The use of proxy is actually very simple, and it can be easily done in just a few simple steps. If you don’t know how to use a proxy server on Android and Apple devices, refer to the operation guide in this blog to learn.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server acts as a gateway between you and the internet. It is an intermediary server that separates end users from the websites they browse.
Proxy servers offer varying levels of functionality, security, and privacy depending on your usage, needs, or company policy.
If you use a proxy server, internet traffic flows through the proxy server to the address you requested. The request then returns through the same proxy server (there are exceptions to this rule), which then forwards the data it received from the website to you.
How a proxy works?
Because a proxy server has its own IP address, it acts as an intermediary between your computer and the Internet.
Your computer knows this address, and when you send a request on the Internet, the request is routed to the proxy, which then gets the response from the web server and forwards the page data to your computer’s browser, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge, and finally returns the data to you. This is roughly the workflow of a proxy.
Advantages of Proxy Servers
1. Security: Proxy servers provide security between the Internet and your system. Hide your real IP address. They prevent unauthorized users from accessing your system network.
2. Save bandwidth: Proxy servers can save bandwidth, especially in environments where multiple users access the same resources.
3. Performance: Proxy servers improve performance, and when someone requests a resource, the proxy can provide the resource from its cache, making access more efficient.
4. Filtering: Proxy servers are used to filter some unwanted content based on keywords or file types.
5. Access control: Some content is restricted in different countries, so proxy servers help control geographic access.
Disadvantages of Proxy Servers
1. Proxy Server Risks: Free installations don’t invest much in backend hardware or encryption. This will lead to performance issues and potential data security issues.
2. Browsing History: Proxy servers store your original IP address and web request information, which may be saved locally in unencrypted form. Be sure to check whether your proxy server logs and saves this data, and what kind of retention or law enforcement cooperation policy they follow when saving data.
3. No encryption: No encryption means that you send your request in plain text. Usernames and passwords as well as account information can be easily obtained by anyone. Every time you use a proxy, always check if the proxy provides full encryption.
How to use a proxy server on Android?
To set up a proxy on Android using a mobile network:
Step 1: Go to the settings of your Android mobile network (APN settings)
How to access Android parameters.
Select Android Network and Internet settings.
Click the Settings icon.
Click Network and Internet.
Tap Internet to access your SIM card settings
Open the settings menu for your primary SIM card
Click Internet.
Click the Settings icon next to your SiM card.
Overview of your SIM card configuration, scroll down to configure APN
Tap Access Point Names to configure proxy on your SIM card
List of APNs for your SIM card
Scroll down to the bottom of the menu.
Click Access Point Names to open your APN list.
Select your APN to edit it.
Step 2: Configure the proxy in your APN options
Example of how to edit an access point to add proxy details
How to save changes to your APN
Add your proxy host (or IP).
Add your proxy port.
Enter your proxy username.
Finally, you can enter your password.
Click the 3 dots icon to open the menu.
Click Save to save your configuration.
Step 3: Confirm your login and check your connection
Login form for connecting to a proxy when using a browser
Get the IP details of your proxy.
You may see a login form when trying to browse. If so, fill in the form with your proxy credentials to connect:
Enter your username.
Enter your password.
Click Login to connect.
Check your new IP in the UK.
You are now connected to a proxy over a mobile network.
To set up a proxy on Android using a wifi network:
Step 1: Go to the settings for your Android mobile network (WiFi settings)
If you don’t want to use data, you can configure a proxy on your WiFi connection.
The only problem with doing this is that you won’t be able to authenticate using username/password. You can use the IP whitelist feature to connect, though. Exit the basic authentication form and whitelist your IP on the dashboard.
Access Android Network and Internet Parameters to configure a proxy on Wifi
Tap on Internet to access Wifi’s settings
Select your current Wifi network and access its settings
Tap on the pen icon to open the edit wifi network options
Click on the Settings icon.
Tap on Network and Internet.
Tap on Internet.
Tap on the Settings icon next to your WiFi network.
Click on the pencil icon to edit your network settings.
Step 2: Add your proxy credentials to your WiFi settings
Use the highlighted button to display the advanced options for WiFi
Configure the proxy using your proxy credentials and save
Click on the expand icon to open the Advanced Options.
Select Manual in the proxy drop-down menu.
Add your proxy host (or IP).
Add your proxy port.
Click Save to save your settings.
Step 3: Check your connection
After configuring the proxy, the results show my IP address details
How to use a proxy server on iphone
To set up a proxy server on an iOS device:
1. Tap on Settings and select Wi-Fi.
2. Specify the WiFi network you’d like to connect to a proxy server on.
3. Under HTTP Proxy scroll down and tap on Configure Proxy.
4. Select Manual, and input the proxy server’s IP address under Server, supplying its port number below. Use the information from our proxy list.
5. Once input, return to the network’s WiFi settings to save your changes.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to choose a good proxy service. It is also very simple to use a proxy on Android and Apple devices. When choosing a proxy service, you must choose a regular proxy provider. If you don’t know how to use a proxy yet, then come to this article to learn.
