How to add a proxy in Telegram
There are two ways: open a proxy link and tap Connect, or type the server, port and secret into the proxy settings. Both take under a minute. The web version of Telegram is the one place where proxies do not work.
The fast way: open a proxy link
Proxy links look like t.me/proxy?server=…&port=…&secret=… or start with tg://proxy. Open one on a device with Telegram installed and the app shows a confirmation sheet with the server, the port and the proxy's status. Tap Connect and you are done.
Three working proxies from our live list, ready to tap:
The confirmation sheet shows a status and ping because the app has already contacted the server. Opening an unknown proxy link reveals your IP address to its owner even if you never tap Connect. More on what proxy owners see.
What you need to add a proxy by hand
An MTProto proxy needs three things: a server (an IP address or a domain), a port and a secret. A SOCKS5 proxy needs a server, a port and, if the owner set one, a username and password. The two are not interchangeable: an MTProto secret will not work in the SOCKS5 fields.
The secret is a long hexadecimal string. In our list of working proxies, 95% use a 32- or 34-character secret; FakeTLS secrets are longer because they carry a domain name. What the secret types mean. If you are not sure a link or secret is complete, paste it into the proxy link checker.
Android
- Open Settings → Data and Storage → Proxy Settings.
- Tap Add Proxy and choose MTProto Proxy or SOCKS5 Proxy.
- Fill in the server, port and secret (or username and password), then save.
- Make sure the Use Proxy switch at the top is on. The proxy you picked shows “Connected” and its ping.
Android also has a separate “Use proxy for calls” switch. Routing calls through a proxy adds delay, so leave it off unless calls fail without it.
iPhone and iPad
- Open Settings → Data and Storage and scroll to Proxy at the bottom.
- Tap Add Proxy, pick SOCKS5 or MTProto and enter the details.
- Tap Done, then turn on Use Proxy.
While a proxy is on, a shield icon appears at the top of the chat list; tap it to switch proxies. To remove one, swipe it in the list and tap Delete.
Telegram Desktop (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Open Settings → Advanced → Connection type.
- Choose Use custom proxy, then Add proxy.
- Pick the type (SOCKS5, HTTP or MTProto), fill in the fields and save.
Telegram for macOS
The native Mac app from the App Store is a different program from Telegram Desktop, and its menus differ. Go to Settings → Data and Storage → Proxy, add the proxy there and switch it on. macOS system proxy settings do not apply to Telegram; the app keeps its own.
Telegram Web
web.telegram.org has no proxy settings, because a browser page cannot open the kind of connection an MTProto proxy needs. If Telegram is blocked and you can only use a browser, you need a VPN. Proxy or VPN.
Several proxies and turning them off
You can add as many proxies as you like. The list shows each one's status and ping, and you tap one to switch to it. Keeping two or three from different hosts helps, because free proxies stop working without warning. To go back to a direct connection, turn off Use Proxy; the proxies stay saved for later.
If the app hangs on “Connecting…” after you add a proxy, go to proxy not connecting.