Safari Proxy Setup & Disable on Mac & iPhone
Nathan Reynolds
Setup Guides
Configuring and Disabling Proxies in Safari for Mac and iPhone
Apple's macOS is generally lauded for its strong focus on user privacy and security. Still, even Mac users can enhance their online anonymity by routing their connection through a proxy server. Since Safari is the go-to browser for most Mac enthusiasts, setting up a proxy specifically for it adds a valuable layer of privacy, primarily by concealing your real IP address from the websites you visit.
Ready to bolster your Safari browsing experience? Here’s a straightforward guide on how to establish and manage a proxy server connection using Safari on both macOS and iOS devices.
Setting Up Safari Proxy Connections on macOS
Safari, being Apple's native browser, integrates seamlessly with the operating system. Configuring a proxy for it is surprisingly simple, and turning it off again is just as easy. Let's walk through the process:
Open the Safari browser. Click on Safari (1) in the menu bar at the top-left of your screen.
From the dropdown menu, select Settings (2).
In the Settings window, navigate to the Advanced (3) tab, located on the far right.
Look for the Proxies section towards the bottom and click the Change Settings (4) button. This will open your Mac's network proxy settings.
In the Network settings panel, check the box next to the proxy protocol (5) you want to use from the list on the left. Common choices include Web Proxy (HTTP), Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS), and SOCKS Proxy. For this example, we'll select Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).
Enter the proxy server's IP address or hostname (6) and its corresponding port number (7) into the fields provided. For instance, if you were using Evomi's residential proxies, you might enter
rp.evomi.comand port1001for HTTPS.If your proxy provider requires authentication (most secure proxies do!), tick the checkbox labeled Proxy server requires password (8).
Input the Username (9) and Password (10) associated with your proxy account.
Click OK (11) to confirm and save the configuration. Then click Apply in the main Network settings window.
That's it! All internet traffic originating from Safari should now be routed through the specified proxy server, effectively masking your original IP. Keep in mind, however, that these are system-wide proxy settings on macOS. This means other applications using the system's network configuration might also use this proxy.
How to Configure a Proxy in Safari on an iPhone
Similar to macOS, setting up a proxy on an iPhone involves configuring device-wide network settings for your current Wi-Fi connection. Here’s how:
Open the Settings (1) app on your iPhone.
Tap on Wi-Fi (2).
Find the Wi-Fi network you're currently connected to and tap the small blue information icon (i) (3) next to it.
Scroll down to the bottom of the network details screen and tap on Configure Proxy (4) under the HTTP Proxy section.
Select Manual (5) configuration.
Enter the proxy server's IP address or hostname (6) in the "Server" field and the port number (7) in the "Port" field.
If your proxy requires credentials, toggle the Authentication (8) switch to the ON position (it will turn green).
Enter your proxy Username (9) and Password (10) in the fields that appear.
Tap Save (11) in the top-right corner to apply the settings.
Alternatively, if you have a proxy auto-config (PAC) file URL, you can choose Automatic in step 5 and enter the URL there. Note that the exact menu names and layout might vary slightly depending on your iOS version, but the general procedure remains consistent.
Disabling Proxy Settings in Safari
Need to turn off the proxy? The process is essentially the reverse of setting it up.
On macOS
Navigate back to the system's Network settings panel where you configured the proxy (System Settings -> Network -> Wi-Fi/Ethernet -> Details -> Proxies) or follow steps 1-4 from the macOS setup guide above and click Change Settings (1).
Simply uncheck the box (2) next to any active proxy protocol you previously enabled (e.g., Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)).
Click OK (3), and then click Apply in the Network settings window to save the changes.
On iOS
Go back into your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings as described in the iOS setup guide (Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Tap the 'i' icon (1) next to your network).
Scroll down and tap on Configure Proxy (2).
Select Off (3) from the options. Then, tap Save (4) in the top-right corner.
Troubleshooting Common Safari Proxy Issues
Mistakes can happen when configuring proxy settings in Safari. Since these settings affect your entire device's network connection (for Wi-Fi on iOS, system-wide on macOS), an incorrect configuration will usually result in a complete loss of internet access.
The most frequent culprits are simple typos. Carefully re-examine the proxy server address (hostname or IP), port number, username, and password you entered. Also, ensure you selected the correct proxy protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5) matching the details provided by your proxy service.
If you've double-checked everything and the connection still fails, the proxy server itself might be temporarily down or experiencing issues. You can test the status of your proxy using a tool like Evomi's Free Proxy Checker to help diagnose the problem.
Enhancing Safari's Privacy with Proxies
Using a proxy server is an effective method to counter IP-based tracking by websites and online services. While Apple devices implement robust sandboxing for apps, this doesn't prevent websites from logging your IP address during your browsing sessions.
A quality proxy service, like the residential or mobile proxies offered by Evomi, not only hides your real IP but can also modify HTTP headers to remove potentially identifying information about your device. This significantly enhances your privacy while using Safari and can be crucial for tasks like web scraping, preventing IP bans.
It's important to understand the scope of proxy protection, though. Unlike VPNs, standard proxies typically don't encrypt your entire internet traffic, and policies regarding activity logs vary between providers. (Evomi, for example, prioritizes ethical sourcing and user privacy). For a deeper dive into how proxies stack up against VPNs, check out our comparison: Proxy vs VPN.
Configuring and Disabling Proxies in Safari for Mac and iPhone
Apple's macOS is generally lauded for its strong focus on user privacy and security. Still, even Mac users can enhance their online anonymity by routing their connection through a proxy server. Since Safari is the go-to browser for most Mac enthusiasts, setting up a proxy specifically for it adds a valuable layer of privacy, primarily by concealing your real IP address from the websites you visit.
Ready to bolster your Safari browsing experience? Here’s a straightforward guide on how to establish and manage a proxy server connection using Safari on both macOS and iOS devices.
Setting Up Safari Proxy Connections on macOS
Safari, being Apple's native browser, integrates seamlessly with the operating system. Configuring a proxy for it is surprisingly simple, and turning it off again is just as easy. Let's walk through the process:
Open the Safari browser. Click on Safari (1) in the menu bar at the top-left of your screen.
From the dropdown menu, select Settings (2).
In the Settings window, navigate to the Advanced (3) tab, located on the far right.
Look for the Proxies section towards the bottom and click the Change Settings (4) button. This will open your Mac's network proxy settings.
In the Network settings panel, check the box next to the proxy protocol (5) you want to use from the list on the left. Common choices include Web Proxy (HTTP), Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS), and SOCKS Proxy. For this example, we'll select Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).
Enter the proxy server's IP address or hostname (6) and its corresponding port number (7) into the fields provided. For instance, if you were using Evomi's residential proxies, you might enter
rp.evomi.comand port1001for HTTPS.If your proxy provider requires authentication (most secure proxies do!), tick the checkbox labeled Proxy server requires password (8).
Input the Username (9) and Password (10) associated with your proxy account.
Click OK (11) to confirm and save the configuration. Then click Apply in the main Network settings window.
That's it! All internet traffic originating from Safari should now be routed through the specified proxy server, effectively masking your original IP. Keep in mind, however, that these are system-wide proxy settings on macOS. This means other applications using the system's network configuration might also use this proxy.
How to Configure a Proxy in Safari on an iPhone
Similar to macOS, setting up a proxy on an iPhone involves configuring device-wide network settings for your current Wi-Fi connection. Here’s how:
Open the Settings (1) app on your iPhone.
Tap on Wi-Fi (2).
Find the Wi-Fi network you're currently connected to and tap the small blue information icon (i) (3) next to it.
Scroll down to the bottom of the network details screen and tap on Configure Proxy (4) under the HTTP Proxy section.
Select Manual (5) configuration.
Enter the proxy server's IP address or hostname (6) in the "Server" field and the port number (7) in the "Port" field.
If your proxy requires credentials, toggle the Authentication (8) switch to the ON position (it will turn green).
Enter your proxy Username (9) and Password (10) in the fields that appear.
Tap Save (11) in the top-right corner to apply the settings.
Alternatively, if you have a proxy auto-config (PAC) file URL, you can choose Automatic in step 5 and enter the URL there. Note that the exact menu names and layout might vary slightly depending on your iOS version, but the general procedure remains consistent.
Disabling Proxy Settings in Safari
Need to turn off the proxy? The process is essentially the reverse of setting it up.
On macOS
Navigate back to the system's Network settings panel where you configured the proxy (System Settings -> Network -> Wi-Fi/Ethernet -> Details -> Proxies) or follow steps 1-4 from the macOS setup guide above and click Change Settings (1).
Simply uncheck the box (2) next to any active proxy protocol you previously enabled (e.g., Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)).
Click OK (3), and then click Apply in the Network settings window to save the changes.
On iOS
Go back into your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings as described in the iOS setup guide (Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Tap the 'i' icon (1) next to your network).
Scroll down and tap on Configure Proxy (2).
Select Off (3) from the options. Then, tap Save (4) in the top-right corner.
Troubleshooting Common Safari Proxy Issues
Mistakes can happen when configuring proxy settings in Safari. Since these settings affect your entire device's network connection (for Wi-Fi on iOS, system-wide on macOS), an incorrect configuration will usually result in a complete loss of internet access.
The most frequent culprits are simple typos. Carefully re-examine the proxy server address (hostname or IP), port number, username, and password you entered. Also, ensure you selected the correct proxy protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5) matching the details provided by your proxy service.
If you've double-checked everything and the connection still fails, the proxy server itself might be temporarily down or experiencing issues. You can test the status of your proxy using a tool like Evomi's Free Proxy Checker to help diagnose the problem.
Enhancing Safari's Privacy with Proxies
Using a proxy server is an effective method to counter IP-based tracking by websites and online services. While Apple devices implement robust sandboxing for apps, this doesn't prevent websites from logging your IP address during your browsing sessions.
A quality proxy service, like the residential or mobile proxies offered by Evomi, not only hides your real IP but can also modify HTTP headers to remove potentially identifying information about your device. This significantly enhances your privacy while using Safari and can be crucial for tasks like web scraping, preventing IP bans.
It's important to understand the scope of proxy protection, though. Unlike VPNs, standard proxies typically don't encrypt your entire internet traffic, and policies regarding activity logs vary between providers. (Evomi, for example, prioritizes ethical sourcing and user privacy). For a deeper dive into how proxies stack up against VPNs, check out our comparison: Proxy vs VPN.
Configuring and Disabling Proxies in Safari for Mac and iPhone
Apple's macOS is generally lauded for its strong focus on user privacy and security. Still, even Mac users can enhance their online anonymity by routing their connection through a proxy server. Since Safari is the go-to browser for most Mac enthusiasts, setting up a proxy specifically for it adds a valuable layer of privacy, primarily by concealing your real IP address from the websites you visit.
Ready to bolster your Safari browsing experience? Here’s a straightforward guide on how to establish and manage a proxy server connection using Safari on both macOS and iOS devices.
Setting Up Safari Proxy Connections on macOS
Safari, being Apple's native browser, integrates seamlessly with the operating system. Configuring a proxy for it is surprisingly simple, and turning it off again is just as easy. Let's walk through the process:
Open the Safari browser. Click on Safari (1) in the menu bar at the top-left of your screen.
From the dropdown menu, select Settings (2).
In the Settings window, navigate to the Advanced (3) tab, located on the far right.
Look for the Proxies section towards the bottom and click the Change Settings (4) button. This will open your Mac's network proxy settings.
In the Network settings panel, check the box next to the proxy protocol (5) you want to use from the list on the left. Common choices include Web Proxy (HTTP), Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS), and SOCKS Proxy. For this example, we'll select Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).
Enter the proxy server's IP address or hostname (6) and its corresponding port number (7) into the fields provided. For instance, if you were using Evomi's residential proxies, you might enter
rp.evomi.comand port1001for HTTPS.If your proxy provider requires authentication (most secure proxies do!), tick the checkbox labeled Proxy server requires password (8).
Input the Username (9) and Password (10) associated with your proxy account.
Click OK (11) to confirm and save the configuration. Then click Apply in the main Network settings window.
That's it! All internet traffic originating from Safari should now be routed through the specified proxy server, effectively masking your original IP. Keep in mind, however, that these are system-wide proxy settings on macOS. This means other applications using the system's network configuration might also use this proxy.
How to Configure a Proxy in Safari on an iPhone
Similar to macOS, setting up a proxy on an iPhone involves configuring device-wide network settings for your current Wi-Fi connection. Here’s how:
Open the Settings (1) app on your iPhone.
Tap on Wi-Fi (2).
Find the Wi-Fi network you're currently connected to and tap the small blue information icon (i) (3) next to it.
Scroll down to the bottom of the network details screen and tap on Configure Proxy (4) under the HTTP Proxy section.
Select Manual (5) configuration.
Enter the proxy server's IP address or hostname (6) in the "Server" field and the port number (7) in the "Port" field.
If your proxy requires credentials, toggle the Authentication (8) switch to the ON position (it will turn green).
Enter your proxy Username (9) and Password (10) in the fields that appear.
Tap Save (11) in the top-right corner to apply the settings.
Alternatively, if you have a proxy auto-config (PAC) file URL, you can choose Automatic in step 5 and enter the URL there. Note that the exact menu names and layout might vary slightly depending on your iOS version, but the general procedure remains consistent.
Disabling Proxy Settings in Safari
Need to turn off the proxy? The process is essentially the reverse of setting it up.
On macOS
Navigate back to the system's Network settings panel where you configured the proxy (System Settings -> Network -> Wi-Fi/Ethernet -> Details -> Proxies) or follow steps 1-4 from the macOS setup guide above and click Change Settings (1).
Simply uncheck the box (2) next to any active proxy protocol you previously enabled (e.g., Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)).
Click OK (3), and then click Apply in the Network settings window to save the changes.
On iOS
Go back into your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings as described in the iOS setup guide (Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Tap the 'i' icon (1) next to your network).
Scroll down and tap on Configure Proxy (2).
Select Off (3) from the options. Then, tap Save (4) in the top-right corner.
Troubleshooting Common Safari Proxy Issues
Mistakes can happen when configuring proxy settings in Safari. Since these settings affect your entire device's network connection (for Wi-Fi on iOS, system-wide on macOS), an incorrect configuration will usually result in a complete loss of internet access.
The most frequent culprits are simple typos. Carefully re-examine the proxy server address (hostname or IP), port number, username, and password you entered. Also, ensure you selected the correct proxy protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5) matching the details provided by your proxy service.
If you've double-checked everything and the connection still fails, the proxy server itself might be temporarily down or experiencing issues. You can test the status of your proxy using a tool like Evomi's Free Proxy Checker to help diagnose the problem.
Enhancing Safari's Privacy with Proxies
Using a proxy server is an effective method to counter IP-based tracking by websites and online services. While Apple devices implement robust sandboxing for apps, this doesn't prevent websites from logging your IP address during your browsing sessions.
A quality proxy service, like the residential or mobile proxies offered by Evomi, not only hides your real IP but can also modify HTTP headers to remove potentially identifying information about your device. This significantly enhances your privacy while using Safari and can be crucial for tasks like web scraping, preventing IP bans.
It's important to understand the scope of proxy protection, though. Unlike VPNs, standard proxies typically don't encrypt your entire internet traffic, and policies regarding activity logs vary between providers. (Evomi, for example, prioritizes ethical sourcing and user privacy). For a deeper dive into how proxies stack up against VPNs, check out our comparison: Proxy vs VPN.
Author
Nathan Reynolds
Web Scraping & Automation Specialist
About Author
Nathan specializes in web scraping techniques, automation tools, and data-driven decision-making. He helps businesses extract valuable insights from the web using ethical and efficient scraping methods powered by advanced proxies. His expertise covers overcoming anti-bot mechanisms, optimizing proxy rotation, and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.
