A WhatsApp proxy is a server run by volunteers or organisations that lets you reach WhatsApp when it's blocked on your network. Go to Settings, then Storage and Data, then Proxy, then Set up Proxy, enter the proxy address you were given and save. Calls don't work while you're connected through a proxy.
Proxies exist for one situation: WhatsApp is blocked in your country or on your network, by a government, an internet provider or a network such as a school or office. Instead of connecting straight to WhatsApp, your phone connects to the proxy, and the proxy connects to WhatsApp for you. WhatsApp built the feature into the app so people can keep talking when that happens, without installing anything extra on their phone.
Before you try a proxy
A proxy is the last resort, not the first fix. WhatsApp suggests trying these first:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Switch networks: Wi-Fi to mobile data, or the other way round. Some carriers and providers block certain apps or have temporary problems.
- Try a VPN, or turn off or change the VPN you already use.
If WhatsApp just isn't connecting on your home Wi-Fi, that's usually a network problem rather than a block. My guide to whether WhatsApp needs Wi-Fi covers the basics, and if one contact never seems to receive your messages, the problem may be them rather than your network.
How to connect WhatsApp to a proxy
- Get the proxy details from a source you trust: the IP address or host name, and any port numbers.
- Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp.
- In the Chats tab, open Settings.
- Tap Storage and Data, then Proxy, then Set up Proxy.
- Enter the proxy host. If your provider gave you separate ports, set the chat port (for text) and the media port (for photos, videos and voice messages).
- Save. WhatsApp shows a status message telling you whether the connection worked.
If someone sent you a proxy link, it's even simpler: tap the link and WhatsApp offers to connect with one tap.
What works and what doesn't on a proxy
| Feature | Through a proxy |
|---|---|
| Text messages | Yes, over the chat port |
| Photos, videos, voice messages | Yes, over the media port |
| Voice and video calls | No. WhatsApp says calling isn't supported while using a proxy |
| End-to-end encryption | Your messages stay end-to-end encrypted |
The privacy catch
WhatsApp is clear that using a third-party proxy shares your IP address with whoever runs it. The proxy can't read your messages, because they're still end-to-end encrypted, but it does know you connected and from where. That's why WhatsApp tells you to look for trusted sources. In a country where using WhatsApp could put you at risk, think carefully about who runs the proxy you choose, and check the laws that apply to you.
Proxy vs VPN: which should you use?
| WhatsApp proxy | VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Only WhatsApp | All the traffic from your device |
| Where you set it up | Inside WhatsApp's own settings | A separate app |
| Calls | Not supported | Can work, if the VPN connects |
| Who sees your IP address | The proxy provider | The VPN provider |
| Messages | Still end-to-end encrypted | Still end-to-end encrypted |
WhatsApp lists both as options and suggests trying a VPN before a proxy. If you need calls, a VPN is the better bet, because calling doesn't work through a proxy at all. If you only need to send messages and a VPN keeps getting blocked, a proxy is a useful fallback. Either way, WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption still protects what you send.
WhatsApp also reminds people to be aware of the laws and rules in their country before using a VPN to reach it. The same caution applies to proxies.
Proxy stopped working?
- The proxy may have been blocked. Tap and hold the proxy address, delete it, and enter a new one.
- Check you typed the address and ports exactly as given.
- Update WhatsApp, since older versions may not connect.
- Try a different trusted proxy, or a VPN instead.
Sharing a proxy with others
Once you're connected, WhatsApp lets you create a link to invite other people to the same proxy. That's how these addresses usually spread: friends and family share them privately. WhatsApp suggests sharing proxy addresses privately with people who can't connect, rather than posting them publicly where they're easier to block.
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For volunteers: running your own proxy
If you want to help people in a blocked region, WhatsApp publishes the requirements: a server with ports 80, 443 or 5222 available, and a domain name or subdomain pointing to the server's IP address. The full documentation and source code are on WhatsApp's GitHub. It's a technical job, so it's best suited to people who already run servers.
Stay safe while you do it
Never install a modified WhatsApp app to get around a block. Unofficial versions put your account at risk, as I explain in whether WhatsApp Plus is safe. The official app's built-in proxy setting is the safe route, and it's the one WhatsApp itself recommends.
My verdict
Use a proxy only when WhatsApp is blocked, after you've tried another network and a VPN. Get the address from someone you trust, expect messages and media to work but not calls, and remember that the proxy owner can see your IP address, though not your messages.
Frequently asked questions
What is a WhatsApp proxy?
A server that connects you to WhatsApp when it's blocked on your network. You add it in Settings, then Storage and Data, then Proxy.
Can you make calls on WhatsApp with a proxy?
No. WhatsApp says calling isn't supported while you're using a proxy server.
Is a WhatsApp proxy safe?
Your messages stay end-to-end encrypted, but the proxy provider can see your IP address. Only use proxies from trusted sources.
Why is my WhatsApp proxy not working?
It may have been blocked. Delete the proxy address and enter a new one, and check you've got the latest version of WhatsApp.
