How to Find Your Proxy Server Address: Step-by-Step Guide

Proxy servers have become an everyday tool for many individuals and businesses worldwide. Like you, many have their reasons for using them, whether it's for enhanced privacy or seamless scraping.

Yet, it's equally important to know your proxy server address for reasons such as protecting your online privacy and setting up a network. But how do you find a proxy address and what can you do with it?

Worry not, as we're going to help you understand what a proxy address is and provide you with a step-by-step guide to find it in the most popular web browsers and operating system options.

But before we delve into proxy settings, network settings, and the like, we'll first discuss why hiding your IP with a proxy and knowing your proxy IP is important.

Let's start from the beginning.

What is a proxy server address?

A proxy server is a third-party server with its own IP address – a proxy server address – routing your online traffic between your device and the destination web server.

It takes your requests to the target website and sends them on your behalf using its IP address. The same thing happens with the web responses, keeping your actual IP address hidden the whole time.

Using residential proxies with responsible IP sourcing, high speeds, and automatic rotation will help you increase your online privacy and freedom while avoiding IP bans, geo-restrictions, and other restrictions and limitations.

This is why they are a great tool for a wide range of online activities, from unblocking websites and browsing anonymously to web scraping and market research. And with proxy settings, you can add, remove, test, and reconfigure proxies according to your needs.

Why you may need to find your proxy server address

Knowing your proxy IP can be useful in many situations. Let's explain the most important reasons to find your proxy server details.

• Troubleshooting network problems - when dealing with internet connectivity issues, knowing your proxy IP can help you find and fix the problem faster
• Accessing blocked content - if you can't access certain web content, checking your proxy IP can ensure you're using an IP address in a location where the desired web content is available
• Enhancing security – checking your proxy IP will help you confirm that your internet traffic is routed through the intended proxy, which is essential for maintaining privacy and security
• Seamless network configuration – whether you're setting up a network at work or home, knowing your proxy server IP can help you in the configuration process, ensuring all devices have access to the internet
• Configuring third-party tools - web scraping tools, automation software, anti-detect browsers, and other tools require entering a proxy server address and port number manually, so knowing your proxy details is essential to set these up
• Reconfiguring proxy settings - if your proxy stops working, locating the current proxy address and port number is the first step toward updating or replacing the configuration

How to find a proxy server address on any device

Finding your proxy address varies depending on your device and operating system. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to find proxy server address on the most popular OSes, including desktop and mobile devices.

Windows

There are two ways to find your proxy address on a Windows device, so if one doesn’t work, try the other. The simpler one requires following the steps below:

• Type “proxy” in the search bar (also found by opening 'Settings' and selecting 'Network')

• Select the 'Proxy settings' icon

• Your proxy address and port number should be seen under the ’Manual proxy setup’ section

Here's the second way to find your proxy address on Windows:

• In the Windows search bar, enter ’Internet Options.’ You can also access this through ‘Control Panel’ > ‘Network and Internet’ > ‘Internet Options’.

• Choose the ’Connections’ tab. In the ’Local Area Network’ settings section, select the ’LAN settings’ button

• The proxy server address and port number used by your device will be displayed in the ’Proxy Server’ section

You have the option to add the proxy IP address and port number manually in the highlighted area. Enable the proxy address for the LAN settings by clicking on the check box. To see the type of proxy IP address (like HTTP, FTP, or SOCKS), select the ’Advanced’ button close to the address bar.

MacOS

Follow these steps to locate your proxy server address on your MacOS.

If you're using ethernet:

• Go to 'System Preferences' or 'System Settings' from the Apple menu

• Select 'Network' from the menu on the left

• After clicking on your active network connection, select the 'Advanced' button

• Choose the 'Proxies' tab once the properties of your connection open

• Select the active protocol type from the left side list box (SOCKS proxy, Secure web proxy (HTTP), or FTP proxy being the most common)

• The fields under 'Secure web proxy server' show your current proxy configuration. If you can’t see your proxy IP address here, you can check it by visiting any proxy address detector website.

If you're using Wi-Fi:

• Go to 'System Settings' from the Apple menu
• Click 'Network' from the menu on the left and select 'Wi-Fi'

• Click 'Details' next to your connected network

• Select the 'Proxies' tab
• If any proxy option is enabled, the proxy server address and port number will appear on the right

Linux

If you’re using a Linux OS, follow the steps below to find your proxy address. While the instructions are for the latest Ubuntu OS, you can use them for any other Linux-based OS.

• Go to 'Settings' and select 'Network', then click the 'Proxy' button

• Check if 'Network Proxy' is on and 'Configuration' is set to 'Manual'

• Make sure your proxies are configured correctly.

• Check your proxy IP address by visiting any proxy address detector website

Android

The steps to locate your proxy IP on Android depend on your connection type.

If you’re using mobile data:

• Open the 'Settings' app on your Android device
• Tap ‘Mobile networks,’ 'Network & Internet,' or 'Connections' depending on your device model

• Select your SIM card

Tap 'Access Point Names’ (APN)

• Tap the APN that is currently active

• You can now see the 'Proxy' and 'Port' fields if values are entered in those fields

If you’re using Wi-Fi:

• Open the 'Settings' app on your Android device and tap ‘Wi-Fi’

• Select the arrow icon next to the network you want to configure

• Scroll down to the 'Proxy' section and your proxy server address and port number will be visible in the fields below

iPhone

iOS only supports setting up proxies over Wi-Fi. The steps below apply to all iPhone models, though the exact wording of some menu options may vary slightly depending on your iOS version.

• Open the 'Settings' app on your iPhone and tap 'Wi-Fi'

• Tap the information icon (i) next to the network you're currently connected to

• Scroll down to the 'HTTP Proxy' section and tap ‘Configure Proxy’

If a proxy is set up, you’ll see the server and port details here. If it’s set to ‘Off,’ no proxy is currently active on that network.

How to find proxy server address in browsers

Most browsers follow the proxy settings of the OS. Therefore, in most cases, it’s enough to follow the steps explained above. However, if you need greater control over your system, some browsers offer the option to set proxies specifically for their connections.

This means that all other applications besides your selected browser will use standard network settings. Let’s see how to check your browser settings to find your proxy address in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.

Google Chrome

Follow the steps below to locate your proxy server details if you’re using a Chrome browser:

• Go to the three-dot icon in the top right corner and find 'Settings'

• Search for “proxy” in the settings search bar and choose 'Open your computer’s proxy settings'

• This step will show you the OS proxy settings explained above, where you can see your proxy server and port details

Microsoft Edge

If you’re using a Microsoft Edge browser, you can locate your proxy server details by following the steps below:

• Go to the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select 'Settings'

• Choose 'System and performance' from the left-hand menu and select 'System'

• Select 'Open proxy settings'

• This step will open your operating system's proxy settings, where you can see your proxy server details

Mozilla Firefox

Learn the necessary steps for accessing your proxy IP address in the Firefox browser:

• Find the three-dash icon in the top right corner and choose 'Settings'

• Type “proxy” in the Mozilla settings search bar and select the 'Settings' button

• After opening the 'Connection Settings', you should be able to see your proxy server address and port

How to check your proxy server address online

A proxy detector is a software designed to detect or identify proxies. This tool is used by many websites that can tell whether you’re connected to them directly or through a proxy address.

One example is the website called WhatIsMyProxy. When you visit this website, it automatically initiates a basic check to identify your proxies. However, you also have the option to view a more detailed report about your connection. All you have to do is click a button at the start of the page, and the deep check will start.

Another example is WhatIsMyIP. It’s a website that allows you to check your current IP address and whether the browser can detect your proxies.

You can find similar functions on WhatIsMyIPAddress, where you can see the IP address you’re using at that moment, your location, and your internet service provider. You can also do a proxy check from the “Tools” menu.

Some proxy detectors offer commercial options to test your link and scan for HTTP headers typically used by datacenter proxies. If they can’t detect such headers, they will think that your device is either using a highly private server or is directly connected to the website.

Nevertheless, proxy detectors can’t distinguish between a direct connection and a proxy that doesn’t change your IP address.

Conclusion

“How to find my proxy server address” is a common question among proxy users for various reasons. Whether you’re troubleshooting network problems, setting up a network, or trying to figure out why you can’t access certain web content, knowing your proxy IP can be quite beneficial.

With our comprehensive step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to find your proxy IP regardless of the OS or browser you’re using.