How to Find Proxy Address: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Finding your proxy address is a simple process once you know where to look. It's tucked away in your operating system's or browser's network settings and is made up of two key parts: an IP address and a port number. Together, these two pieces of information create the gateway for all your internet traffic.

Getting this simple configuration right is the key to managing how your devices connect to the web, whether you're trying to access a secure corporate network or just enhance your online privacy.

What Is a Proxy Address and Why It Matters

Before we jump into how to find your proxy details, it helps to understand what you're actually looking for.

Think of a proxy server as a middleman for your internet connection. Instead of your computer talking directly to a website, it first sends the request to the proxy server. The proxy then takes that request and forwards it to the website on your behalf.

This little detour isn't just a technical quirk; it serves some really practical purposes. In schools or corporate offices, proxies are often used to filter out certain types of content, keep an eye on web traffic, and beef up security. For the rest of us, they offer a great way to mask our real location, which adds a valuable layer of privacy to our online activities. For example, a business might use a proxy to scrape competitor pricing data without being blocked, while an individual might use one to stream content that's only available in another country.

The Two Core Components

A complete proxy setup always has two parts you absolutely need:

• Proxy Address: This is the IP address of the server that's acting as your intermediary. It’s what tells your device where to send its internet requests.
• Port Number: This is a specific number that works like a "gate" or a designated channel on the server. All your traffic will pass through this port. Common ones you'll see are 80, 8080, and 3128.

You need both because the address alone won't get you connected. A typical setup might look something like 192.168.1.100 for the address and 8080 for the port number.

The growing demand for these tools is impossible to ignore. The proxy server market was valued at an impressive USD 3.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit USD 7.2 billion by 2031, according to insights from Verified Market Research.

This massive growth shows just how important proxies have become for everything from accessing region-specific content with a location proxy to seriously improving your online security. Knowing how to find and configure these settings gives you far more control over your digital footprint.

Finding Your Proxy Address in Windows

If you're running a modern Windows machine, you're in luck. Finding your proxy settings is pretty straightforward these days. Both Windows 10 and 11 have done a good job of centralizing network configurations, so you won't have to go digging through a maze of menus.

The most direct route is through the modern Settings app. It’s designed to be clean and simple, getting you right to the information you need.

The Modern Settings App

For most of us, this is where the search for a proxy address begins and ends. A couple of clicks will take you right to the screen that shows how your machine is connecting to the internet.

Here’s the quickest way to get there:

• Press the Windows key + I to pop open the Settings app.
• Click on Network & Internet from the menu on the left.
• Now, just select the Proxy option from the list.

Once you’re in, you’ll see exactly how your system is set up. Many corporate or school networks use an automatic setup script—if that's the case, you'll see a script address listed, often ending in .pac. On the other hand, if a proxy was set up by hand, the details will be waiting for you under the Manual proxy setup section.

This screenshot of the Windows 11 proxy settings screen shows both automatic and manual configurations in one place.

The image clearly lays out the "Use a proxy server" toggle, along with fields for the proxy address and port. Those are the two critical pieces of info you're after.

The Classic Control Panel

Still clinging to an older system? Or maybe your network is managed with legacy policies? No problem. The classic Control Panel is your go-to. This method has been a reliable staple in Windows for years and gives you the exact same information.

Just open the Start Menu, type "Internet Options," and hit Enter. In the window that appears, click the "Connections" tab and then the "LAN settings" button. That little dialog box will show you the same proxy address and port details. It's a trusty backup if you're more comfortable with the traditional Windows interface.

Finding Your Proxy Settings on macOS and Linux

Whether you're on a Mac or a Linux machine, tracking down your proxy settings is usually a straightforward affair. Both operating systems tuck these details away in their network configurations, and a few clicks will get you exactly where you need to be.

If you're a Mac user, the process is quick and painless. Apple's clean interface guides you right to the details for whatever network you're currently using, be it Wi-Fi or a classic wired connection.

Just pop open System Settings and click Network in the sidebar. From there, select your active connection (like Wi-Fi), hit the Details… button, and then head over to the Proxies tab. You'll see a list of protocols. If a proxy is being used, something like Web Proxy (HTTP) will have a checkmark next to it, with the server address and port number displayed right there for you.

It's no surprise that knowing these details is crucial. The global proxy server service market is booming, with North America leading the charge due to a heavy emphasis on cybersecurity. Europe isn't far behind, driven by strict data laws like GDPR, while the Asia Pacific region is growing fast thanks to widespread digitalization. You can get a deeper dive into these market trends and their drivers over at dataintelo.com.

How to Find Proxies on Linux Desktops

Linux users don't need to get their hands dirty in the terminal to find these settings. Most modern desktop environments, like GNOME (which you'll find on Ubuntu) or KDE (the heart of Kubuntu), offer a simple graphical path.

If you're working in a GNOME-based environment, here’s how to find your proxy address:

• Open up Settings from your applications menu.
• Choose Network from the panel on the left.
• Find your active connection and click the little gear icon next to it to open its properties.
• A new window will appear with a Proxy tab—that's where you'll find everything you need.

On this screen, you'll see if your system's proxy is set to None, Automatic, or Manual. If it's on Manual, the HTTP Proxy address and its port will be laid out plain as day. For example, you might see 10.0.0.1 as the address and 8080 as the port.

Figuring Out Your Browser's Proxy Setup

While your operating system usually holds the master key to your proxy settings, individual web browsers can sometimes march to the beat of their own drum. This happens a lot when you're using browser extensions, which can quietly override your system’s defaults without you even realizing it. Knowing where to look in each browser is the first step to fixing any wonky connection issues.

Most modern browsers, like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, are built to just go with the flow and use your OS settings. If you head into their settings menu, search for "proxy," and click "Open your computer's proxy settings," you'll see what I mean. It just boots you over to the same Windows or macOS settings window we already covered, confirming the browser is simply following orders.

How to Find Firefox's Unique Settings

Mozilla Firefox, however, has always done things its own way. It keeps a completely separate configuration panel, giving you much more direct control over how it connects to the internet.

Finding your proxy address in Firefox is straightforward:

• Click the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines) and jump into Settings.
• In the General panel, scroll all the way to the bottom until you hit the Network Settings section.
• Click the Settings… button. This will pop open the Connection Settings window.

Right there, you’ll see exactly what Firefox is up to—whether it’s using the system proxy, no proxy at all, or a manual setup with a specific HTTP proxy address and port filled in.

Keep in mind that many browser add-ons and specialized tools are designed to manage these settings for you. The global proxy server software market is massive, with big names like Psiphon and FoxyProxy offering tools that let you handle proxy addresses right from your browser. This variety just goes to show how different user needs are, from residential proxies that look like real user traffic to zippy datacenter options. You can find more details on the proxy software market on infinitymarketresearch.com.

If you're running a proxy-managing extension, that should be the first place you look. It will almost always have the final say, overriding both your browser and system settings. That makes it the true source of your current proxy address.

For a quick cheat sheet, here's where to find proxy settings across the most common browsers.

Proxy Setting Locations by Browser

This table should help you quickly pinpoint where to look, whether you suspect a misconfiguration or just want to confirm how your browser is connecting.

How to Find a Proxy Address on Mobile Devices

Your phone is probably the device you use the most, so knowing where to find its proxy settings is incredibly useful. This comes up a lot when you’re connected to a restricted Wi-Fi network, like the ones at school, a university, or your office.

The process for both iOS and Android is pretty straightforward once you know where to look. Unlike a desktop computer that might have a system-wide proxy, mobile devices handle these settings on a per-network basis. This is an important distinction—it means the proxy is tied to the specific Wi-Fi connection you're using.

You actually have to be connected to the Wi-Fi network in question to even see its configuration. This is a smart security feature that prevents proxy settings from one network from accidentally carrying over to another.

Checking Proxy Settings on an iPhone or iPad

If you're using an Apple device, the proxy address is tucked away inside the Wi-Fi settings menu. It’s a few taps deep, but it’s an easy path to follow.

Here’s a practical example of how you can find your proxy address:

1. Open the Settings app and tap on Wi-Fi.
2. Find the network you're currently connected to (e.g., "University-WiFi") and tap the little blue "i" icon next to its name.
3. Scroll all the way down. Right at the bottom, you'll see a section labeled Configure Proxy.

If a proxy is active, this section will be set to either Manual or Automatic. Under Manual, you'll see the server address (like proxy.university.edu) and port number (like 8080) listed right there.

Uncovering the Proxy on Android Devices

Android users will find their proxy information in a similar spot. The exact steps can vary a bit depending on your phone's manufacturer—Samsung, Google, and others have slightly different layouts—but the core idea is the same. You need to dig into the advanced options for your current Wi-Fi connection.

Typically, you'll head to Settings > Network & internet > Internet, then tap the gear icon next to your connected Wi-Fi. From there, look for an edit or "modify network" option. This will reveal the advanced settings, including any proxy details.

For more robust and private connections, many people turn to specialized services. It's helpful to learn more about how a resident proxy works to understand how they provide an even greater level of control and anonymity.

Got Questions About Proxy Addresses?

Even after you've successfully located your proxy address details, a few common questions always seem to pop up. Let's walk through some of the most frequent ones I hear, so you can feel more confident managing your settings and troubleshooting any snags.

The biggest point of confusion is almost always the difference between a proxy and a VPN. It's simpler than it sounds. Think of a proxy as something that usually just reroutes traffic for a single application, like your web browser. A VPN, on the other hand, creates a secure, encrypted tunnel for all internet traffic coming from your device. This offers much more robust security and privacy across the board.

Why Can't I Change My Proxy Settings?

Ever found your proxy settings greyed out or locked? Don't worry—your computer isn't broken. This is almost always by design. In places like corporate offices or schools, network administrators lock these settings down to enforce security policies and filter web content. If you're on a work computer and need a proxy changed for a specific task, your best bet is to contact your IT department with a clear reason for the request.

Viewing your proxy address is completely safe. Problems only happen if you start changing or deleting settings you don't understand, which can easily disconnect you from the internet. A good rule of thumb is to always jot down the current configuration before you even think about making an adjustment.

So, how do you know if your proxy is actually working? The quickest way is to use an online IP checker. First, Google "what is my IP" with the proxy turned off and make a note of the address. Then, switch the proxy on and run the search again. If the IP address is different, you're golden—your traffic is successfully running through the proxy server. It's a simple check that gives you immediate confirmation.

For more detailed answers covering a wider range of scenarios, a dedicated FAQ is your best friend. You can learn more by checking out the answers to frequently asked proxy questions for some extra insights.

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