How to Change Proxy Settings on MacOS: Set up a proxy for Mac

2. Select the Network panel icon.

3. Choose the Wi-Fi network you want to configure and click Advanced in the bottom right corner.

4. Click on the Proxies button and then select a protocol.

5. Under Web Proxy Server, input your proxy details.

Additionally, you can use country-tailored entries. For instance, if you enter gb-pr.oxylabs.io in the Web Proxy Server field and 20000 in the Port field, you’ll get a UK exit. For a full list of country-specific entry nodes or if you need a sticky session, please check our documentation.

Enterprise Dedicated Datacenter Proxies

Specify the following if you purchased Dedicated Datacenter Proxies via sales.

Type: HTTP or SOCKS5

Proxy: a specific IP address (e.g., 1.2.3.4)

Port: 60000

For Enterprise Dedicated Datacenter Proxies, you’ll have to choose an IP address from the acquired list. Visit our documentation for more details.

In the pay-per-IP subscription, the port represents the sequential number assigned to an IP address from your list, meaning port 8001 will use the first IP address. Please refer to our documentation for more information.

For pay-per-traffic subscription, port 8001 will randomly select an IP address but keep it consistent for the session duration. You can specify the proxy's geo-location using the user authentication string, such as user-USERNAME-country-US:PASSWORD, which will connect to a US proxy. More information can be found in our documentation.

ISP Proxies

Type: HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5

Proxy: isp.oxylabs.io

Port: 8001

Dedicated ISP Proxies

Type: HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5

Proxy: disp.oxylabs.io

Port: 8001

6. Then, check the Proxy server requires a password box and enter your Username and Password. Type in your Oxylabs proxy user’s credentials. Use the same credentials you input while creating a new proxy user in the Oxylabs dashboard.

7. After everything is set up, click OK to confirm and Apply to activate the settings. 

This is it, you’re using a proxy now. 

Removing a Mac proxy server

Disabling a proxy is just as simple.

Return to the Proxies tab in your Mac proxy settings and make sure every protocol in the list is turned off (unchecked). Click OK to confirm, and your proxy server on Mac is removed.

Now, the proxy server has been removed on your Mac. 

What proxy type should I use on MacOS?

Before you open your Mac proxy settings, it helps to know which protocol to choose. Setting up a proxy for macOS gives you a few options, and the right one depends on what you need.

HTTP proxy (Web Proxy)

HTTP proxies handle standard, unencrypted web traffic and appear as the Web Proxy (HTTP) option on macOS. They’re a good fit for everyday browsing and lightweight tasks where you mainly need to route requests through a different IP. Because the traffic isn’t encrypted, a plain web proxy is best avoided for anything sensitive.

HTTPS proxy (Secure Web Proxy)

HTTPS proxies route encrypted traffic and show up as the Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) option on macOS. Choose this when you want your connection to stay encrypted – for example, when signing in to accounts or working with private data. It offers the same convenience as a web proxy with an added layer of security.

SOCKS5 proxy

A SOCKS5 proxy works at a lower level and forwards any kind of traffic, not just web requests. The SOCKS proxy option on macOS is ideal for high-volume jobs, streaming, gaming, or moving large amounts of data, since it’s fast and protocol-agnostic. If you need flexibility across different applications, a SOCKS5 proxy is usually the strongest choice.

Common proxy problems and how to fix them

If your macOS proxy settings aren’t behaving as expected, these are the most common issues and how to fix them.

The proxy won’t connect or your IP doesn’t change. Double-check the proxy host and port number you entered, then confirm your credentials. If your plan needs authentication, make sure the Proxy server requires password box is ticked and that the username and password match your Oxylabs proxy user.

Settings keep reverting to Off or Auto. A configuration profile installed by an employer or MDM can overwrite a manual macOS proxy. Check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Profiles and remove any profile that controls your network before you change proxy settings again.

Your proxy stops working after enabling iCloud Private Relay. Private Relay can clash with a manual Mac proxy. If you rely on proxy server settings, turn Private Relay off under System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud while the proxy is in use.

Some apps ignore the proxy. System-level Mac proxy settings apply network-wide, but a few applications use their own configuration instead. Set the proxy inside that app, or use dedicated proxy software if the app doesn’t read the system proxy services.

An HTTP proxy is flagged as insecure. Modern macOS can reject unencrypted HTTP proxies. Switch to a Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) or a SOCKS5 proxy, which keep the connection encrypted and are less likely to be flagged.

The proxy works but shows the wrong location. Open an IP-checker in your browser to confirm the exit IP. If you need a specific country, use a country-targeted entry or switch to residential proxies, which offer far more location options than datacenter IPs.

Summary

As you can see, learning how to use a premium proxy for Mac is straightforward. Once you know where the macOS proxy settings live, you can switch a Mac proxy server on or off in a couple of minutes. Whether you go with HTTP proxies, a Secure Web Proxy, or a SOCKS5 proxy, the steps are the same, and Oxylabs proxy services cover every option from residential proxies to datacenter IPs.

If you’re curious about other integration options, explore more of our tutorials – and reach out if you still have questions about proxy for Mac configuration.

Please be aware that this is a third-party tool not owned or controlled by Oxylabs. Each third-party provider is responsible for its own software and services. Consequently, Oxylabs will have no liability or responsibility to you regarding those services. Please carefully review the third party's policies and practices and/or conduct due diligence before accessing or using third-party services.