Setting Up Proxy on iPhone: The Complete Guide for Secure and Anonymous Browsing in iOS

✅ Advantages of Residential Proxies:

• Maximum legitimacy — websites perceive them as regular users
• Minimal risk of blocking or banning accounts
• Ideal for working with social networks (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, VK)
• Excellent for e-commerce and marketplaces
• High connection stability
• Support for HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5 protocols

⚠️ Disadvantages:

• Higher cost compared to other types
• Temporary instability may occur if the end-user's device is offline
• Speed can vary depending on the IP source

💡 Optimal Use Cases:

Managing multiple social media accounts, parsing data from protected sites, web scraping, price monitoring, SEO analysis, working with marketplaces, testing applications and websites from different regions.

🔗 ProxyCove Residential Proxies — from $2.7 per GB →

✅ Advantages of Mobile Proxies:

• Absolute level of trust — virtually impossible to block without consequences for real users
• Dynamic IP rotation (automatic change when switching between towers)
• Ideal for working with mobile apps and social networks
• Maximum security for multi-accounting
• Support for all modern protocols
• Especially effective for Instagram, TikTok, Telegram

⚠️ Disadvantages:

• The most expensive type of proxy on the market
• Speed may be lower than datacenter proxies
• Fewer available locations
• Automatic rotation is not always suitable for tasks requiring a constant IP

💡 Optimal Use Cases:

Professional SMM (managing dozens of accounts), traffic arbitrage, mobile marketing, testing mobile applications, automating actions in social networks from mobile devices.

🔗 ProxyCove Mobile Proxies — from $3.8 per GB →

✅ Advantages of Datacenter Proxies:

• Maximum low cost — ideal for mass tasks
• Very high connection speed (up to 1 Gbps)
• Stable 24/7 connection without downtime
• Huge number of available IP addresses
• Instant activation and replacement
• Suitable for tasks that do not require high legitimacy

⚠️ Disadvantages:

• Easily detected by advanced protection systems
• May be blocked on major platforms (Google, Facebook)
• Subnets can end up on blacklists due to actions by other users
• Not suitable for working with social networks and protected services
• Require frequent rotation for effective operation

💡 Optimal Use Cases:

Mass parsing of public data, checking website availability, SEO position monitoring, simple browsing on regular sites, testing web applications, tasks where speed is more important than anonymity, working with APIs, automating non-critical processes.

🔗 ProxyCove Datacenter Proxies — from $1.5 per GB →

Step 1: Accessing Wi-Fi Settings

1. Unlock your iPhone
2. Open the "Settings" app (the gray gear icon on the home screen)
3. Find and tap on the "Wi-Fi" section
4. Ensure Wi-Fi is enabled (the toggle should be green)
5. You will see a list of available Wi-Fi networks and the network you are currently connected to (with a checkmark)

Step 2: Accessing Network Details

1. Locate the name of the Wi-Fi network you are connected to
2. To the right of the network name, you will see a blue circular icon "ⓘ" (information)
3. Tap this icon — detailed network settings will open
4. Scroll down to the "HTTP Proxy" section

Step 3: Choosing the Proxy Configuration Type

In the "HTTP Proxy" section, you will see three options:

• Off — proxy is not used (default)
• Manual — manual entry of proxy settings (recommended for most cases)
• Automatic — using a PAC file (Proxy Auto-Configuration) for automatic setup

Step 4: Manual Proxy Configuration (Main Method)

After selecting "Manual" mode, fields for entering data will appear:

Step 5: Saving and Verification

1. After entering all data, tap the "Back" button in the upper left corner
2. Settings are saved automatically — there is no dedicated "Save" button
3. Open Safari or any other browser
4. Go to an IP check website: 2ip.ru or whoer.net
5. Ensure the displayed IP address and location match your proxy server, not your real details

Step 5: Automatic Configuration via PAC File (Alternative Method)

If you selected "Automatic" mode:

1. In the "URL" field, enter the address of the PAC file (Proxy Auto-Configuration)
2. A PAC file is a script that automatically determines which proxy to use for each request
3. The URL format usually looks like this: http://proxy-server.com/proxy.pac

Step 6: Saving and Verification

1. After entering all data, tap the "Back" button in the upper left corner
2. Settings are saved automatically — there is no dedicated "Save" button
3. Open Safari or any other browser
4. Go to an IP check website: 2ip.ru or whoer.net
5. Ensure the displayed IP address and location match your proxy server, not your real details

🚀 Key Features of Shadowrocket

• Works over mobile internet (LTE/5G), not just Wi-Fi
• Intercepts and redirects all HTTP/HTTPS/TCP traffic
• Flexible routing rules based on domains, IP addresses, and geolocation
• Built-in traffic and connection speed monitoring
• DNS-level ad blocking
• Import configurations via URL or iCloud Drive
• Support for scripts for advanced automation
• HTTPS traffic decryption for analysis

Stage 1: Installing the Application

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone
2. Search for "Shadowrocket"
3. Find the app developed by Shadow Launch Technology Limited
4. Tap the download button (Price $2.99)
5. Confirm the purchase using Face ID / Touch ID / Apple ID password
6. Wait for installation to complete and open the app

Stage 2: First Launch and Initial Setup

1. Upon first launch, Shadowrocket will show a brief tutorial
2. Familiarize yourself with the main interface features
3. Grant necessary permissions if the app requests them
4. You will see the main screen with an empty server list

Stage 3: Adding a Proxy Server

1. On the main screen, tap the "+" button in the upper right corner
2. Select "Add Server"
3. In the window that opens, tap the "Type" field
4. Select the type of your proxy:
   • HTTP — for standard HTTP proxies
   • HTTPS — for secure HTTPS proxies
   • SOCKS5 — universal protocol (recommended)
   • Shadowsocks — for specialized proxies
5. Go back to the previous screen using the "Back" button

Stage 4: Filling in Proxy Server Details

Fill in the following fields with data from your proxy provider (ProxyCove):

Stage 5: Saving and Testing

1. After filling in all fields, tap "Done" in the upper right corner
2. The proxy server will appear in the list on the main screen
3. Tap the line with your proxy to select it (a checkmark will appear)
4. To the right of the name, there is a "Connectivity Test" button — tap it
5. The app will check server availability and show the response time (ping)
6. If the test is successful — the proxy is configured correctly ✅

Stage 6: Activating the Proxy

1. On the main Shadowrocket screen, find the toggle switch at the top (next to the rocket icon 🚀)
2. Toggle the switch to "On"
3. iOS will request permission to add a VPN configuration — tap "Allow"
4. Enter your iPhone's passcode to confirm
5. The status should change from "Not Connected" to your server address
6. A VPN icon (a small "VPN" icon) will appear in the iPhone status bar
7. Check the IP change on 2ip.ru — done! 🎉

📊 Traffic Monitoring

Detailed statistics are available in the "Today" section: transferred data volume, upload/download speed, active connections. This helps control proxy traffic consumption.

🔄 Automatic Proxy Switching

You can set up automatic switching between multiple proxies on a schedule or when the current server becomes unavailable.

🛡️ Ad Blocking

Built-in rules allow blocking advertising domains at the DNS level, which saves traffic and speeds up page loading.

⚙️ Routing Rules

Create rules to direct traffic for specific domains or IPs through the proxy, and the rest directly. Ideal for selectively bypassing blocks.

• Detailed Traffic Analysis: Viewing all HTTP headers, request bodies, and responses
• MITM Decryption: Intercepting and analyzing even encrypted HTTPS traffic
• Rewrite Rules: Modifying URLs, headers, and content on the fly
• TUN Interface: Deep integration at the network level
• Flexible Filters: Detailed rule configuration by domain, IP, geolocation
• DNS per domain: Individual DNS settings for each domain
• Support for Shadowsocks with extensions: obfs, obfs-tls, websocket, TLS

⚠️ Important to understand: Quantumult X is a tool for advanced users. If you are just starting with proxies on iPhone, it is recommended to master Shadowrocket first, and then move to Quantumult X for more complex tasks.

💡 Recommendation: For most ProxyCove users, Shadowrocket is the optimal choice as a balance between functionality and ease of use. Quantumult X should only be considered if you have specific technical requirements.

Example of a Simple PAC File:

function FindProxyForURL(url, host) {
    // Use proxy for blocked sites
    if (shExpMatch(host, "*.instagram.com") ||
        shExpMatch(host, "*.twitter.com") ||
        shExpMatch(host, "*.facebook.com")) {
        return "PROXY proxy.proxycove.com:8080";
    }
    
    // Direct connection for all other sites
    return "DIRECT";
}

✅ Advantages of PAC Files:

• Automatic routing without manual switching
• Selective proxy usage only for necessary sites
• Proxy traffic savings
• Centralized rule management

Setting up SOCKS5 Proxy in Telegram:

1. Open Telegram and go to Settings
2. Select "Data and Storage"
3. Find the "Proxy Settings" section
4. Tap "Add Proxy"
5. Select type "SOCKS5" or "MTProto"
6. Enter: Server, Port, Username, Password
7. Tap "Save" and activate the proxy with the toggle

✅ Advantage: The proxy in Telegram works in isolation, not affecting other applications. This allows you to use the proxy only for the messenger, saving traffic.

Safari

Safari uses system iOS settings. Configure the proxy via Wi-Fi or Shadowrocket, and Safari will automatically work through the specified proxy server.

Firefox Focus

Firefox Focus also relies on system proxy settings. It is a private browser focused on security that works perfectly in conjunction with a proxy for anonymous surfing.

Chrome and Other Browsers

Most third-party browsers on iOS use the system proxy by default. To work with them, configure the proxy globally via Shadowrocket.

🎯 Recommendations for Working with Social Networks:

• Use Residential or Mobile Proxies for maximum security
• One proxy per account (avoid using one IP for multiple accounts)
• Choose proxies with geolocation matching the account settings
• Regularly check proxy functionality using Shadowrocket's built-in tests

Possible Causes and Solutions:

• Incorrect Data: Verify the IP address, port, login, and password in the ProxyCove personal account. Ensure no extra spaces during copying
• Proxy Inactive: Make sure the proxy is activated in the control panel and has not expired
• Wrong Protocol: Try changing the proxy type (SOCKS5 → HTTP or vice versa)
• Network Issues: Check your internet connection, try a different Wi-Fi network or mobile data
• Firewall or Provider Restrictions: Some providers block proxy ports. Try an alternative port

Ways to Improve Speed:

• Choose the Nearest Server: Use a proxy with geolocation closest to your real location
• Switch to Datacenter Proxies: Datacenter proxies offer the highest speed
• Check Load: Proxies can be slower during peak hours. Test the speed at different times of the day
• Test Multiple Proxies: In Shadowrocket, use "Connectivity Test" to compare the ping of different servers
• Disable MITM: In Quantumult X, HTTPS decryption slows down the connection — disable it if necessary

Solutions for Instability:

• Residential Proxies: Instability might be due to the end-user device being offline. Use dedicated proxies
• Keep-Alive Setting: Enable the persistent connection option in Shadowrocket
• Automatic Reconnection: Set up failover — automatic switching to a backup proxy if the primary one fails
• iOS Power Saving: Disable "Low Power Mode" — it can terminate VPN connections
• Update Shadowrocket: Make sure you are using the latest version of the app from the App Store

Causes and Solutions:

• IP Blacklisted: The proxy might be blocked by a specific site. Try a different IP
• Geo-blocking: The site may require access only from a specific country. Select a proxy with the required geolocation
• HTTPS Issues: Enable "HTTPS Decryption" in Shadowrocket for problematic sites
• DNS Leaks: Configure DNS servers manually (Google DNS: 8.8.8.8, Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1)
• Routing Rules: Create an exception — direct the problematic domain via DIRECT instead of the proxy

Check the following:

• Correct Login and Password: Copy the data directly from the ProxyCove personal account
• Expiration: Check if the proxy subscription has expired
• IP Whitelist: Some proxies require adding your IP to a whitelist
• Special Characters: Ensure the password is correctly handled (escaping special characters)

1. Use Only Trusted Providers

Free proxies often pose a serious security threat: they can intercept your data, inject malicious code, or sell information to third parties. ProxyCove uses legitimate infrastructure and guarantees data confidentiality.

2. Always Use HTTPS

Even when using a proxy, ensure you connect to sites via HTTPS. This provides end-to-end encryption between your device and the site, so even the proxy server cannot read the content.

3. Avoid Entering Sensitive Data

For banking operations, entering passwords for important accounts, and other critical activities, it is better to temporarily disable the proxy and use a direct connection or a VPN with full encryption.

4. Rotate Proxies Regularly

For maximum anonymity, periodically change the proxy servers you use. ProxyCove provides a large pool of IP addresses for rotation.

How to Protect Against DNS Leaks:

• In Shadowrocket, go to Settings → DNS → select "System" or specify secure DNS (1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8)
• Check for leaks on dnsleaktest.com
• Use DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT) to encrypt DNS requests
• Set custom DNS servers in Wi-Fi settings

WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC can reveal your real IP even through a proxy. This technology is restricted by default in Safari, but use extensions to block WebRTC in other browsers.

Fingerprinting Protection

Websites can identify you by your digital browser fingerprint even when changing your IP. Use private browsing mode and regularly clear cookies.

Geolocation

Disable location services for browsers and apps that do not require access to your location. Settings → Privacy → Location Services.

Minimum Monthly Consumption for Different Scenarios:

💰 Cost Calculation based on ProxyCove:

For basic use (surfing + social media), you will need approximately 1 GB per month:

• Residential Proxies: 1 GB × $2.7 = $2.7/month
• Mobile Proxies: 1 GB × $3.8 = $3.8/month
• Datacenter Proxies: 1 GB × $1.5 = $1.5/month

1. Selective Proxy Usage

Do not route all traffic through the proxy. Use routing rules in Shadowrocket:

• Create a list of domains that require a proxy (blocked sites, social networks)
• Route all other traffic directly (DIRECT)
• This can reduce consumption by 60-80%

2. Disable Media Autoload

In application settings (Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram), disable automatic loading of photos and videos. Only download what you really need to view. Savings: up to 70% of messenger traffic.

3. Use Data Saver Mode

iOS has a built-in data saver mode:

• Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data Mode
• This will disable background app refreshes
• It will reduce video quality in FaceTime and streaming services

4. Block Ads via Proxy

Configure rules in Shadowrocket to block advertising domains. This not only speeds up page loading but also saves up to 30% of traffic typically spent on banners and trackers.

5. Monitoring via Shadowrocket

Use Shadowrocket's built-in statistics to track:

• Which applications consume the most traffic
• Total data volume per day/week/month
• Current connection speed

Scenario: Automatically enable proxy when connecting to public Wi-Fi

1. Create a personal automation in the "Shortcuts" app
2. Trigger: "When Wi-Fi Connects" (select public networks)
3. Action: Open the Shadowrocket app
4. Result: When connecting to a cafe or airport, it will automatically remind you to enable the proxy

💡 Advantage: You will never forget to enable protection on unsecured networks!

Rotation Methods:

• Time Rotation: Automatic IP change every N minutes (configurable in Shadowrocket via scripts)
• On-Demand Rotation: Change IP on every new connection or after a certain number of requests
• Random Rotation: Select a random proxy from the list upon each connection
• Geographical Rotation: Switch between different countries to test geo-blocks

iPhone → Proxy 1 (USA) → Proxy 2 (Germany) → Proxy 3 (Singapore) → Target Site

⚠️ Disadvantage: Significant reduction in connection speed. Use only when anonymity is more important than performance.

MITM Application:

• Viewing all HTTP headers and request bodies
• Debugging API requests of mobile applications
• Modifying server responses on the fly (for testing)
• Blocking unwanted requests to trackers and ads

⚠️ Security: MITM requires installing a custom certificate. Use only for development and testing on your own devices.

What You Get:

• ✓ Residential Proxies from $2.7 per GB
• ✓ Mobile Proxies from $3.8 per GB
• ✓ Datacenter Proxies from $1.5 per GB
• ✓ 24/7 Technical Support
• ✓ 99.9% Uptime Guarantee
• ✓ Detailed usage statistics