WhatsApp users can now send messages when the internet is blocked. You do this by entering the Whatsapp proxy address in the application.
This ability is a new feature released by WhatsApp. The instant messaging company owned by Meta wants users to stay online even if the internet is blocked through proxy servers set up by volunteers and organizations around the world dedicated to helping people communicate freely.
So, this feature is intended for emergencies so that users can still communicate. "We're giving people the ability to maintain access to WhatsApp if their connection is blocked or interrupted," WhatsApp said on its official blog.
WhatsApp Proxy Addresses
Quoted from the WhatsApp page, those who want to use this new service can set up a Whatsapp Proxy using an available server and a domain name (or subdomain) that points to the server's IP address. However it depends on the scenario in which the user is using the proxy.
Basic ports that can be used:
80: Standard web traffic (HTTP)
443: Standard, encrypted (HTTPS) web traffic
5222: Jabber protocol traffic (default WhatsApp)
There is also a configured port that accepts incoming proxy headers (version 1 or 2) on connections.
8080: Standard web traffic (HTTP) with PROXY protocol expected
8443: Standard, encrypted (HTTPS) web traffic with the PROXY protocol is expected
8222: Jabber protocol traffic (default WhatsApp) with PROXY protocol expected
How to set a WhatsApp proxy on Android
Make sure you are using the latest version of WhatsApp.
On the Chats tab, tap More options > Settings.
Tap Storage and data > Proxies.
Tap Use proxy.
Tap Set proxy and enter the proxy address.
Tap Save.
A tick will appear if the connection is successful.
If you still can't send or receive WhatsApp messages using a proxy, the proxy may have been blocked. You can long press a blocked proxy address to remove it, then enter a new proxy address to try again.
Detailed documentation and source code is available on GitHub here.
How to Setting WhatsApp Proxy on iPhone
Make sure you are using the latest version of WhatsApp.
Open WhatsApp Settings.
Tap Storage and data > Proxies.
Tap Use proxy.
Enter the proxy address then tap Save to connect to it.
A tick will appear if the connection is successful.
If you still can't send or receive WhatsApp messages using a proxy, the proxy may have been blocked. Try again using a different proxy address.
WhatsApp Proxy Security
When a user uses a third-party proxy, the IP address is shared with the proxy provider. Third party proxies are not provided by WhatsApp.
Even so, WhatsApp guarantees that when using a proxy it does not change the level of privacy and security for all users. Users' private messages and calls will still be protected by end-to-end encryption.
This means that messages and calls are known only to the user and the people with whom they communicate, and cannot be seen by anyone else, not even a proxy server, WhatsApp, or Meta.