Setting Up Webshare Proxies on Windows, macOS, iPhone and Android

Before you start

Get these from your Webshare dashboard: a proxy host (IP or gateway), a port, and a username and password. Decide whether the device will authenticate with credentials or by IP authorization. Some system proxy settings handle credentials poorly, so IP authorization is often easier on devices, as long as your public IP doesn't change.

System proxy settings usually apply to web traffic in browsers and many apps, but not every app respects them.

Windows 10 and 11

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
2. Under Manual proxy setup, choose Set up (or turn on Use a proxy server).
3. Enter the proxy IP or host and the port. Save.
4. Open a browser and visit an IP check page. If prompted, enter your Webshare username and password.

Windows system settings don't store proxy credentials, so you may be prompted per app. IP authorization avoids this. Details in proxy setup on Windows.

macOS

1. Open System Settings > Network, select your connection, then Details > Proxies.
2. Turn on Web proxy (HTTP) and Secure web proxy (HTTPS), or SOCKS proxy.
3. Enter the host and port. Tick Proxy server requires password and enter your credentials.
4. Click OK and test in Safari or Chrome.

See proxy setup on Mac.

iPhone and iPad

1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the info button next to your network.
2. Scroll to Configure Proxy and choose Manual.
3. Enter the server, port, and turn on Authentication with your username and password.
4. Save and test in Safari.

iOS proxy settings are per Wi-Fi network and don't apply to mobile data. See proxy setup on iPhone and Android.

Android

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, then long-press or tap the gear on your network.
2. Choose Advanced or Edit, then set Proxy to Manual.
3. Enter the hostname and port. Save.

Android's built-in proxy settings don't support credentials, so use IP authorization (authorize the public IP of your Wi-Fi network) or a proxy app that supports authenticated proxies. Menu names vary by manufacturer.

Verifying it works

• Visit an IP check page and confirm the proxy IP and location.
• Run a WebRTC and DNS leak test in your browser. See WebRTC leaks and DNS leaks.
• Check that the apps you care about actually use the proxy; some ignore system settings.

When not to use system settings

• For a single browser, the Webshare Chrome extension is quicker and easy to switch off.
• For multiple accounts, use an antidetect browser with one proxy per profile. See Webshare with antidetect browsers.
• For automation, configure the proxy in your code or tool.

Choosing a product for device use

For occasional manual use, the free plan's datacenter proxies or a small datacenter list are enough. For apps that block datacenter IPs, use a dedicated static residential proxy, which gives a stable residential-looking IP that suits devices well.

Choosing the right proxy for a device

Rotating residential is rarely a good fit for device-wide settings, because the IP can change underneath long-lived app connections.

Turning the proxy off

Remember to switch system proxies off when you're done. A forgotten proxy keeps using bandwidth, can slow your normal browsing, and may confuse services that see you in another country. On iPhone and Android, the setting is per Wi-Fi network, so check each network you configured.

Corporate devices

On managed work laptops and phones, system proxy settings may be locked or overridden by device management. Ask your IT team before changing them, or use a browser-level option like the Webshare Chrome extension if policy allows.

Verifying apps, not just browsers

Open the app you care about and check its behaviour: does it show local content, does it connect at all? Some apps pin their own network settings and ignore system proxies; for those, app-routing tools or a VPN may be the only option.

A real-world example

A remote QA tester needs to check how a mobile web app behaves for users in Canada. They configure their iPhone's Wi-Fi proxy with a Webshare static residential proxy in Canada, including authentication, and test sign-up, pricing and checkout flows in Safari. When finished, they switch the Wi-Fi proxy back to off. The same proxy also works on their Mac through System Settings for desktop checks.

If you're still shortlisting, compare this setup with the options in our best proxies guide, and use our cheap proxies guide to estimate what a sensible budget looks like.

Key takeaways

• Windows, macOS, iOS and Android all have system proxy settings, but credential support varies.
• IP authorization avoids repeated password prompts on devices.
• Phone proxy settings apply per Wi-Fi network only.
• Not every app respects system proxy settings; test the apps you care about.
• Use the Chrome extension for single-browser use and antidetect browsers for multiple accounts.

FAQ

Why does my phone keep asking for the proxy password?

Some apps handle proxy authentication separately. IP authorization stops the prompts.

Do system proxy settings affect all apps?

Most browsers and many apps follow them, but not all. Games, some messaging apps and VPN apps often ignore them.

Should I use a proxy or a VPN on my phone?

They solve different problems. See proxy vs VPN.

Does a Wi-Fi proxy on iPhone apply to mobile data?

No. iOS proxy settings apply only to the Wi-Fi network you configured.

Can I set a SOCKS5 proxy on Windows?

Windows system settings focus on HTTP proxies; use app-level settings or routing tools for SOCKS5.

How do I know which apps use the proxy?

Test each app's behaviour, or check its traffic with a network monitor.