MacOS proxy settings

On macOS, proxy settings are configured at the network level, meaning they apply to the specific connection you select (for example, Wi-Fi or Ethernet). This can be convenient when you want multiple apps to use a proxy, but keep in mind that system proxy settings may affect more than just your browser—any app that relies on macOS network settings can be impacted.

Proxy setup specifics on macOS

1. Proxy settings are configured per network interface. If you set up a proxy for Wi-Fi, it won’t automatically apply to Ethernet, and vice versa.
2. macOS supports multiple proxy modes, including HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS. You enable only the ones you need, depending on the proxy type you’re using.
3. If your proxy requires authentication (username/password), macOS handles this separately for each proxy type (HTTP/HTTPS/SOCKS). Make sure you enter the credentials in the same section where the proxy is enabled.

Recommendation: use browser-level proxy for web browsing only

If you only need a proxy for web browsing (websites, streaming video, etc.), it’s usually better to configure the proxy inside your browser (via an extension). This keeps your macOS system settings untouched and avoids affecting other apps. System-level proxy settings are most useful when you want the proxy to apply more broadly—across multiple applications. How to set proxy in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Opera, Brave, Vivaldi.

We’ll walk you through the standard way to configure a proxy on macOS using the built-in system network settings.

Classic Proxy Setup in macOS

Step 1

Open Networks Settings

Open System Settings on your Mac (Apple menu → System Settings)
Go to Network
Select your active connection (usually Wi-Fi)
Next to the network you’re currently connected to, click Details… (as shown in the screenshot)
This will open the connection settings, where you can configure the proxy in the Proxies section

Click the image to view it in full size.

Step 2

Open the Proxies Section

In the connection settings window, click Proxies in the left sidebar (see the highlighted item in the screenshot)
You will see a list of available proxy types: Web proxy (HTTP), Secure web proxy (HTTPS), and SOCKS proxy
For a SOCKS5 setup, toggle on SOCKS proxy (use the switch on the right)
Once enabled, macOS will show additional fields where you can enter the proxy server address, port, and (if required) username/password

Click the image to view it in full size.

Step 3

Enter Your SOCKS5 Proxy Details

Toggle on SOCKS proxy
In Server, enter your proxy IP address or hostname
In Port, enter 1080 (this is the recommended port for our SOCKS5 proxies)
Toggle on Proxy server requires password (recommended)
Enter the username and password for your active proxy service (not your account password). You can find your services here.
Click OK to apply the changes

Click the image to view it in full size.

Optional: Per-App Routing

If you need to route only specific applications through the proxy (while keeping everything else on a direct connection), you’ll need a third-party tool. macOS system proxy settings apply at the network level and don’t provide per-app routing.

For advanced per-app routing, see our Proxifier guide here.