Telegram has built-in support for proxies, which can be useful for bypassing network restrictions, enhancing privacy, and improving connection stability. This functionality extends to voice and video calls as well, though the process and effectiveness can vary.

What is a Proxy for Telegram?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the Telegram servers. Instead of connecting directly, your data is routed through the proxy. This can:

Bypass Censorship: In regions where Telegram is blocked, a proxy can allow you to connect to the service.

Enhance Privacy: By masking your IP address, a proxy makes it more difficult for third parties to track your location and online activity.

Improve Performance: In some cases, a proxy can provide a more stable or faster connection, especially if your local network is congested or unstable.

Telegram supports two primary types of proxies:

SOCKS5: A general-purpose protocol that offers a good balance of speed, security, and compatibility. It's widely used and supported.

MTProto: Telegram's own proxy protocol, specifically designed for its platform. It's often more optimized for Telegram's traffic and can be a good choice for stability.

Setting Up a Proxy for Telegram Calls
Setting up a proxy for calls is a straightforward process within the Telegram app, and it's generally enabled by default once you set up a proxy for general use. However, it's important to verify the settings.

For Mobile Devices (Android and iOS):

Open Telegram and go to Settings.

Navigate to "Data and Storage."

Scroll down to the "Proxy" section and tap on "Proxy Settings."

Tap "Add Proxy" and choose either SOCKS5 or MTProto.

Enter the proxy details provided by your proxy service (Server/IP address, Port, and any required username and password).

Enable the "Use Proxy" option.

Crucially, many mobile versions of Telegram have an additional option to "Use proxy for calls." Ensure this is enabled. The app will then route your call traffic through the configured proxy.

For Telegram Desktop:

Open the Telegram desktop app and go to Settings.

Select "Advanced."

Find "Connection type" and click on it.

Choose "Use custom proxy" and select the proxy type (SOCKS5, HTTP, or MTProto).

Enter the proxy details (Server/IP, Port, credentials).

Save the settings.

Important Considerations for Using a Proxy for Calls
While proxies can be effective, they come with certain limitations and considerations, especially for real-time communication like calls.

Reliability and Speed: The quality of your call is highly dependent on the quality of your proxy. A slow or unstable proxy can lead to lag, dropped calls, or poor audio quality. It's often recommended to use a paid, reputable proxy service rather than a free one, as free proxies are often unreliable and can pose security risks.

NAT and UDP traffic: Voice and video calls often rely on UDP (User Datagram Protocol) for fast, low-latency communication. Some proxies, particularly older ones or those not configured properly, may struggle with UDP traffic, which can cause calls to fail or become stuck during the "exchanging keys" phase. SOCKS5 proxies generally support UDP, but it's not a guarantee.

Security: While a proxy can enhance privacy by masking your IP, it's important to remember that the proxy provider itself can see your traffic. Always choose a trustworthy proxy provider with a strong data protection policy.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Connections: By default, Telegram's call feature uses a peer-to-peer connection when possible to improve call quality. However, this reveals your IP address to the person you are calling. To ensure all call traffic goes through your proxy, you may need to disable the P2P option. This setting is usually found under Settings > Privacy and Security > Calls. You can set it to "Nobody" or "My Contacts" and then ensure the "Use Peer-to-Peer" option is disabled.