Simple Proxy Switcher for Chrome: Setup and How to Use
- Simple Proxy Switcher is a Chrome extension for switching between HTTP/HTTPS proxies quickly, and for importing many proxies at once.
- It accepts three import formats: ip:port, ip:port:login:password and login:password@ip:port.
- The store listing says it supports only HTTP/HTTPS proxies, so SOCKS proxies are not supported.
- It works only as well as the proxy you give it. A dead, expired or wrong proxy means pages will not load.
If you use proxies for testing, privacy or working with different regional views of a website, changing the proxy in your computer's Windows settings every time is slow. A proxy switcher extension lets you do it from the browser toolbar. Simple Proxy Switcher is one such Chrome extension.
This guide explains what it is, what the official Chrome Web Store listing says about it, how to install it, how to add and switch proxies, and what to do when something does not work. It also covers safety, because a proxy can see the traffic that passes through it.
Sources and accuracy
We read the extension's official Chrome Web Store listing in October 2026. The facts below (formats, version, supported proxy type, privacy statement) come from that listing. The listing does not include step-by-step usage instructions, so the "how to use" steps are written in general terms. Button names inside the extension may differ slightly from our wording. We have not claimed any speed, reliability or privacy result that the listing does not state.
What is Simple Proxy Switcher?
According to its store listing, Simple Proxy Switcher is a simple add-on for quickly switching between proxy servers. It is listed under Developer Tools and published by a developer named maksam07. The listing says it currently supports only HTTP/HTTPS proxies and lets you import proxies in bulk.
In everyday words: you give it a list of proxies, and it lets you pick which one your Chrome browser uses.
Quick facts
| Item | What the listing says (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Publisher | maksam07 |
| Category | Developer Tools |
| Proxy types | HTTP/HTTPS only |
| Import formats | ip:port, ip:port:login:password, login:password@ip:port |
| Version | 3.3.2 |
| Last updated | June 24, 2025 |
| Size | About 576 KiB |
| Languages | English, Russian |
| Data use | The developer states that it will not collect or use user data |
Store numbers such as ratings and user counts change over time, so check the live page before you rely on them.
Who is it for?
It is useful for people who:
- Test websites or ads from different locations using proxies they are allowed to use.
- Manage several proxies from a provider and switch between them often.
- Want a lightweight tool instead of a large proxy-management suite.
It is not a VPN. A VPN usually routes all device traffic. A browser proxy extension changes proxy settings for the browser only, and the proxy provider decides what happens to your traffic.
How to install it in Chrome
- Open the official Chrome Web Store listing (link at the end of this article) in Google Chrome.
- Click Add to Chrome, then confirm with Add extension.
- Click the puzzle-piece icon in the Chrome toolbar and pin Simple Proxy Switcher so it stays visible.
Chrome shows a permissions prompt when you install an extension. A proxy extension needs permission to control your browser's proxy settings, so read the prompt and install only if you are comfortable.
Which proxy formats can you import?
The listing names three formats. Use one proxy per line.
| Format | Example (not a real proxy) |
|---|---|
| ip:port | 203.0.113.10:8080 |
| ip:port:login:password | 203.0.113.10:8080:myuser:mypass |
| login:password@ip:port | myuser:[email protected]:8080 |
Your proxy provider normally gives you the IP address, the port and, for private proxies, a username and password. Copy them into one of the formats above exactly, with no spaces.
How to use it
These steps are written generally because the listing gives no walkthrough.
- Open the extension. Click its icon in the toolbar.
- Add your proxies. Use the import or add option and paste your list in one of the supported formats.
- Choose a proxy. Select the proxy you want from the list to make Chrome use it.
- Check that it works. Open any website that shows your public IP address. It should show the proxy's IP, not your own. If it still shows your own IP, the proxy is not active or the extension is not applied.
- Switch when needed. Pick another proxy from the list to change.
- Turn it off. When you are done, choose the option that returns Chrome to a direct connection with no proxy. Do not leave a proxy on by accident.
Fix common problems
Websites do not load or show an error. The proxy may be offline, expired, blocked or typed wrongly. Test it in a different tool or ask your provider.
It keeps asking for a username and password. Check the login and password. For the format with credentials, make sure the order is exactly as shown above.
Your IP does not change. Make sure a proxy is actually selected in the extension. Also check that another extension, for example a VPN extension, is not controlling Chrome's proxy settings at the same time. Only one extension can control proxy settings at once, so disable the others.
A SOCKS proxy does not work. The store listing says only HTTP/HTTPS is supported. Use a proxy of that type.
Some sites show a certificate or security warning. Stop and do not click through. The proxy may be interfering with secure connections. Use a trusted proxy or disable it.
The internet stops working after you close the extension. Open the extension and switch to the direct (no proxy) option, then check Chrome's proxy settings.
Safety and privacy tips
- A proxy can see the websites you visit, and with unencrypted HTTP connections it may see more. Use only proxies from providers you trust.
- Avoid free public proxy lists for logins, banking or shopping.
- Do not enter passwords on sites that do not use HTTPS.
- The developer states that the extension will not collect user data. That statement covers the extension; it does not describe what your proxy provider does.
- Use proxies only in ways that follow the law and the rules of the websites you visit.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Small and focused, with a simple purpose.
- Bulk import saves time when you have many proxies.
- Supports three common proxy list formats.
Limitations
- HTTP/HTTPS only. No SOCKS support is listed.
- The listing gives no built-in tutorial, so beginners need a guide.
- It is for Chrome (and browsers that can install Chrome extensions). It does not change proxy settings for other apps.
- The last update shown in October 2026 was in June 2025, so check the page for newer versions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Simple Proxy Switcher free? The store listing we read did not state a price. Check the listing before installing.
Does it include proxies? The listing describes a tool for switching and importing proxies. You need to bring your own proxies.
Does it work with SOCKS5? The listing says only HTTP/HTTPS is supported.
Is it a VPN? No. It changes the browser's proxy setting. It does not encrypt your connection by itself.
Can I use it on Firefox? The listing we read is for Chrome. Check the Firefox add-ons site for a separate extension.
Where can I read its privacy policy? The developer's privacy policy is linked below.
Official links
Want more tools? See our free QR Code Generator and QR Code Scanner, or read another guide in the PC Software category.
Conclusion
Simple Proxy Switcher is a small, focused extension for people who already have HTTP/HTTPS proxies and want to switch between them in Chrome. Add your proxies in a supported format, select one, check your IP, and turn the proxy off when you finish. Use trusted proxies only, and remember that the extension's results depend on the proxy you give it.
Sources checked: the Chrome Web Store listing for Simple Proxy Switcher (verified October 2026). Store details can change, so check the live listing for the latest information.