Telegram SOCKS5 proxy not working
SOCKS5 is a general-purpose proxy that Telegram also accepts. It needs a server and port, often a username and password, and no secret. Most failures come from mixing it up with MTProto or HTTP proxies, or from networks that recognise it easily.
What you see
| Where | On screen |
|---|---|
| Telegram for iPhone | “Failed to connect” |
| Proxy list | “Unavailable”, or “Connecting to proxy…” that never ends |
| Link format | tg://socks?server=…&port=…&user=…&pass=… |
What it usually means
- The username or password is wrong, or the proxy needs a login and the fields were left empty.
- It is an HTTP proxy, not SOCKS5. Telegram for Android and iPhone accept only SOCKS5 and MTProto; Telegram Desktop also accepts HTTP.
- An MTProto secret was typed into the password field.
- Your network recognises SOCKS5 traffic. SOCKS5 has no disguise, so it is easy to block.
- The server only accepts connections from approved IP addresses, which is common with paid proxies.
Check it step by step
- Check what you were given.
A secret means MTProto. A username and password mean SOCKS5 or HTTP. Choose the matching type under Add Proxy.
- Type the username and password again.
Both are case-sensitive. Leave them empty only if the proxy has no login.
- Confirm the port with whoever gave you the proxy.
SOCKS5 traditionally uses port 1080, but providers use many others.
- Try the same proxy in another app or on another device.
If it fails everywhere, the proxy or its login is the problem. If it fails only in Telegram, recheck the type.
- If your network blocks SOCKS5, switch to an MTProto proxy with a dd or FakeTLS secret.
They are built to look less like a proxy. The list below has some.
Try a server that passed our last check
These servers passed a full MTProto handshake from our checker. List built 18 October 2026 at 15:51 UTC; it is rebuilt every 20 minutes. A server that works for our checker can still be blocked on your network.
Questions
Is SOCKS5 or MTProto better for Telegram?
For getting around blocks, MTProto with a dd or FakeTLS secret. SOCKS5 suits a proxy you already pay for and use in other apps. Full comparison: MTProto vs SOCKS5.
Can the SOCKS5 owner read my messages?
No. Telegram encrypts its traffic itself, so the proxy cannot read your messages. It can see your IP address.
Can I make Telegram calls through a SOCKS5 proxy?
In current versions of Telegram Desktop and Telegram for Android, calls do not go through the proxy, whatever its type. See calls and proxies.