Mobile Proxies: How to Choose a 4G/5G Carrier IP Proxy

A mobile proxy is a proxy connection that forwards your requests to the target site through an IP address belonging to a mobile carrier's 4G or 5G network. The target site does not see your connection; it sees the carrier IP of a phone or mobile modem. That is why mobile proxies are used on platforms that serve content based on mobile users and on targets that are sensitive to IP reputation.

At WeProxy, mobile IPs come from two different products: Rotating Mobile IPv4, billed per GB with rotating and sticky sessions, and the Mobile 4G/5G Proxy, which exits from modems with real SIM cards and changes its IP on demand. Both use the same IP class, but they fit different jobs in terms of protocol, session and billing.

This page explains why mobile IPs behave differently, compares the two products and gives you a checklist for choosing. Current packages are listed in the package table on this page.

What is a mobile proxy and how does it work?

A proxy is an intermediary server between the client and the target site. The client sends the request to the proxy, the proxy forwards it to the target from its own exit IP and carries the response back. With a mobile proxy, that exit IP belongs to a mobile carrier's data network.

In practice there are two architectures:

• Pool-based rotating mobile proxy. You connect to a gateway address; each request or session exits from the IP of a different device on a carrier network. Country and city targeting decides which region you exit from.
• Real-SIM mobile proxy. A physical SIM card and modem work through a port assigned to you. The IP is the address the carrier gives to that modem, and it changes when you ask for it.

In both models the target site sees that the request comes from a mobile carrier ASN. A proxy changes only the IP address and network route; browser fingerprint, cookies, language and time zone are separate layers that you must keep consistent on your side. For the basics, see the what is a proxy page.

Why do mobile IPs behave differently: CGNAT and carrier ASN

Mobile carriers usually use CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) to share a limited pool of IPv4 addresses among many subscribers. In this setup, many phones can sit behind a single public IPv4 address at the same time. When a subscriber's connection drops and reconnects, the carrier may also assign a different public IP.

These two properties shape how mobile IPs behave on target sites:

1. Shared IP. Blocking a mobile IP can also affect the real users behind it. For this reason, many platforms are more cautious about applying hard per-IP rules to mobile IPs.
2. Natural IP changes. On mobile networks it is normal for the IP to change from time to time. An IP change within a session can look less suspicious than on a home connection.
3. Carrier ASN. IP databases show which ASN an address belongs to and the connection type. A mobile carrier ASN is clearly distinct from a data center ASN.

This does not mean a mobile IP passes on every target. The target's bot protection also looks at request rate, headers, cookie consistency and account history. A mobile IP improves only one of those signals. You can see which ASN and connection type an IP is registered to with the IP lookup tool.

Which mobile proxy options does WeProxy offer?

The table below compares the two mobile products in the catalog against the same criteria. Product details, the location list and package options are on each product page.

Points to keep in mind when reading the table:

• Rotating Mobile IPv4 is listed in the catalog with 180+ locations; you can target country, city and, in some locations, ASN. Usage is measured as the sum of sent and received traffic, and purchased GBs never expire and stay in your balance until used.
• Mobile 4G/5G Proxy (Real SIM) is listed for Türkiye, Australia, the Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, the US, the UK and Austria. There is a 4.5G package for Türkiye. This product works with HTTP only; if you need SOCKS5, choose Rotating Mobile IPv4.
• Real-SIM packages have limited stock that changes over time. Check the current availability on the product page before you buy.

On both products, authentication works with username/password or IP whitelist, and there is no limit on threads or concurrent sessions. Connection details appear in the customer panel once the order is active.

Rotating mobile or real-SIM mobile proxy?

Short rule: if you need many independent requests or several countries, choose Rotating Mobile IPv4; if a single mobile identity must continue from the same port for days, choose the real-SIM mobile proxy.

Rotating Mobile IPv4 works as a pool. You can get a different mobile IP on every request, or add a session ID to your username to keep the same IP for up to 60 minutes. Per-GB billing suits teams with irregular traffic or teams that want to test at small scale first. With HTTP and SOCKS5 support, it works with browser automation, scraping libraries and applications that require SOCKS5.

The real-SIM mobile proxy gives you a dedicated port and carrier connection. Billing is based on time (weekly or monthly) rather than traffic. The IP changes when you request it, so you control when the IP changes. This model fits app tests and account flows that must run from the same mobile connection for a long time. The limits are HTTP-only support and limited stock.

A detailed comparison of sticky and rotating sessions is in the sticky vs rotating proxy guide. For the rotating model across all IP types, see the rotating proxies page.

What are mobile proxies used for?

Mobile proxies make sense where the target shows different content to mobile users or looks closely at IP reputation:

• Social platform management. Social networks receive most of their mobile app traffic from carrier IPs. Managing accounts from a mobile IP brings your connection profile closer to that traffic. Details on the social media use case page.
• Mobile ad verification. Checking that mobile campaigns appear in the right country, with the right creative and the right landing page requires a carrier IP. See ad verification.
• App and mobile site testing. Testing how an app or mobile site behaves on carrier networks in different countries and which language and currency it shows.
• Mobile content and price checks. Some services show different campaigns or pages to mobile visitors. To measure that view, use a mobile IP together with a mobile User-Agent.
• Data collection on stricter targets. For low-volume but sensitive collection jobs on targets that block data center IPs.

A mobile proxy is not the right choice for every job. For high-volume, speed-sensitive collection, residential or datacenter options can be more efficient per unit of traffic. Which jobs fit which IP type is covered in the proxy use cases guide. All use must comply with the acceptable use policy and the target platform's terms.

Mobile, residential or datacenter proxy?

The three IP types answer the same question at different cost and with different behavior: who does the target site think is sending the request?

The difference between mobile and residential often comes from the target itself: if the target is built around mobile app traffic, a mobile IP gives a more consistent profile; on desktop websites a residential IP is enough for most jobs. A detailed comparison is in the mobile vs residential proxy guide, and all four IP types are covered in the residential, mobile, datacenter and ISP proxy guide. For all residential options, see the residential proxies page.

How to choose a mobile proxy: checklist

Answer these questions in order before choosing a product:

1. Does the target really need a mobile IP? If a datacenter or residential IP can do the same job, you do not need a mobile IP. First run a small test to see which IP type the target blocks.
2. How long must the IP stay the same? Rotating for independent requests, sticky for flows of up to 60 minutes, real-SIM mobile proxy for a single connection that lasts for days.
3. Which protocol do you need? If your client requires SOCKS5, only Rotating Mobile IPv4 fits. The real-SIM product works with HTTP.
4. Which country and city? Rotating Mobile IPv4 targets country, city and, in some locations, ASN. The real-SIM product has a shorter location list; check it on the product page. If you focus on Türkiye, also see the options on the Turkey proxy page.
5. How much traffic? Pay per GB for irregular or small traffic, a weekly or monthly port for steady, long-term use.
6. Stock and delivery. Stock for real-SIM packages changes; check the current availability on the product page.
7. Authentication method. IP whitelist is practical if you work from a fixed server; username/password is easier if you connect from changing environments.
8. Refunds and testing. For GB packages, you can open a refund request through support within 14 days of purchase if no more than 5% of the traffic has been used. Starting with a small package makes measurement easier.

If you are unsure, you can send your use case, target location and expected traffic to the support team. Use the pricing page to compare packages.

How to set up a mobile proxy and verify the exit IP

Once the order is active, connection details (host, port, username and password or whitelist setting) appear in the customer panel. Proxies are delivered in standard HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 format and work directly with Puppeteer, Selenium, Scrapy and similar tools. If you need to switch between ip:port:user:pass and URL formats for different tools, use the proxy format converter.

After setup, run three checks:

1. Exit IP and ASN. With the proxy on, open the my IP tool, then check the IP in the IP lookup tool. The ASN should belong to a mobile carrier and the country should match the location you expect.
2. Proxy health. Test the connection with the proxy checker; response time and protocol support show up there.
3. Leaks. If you use a browser, WebRTC and DNS leaks can reveal your real IP. The steps are in the DNS leak guide.

When working with a mobile IP, align the other signals with a mobile profile as well: a mobile User-Agent, a suitable screen size, and language and time zone that match the IP's country. If you get errors such as 407, 403 or 429, use the proxy error codes guide to tell whether the error comes from the proxy or the target.

Frequently asked questions

What is a mobile proxy?

A mobile proxy is a type of proxy that routes your internet traffic through an IP address belonging to a mobile carrier's 4G or 5G network. The target site sees the request as coming from a phone or mobile modem connection. At WeProxy, mobile IPs are offered through Rotating Mobile IPv4, billed per GB, and the Mobile 4G/5G Proxy with real SIM cards.

Are mobile proxies better than residential proxies?

Not for every job. Because mobile IPs are shared by many users through CGNAT, they meet fewer restrictions on some platforms and give a profile closer to mobile app traffic. On desktop websites and in high-volume collection jobs, a residential proxy is often enough. Decide based on which IP type the target expects and on your traffic volume.

How often does the IP change on a mobile proxy?

On Rotating Mobile IPv4 the IP can change on every request, or stay the same for up to 60 minutes with a session ID added to the username. On the real-SIM mobile proxy the IP changes when you request it, and the port stays assigned to you. The right model depends on how long your job needs the same IP.

Does the real-SIM mobile proxy support SOCKS5?

No. The Mobile 4G/5G Proxy (Real SIM) product works with HTTP only. If your client or application requires SOCKS5, choose Rotating Mobile IPv4, which supports HTTP and SOCKS5. Both products support authentication with username/password or IP whitelist. Check protocol support in the technical specs on the product page before you buy.

Can I get a mobile IP in Türkiye?

Yes. Türkiye is among the locations of Rotating Mobile IPv4, and you can target country and city. The real-SIM mobile proxy lists a 4.5G package for Türkiye; stock for these packages is limited, so check the current availability on the product page. Other Türkiye options are compared on the Turkey proxy page.

How is mobile proxy traffic billed?

Rotating Mobile IPv4 is billed per GB; usage is measured as the sum of sent and received traffic, and purchased GBs never expire and stay in your balance until used. The real-SIM mobile proxy is billed by time, weekly or monthly, rather than by traffic. Current packages appear in the package table on this page and on the product pages.

How many connections can I open at once with a mobile proxy?

WeProxy packages have no limit on threads or concurrent sessions. The practical limit is your own infrastructure and the request rate the target site accepts. Sending very heavy traffic from the same mobile IP can trigger 429 errors on the target, so increase concurrency gradually and monitor the error rate.