Mac Proxy Settings: How to Set Up, Disable & Fix

Mac proxy settings control how your device routes traffic through an intermediary server. Learn how to configure a proxy in macOS, how to turn it off, and how to confirm one is active.

Note: A proxy manager can apply and rotate these settings for you instead of editing the fields manually. Bright Data’s proxy manager is one such tool.

How to set up a proxy on macOS

Step 1: Open system settings

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (System Preferences on macOS 12 and earlier).

Step 2. Open Network settings

Select Network in the sidebar.

Step 3. Open the Proxies tab

• Select the active connection you want to configure (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet), then select Proxies in the sidebar.

On macOS 12 (Monterey) and earlier: System Preferences > Network > select the service > Advanced… > Proxies.

• 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).
• 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, if your provider gives you ab.proxy.io:57454, enter ab.proxy.io in the Server field and 57454 in the Port field.

How to disable a proxy on macOS

1. Open System Settings > Network > Details > Proxies.
2. Turn off every proxy type you previously enabled.
3. Click OK, then Apply.

macOS retains the server details after you disable a proxy, so you can re-enable it later without re-entering them.

What your proxy settings should be if you don’t use a proxy

If you are not using a proxy or VPN, the correct state is:

• All proxy types: off
• Auto Proxy Discovery: off
• Bypass list: keep *.local and 169.254/16 , AirDrop, local printing, and internal network connections continue to work.

App-specific proxy setup (Telegram Chrome)

Telegram

Telegram manages its own proxy independently of macOS. Set it in the app under Settings > Data and Storage > Proxy, then add a SOCKS5 or MTProto proxy. Learn how to configure Telegram proxies with this step-by-step guide.

Google Chrome

Chrome uses your macOS system proxy by default. To run a single Chrome session through a different proxy, quit Chrome completely, then launch it from Terminal:

Troubleshooting common macOS proxy issues

iCloud private relay conflict

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

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

Proxy settings not saving

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

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

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.

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@misc{karatas2026,
  author = {Karatas, Gulbahar},
  title  = {{Mac Proxy Settings: How to Set Up, Disable & Fix}},
  year   = {2026},
  month  = jun,
  howpublished    = {\url{https://aimultiple.com/mac-proxy-settings}},
  note   = {AIMultiple. Retrieved June 2, 2026}
}

Changelog

4 updates

20262025

1. Jun 2

   Removed the Docker Desktop proxy setup subsection and the FAQ on checking whether a proxy is active.

2. Feb 3

   Added Docker, Telegram, and Chrome app-specific proxy guides to the article.

Gulbahar Karatas

Industry Analyst

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Gülbahar is an AIMultiple industry analyst focused on web data collection, applications of web data and application security.

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