Loon iOS Complete Tutorial 2026: Proxy Rules, Scripts & VPN Configuration
About This Guide: Loon is a powerful iOS proxy application that combines the best features of Surge and Quantumult X — deep scripting and HTTP rewriting capabilities at a more accessible price point. It uses a Surge-compatible configuration format while supporting a rich ecosystem of community scripts. This guide is a complete walkthrough of Loon setup, configuration, and advanced usage with VPN07.
What Is Loon? The Affordable Surge Alternative for iOS
Loon (full name: Loon Network Tool) is an iOS proxy application developed by Loon Studio that has quietly grown into one of the most capable and cost-effective tools in the iOS proxy ecosystem. Positioned between Shadowrocket (simple) and Surge (professional), Loon offers advanced features like JavaScript scripting, HTTP rewriting, MITM (Man-in-the-Middle), and sophisticated policy groups — all at a significantly lower price point than Surge.
Loon's configuration format is broadly compatible with Surge, which means many Surge configuration files can be imported into Loon with minimal modifications. This compatibility makes it easy to migrate from Surge or to share configurations between users of different apps. The thriving community around Loon has produced hundreds of ready-to-use scripts for popular apps, ad-blocking, token refreshing, and API automation.
Loon Key Features
- JavaScript scripting engine (cron, triggered, HTTP)
- HTTP rewriting (request/response modification)
- Full MITM with certificate
- Surge-compatible config format
- Remote rule sets (auto-updating)
- Plugin system for one-click feature additions
Supported Protocols
- VMess — WebSocket, gRPC, HTTP/2 transport
- VLESS — TCP, WebSocket, Reality
- Trojan — TLS, WebSocket+TLS
- Shadowsocks — AEAD ciphers
- Hysteria2 — UDP-based, low latency
- TUIC — QUIC-based, UDP tunnel
- Wireguard — Kernel-level VPN
Loon vs Surge: Value Comparison
Loon costs around $6.99 as a one-time iOS purchase — significantly less than Surge's subscription pricing. For most users who need scripting and rewriting capabilities, Loon delivers 90% of Surge's functionality at a fraction of the cost. The main advantage Surge retains is macOS support, enhanced system-level traffic capture, and the well-established community ecosystem.
Installing Loon and First Steps
Loon is available on the iOS App Store but requires a non-China Apple ID. The app is a one-time purchase. Once installed, the setup flow is straightforward.
Purchase from App Store (Non-China Apple ID)
Search for "Loon - Network Tool" in the App Store using a US, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or other non-China Apple ID. Loon is not available in the China mainland App Store. The one-time purchase cost is approximately $6.99.
Allow VPN Configuration
On first launch, tap the toggle to start Loon. iOS will prompt to allow adding a VPN configuration — tap "Allow" and authenticate with Face ID/passcode. This installs the Network Extension required for traffic interception.
Explore the Interface
Loon's home screen has a clean tab bar: Dashboard, Proxy, Rules, Script, Rewrite, and Settings. The configuration can be edited in the built-in text editor. Long-pressing the main toggle reveals quick-access options for different proxy modes (Proxy Only, Rule, Direct, Reject).
Import VPN07 Subscription into Loon
Loon supports both subscription URL import (recommended) and manual node configuration. Using a VPN07 subscription URL is the fastest way to get access to all 70+ country nodes with automatic updates.
Import VPN07 into Loon — Step by Step
- 1.Log in to vpn07.com → navigate to "My Subscription" → copy the Loon/Surge compatible URL
- 2.Open Loon → tap the Proxy tab at the bottom
- 3.Tap "Subscription" → tap the + button
- 4.Enter a name (e.g., "VPN07") → paste the subscription URL → select update interval (6 hours recommended)
- 5.Tap "OK" — Loon downloads the VPN07 node list (70+ servers)
- 6.Go to the Policy Group section → tap "Speed Test" to find the fastest VPN07 node
- 7.Tap the home screen toggle → select "Rule" mode for smart routing
Configuring Proxy Rules in Loon
Rules determine the routing logic for each connection. Loon supports both local rules you write directly and remote rule sets downloaded from URLs that update automatically. A well-configured rule set routes Chinese domestic traffic direct while sending internationally blocked services through VPN07.
Adding Remote Rule Sets (Recommended)
In the Rules tab → tap "Rule Set" → tap + to add a URL-based rule set. These popular community-maintained rule sets work great with Loon:
# In Loon config, under [Remote Rule] section:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Loyalsoldier/surge-rules/release/reject.txt, policy=REJECT, tag=Advertising, enabled=true
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Loyalsoldier/surge-rules/release/proxy.txt, policy=VPN07-Auto, tag=Proxy, enabled=true
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Loyalsoldier/surge-rules/release/direct.txt, policy=DIRECT, tag=Direct, enabled=true
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Loyalsoldier/surge-rules/release/cncidr.txt, policy=DIRECT, tag=China-CIDR, enabled=true
Each rule set downloads automatically at your configured interval. Rules are applied in order: Advertising blocked first, then proxy list, then direct list, with a FINAL fallback rule.
| Rule Type | Syntax | Action |
|---|---|---|
| DOMAIN-SUFFIX | google.com, VPN07-Auto |
Route via VPN07 |
| DOMAIN-KEYWORD | youtube, VPN07-Auto |
Match keyword in domain |
| IP-CIDR | 192.168.0.0/16, DIRECT |
Local network direct |
| GEOIP | CN, DIRECT |
Chinese IPs go direct |
| USER-AGENT | MyApp*, DIRECT |
Per-app routing |
| FINAL | FINAL, VPN07-Auto |
Fallback for unmatched |
Policy Groups: Organizing VPN07 Nodes
Policy groups in Loon allow you to group multiple VPN07 servers and apply a selection strategy. This is essential for getting the best performance from VPN07's 70+ country node pool.
Auto Speed Test (Recommended)
Loon periodically pings all nodes in the group using a test URL and selects the fastest one. Perfect for VPN07's global node pool — Loon always connects you to the best available node automatically.
VPN07-Auto = url-test, VPN07-US, VPN07-JP, VPN07-SG, VPN07-HK, url=http://www.gstatic.com/generate_204, interval=300, tolerance=50Manual Select Group
A manual selection group gives you a quick-access menu to switch between specific VPN07 servers. Great for accessing region-locked content — switch to US for Netflix, Japan for anime streaming, etc.
Fallback Group (High Availability)
Tests nodes in order and uses the first healthy one. VPN07's 1000Mbps nodes ensure the fallback group always has healthy options — uninterrupted connectivity even when individual nodes experience maintenance.
Loon Scripts & HTTP Rewriting
Loon's most powerful feature for advanced users is its JavaScript scripting engine combined with HTTP rewriting. Together these features allow you to modify network traffic in ways that go far beyond simple proxy routing.
Script Types in Loon
- • http-request: Modify outgoing HTTP/HTTPS requests
- • http-response: Modify server responses before delivery
- • cron: Scheduled scripts (e.g., hourly token refresh)
- • network-changed: Trigger on WiFi/cellular switch
- • dns: Custom DNS resolution logic
Loon Plugin System
Loon supports a plugin system where community members publish .plugin files containing pre-configured scripts, rules, and rewrites for specific apps. Adding a plugin is one tap — no manual configuration required.
Popular plugin sources: Loon Repository on GitHub (loon-plugin org), DivineEngine/Quantumult (cross-compatible scripts), and community Telegram channels.
# Example: Loon script configuration in .conf file
[Script]
# Cron script: runs every hour
cron "0 * * * *" script-path=https://example.com/scripts/token-refresh.js, tag=TokenRefresh
# HTTP response script: triggered by URL pattern
http-response https://api.example.com/user script-path=https://example.com/scripts/unlock.js, requires-body=true, tag=Unlock
[Rewrite]
# URL rewrite: redirect requests matching pattern
^https://ad-server.com/ads https://example.com/empty.js 302
# Header rewrite: modify request headers
^https://api.example.com header-replace X-Custom-Header "new-value"
Loon FAQ: Common Issues & Solutions
Here are the most frequently asked questions from Loon users, along with solutions that have been validated by the community.
Q: Loon disconnects when the screen turns off
A: Go to iOS Settings → Battery → disable Low Power Mode. Also go to iOS Settings → Screen Time → ensure no restrictions are set for VPN. In Loon's Settings, enable "Include All Networks" to ensure Loon stays active during network transitions (WiFi to cellular).
Q: Subscription update fails with network error
A: The subscription URL may be blocked from your current network. Enable Loon first with a working node, then trigger the subscription update from Settings → Subscription → Update. Alternatively, use Loon's "Update with Proxy" option which routes the subscription request through the proxy itself.
Q: MITM not working / certificate errors in apps
A: After generating the certificate in Loon (Settings → MITM → Generate Certificate → Install), you must trust it in iOS Settings → General → About → Certificate Trust Settings → toggle on Loon's certificate. Some apps with certificate pinning (banking apps, etc.) will always fail with MITM — add them to the bypass list.
Q: Scripts not executing even when enabled
A: HTTP scripts require MITM to be active for HTTPS URLs. Ensure the MITM hostname list includes the domains your script targets. Also check the Loon logs (Dashboard → Logs) for script error messages. Common issues: script URL inaccessible, JavaScript syntax errors, or missing requires-body=true for response scripts.
Q: How to switch between Rule and Direct mode quickly
A: Long-press the main power toggle on Loon's home screen. This brings up a quick mode selector: Proxy Only (all traffic via proxy), Rule (smart routing), Direct (bypass proxy), and Reject (block all traffic). You can also add a Loon widget to iOS Home Screen for even faster mode switching.
Loon vs Surge vs Quantumult X: Which to Choose?
Understanding where Loon sits in the iOS proxy ecosystem helps you decide if it's the right choice for your needs.
| Feature | Loon | Surge 5 | Quantumult X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$6.99 one-time | $49.99/year (Mac) | $7.99 one-time |
| Scripting | ✓ Full JS | ✓ Full JS | ✓ Full JS |
| MITM | ✓ Full | ✓ Full | ✓ Full |
| Plugin System | ✓ Native | None | Community |
| macOS Support | iOS Only | ✓ iOS + Mac | ✓ iOS + Mac |
| Best For | Budget power users | Professionals | Script enthusiasts |
VPN07: The Ideal VPN Service for Loon Users
VPN07 — #1 Choice for Loon iOS
- Loon/Surge-compatible subscription URL — one-tap import
- VMess, VLESS, Trojan, Hysteria2, TUIC — all Loon protocols covered
- 1000Mbps bandwidth — Loon URL-test always finds the fastest node
- 30-day money-back guarantee — completely risk-free
VPN07 — Best VPN for Loon iOS
1000Mbps · 70+ Countries · Trusted Since 2015
VPN07 provides Loon-compatible subscription URLs supporting VMess, VLESS+Reality, Trojan, Hysteria2, and TUIC protocols across 70+ countries. With 1000Mbps bandwidth and 10+ years of operational track record, VPN07 gives Loon users reliable, high-speed nodes that handle everything from scripted API calls to high-definition streaming.
Related Articles
Surge iOS & Mac Complete Guide 2026: Protocols, Rules & FAQ
Upgrade to Surge for the most advanced iOS proxy experience — system-level traffic capture, professional scripting and macOS support.
Read More →Quantumult X Tutorial 2026: Rules, Scripts & VPN Import
Explore Quantumult X — another powerful iOS proxy with a huge community script library and beautiful interface.
Read More →