# Chrome

Chrome itself does not have a built-in per-tab proxy UI — by default it follows the OS proxy. Three approaches in increasing order of flexibility:

1. **OS-level proxy** (simplest, affects all apps): see [Windows](/integrations/operating-systems/windows.md), [macOS](/integrations/operating-systems/macos.md), [Linux](/integrations/operating-systems/linux.md).
2. **Per-Chrome-profile via command-line flag** — different proxies per Chrome user data dir.
3. **Extension** like SwitchyOmega for per-tab / per-domain rules.

## Approach 2 — `--proxy-server` flag

Launch Chrome with a dedicated user data dir and the `--proxy-server` flag. Best for scraping rigs and headless automation.

```bash
# Residential
google-chrome \
  --user-data-dir=/tmp/chrome-helo-res \
  --proxy-server="http://gate.helodata.io:7777"

# ISP
google-chrome \
  --user-data-dir=/tmp/chrome-helo-isp \
  --proxy-server="http://198.51.100.42:8000"
```

Chrome's `--proxy-server` flag does **not** accept inline credentials. When Chrome prompts for the proxy login, enter:

* Username: the full proxy username (e.g. `helo_s1a2b3c4d5e-type-res-region-us`)
* Password: your sub-user password

To suppress the prompt, use an extension that pre-fills credentials, or set the OS-level proxy instead.

## Approach 3 — SwitchyOmega (most flexible)

1. Install **SwitchyOmega** from the Chrome Web Store.
2. **New profile → Proxy profile**.
3. Fill in:
   * Protocol: `HTTP` or `SOCKS5`
   * Server: `gate.helodata.io` (or your ISP IP)
   * Port: `7777`
   * Authentication: click the lock → username + password
4. Click **Apply changes**.
5. From the SwitchyOmega icon, switch between profiles per browsing context.

\[screenshot: SwitchyOmega "New profile" form filled in for residential]

## Verify the connection

Visit `https://ipv4.icanhazip.com` — the IP shown should be from helodata, not your own.

## Common pitfalls

* **Auth dialog every time you restart** — Chrome forgets proxy creds across sessions. Use SwitchyOmega or an OS-level config.
* **`net::ERR_TUNNEL_CONNECTION_FAILED`** — the proxy URL syntax is wrong, or your credentials are. Check [407 troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/407.md).
* **WebRTC IP leak** — install the SwitchyOmega/WebRTC-Leak-Shield extension if your use case demands hiding the local IP from `getUserMedia`.

## DevTools network tab still works

helodata is a forwarding proxy; DevTools sees the same requests it would normally see. You can still inspect headers, status codes, and timing.


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