Mastering Proxies on Mac: Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Sarah Whitmore
Setup Guides
Getting Started with Proxies on Your Mac
Using a proxy server on your macOS device unlocks a surprising number of possibilities. Need to access content limited to specific regions? Looking to enhance your privacy online? Or maybe you're tinkering with network configurations? A proxy server is often the key. Apple's macOS makes configuring proxies relatively straightforward, and this guide will walk you through exactly how to do it.
Why Configure a Proxy on macOS?
So, what are the actual advantages of routing your Mac's internet traffic through a proxy server? Primarily, it's about privacy and security. Proxies act as intermediaries, masking your real IP address from the websites and services you connect to. This is incredibly useful, especially when you're connected to potentially insecure public Wi-Fi networks or trying to sidestep geographical content blocks.
Beyond privacy, proxies are handy for developers testing websites from different global locations, managing numerous simultaneous connections, or simply maintaining anonymity while researching sensitive topics. Fortunately, macOS offers robust built-in network settings for proxy configuration, supporting automatic discovery, configuration via PAC files, and manual setups for HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS protocols.
Prerequisites for Mac Proxy Setup
Before diving in, let's ensure you have everything you need. First, you'll need a Mac running a reasonably current version of macOS (like Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, or the latest release). Apple has kept the network settings consistent, so most recent versions will work perfectly.
Second, you need the actual proxy server details. If you're using a service like Evomi, this typically includes:
The proxy server's address (hostname or IP)
The port number specific to the protocol (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5)
Your authentication credentials (username and password), unless you're using IP whitelisting.
Alternatively, your network administrator might provide a Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) file URL. If you're just planning to use a free web proxy site, you don't need specific settings, but exercise caution – avoid sensitive activities unless you're absolutely certain the proxy is secure and trustworthy.
Step-by-Step: Configuring Proxy Settings on Mac
Setting up a proxy on macOS follows a similar path regardless of the specific OS version, though "System Preferences" was renamed to "System Settings" in recent updates. We'll demonstrate using a recent version of macOS.
Let's navigate the System Settings:
Click the Apple logo () in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings....
In the System Settings window, scroll down the left sidebar and click on Network.
Proxy settings are specific to each network interface (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.). Select the connection type you want to configure (e.g., Wi-Fi).
Identify the active network service you're using (it usually shows "Connected") and click the Details... button next to it.
In the sheet that appears, select Proxies from the sidebar on the left.
Here you have several options:
Auto Proxy Discovery: Enable this if your network automatically provides proxy settings (often via WPAD).
Automatic Proxy Configuration: Enable this if you have a PAC file URL. Enter the URL in the provided field.
If you're manually configuring a proxy from a provider like Evomi, ensure the automatic options above are off. Then, enable the specific proxy protocol you need. Let's choose Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) for this example.
Now, you'll need the details from your proxy provider. For instance, if you're using Evomi's residential proxies via HTTPS, you'd find the required hostname (like
rp.evomi.com) and port (like1001) in your dashboard after configuring your proxy plan.Copy them
Enter the obtained proxy server address (hostname or IP) and port number into the respective fields under Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).
If your proxy requires authentication (and you haven't whitelisted your IP address with your provider), check the box labeled Proxy server requires password.
Learn more about authentication methods like IP whitelisting vs. username/password here.
Enter the username and password provided by your proxy service into the corresponding fields, then click OK to save the proxy credentials.
Finally, click OK on the main Proxies settings sheet to apply all changes.
Verifying Your Mac Proxy Configuration
Confirming your proxy setup is active is straightforward. You don't need to dig back into System Settings. Simply open your web browser and navigate to an IP address detection site. You can use Evomi's free tool: geo.evomi.com.
The website should now display the IP address and location associated with your proxy server, not your actual home IP. If the details shown match the proxy you configured (e.g., showing a different city/country), then your proxy is working correctly!
How to Turn Off Proxies on Your Mac
Disabling the proxy is just as easy as setting it up. Return to the System Settings > Network > [Your Connection] > Details... > Proxies panel.
Simply uncheck all the proxy protocols you previously enabled (like Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)). Make sure no proxy options are selected, and then click OK.
A handy feature is that macOS usually retains your entered proxy details even when disabled, making it quick to re-enable the same proxy configuration later if needed.
Getting Started with Proxies on Your Mac
Using a proxy server on your macOS device unlocks a surprising number of possibilities. Need to access content limited to specific regions? Looking to enhance your privacy online? Or maybe you're tinkering with network configurations? A proxy server is often the key. Apple's macOS makes configuring proxies relatively straightforward, and this guide will walk you through exactly how to do it.
Why Configure a Proxy on macOS?
So, what are the actual advantages of routing your Mac's internet traffic through a proxy server? Primarily, it's about privacy and security. Proxies act as intermediaries, masking your real IP address from the websites and services you connect to. This is incredibly useful, especially when you're connected to potentially insecure public Wi-Fi networks or trying to sidestep geographical content blocks.
Beyond privacy, proxies are handy for developers testing websites from different global locations, managing numerous simultaneous connections, or simply maintaining anonymity while researching sensitive topics. Fortunately, macOS offers robust built-in network settings for proxy configuration, supporting automatic discovery, configuration via PAC files, and manual setups for HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS protocols.
Prerequisites for Mac Proxy Setup
Before diving in, let's ensure you have everything you need. First, you'll need a Mac running a reasonably current version of macOS (like Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, or the latest release). Apple has kept the network settings consistent, so most recent versions will work perfectly.
Second, you need the actual proxy server details. If you're using a service like Evomi, this typically includes:
The proxy server's address (hostname or IP)
The port number specific to the protocol (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5)
Your authentication credentials (username and password), unless you're using IP whitelisting.
Alternatively, your network administrator might provide a Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) file URL. If you're just planning to use a free web proxy site, you don't need specific settings, but exercise caution – avoid sensitive activities unless you're absolutely certain the proxy is secure and trustworthy.
Step-by-Step: Configuring Proxy Settings on Mac
Setting up a proxy on macOS follows a similar path regardless of the specific OS version, though "System Preferences" was renamed to "System Settings" in recent updates. We'll demonstrate using a recent version of macOS.
Let's navigate the System Settings:
Click the Apple logo () in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings....
In the System Settings window, scroll down the left sidebar and click on Network.
Proxy settings are specific to each network interface (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.). Select the connection type you want to configure (e.g., Wi-Fi).
Identify the active network service you're using (it usually shows "Connected") and click the Details... button next to it.
In the sheet that appears, select Proxies from the sidebar on the left.
Here you have several options:
Auto Proxy Discovery: Enable this if your network automatically provides proxy settings (often via WPAD).
Automatic Proxy Configuration: Enable this if you have a PAC file URL. Enter the URL in the provided field.
If you're manually configuring a proxy from a provider like Evomi, ensure the automatic options above are off. Then, enable the specific proxy protocol you need. Let's choose Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) for this example.
Now, you'll need the details from your proxy provider. For instance, if you're using Evomi's residential proxies via HTTPS, you'd find the required hostname (like
rp.evomi.com) and port (like1001) in your dashboard after configuring your proxy plan.Copy them
Enter the obtained proxy server address (hostname or IP) and port number into the respective fields under Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).
If your proxy requires authentication (and you haven't whitelisted your IP address with your provider), check the box labeled Proxy server requires password.
Learn more about authentication methods like IP whitelisting vs. username/password here.
Enter the username and password provided by your proxy service into the corresponding fields, then click OK to save the proxy credentials.
Finally, click OK on the main Proxies settings sheet to apply all changes.
Verifying Your Mac Proxy Configuration
Confirming your proxy setup is active is straightforward. You don't need to dig back into System Settings. Simply open your web browser and navigate to an IP address detection site. You can use Evomi's free tool: geo.evomi.com.
The website should now display the IP address and location associated with your proxy server, not your actual home IP. If the details shown match the proxy you configured (e.g., showing a different city/country), then your proxy is working correctly!
How to Turn Off Proxies on Your Mac
Disabling the proxy is just as easy as setting it up. Return to the System Settings > Network > [Your Connection] > Details... > Proxies panel.
Simply uncheck all the proxy protocols you previously enabled (like Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)). Make sure no proxy options are selected, and then click OK.
A handy feature is that macOS usually retains your entered proxy details even when disabled, making it quick to re-enable the same proxy configuration later if needed.
Getting Started with Proxies on Your Mac
Using a proxy server on your macOS device unlocks a surprising number of possibilities. Need to access content limited to specific regions? Looking to enhance your privacy online? Or maybe you're tinkering with network configurations? A proxy server is often the key. Apple's macOS makes configuring proxies relatively straightforward, and this guide will walk you through exactly how to do it.
Why Configure a Proxy on macOS?
So, what are the actual advantages of routing your Mac's internet traffic through a proxy server? Primarily, it's about privacy and security. Proxies act as intermediaries, masking your real IP address from the websites and services you connect to. This is incredibly useful, especially when you're connected to potentially insecure public Wi-Fi networks or trying to sidestep geographical content blocks.
Beyond privacy, proxies are handy for developers testing websites from different global locations, managing numerous simultaneous connections, or simply maintaining anonymity while researching sensitive topics. Fortunately, macOS offers robust built-in network settings for proxy configuration, supporting automatic discovery, configuration via PAC files, and manual setups for HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS protocols.
Prerequisites for Mac Proxy Setup
Before diving in, let's ensure you have everything you need. First, you'll need a Mac running a reasonably current version of macOS (like Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, or the latest release). Apple has kept the network settings consistent, so most recent versions will work perfectly.
Second, you need the actual proxy server details. If you're using a service like Evomi, this typically includes:
The proxy server's address (hostname or IP)
The port number specific to the protocol (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5)
Your authentication credentials (username and password), unless you're using IP whitelisting.
Alternatively, your network administrator might provide a Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) file URL. If you're just planning to use a free web proxy site, you don't need specific settings, but exercise caution – avoid sensitive activities unless you're absolutely certain the proxy is secure and trustworthy.
Step-by-Step: Configuring Proxy Settings on Mac
Setting up a proxy on macOS follows a similar path regardless of the specific OS version, though "System Preferences" was renamed to "System Settings" in recent updates. We'll demonstrate using a recent version of macOS.
Let's navigate the System Settings:
Click the Apple logo () in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings....
In the System Settings window, scroll down the left sidebar and click on Network.
Proxy settings are specific to each network interface (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.). Select the connection type you want to configure (e.g., Wi-Fi).
Identify the active network service you're using (it usually shows "Connected") and click the Details... button next to it.
In the sheet that appears, select Proxies from the sidebar on the left.
Here you have several options:
Auto Proxy Discovery: Enable this if your network automatically provides proxy settings (often via WPAD).
Automatic Proxy Configuration: Enable this if you have a PAC file URL. Enter the URL in the provided field.
If you're manually configuring a proxy from a provider like Evomi, ensure the automatic options above are off. Then, enable the specific proxy protocol you need. Let's choose Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) for this example.
Now, you'll need the details from your proxy provider. For instance, if you're using Evomi's residential proxies via HTTPS, you'd find the required hostname (like
rp.evomi.com) and port (like1001) in your dashboard after configuring your proxy plan.Copy them
Enter the obtained proxy server address (hostname or IP) and port number into the respective fields under Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).
If your proxy requires authentication (and you haven't whitelisted your IP address with your provider), check the box labeled Proxy server requires password.
Learn more about authentication methods like IP whitelisting vs. username/password here.
Enter the username and password provided by your proxy service into the corresponding fields, then click OK to save the proxy credentials.
Finally, click OK on the main Proxies settings sheet to apply all changes.
Verifying Your Mac Proxy Configuration
Confirming your proxy setup is active is straightforward. You don't need to dig back into System Settings. Simply open your web browser and navigate to an IP address detection site. You can use Evomi's free tool: geo.evomi.com.
The website should now display the IP address and location associated with your proxy server, not your actual home IP. If the details shown match the proxy you configured (e.g., showing a different city/country), then your proxy is working correctly!
How to Turn Off Proxies on Your Mac
Disabling the proxy is just as easy as setting it up. Return to the System Settings > Network > [Your Connection] > Details... > Proxies panel.
Simply uncheck all the proxy protocols you previously enabled (like Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)). Make sure no proxy options are selected, and then click OK.
A handy feature is that macOS usually retains your entered proxy details even when disabled, making it quick to re-enable the same proxy configuration later if needed.
Author
Sarah Whitmore
Digital Privacy & Cybersecurity Consultant
About Author
Sarah is a cybersecurity strategist with a passion for online privacy and digital security. She explores how proxies, VPNs, and encryption tools protect users from tracking, cyber threats, and data breaches. With years of experience in cybersecurity consulting, she provides practical insights into safeguarding sensitive data in an increasingly digital world.
