How to Set Up a Proxy on Android: Wi-Fi & Mobile Data

To set up an Android proxy over Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet, tap the gear next to your network, tap the pencil icon > Advanced options, set Proxy to Manual, and enter the proxy hostname and port.

The setting applies only to that Wi-Fi network, and some apps ignore Android proxy settings entirely. For mobile data, add the proxy to your APN instead (steps below).

How to set up a proxy on Android using Wi-Fi

Step 1: Go to your Android Wi-Fi network’s settings

Whether you connect an Android proxy server through mobile data or a Wi-Fi connection, you’ll need to use IP whitelisting or enter your username and password when your browser asks. This is because Android's proxy settings have no username/password fields.

With anyIP, it's simple: whitelist your network's public IP in the dashboard. If that IP changes, for example, after a router restart or on a different Wi-Fi network, update it in the dashboard. Check out our quick start guide if you haven't set up your proxy server yet.

1. Tap the “Settings” icon.

2. Tap “Network & internet.”

3. Tap “Internet.”

4. Tap the “Settings” icon next to your Wi-Fi network.

5. Tap the pencil icon to edit your network settings.

Step 2: Add your proxy credentials to your Wi-Fi settings

1. Open the “Advanced options” by clicking on the expand icon.

2. Select “Manual” on the proxy dropdown menu.

3. Add your proxy host (or IP). For our example, we use: “portal.anyip.io.”

4. Add your proxy port. For our example, we use: “2000” (note that it’s a whitelisting port).

5. Tap “Save” to save your settings.

Step 3: Check your connection

Go to browserleaks.com/ip to see that you are now connected with a Canadian IP and can enjoy your proxy on your Wi-Fi connection.

How to set up a proxy on Android using mobile data

Configuring proxy settings for your mobile connection is more convenient since you can use a proxy server no matter where you are. You can use IP whitelisting here too, but your carrier changes your phone's public IP often, so username/password authentication is more reliable on mobile data.

Step 1: Go to your Android mobile network’s settings (APN settings)

1. Tap the “Settings” icon.

2. Tap “Network & internet.”

1. Tap “Internet.”

2. Tap the “Settings” icon next to your SIM card.

1. Scroll down to the bottom of the menu.

2. Tap “Access Point Names” to open your APNs list.

3. Select your APN to edit it.

Step 2: Configure the proxy in your APN options

1. Add your proxy host (or IP) (1). In our example, we use “portal.anyip.io.”

2. Add your proxy port (2). For our example, we used: “1080”.

3. Leave the Username (3) and Password (4) fields blank. Android uses them for your carrier's APN login, not for the proxy. With port 1080, your browser will ask for your proxy username and password the first time you connect. If you've whitelisted your current IP, use your whitelisting port (e.g., 2000) instead.

4. Tap the “3 dots” icon to open the menu.

5. Tap “Save”.

Step 3: Confirm your login and check your connection

If you don't use IP whitelisting in your proxy settings, you'll be prompted to enter Android proxy credentials the first time you open a browser. If so, fill out the form with your proxy credentials to connect:

• Enter your username.

• Enter your password.

• Tap “Sign in” to connect.

• Go to browserleaks.com/ip to check your new IP located in the UK.

You are now connected to your proxy through your mobile network.

How to turn off a proxy on Android

Turn the proxy server off by backtracking the same steps you used to turn it on. Go to either your Wi-Fi network's settings or your mobile data's APN settings.

Turn off a proxy on your wireless network

• Open the "Settings" icon.

• Tap "Network & internet," then "Internet."

• Tap your Wi-Fi network.

• Tap the pencil icon ("Edit"), then "Advanced options."

• Under "Proxy," tap the down arrow and select "None."

• Tap "Save."

Turn off a proxy on your mobile data

• Open the "Settings" app.

• Tap "Network & internet," then "SIMs" (pick your SIM if you have more than one).

• Scroll down and tap "Access Point Names."

• Clear the "Proxy" and "Port" fields.

• Tap the "3 dots" icon and tap "Save."

Troubleshooting common issues

How to check for a DNS Leak

A Domain Name System (DNS) server translates the web addresses of sites before you visit them and can "leak" the sites you visit even with an Android proxy setup. Android users can install various “DNS leak test” applications to quickly determine if they have a DNS leak.

1. Download and install the “DNS leak test” app from the Google Play Store.

2. Open the app.

• First, start a test without a proxy by clicking “START TEST.”

  • You’ll see your real IP, location, and the DNS you’re using.

• Then, connect to your proxy and start a new test.

  • You can see your new IP, location, and DNS.

If your proxy IP shows but your ISP's DNS servers are still listed, turn on Private DNS (Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS).

My proxy is not connecting

The most common reason for an Android proxy server not connecting is incorrect credentials. Double-check your username/password and hostname/port for any missing characters or mistakes.

If they are correct, the issue might lie with the proxy server. Use our Proxy checker to see if there are any issues with your Android proxy. Contact us, and we'll help you sort it out.

Connection refused or server not responding

If you have correctly entered your credentials, we strongly suggest asking your proxy provider if they're experiencing a malfunction.

You can check our system uptime in real-time.

My IP address has not changed

If you configured proxy settings correctly, the most likely reason is that you're using a different connection. A proxy setup in your Wi-Fi Android settings works only on a wireless connection, and a proxy set in mobile settings works when you connect through cellular data.

407 Proxy Authentication Required

This error means that the proxy requires a login and didn't get a valid one. Your username or password is wrong or missing, or your IP isn't on your allow list.

If you use IP whitelisting, make sure you're connecting on your whitelisting port (e.g., 2000), not 1080, and that your current IP is on the allow list.

The proxy works in my browser but not in another app

Some apps do not use Android's proxy settings and may override them, while most browsers follow them. Some apps that bypass Android settings have built-in proxy support of their own.

Enter your proxy credentials in the app's own settings, if it has them. Otherwise, use a third-party proxy app that runs over all other apps.

How to configure a SOCKS5 proxy?

SOCKS5 proxies are better when apps send non-web or UDP traffic, such as when playing games or participating in voice calls. Android's built-in proxy settings only accept HTTP proxies, so SOCKS5 requires a proxy app. Check out our guide on setting up a SOCKS5 connection on Android.

What is a proxy?

A proxy server is an intermediary that forwards traffic between your device and the websites or services you connect to, replacing your visible IP address with its own. Proxies that use mobile device IPs are commonly called mobile proxies, but, confusingly, proxies used on mobile devices are also sometimes called mobile proxies.

Using a proxy server on your Android device adds privacy and helps you access location-specific content. In some specific cases, proxies may also enhance security or even improve internet connection speed.