Skip to main content

Search

Proxy-Cheap Help Center

How to connect to a proxy on macOS?

carla
  • Updated

This guide explains how to configure a Proxy-Cheap proxy using the built-in network settings in macOS.

Before starting, open your proxy in the Proxy-Cheap dashboard and have the following details ready:

  • Proxy server address
  • Port
  • Supported protocol
  • Username and password, if required

Important: Protocol and authentication availability depends on the proxy you purchased. Use the protocol and authentication method displayed in your Proxy-Cheap dashboard.

Open the proxy settings

  1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Select Network, then choose the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection you are currently using.
  3. Click Details.

4. Select Proxies from the sidebar.

Select the proxy protocol

For an HTTP proxy that supports CONNECT, enable Web Proxy (HTTP) for HTTP websites and Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) for HTTPS websites. To proxy both, enable both settings and enter the same proxy server address, port, and authentication details in each.

The Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) label does not by itself mean the connection to the proxy server uses TLS.

For a SOCKS5 proxy, enable SOCKS Proxy and enter your SOCKS5 proxy details.

Use the server address, port, and authentication method provided in your Proxy-Cheap dashboard.

Enter the proxy details

  1. Enter the proxy server address in the Server field.
  2. Enter the proxy port in the Port field.

Do not enter the server and port together. macOS provides a separate field for each value.

Username and password authentication

If your proxy uses username and password authentication:

  1. Turn on Proxy server requires password.
  2. Enter the username and password shown in your Proxy-Cheap dashboard.

IP whitelist authentication

If your proxy uses IP whitelist authentication:

  1. Leave Proxy server requires password turned off.
  2. Make sure your current public IP address has been added to the IP whitelist in your Proxy-Cheap dashboard.

IP-whitelist authentication is available only when supported by your proxy product. Check the authentication options in your Proxy-Cheap dashboard.

After completing either authentication method, click OK to save the settings.

Test the connection

Open an IP-check website in a browser that uses macOS system proxy settings. Confirm that it displays the proxy IP or proxy exit IP.

If the proxy does not connect:

  • Check that the server address and port were entered in the correct fields.
  • Confirm that the appropriate HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS settings are enabled as described above.
  • Check your username and password for extra spaces or typing errors.
  • If you use IP whitelist authentication, confirm that your current public IP address is on the whitelist.

Some applications do not use the macOS system proxy settings and may require a separate proxy configuration.