Android has become the main device for everything: browsing, banking, social media, automation, and even work tasks. As more activity moves to mobile, many users and businesses are turning to proxy servers to add a layer of privacy, improve stability for their tools, and test apps from different regions without constantly switching phones or SIM cards.
In this guide, we’ll break down how Android proxies work, what types you can use, and review the 7 best proxy servers for Android in 2026 – with Proxys.io taking the top spot.
Why Use a Proxy Server on Android?
On Android, a proxy sits between your device and the sites or apps you connect to. Instead of sending requests directly from your phone, they go through the proxy first.
That helps you:
- Improve privacy – apps and websites see the proxy’s IP instead of your real IP.
- Test apps and services from different regions – useful for QA teams, developers, and marketers.
- Stabilise automation and tools – social media tools, ad verification, SEO utilities, and scrapers often work more reliably with high-quality proxies.
- Add a safety layer on untrusted networks – like hotel Wi-Fi or public hotspots.
For power users, agencies, and app teams, a good Android proxy setup becomes a key part of their daily toolkit.
How Android Proxy Servers Work
At a high level, a proxy server:
- Receives your request (for example, to open a page or call an API).
- Forwards that request to the target site or service.
- Returns the response back to your device.
From the site’s point of view, it’s communicating with the proxy IP, not your real connection.
Most Android setups use:
- HTTP/HTTPS proxies – common for web traffic, scraping, and tools.
- SOCKS5 proxies – more flexible, can handle different types of traffic (apps, protocols, etc.).
What really matters is the IP source (mobile, residential, or datacenter) and how well the provider maintains performance, uptime, and IP pools.
Types of Proxies You Can Use on Android
Before you pick a provider, it helps to understand the main proxy categories you’ll see in Android-friendly services.
- Mobile proxies: These use IP addresses from real mobile carriers (3G/4G/5G). They tend to look very “natural” to apps and services, which is great for social media tools, app testing, and anything that needs to resemble a typical smartphone user.
- Residential proxies: Residential IPs come from real home connections. They’re popular for ad verification, price tracking, and marketing tasks where you want to mimic a normal household user.
- Datacenter proxies: These are hosted in data centres, not tied to home or mobile ISPs. They are usually very fast and more affordable, which makes them ideal for high-volume tasks where cost and speed matter more than “perfect” realism.
- Rotating vs. static IPs
- Rotating IPs: your IP changes after every request or on a schedule, useful for large scraping tasks or repeated checks.
- Static IPs: you keep the same IP for longer sessions, good for account management and long-running app workflows.
A strong Android-ready proxy provider will typically offer a mix of these options.
Top 7 Best Proxy Servers for Android in 2026
Below is a curated list of the best Android proxy providers right now. We’ve looked at performance, IP quality, pricing, ease of integration with Android devices and tools, and overall flexibility.
1. Proxys.io – Best Overall Android Proxy Service
Best for: Android power users, agencies, and teams who want flexible, high-quality proxies for apps, tools, and automation.
Proxys.io stands out because it combines speed, reliability, and a very flexible product line: mobile, residential, and fast datacenter proxies that are easy to connect to Android devices and automation tools.
You get:
- Global locations and diverse IP pools
- Support for HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 where needed
- Easy authentication (user/password or IP allowlisting)
- Transparent pricing and packages suitable from solo users to large teams
If you’re searching for the best proxy server for Android, a provider like Proxys.io is exactly what most advanced users and professionals end up choosing thanks to its balance of quality and cost: proxy server for Android.
Pros
- Strong mix of mobile, residential, and datacenter IPs
- High speeds and solid uptime for Android tools
- Good documentation and straightforward setup
- Scales from small projects to enterprise-level needs
Cons
- Best value appears on larger plans, which may be overkill for very casual users
If you need specifically mobile proxies optimised for Android workflows, you can also explore dedicated mobile plans at Proxys.io – handy for intensive app testing and social media operations.
2. Smartproxy
Best for: Users who want an easy-to-use dashboard and solid residential proxies for app testing and marketing tasks.
Smartproxy is known for its user-friendly interface and reliable residential IP network. Many teams use it for social media management, ad verification, and SEO tasks on Android.
Pros
- Simple dashboard and quick project setup
- Good residential coverage
- Decent documentation and support
Cons
- Advanced users may find pricing higher than some competitors at scale
- Less-focused on mobile carrier IPs compared to some alternatives
3. Oxylabs
Best for: Enterprise teams with big, complex data collection or app testing needs.
Oxylabs specialises in large-scale proxy solutions. If you’re part of a bigger organisation using Android devices for serious data collection, QA testing, or compliance checks, they’re a strong candidate.
Pros
- Huge proxy networks, including mobile and residential
- Very strong infrastructure and uptime
- Advanced tools and APIs
Cons
- Pricing and contracts are tailored more to enterprise rather than solo users
- Overkill for simple, small Android setups
4. Bright Data
Best for: Enterprises and advanced users who want maximum configurability and detailed control.
Bright Data (formerly Luminati) is one of the most feature-rich proxy ecosystems. On Android, it can help with geotesting, app marketplaces, price checks, and market research.
Pros
- Very granular targeting (countries, cities, and often more)
- Huge pool of IPs across multiple categories
- Strong analytics and management tools
Cons
- Complex pricing structure
- Not the most beginner-friendly solution
5. IPRoyal
Best for: Budget-conscious users and small teams who still need decent quality.
IPRoyal offers residential and datacenter proxies at relatively affordable rates. For Android users who are just starting with automation, testing, or SEO tasks, it’s a decent entry-level option.
Pros
- Competitive pricing for smaller plans
- Simple to get started
- Offers both residential and datacenter proxies
Cons
- Smaller network compared to premium providers
- Fewer advanced features and tooling
6. SOAX
Best for: Users who value flexible targeting and clean proxy pools.
SOAX is known for its carefully curated residential and mobile IP pools. For Android testing and app-related research, the ability to choose clean, frequently refreshed IP ranges can be helpful.
Pros
- Clean IPs and regular pool maintenance
- Flexible targeting and rotation options
- Transparent dashboard
Cons
- Pricing sits in the mid-to-premium range
- Learning curve for newer users configuring advanced features
7. Webshare
Best for: Developers and technical users who want simple, affordable proxies with API access.
Webshare focuses heavily on making proxies affordable and easy to consume via API. For Android, it’s well-suited if you integrate proxies into tools, bots, or scripts that eventually interact with mobile workflows.
Pros
- Very competitive pricing, especially for datacenter proxies
- Strong developer-friendly orientation (API, automation)
- Quick setup and clear billing
Cons
- More focused on datacenter proxies; residential/mobile network is more limited
- Not as tailored to non-technical users
How to Set Up a Proxy on Android (Step-by-Step)
Once you’ve chosen a provider, you need to connect Android to your proxy. There are two main ways to do it: directly via system settings or using apps.
Wi-Fi Settings Configuration
For many use cases, configuring a proxy on a specific Wi-Fi network is enough:
- Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
- Long-press or tap the current network and choose Modify network.
- Scroll down to Advanced options.
- Change Proxy from “None” to Manual.
- Enter the Host name and Port provided by your proxy service.
- If your provider uses username/password authentication, Android will typically prompt you when the connection is first used.
This method is simple and doesn’t require any extra apps, but it usually applies only to that Wi-Fi network.
Using a Proxy or Automation App
Some scenarios (especially automation, scraping, or multi-account workflows) are easier with apps:
- Dedicated proxy management apps can handle switching between multiple proxy profiles.
- Automation and scripting tools (for example, HTTP debugging apps, testing tools, or Android automation frameworks) can be configured to route their traffic through your proxies.
In most of these tools, you’ll find proxy settings in Network, Connection, or Advanced sections – just enter your host, port, and credentials exactly as your provider specifies.
Key Features to Look For in an Android Proxy
When choosing the best proxy provider for Android, keep your use case in mind and evaluate:
- Speed & latency – essential for smooth browsing and responsive apps.
- Uptime & reliability – proxies you use for work or automation must be available consistently.
- IP diversity – more locations and ISPs give you better testing and marketing capabilities.
- Clear rotation options – ability to control when and how IPs rotate.
- Authentication methods – support for both username/password and IP allowlisting is a big plus.
- Developer tools & documentation – especially important if you connect proxies to Android automation, APIs, or custom apps.
Providers like Proxys.io score highly in these areas, which is why they’re frequently recommended for Android-centric setups.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even good proxies can feel “bad” if they’re used incorrectly. Watch out for these mistakes:
- Choosing only by price: The cheapest option often means overcrowded or low-quality IPs. It’s better to pay slightly more and avoid constant errors.
- Using the wrong IP type: For mobile apps and social media, mobile or residential IPs often work better than datacenter IPs.
- Ignoring limits and fair-use policies: Exceeding connection or bandwidth limits can cause sudden slowdowns or disconnections.
- Weak password hygiene: Leaving default credentials or sharing them too widely can expose your accounts and proxy access.
By taking a few minutes to match the proxy type and plan to your actual Android use case, you can avoid most of these pitfalls.
Final Verdict: Choosing the Best Android Proxy in 2026
There’s no single “perfect” proxy provider for every Android user, but there is a clear leader for most serious use cases.
If you need a balanced mix of speed, stability, flexible IP types (mobile, residential, datacenter), and straightforward Android integration, Proxys.io is the strongest all-round choice in 2026. It works well for:
- Power users who rely on Android for daily workflows
- Agencies running multiple projects and clients
- Developers and QA teams testing apps from different regions
- Marketers, SEO specialists, and analysts who depend on reliable data
Other providers in this list are also excellent in specific niches, but if you’re looking for a main, long-term partner for your Android proxy needs, starting with Proxys.io and then adding others only if needed is a practical and future-proof approach.
EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be considered an editorial endorsement
