How to Set Up & Change Proxy Settings

A proxy server is an intermediary server that directs connection requests between a client and a target website. This article will walk you through the steps of configuring a proxy on macOS devices and turning off proxies when not required.

How to set up proxy server settings on Mac

1. Open System Preferences:
   Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen.
   Choose System Preferences from the dropdown menu.

2. Go to Network Settings:

In System Preferences, select the Network panel icon.

3. Select the Network & click on Advanced Preferences:

• On the left-hand side, select the connection you want to set the proxy for, such as “Wi-Fi network”.

• In the Network window’s lower-right corner, click Advanced Settings button.

4. In the Advanced window, click proxies.

5. Go to the proxies tab

• Web Proxy (HTTP): Standard web traffic, input the server address and port number. Enter user name and password.

• Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS): The same details needed to set up an HTTP proxy also apply to secure online traffic.

• FTP Proxy: File transfer protocol traffic

• SOCKS Proxy: SOCKS-based traffic (e.g., SOCKS4 or SOCKS5)

• Automatic Proxy Configuration: Input the script or URL for proxy configuration.

• Auto Proxy Discovery: Configure proxy settings automatically.

6. Set Up the Proxy Configuration

• Select Web Proxy (HTTP) and set up your proxy manually.

• Enter the host name that your proxy provider has provided for the web proxy server.

• Turn on “Proxy Proxy server requires password” and input the other proxy details.

For example; “ab.proxy.io:57454”. The port number is 57454, and the proxy name is ab.proxy.io:57454.

Disabling proxy when not needed

To disable the proxy:

1. Navigate return to the “Proxies page” and uncheck the configured proxy settings.

2. Click OK, then apply.

How can I know if a proxy is active on my Mac?

1. Navigate to Network > Advanced > Proxies under System Preferences. You are not using a proxy server if the “Select a protocol to configure” box is left empty.

2. Alternatively, check your IP address on a website like WhatIsMyIP to see if traffic is being sent over a proxy.

Where can I find proxy server information?

Your proxy service provider will give proxy server information such as the host name, port number, and authentication credentials (for example, password and username).

What does bypass proxy settings mean?

Not all connections require a proxy; some websites, apps, or devices can connect to the internet without using a proxy server. You are not need to use proxy servers while connecting to these devices on your local network. You do not need to adjust the default bypass settings. Changing or removing these defaults may cause these local connections to fail or slow down as they are routed through the proxy.