keyword: “Quantumult X”.

1. Sign out of your CN Apple ID; sign in with a US/HK/JP Apple ID.
2. Redeem a gift card or bind PayPal/card in the App Store.
3. Search Quantumult X, confirm price (~$7.99), purchase, and download.

Already purchased? Re‑download anytime from your Purchased list with the same Apple ID.

Import Subscriptions (Multiple Formats)

You can add servers via subscription URL, a single server URI, or a QR code. Most users should start with a subscription URL for easier updates.

Method 1: Add a subscription URL

1. Open Quantumult X and go to the config/resources area.
2. Add your provider’s subscription link and save.
3. Pull to refresh the list to fetch the latest nodes and rule sets.

Method 2: Paste a single server URI

Copy an ss://, vmess://, vless://, or trojan:// link; QX usually detects and offers to import it.

Method 3: Scan a QR code

Scanning is the least error‑prone option for long VMess/VLESS parameters.

After import, test latency and stability first and pick a low‑latency, stable node for your default strategy.

Base Setup: Strategy Groups, Rules, DNS

Daily reliability depends on your groups and rules. Good strategy groups auto‑switch among nodes; routing keeps international traffic proxied while trusted/domestic traffic goes direct.

Common rule examples:

DOMAIN-SUFFIX,google.com,PROXY
DOMAIN-KEYWORD,youtube,PROXY
IP-CIDR,91.108.4.0/22,PROXY
GEOIP,CN,DIRECT
FINAL,PROXY

• Ordering matters: specific first, broad later, FINAL at the bottom.
• Groups: bundle common regions and enable latency‑based or priority‑based switching.
• DNS: use local/DoH wisely to reduce pollution and resolution delays.

Scripts and HTTP Rewrite

HTTP rewrite reshapes requests before they go out; scripts push automation further. Examples:

^http://example\.com url 302 https://example.com
^https://example\.com/(.*)\?utm_.* url 302 https://example.com/$1

• Tracking cleanup: strip utm_* parameters from shared links.
• Force HTTPS: upgrade plaintext HTTP to HTTPS.
• MITM combo: rewriting HTTPS bodies requires MITM and a trusted certificate.

MITM: Certificates and Boundaries

Enable MITM and install/trust the local CA to make certain HTTPS rewrites and scripts work. Path: Settings → MITM → Generate certificate → Install & Trust. Use it only on your own devices within legal boundaries.

Quantumult X vs Shadowrocket

Both are respected iOS tools. TL;DR: Shadowrocket is more approachable and cheaper; Quantumult X is more powerful for automation and scripts, but with a steeper learning curve.

Most people will be fine with Shadowrocket. Choose QX only when you know you need the extra flexibility.

FAQ