How to set up a proxy on Android devices

In this guide, we will walk you through all the steps for setting up Android proxy settings using three common methods. You can choose any of the three methods depending on your situation. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the configuration options for proxies on devices with Google software. 

Key Takeaways

• A Proxy server for Android hides your real IP to improve privacy and bypass geo-restrictions.
• Before you set up proxy on Android, you can choose between residential, ISP, and datacenter proxies, depending on trust, speed, and cost needs.
• Most devices support proxies via Wi-Fi settings, third-party proxy apps, or APN (mobile data) settings.
• Per-app proxy apps are best for authenticated proxies and app-specific routing.
• The best results come from high-quality, well-optimized proxies and the right setup method.

What Is an Android Proxy and Why Use One?

It is an intermediary server that enables a device to route internet traffic through another IP address before forwarding this traffic to the target server. When using a proxy for accessing websites and other online services, your IP address is masked (replaced with the proxy IP), which makes your internet access more secure, anonymous and private.

So, why use a proxy on android: 

• Privacy: It hides your real IP address. This makes it harder to track your browsing activities, providing a more private browsing experience. 
• Bypass geo-restrictions: It allows you to access region-restricted apps or content
• App testing: Developers can use them to test how their apps behave in different countries
• Automation and scraping: They allow you to collect data or run tasks while using real mobile IP addresses in various locations. 

Proxy Types You Should Consider for Configuring on Your Android Device

Residential Proxy

This routes your device traffic through IP addresses assigned to real home or mobile users. These proxies are reliable because mobile apps trust them more, especially when using mobile IPs. Proxy providers also offer way more IPs for residential proxies than any other type, giving users more freedom to choose a location that suits their use case. 

ISP Proxy

An ISP proxy routes your traffic through IPs of servers running in ISP-managed datacenters. This makes their IP addresses more truth-worthy than IPs generated by cloud providers and hosting companies. ISP proxies also offer faster speeds since their IPs run in more performance-optimized hardware than residential proxies.

Datacenter Proxy

This type uses IPs addresses of cloud servers. These IPs are usually generated by cloud providers and hosting companies, so may not be trusted by some sensitive websites. Such IPs have higher chances of getting blocked than ISP-assigned IPs. Overall, datacenter proxies are cheaper and easier to scale, but this usually comes at the expense of being more vulnerable to IP bans. 

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s get into the configuration steps for proxies on your device. 

Method 1: Configure a Proxy for Wi-Fi Networks (Built-In WiFi Settings)

This method uses your device’s built-in Wi-Fi proxy settings. The steps we are about to share work on most phones and tabs, though menu names or steps may vary slightly by Android versions or brand.

Step 1: Open Wi-Fi Settings

• Launch the Settings app on your device and tap Network & Internet (or Connections). 

• In this section go to WiFi and make sure you’re connected to any of the WiFi networks you intend to configure. 

• Tap the gear icon or long-press the connected network and then select «Modify network» or «Edit network».

Step 2: Edit Network & Configure Proxy

• Within the network settings screen, tap «Advanced options».
• Tap on «Proxy» and change it from «None» to the «Manual» option. Selecting manual allows you to enter your preferred proxy details. 
• Enter the server details, including the proxy hostname (or IP address) and proxy port. Save the changes.

At this point, your Wi-Fi network traffic will route through the proxy.

Step 3 — Enter Proxy Credentials

The built-in Wi-Fi settings do not support username/password authentication. So, if you need to use login credentials, the only options you have is using a proxy app that supports authentication, using a PAC file, or configuring proxy settings in the Access Point Name (APN) section. 

Once Android proxy settings are configured, all traffic over that specific Wi-Fi network will use the proxy. Make sure your internet connections are stable to avoid network drops. Mobile data is not affected. You configure the proxy for mobile data through your APN settings. 

Method 2: How to Set Up a Single Proxy on Android (Per-Browser or Per-App)

With this method, you will only need to use a third-party proxy app. This app will route your traffic through a proxy for the specific apps you choose. So, instead of routing all the traffic through a proxy, this method gives the flexibility to choose specific apps to use the configured proxy settings.

Here the steps you should follow when using this method: 

Step 1: Install a Proxy Management App (e.g., Super Proxy)

Launch the Google Play Store app on your device, search for a proxy management app such as Super Proxy and install it on your device. Launch the app once it is installed.

Step 2: Add a New Proxy Profile

Within the proxy app, tap «Add Proxy» or «New Profile» and select the proxy type (HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS).

The next step now is typing in the proxy details, including the server IP address or hostname and the port. If authentication is required, enter the username and password.

Save the profile and proceed to the next step. 

Step 3: Configure Basic and Advanced Settings

Most apps give you several customization options, including: 

• App selection, which allows you to choose which apps use the proxy.
• Authentication handling.
• DNS routing.
• Auto-connect rules.
• Exclude local traffic (optional).

After saving the settings in the app of device settings, you now need to test if the proxy works as expected. Use tools like our IP checker to confirm that your traffic is now running through proxy server. Confirm the IP address is not the same as that of your device IP.

Method 3: Configuring a Proxy for Mobile Networks (4G/5G LTE)

As stated earlier in this guide, you can also set up a proxy in mobile data settings. For most devices, this methods works only through APN settings using the steps below: 

• Launch the settings and go to «Connections».

• Go to «Mobile Network».

• Tap «Access Point Names» (APN).

• Edit your active «APN».

• Within the available text fields, enter your proxy details, including the username (IP address) and the port.
• Save and restart mobile data

Important limitations:

Even though proxies work with mobile data, you need to be aware of these limitations:

• Some carriers block or ignore proxy fields.
• Username/password authentication is usually not supported on some devices or carriers.
• Changes may break mobile data if entered incorrectly.
• Some carriers overwrite APN settings automatically.

Start Browsing with Your New Proxy Settings

Once your proxy is set up, whether through WiFi settings, a proxy app, or APN settings, you can now open your browser or app to start using the proxy. To confirm that the proxy is working, use an IP checking tool to confirm that the IP address location you are connecting with is different from your current location. 

Final Thoughts

Using proxies by ProxyWing on your devices can help improve privacy and bypass geo-limitations. However, to avoid issues along the way, you need to make sure you set them up properly following any of the methods we have shared. The right setup depends on whether you need Wi-Fi-only, per-app, or mobile data proxying.

If you are searching for stable, well-optimized proxies, ProxyWing offers:

• Residential proxies with mobile IPs or residential IPs for mobile apps and geo-based services.
• ISP proxies for long sessions and trusted traffic.
• Datacenter proxies for fast, cost-effective tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t my proxy work on certain apps?

This can happen since some apps may ignore system settings or use their own networking stack. Some apps also require direct connections for security. To resolve this issue, we recommend using a per-app proxy app or a VPN-style proxy solution.

How to find a proxy server address on Android?

The Android proxy server address can be found in your WiFi network settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi and tap the active network. Tap on the gear icon and choose Manual > Modify network or Edit network under the advanced options. You should now see the Android proxy server details, including the IP or hostname and port number. 

Will switching to a proxy slow down my phone?

Not necessarily. If you use premium proxies from a trusted provider, your connection speeds will be maintained. In some cases you can even get a better connection. However factors like proxy type and distance from proxy server for Android can also affect performance. 

Is it safe to use proxies on Android?

Yes, if you use trusted providers and avoid free and public proxies. 

Can I use different proxies for different apps?

Yes. This can be done by using third-party proxy apps that allow per-app routing.