How to set the use of a proxy server for Wi-Fi, on an iPhone or an iPad

Some networks require you to use proxy servers to let you access the internet. This is the case with many schools and business wireless networks, so it is essential to know how to set the use of a proxy on your devices. Fortunately, if you have an iPhone or iPad, configuring the use of a proxy server on them is easy. To see how it is done, step by step, read this guide:

Contents

1. How to set the use of a proxy server for Wi-Fi, on iPhone and iPad
2. Do you need to use proxy servers on your iPhones and iPads?

NOTE: For writing this tutorial, we used an iPhone SE running iOS 12.1.2. If you need to know more about proxy servers and what they do, read this tutorial: What is a proxy server & Why would you use one?

How to set the use of a proxy server for Wi-Fi, on iPhone and iPad

The first thing you must do is open the Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

The Settings app on an iPhone

On the Settings screen, tap Wi-Fi.

The Wi-Fi entry from the iPhone's Settings app

On the Wi-Fi screen, locate and tap on the wireless network to which you are connected.

The wireless network to which an iPhone is connected

Your iPhone or iPad shows you all the settings available to configure for that wireless network.

Scroll down to the end, and then tap the Configure Proxy entry. By default, it should say that it is Off.

Configure Proxy settings in iOS

Now you are on the Configure Proxy screen. On it, there are three options: Off, Manual, and Automatic. Clearly, Off means that no proxy is used for your wireless network. Let's see what you can do with the Manual and Automatic options.

The options available for Configure Proxy on your iPhone

If you know the connection details to the proxy server, tap the Manual option. This lets you manually enter the Server, Port, and Authentication details for the proxy server.

The switch for the Manual proxy server settings in iOS

You have to type the proxy server's IP address in the Server field. Then, enter the Port used for the proxy server. If the proxy server does not require authentication, this is all the information you must provide, so you can simply Save your new settings and start using the internet.

The proxy Server and Port settings in iOS

If the proxy server to which you connect requires a Username and a Password, enable the Authentication switch and type the credentials for the proxy server. Only after you enter them, can you Save and use the internet on your iPhone or iPad.

The Authentication settings for the proxy server in iOS

A bit earlier, we saw that there was another option to configure the use of a proxy server on an iPhone or iPad. That was called Automatic. This is a setting that allows your iPhone or iPad to get the proxy server configuration automatically from the router that broadcasts the wireless network.

You can usually find such Wi-Fi networks in schools, and in this case, you only have to enable the Automatic option. There is no need to enter any proxy server's IP address or port. However, you can input a URL to an auto-configuration script that provides your iPhone or iPad with the details of the proxy server. The script is nothing more than a small file. You can get its URL address from your network administrator.

The Automatic setting for the use of a proxy server in iOS

Regardless of the method you use to configure the proxy server, when you are done, you must not forget to tap the Save button from the top-right corner of the screen. Otherwise, all your settings are lost. After you save them, you can start using the internet on your iPhone or iPad.

Do you need to use proxy servers on your iPhones and iPads?

As you have seen, configuring the use of proxy servers on iPhones and iPads is easy. There is nothing complicated about it, and anyone can do it. We are curious whether you need to use proxy servers on your devices. Is it because you are a student and your school requires it? Is it because your company network wants it? Also, if you have any questions or if you need help, do not hesitate to let us know in the comments section below.