WhatsApp — is the most popular messenger in the world, but at the same time, it is the most frequently blocked. In China, Iran, and a number of other countries, it does not work without special tools. Additionally, WhatsApp is actively used by affiliate marketers for bulk messaging, where hiding the real IP is crucial.
Important note: There is a "Proxy" item in the WhatsApp settings, but it is not suitable for most private servers.
Why? WhatsApp developers did not add fields for entering a Login and Password. This feature was created for free volunteer servers without authentication.
If you are using high-quality private proxies (which are password-protected), you will need additional applications. In this guide, we will tell you how to set everything up.
📌 Part 1. Why do you need a proxy for WhatsApp?
Censorship Circumvention
The Problem: WhatsApp servers are blocked in your country or corporate network. Messages are not sent, and calls are dropped.
The Solution: A proxy allows you to route traffic through another country where the messenger is permitted.
Multi-accounting and Marketing
The Problem: WhatsApp has one of the strictest anti-fraud systems. If you run 5 accounts for bulk messaging from a single IP, they will be banned within minutes.
The Solution: Assign each account its own unique Mobile proxy. This simulates the behavior of different real people.
Anonymity
Hiding the real IP address to protect personal data during communication.
🛑 Part 2. Why the built-in WhatsApp setting doesn't work?
In the menu Settings -> Storage and Data -> Proxy you can only enter an IP and Port.
What's the catch:
Commercial proxies (private) always require authentication (
Login:Password) so that unauthorized persons cannot use them.WhatsApp cannot pass the login and password to the proxy server.
The Result: If you enter the IP of your private proxy there, the messenger will simply display a "Connection failed" error because the server will reject the request without a password.
Conclusion: To use private proxies, we need a middleman application (tunnel).
🔧 Part 3. Setup on smartphones (Android / iOS)
Since WhatsApp is a mobile application, configuration is done through utilities that can "wrap" traffic into a proxy with authentication.
For Android (Super Proxy / Tun2Tap)
Download the Super Proxy app (free, available on Google Play).
Create a new profile.
Enter your proxy data: IP, Port, Login, Password. It is better to choose the SOCKS5 or HTTP protocol.
Click "Start".
Important: Super Proxy works like a local VPN. Now all of your phone's traffic (including WhatsApp) goes through the proxy.
Open WhatsApp — it will automatically pick up the new connection.
For iOS (Potatso / Shadowrocket)
The situation is similar on iPhone.
Download Potatso (simple version) or Shadowrocket (professional version).
Click "Add Proxy" -> Enter IP, Port, Login, Password.
Turn on the connection toggle.
If using Shadowrocket, ensure Global mode is enabled (or set up a rule for the domains
whatsapp.comandwhatsapp.net).Now WhatsApp works through a secure gateway.
➡️ Need detailed instructions?
Check out our full guides on setting up proxies on mobile OS (Android, iOS).
💻 Part 4. Setup for WhatsApp Web / Desktop (PC)
If you use WhatsApp on your computer for work or bulk messaging.
Option A: WhatsApp Web (In the browser)
The simplest way.
Install the Proxy SwitchyOmega extension in your browser.
Configure the proxy with authentication.
Open
web.whatsapp.com.Traffic will go through the proxy, while the phone can remain on the regular internet (the main thing is that both devices are online).
➡️ Need detailed instructions with screenshots?
Check out our full guides on setting up proxies in the browser.
Option B: WhatsApp Desktop (Windows/Mac App)
The official PC app does not have proxy settings.
Use the Proxifier program.
Add your SOCKS5 proxy (with login and password).
Create a rule:
Applications:
WhatsApp.exeAction: Your proxy.
Now the desktop version works covertly.
➡️ Need help with the program?
Check out our full guides on setting up Proxifier and proxy clients on PC.
💡 Part 5. Which proxy to choose for WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is an extremely suspicious system. It analyzes not only the IP but also the network behavior.
| Proxy Type | Ban Risk | Purpose |
| Datacenter | 🔴 High | Only for bypassing blocks. If you just need to message a friend. Not suitable for registering new accounts or bulk messaging (fast ban). |
| Residential | 🟡 Medium | For personal use. A good option for stable connection, calls, and video (best speed). |
| Mobile | 🟢 Minimal | For Affiliate Marketing and Bulk Messaging. This is the only proxy type that allows registering accounts and performing mass actions. WhatsApp trusts mobile IPs the most. |
Protocol Tip:
For calls and video calls in WhatsApp, it is better to use the SOCKS5 protocol (it supports UDP, which is important for voice). Through an HTTP proxy, text messages will be sent, but calls may be dropped.
Conclusion
The built-in proxy function in WhatsApp does not support authentication; therefore, to use high-quality private proxies, you will need third-party applications (Super Proxy, Potatso, Proxifier).
👉 What do you need a proxy for?
Just to unblock access? Our affordable Datacenter proxies will suffice.
Working with bulk messaging and multi-accounting? Choose Mobile proxies with the ability to manually change the IP.