Help Proxy Support for Apps using wifi : not supported

[Unam]

Proxy Support for Apps, on wifi--- not supported)

I was quite surprised that Android platforms do not have in-built proxy support. Proxy support is limited to the stock web browser of the phone, but if we want to use wifi for apps it does not work. Apps do not connect. They do not recognize the proxy settings.
I am hoping that there is a workaround for this,without rooting the phone.

The usual workarounds also do not work for me. I cannot change my router (restricted and nor can I change its settings.)

I cannot connect to market, or download over wifi (GPRS data connection takes too long a time).
Gmail, Gtalk, Maps , Weather apps, basically any app requiring a data connection is not able to work on wifi with proxy settings.

Such a simple issue, and this has been ignored for so long. Even my older phones(Symbian), had support for wifi.

I have to use expensive data plans (GPRS),for apps connectivity which are also so slow.
This really has spoiled my android party

I do not want to root my phone, as it would void the warranty , its an expensive purchase after all....
Is there a way (without rooting ), to get proxy wifi support for Apps in android ? Please share....................

 

[lotus49]

Something is wrong with your setup. I can connect to the internet with all my apps etc regardless of whether I am connected by wifi or 3G. I also didn't need to configure anything to be able to do this.

 

[XplosiV]

Maybe your slightly confused as to the use of proxies.

You either visit a proxy website to gain access via a proxy to the web to surf.

Or

You use a proxy server (preferably paid service) in your browsers settings so that all your surfing is masked.

If however you want to mask all your internet traffic via gprs or wifi you need a vpn not a proxy.

It does seem like your wifi connection is not quite right though, you may want to check that the wifi network your connecting to is set up to accept it properly (MAC filtering, DHCP or ip pool could be the issue)

If you want your apps to use a proxy, the app needs to support it.

 

[ThEGr33k]

Some Wifi networks use proxies so that they can sensor internet access for their employees. If this person is trying to use a Proxy in that sense then its unfortunately tough...

It is the one area that Google need to get its act together. There are no doubt many Enterprises that are pissed off with the lack of this feature. Unfortunate.

 

[usernameinuse86]

Just a heads up that iPhone also lacks universal proxy support for its applications. .Skype being one culprit. Galaxy s2 has the option to use proxy for the web browser in the advanced wireless section

 

[Unam]

Some Wifi networks use proxies so that they can sensor internet access for their employees. If this person is trying to use a Proxy in that sense then its unfortunately tough...

It is the one area that Google need to get its act together. There are no doubt many Enterprises that are pissed off with the lack of this feature. Unfortunate.

That is exactly what my problem is, you hit the bulls eye.
Where I live, the wifi connection is free, but it comes with a rider, Proxies. My wifi network uses proxy to to route all data usages. This has been done here (according to the authorities), to block torrents as they were hogging all the bandwidth. We are all download junkies here.

Now on laptop there is no difference in browsing experience, as everything(other than torrents work flawlessly).
But apparently android devices do not yet have support for wifi proxy settings for the apps. This is a noted issue as I found out, and Google is also aware of this. Please check the link for the official complain thread.

Issue 1273 - android - IP Proxy Settings for Wifi Network - Android - An Open Handset Alliance Project - Google Project Hosting

Google has set medium priority for this issue, when more than 1000 official complains have been registered so far.
I just hope that the next android upgrades resolves this issue.
It cannot be that complicated to do, when my 3 year old symbian phone had the option to configure proxy for all apps.

 

[Unam]

Just a heads up that iPhone also lacks universal proxy support for its applications. .Skype being one culprit. Galaxy s2 has the option to use proxy for the web browser in the advanced wireless section

Yes, I was able to set up the proxy for the stock web browser for my Galaxy S2, that was a big relief. At least web surfing is not a problem, although downloads still do not work, when using wifi with proxy data routing.
Also I have come across some posts which suggest Firefox for android also support proxy settings, have not tried it though.

As for Iphone also not having universal wifi proxy support for apps, it just goes on to show one of the reasons why Symbian and Blackberry are still the preferred platform choice for corporates and businesses , as most of the companies use proxy settings to route the wifi data network.

 

[ThEGr33k]

Yea, its a real farce tbh. Its got to be a simple thing to implement! At least Samsung saw fit to include the browser proxy, the stock android doesn't even have that!

I have been waiting for the proxy update since 2.1, so wouldnt hold your breath!

Here is to hope!!!!

 

[Unam]

I read there is a rom out there which has proxy support for most of the apps, but for that rooting is required, and I am not ready for it yet. Will void my warranty claim.

So as you said , here is to hope....that a official version with proxy support will be released soon

 

[diezelglax]

I am sorry but folks have got it wrong... All IOS products support Application Internet Access through proxy. I have tried iPhone 2, 3, 3gs, 4, and iPad 1 from IOS 3.5 - 5.0.1.

Sorry android folks - stop making allegations on devices which are perfect for enterprises unlike android...

 

[diezelglax]

as for Skype - it works with WiFI - with Proxy. The only time skype does not work is if you only have 3G network available

 

[lukeap69]

Sorry it does not work with iOS whether it is iPhone or iPad.

Rooted android devices using app like Auto Proxy works.

We are using many devices in our office and iOS devices have not found a way to use Skype. Browser works fine though.

 

[maeday]

Sorry it does not work with iOS whether it is iPhone or iPad.

Rooted android devices using app like Auto Proxy works.

We are using many devices in our office and iOS devices have not found a way to use Skype. Browser works fine though.

I cant believe ive signed up just to post this.. But iOS has supported proxy servers for an exceptionally long time (for 1-2 years now these settings also apply to the installed apps too).

The problem with IOS's proxy support however is that authenticated proxies dont work well. Setup anonymous for iOS but with a proxy still specified and they work beautifully. As a network admin im not fond of the scenario but it beats the pants off turning away android users because of a lack of proxy support.

 

[1234cas]

I just ran into this issue with the new sony xperia P, before that I used motorola a droid2 and droid bionic and both supported proxy's, and all apps work to make a long story short the Sony is going back. I will check to make sure but I believe all motorola's support proxy's.