Where are proxy settings on macOS?

1. Go to System Settings - Network2. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)3. Click Details (Wi-Fi) or the info icon4. Open the Proxies tab to view and configure settings

Can I use an Automatic Proxy (PAC) on macOS?

Yes. In the Proxies tab of your Network settings, enable Automatic Proxy Configuration and enter the URL of your PAC file.

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 do 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.

Where can I find proxy server information?

Your proxy service provider will provide you with proxy server information, including the hostname, port number, and authentication credentials (such as a password and username).

Data Web Proxies Proxy Settings

Mac Proxy Settings Not Working: 2026 Fix for Docker, Chrome & Telegram

Gulbahar Karatas

updated on Feb 3, 2026

See our ethical norms

Mac proxy settings allow you to control how your device routes traffic through intermediary servers. Whether you are troubleshooting a development environment in Docker, securing Telegram, or managing privacy in macOS 17, knowing how to configure these settings and when to disable them is critical for a stable connection.

Note: If you prefer to automate this process and switch IPs with a single click, we recommend using Bright Data’s proxy manager.

How to change proxy settings in macOS 17 & 16

Step 1: Open system settings

Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen.
Choose System Settings (or System Preferences) from the dropdown menu.

2. Navigate to network proxies

Select Network in the sidebar.

3. Click on advanced preferences

Select the active connection you want to configure (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
In the Network window’s lower-right corner, click the Advanced Settings button.

In the advanced window, click proxies.

Step 4. Configure protocols

Web Proxy (HTTP) & Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS): Standard traffic.
SOCKS Proxy: Recommended for Telegram and secure tunneling (supports SOCKS5).
HTTP/3 (QUIC) Proxy: The 2026 standard for high-speed, low-latency connections.
Automatic Proxy Configuration: Uses a PAC file URL to automate switching.

Step 5: Enter proxy server and port information

Select a 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 server requires password,” then enter the other proxy details.

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

How to disable proxy on macOS?

To disable the proxy:

Navigate to the “Proxies page” and uncheck the configured proxy settings.
Click OK, then apply.

What should my Mac proxy settings be?

The optimal setting is all toggles OFF. If you are not specifically using a VPN or a proxy, your settings should look like this:

All protocol toggles: OFF
Auto proxy discovery: OFF
Bypass proxy settings: Ensure *.local and 169.254/16 are present. This ensures AirDrop, local printing, and internal networking continue to work.

App-specific proxy guides (Docker, Telegram, Chrome)

Generic system settings often fail to route traffic for specific applications.

1. Docker Desktop for Mac

To ensure Docker containers respect your host proxy, go to Settings > Resources > Proxies.

Note: Ensure your .docker/config.json includes the HTTPS_PROXY variable. If you use Apple Silicon, ensure you add localhost, 127.0.0.1 to the “Bypass” list, or your containers will loop and fail to start.

2. Telegram

If Telegram won’t connect despite your Mac settings, use the SOCKS5 MTProto setting directly within the Telegram app. This bypasses macOS system-level handshake errors caused by iCloud Private Relay conflicts.

3. Google Chrome

Chrome typically inherits Mac system settings. However, if you need a browser-only tunnel, launch Chrome via Terminal using:

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

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.
Alternatively, check your IP address on a site like WhatIsMyIP to see if traffic is being routed through a proxy.

Troubleshooting common macOS proxy issues

1. iCloud private relay conflict

You cannot run a manual system proxy and iCloud Private Relay 2.0 simultaneously.

The Fix: Go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Private Relay and toggle it OFF if you are using a manual SOCKS5 or HTTP proxy.

2. Apple intelligence handshake errors

macOS 17’s “Network Intelligence” may block proxies it deems “Insecure” (unencrypted HTTP).

The Fix: Use a Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) or SOCKS5 instead of standard HTTP to comply with macOS security protocols.

3. Proxy settings not saving

If settings revert to “Auto” or “Off” immediately:

The Fix: Check for Configuration Profiles installed by your employer (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Profiles). These profiles overwrite manual changes.

4. Incorrect server or port settings

Make sure the proxy server address matches exactly what was provided (no typos or extra spaces).
The port number must match the proxy type.
If unsure, remove the settings and re-enter them from scratch.

FAQs about Mac proxy settings

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