WhatsApp adds proxy support to help users circumvent internet shutdowns

Web service WhatsApp is the preferred method of communication for a substantial portion of the planet. Occasionally, governments take away that communication by shutting down the internet. Well, the service has just launched something that might help — proxy support.

In areas where internet access might be restricted — say, where there are mass protests — the ability to connect and communicate becomes essential. Even if it’s only to warn folks that the guys in riot gear are firing teargas canisters and are on their way. Proxy support for WhatsApp should go a long way to helping those folks out.

WhatsApp by proxy

The service announced the update for users all around the world, meaning you can use it even if you’re not currently battling a totalitarian government regime. WhatsApp users can now connect to servers set up and maintained by “…volunteers and organizations around the world dedicated to helping people communicate freely”.

The method is fairly simple. In case you’ve got a little light government protesting planned for this weekend, here’s what you can do.

Circumventing authority

On Android, head to Chats, then hit the More menu (those three little dots). Choose Settings, then Storage and Data. Here you’ll find an option for Proxy. Choose the Use and then Set options, enter the address (which you’ll get from one of the folks hosting), and look for the green checkmark.

iPhone users follow the same method but have two fewer steps. Just head to Settings and continue as above. You don’t need to hit Set Proxy, since that option doesn’t exist here.

It’s entirely possible that you’ll still be unable to send messages after doing this. What that means is that the proxy server you’re using has been blocked. You’ll have to track down another one, in between dodging rubber bullets. Hey, nobody said overthrowing an ‘elected’ leader was going to be easy.

Users are also able to set up servers for others to use. Instructions on how to do that, as well as a link to the GitHub project that makes it possible, are available here.