MAC Proxy Settings: How to Set Up & Change Proxy Settings

Mac proxy settings allow you to control how your Mac connects to the internet through an intermediary server. Whether you’re on a MacBook or an iMac, knowing how to configure a proxy can help improve privacy and troubleshoot network issues.

This article will guide you through the steps of configuring a proxy on macOS devices and disabling proxies when not required.

How to change proxy settings in macOS Sonoma & Ventura

Step 1: Open system settings on macOS

• Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen.
• Choose System Preferences from the dropdown menu.

2. Go to Network Settings:

In System Preferences, select the Network panel icon.

3. Click on advanced preferences:

• On the left-hand side, select the connection you want to set the proxy for, such as “Wi-Fi network”.
• In the Network window’s lower-right corner, click the Advanced Settings button.

• In the advanced window, click proxies.

Step 4. Go to the proxies tab

macOS supports several proxy protocols, including:

• Web Proxy (HTTP): Standard web traffic, input the server address and port number. Enter user name and password.
• Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS): The same details needed to set up an HTTP proxy also apply to secure online traffic.
• FTP Proxy: File transfer protocol traffic.
• SOCKS Proxy: SOCKS-based traffic (e.g., SOCKS4 or SOCKS5)
• Automatic proxy configuration: Input the script or URL for proxy configuration.
• Auto proxy discovery: Configure proxy settings automatically.

Step 5: Enter proxy server and port information

• Select 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” and input 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:

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

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

1. 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.
2. Alternatively, check your IP address on a website like WhatIsMyIP to see if traffic is being sent over a proxy.

Troubleshooting common macOS proxy issues

Proxy server not responding on Mac

• Verify that the proxy server is online.
• Confirm that the server address and port are correctly entered in System Settings → Network → Proxies.

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.

Authentication errors when using a proxy

• If credentials were recently changed, update them in the proxy configuration.
• Clear saved network credentials from Keychain Access and re-enter them.

Slow internet speeds with a proxy enabled

• Switch to a different proxy server or location if available.
• Reduce the number of background applications using bandwidth.

Mac proxy settings FAQs