Using the proxy in a browser, phone or app
Updated 2 min read
Short version: browsers, phones and desktop apps all need the host, port, username and password from your dashboard, but each hides the fields somewhere different, and a few have nowhere to put the password at all. Here's where to look, and the guide for each.
Browsers
- Chrome has no proxy fields of its own. It uses your computer's settings and pops up a sign-in box when the proxy asks for a password. Type the username and password from your dashboard there.
- Firefox keeps its own proxy settings.
- Neither takes a SOCKS5 password. If your proxy speaks SOCKS5, switch it to HTTP with Change protocol before you use it in a browser. See HTTP or SOCKS5?.
- Only some sites through the proxy? A browser extension or a PAC file does that.
Guides:
Computers and phones
- Windows 11: Settings, Network & internet, Proxy. There's no password field there, so Chrome asks for the username and password in its own sign-in box. Guide: Windows proxy settings.
- macOS: System Settings, Network, your network, Details, Proxies. Guide: macOS proxy settings.
- iPhone and iPad: Settings, Wi-Fi, the ⓘ next to your network, Configure Proxy, Manual. Turn on Authentication for the username and password. Guide: iPhone proxy settings.
- Android: the Wi-Fi proxy setting has no username or password field. The Android proxy guide covers the ways round it.
A device proxy set this way belongs to one Wi-Fi network and doesn't cover every app on the phone.
Antidetect browsers
For legitimate multi-profile work, give each browser profile its own static ISP or datacenter IP and keep it there. Guides:
These guides are for legitimate multi-profile work, not account farms or getting round bans. If you're unsure where your use sits, read What you can (and can't) use the proxies for.
Apps and bots
Check it worked
Open the proxy checker with the proxy on, then off. The exit IP should change. More in Using the free proxy checker.
Sign-in box keeps coming back? The proxy isn't accepting what you typed. See Got a 407 or a 403? Here's what they mean.