How to Add Proxy in Telegram

Phone, laptop, and secure proxy server connection setup

Quick answer: Open Telegram Settings → Data and Storage → Proxy Settings → Add Proxy, choose MTProto or SOCKS5, enter the server details, save, and enable Use Proxy.

Telegram includes native proxy settings in its official applications. You can connect through a direct link or enter the server details manually. This guide covers the exact steps for Android, iPhone, Windows, and macOS, along with the fields you need before you begin and how to confirm the connection actually worked once it is saved.

Whether you are searching for a proxy for Telegram Android walkthrough, a proxy for Telegram iOS configuration, or general proxy settings for Telegram that apply across devices, the underlying process is similar: Telegram needs a server address, a port, and either an MTProto secret or SOCKS5 login details. Once those are entered correctly, the app switches its connection route without affecting any other application on the device.

Details You Need Before Setup

For MTProto, collect the server address, port, and secret. For SOCKS5, collect the server address, port, and any required username and password. If you do not already have a server, the live Telegram proxy directory on the homepage lists public MTProto links with estimated availability, which is a faster starting point than searching manually for a free proxy for Telegram.

Write these details down or copy them before switching between apps — some Android and iPhone keyboards autocorrect long strings, and a single mistyped character in an MTProto secret is enough to keep the connection stuck on "Connecting."

How to Add Proxy in Telegram on Android

  1. Open Telegram and tap the menu.
  2. Open Settings, then Data and Storage.
  3. Tap Proxy Settings and choose Add Proxy.
  4. Select MTProto or SOCKS5 and enter the required fields.
  5. Save the configuration and enable Use Proxy.

Android is usually where most searches for telegram proxy setting instructions originate, since the menu wording has shifted across app versions. If your build labels the option differently, look for anything referencing "Proxy," "Connection Type," or "Data and Storage" — the destination is the same screen regardless of the exact label.

How to Use Telegram Proxy on iPhone

  1. Open Telegram and select Settings.
  2. Choose Data and Storage, then Proxy.
  3. Tap Add Proxy and select the protocol.
  4. Enter the server information and save it.

A working proxy for Telegram iOS setup behaves the same way as Android once saved — Telegram shows a small icon or status text confirming the proxy is active. If the app does not visibly change status after saving, double-check that Use Proxy or an equivalent toggle is switched on, since simply saving a server without enabling it will not change your connection.

Telegram Desktop Proxy Setup

  1. Open Settings and select Advanced.
  2. Open Connection Type.
  3. Select Use custom proxy.
  4. Enter the MTProto or SOCKS5 details and save.

A proxy for Telegram desktop or proxy for Telegram PC setup uses the same server, port, and secret or credentials as mobile — there is no separate desktop-only server type. This means a single working MTProto link from this site's directory can typically be reused across your phone and your computer, as long as the server itself supports multiple simultaneous connections.

Connect Through a Proxy Link

A tg://proxy link can fill the MTProto fields automatically. Review the host and port shown by Telegram before confirming the connection. This is the fastest method for a telegram proxy setting change, since it avoids manually typing a long secret string, and it is the method used when you tap Connect from the homepage directory.

How to Create or Use a Proxy for Telegram Without a Technical Background

If you are wondering how to use proxy for Telegram without setting up your own server, the practical path is to select an existing MTProto link from a directory, tap Connect, and let Telegram fill in the fields automatically. Learning how to create proxy for Telegram from scratch is a separate, more advanced task that involves deploying MTProto proxy server software on your own infrastructure — most users do not need to go that far just to restore a stable connection.

People who ask how to use Telegram with proxy settings enabled generally notice no visible difference in the interface beyond the connection status indicator; messages, media, and calls work the same way, just routed through the configured server. Conversely, how to use Telegram without proxy is simply a matter of disabling the toggle in the same settings screen where you enabled it — no data is lost by switching the proxy off.

Confirm the Connection

Send a message and load a media file. If Telegram remains on "Connecting," recheck the port and secret, then test another server. A full breakdown of every failure point — from dead servers to VPN conflicts — is available in the Telegram proxy not working troubleshooting guide.

Platform-Specific Notes

iOS and Android both support saving multiple proxy configurations and switching between them without deleting the unused ones, which is useful if you maintain a short list of backup servers from the live directory. Desktop clients on Windows and macOS share the same Advanced settings path described above, though very old Telegram Desktop builds may show a simplified dialog with fewer fields — updating to the current version resolves most of these interface differences.

For a broader comparison of which protocol to choose in the first place, see MTProto vs SOCKS5 Proxy for Telegram. If you are specifically troubleshooting a Pakistani mobile or broadband connection, the Telegram proxy for Pakistan guide covers network-specific testing steps.

Frequently Asked Setup Questions

How do I use a Telegram proxy on Android?

Open Settings, choose Data and Storage, open Proxy Settings, and add an MTProto or SOCKS5 configuration. Save it and switch on Use Proxy.

How do I use a Telegram proxy on iOS?

On iPhone, open Telegram Settings, select Data and Storage, choose Proxy, then add and enable the server details supplied by your proxy source.

Can I use Telegram without a proxy after adding one?

Yes. Disable the Use Proxy switch. Your chats and account data remain unchanged because the setting only changes the connection route.

Do I need to create my own proxy server?

No. Most users can connect through an existing MTProto link. Creating a private server is an advanced option for people who need control over uptime and administration.