Overview

ChangeMyIP offers Shadowsocks proxies for encrypted, lightweight proxying. This tutorial walks you through configuring a Shadowsocks client on macOS to route your traffic through ChangeMyIP, using the credentials from your dashboard.

Prerequisites

A ChangeMyIP subscription that includes Shadowsocks access.
macOS 10.15 or later.
Your ChangeMyIP Shadowsocks server details: server address, port, password, and encryption method.

Steps

Obtain Your Shadowsocks Credentials Log in to your ChangeMyIP dashboard and navigate to the Shadowsocks section. Note the following:
- Server address (IP or hostname)
- Port number
- Password
- Encryption method (e.g., aes-256-gcm, chacha20-ietf-poly1305)
- Any plugin or obfuscation settings (if provided)
Install a Shadowsocks Client On macOS, ShadowsocksX-NG is a popular GUI client. Download it from the official GitHub releases page or install via Homebrew:
```
brew install --cask shadowsocksx-ng
```
Alternatively, you can use ClashX or another compatible client.
Configure the Server Profile Open ShadowsocksX-NG. Click the menu bar icon and choose Servers > Edit Server. Then click + to add a new server. Fill in the details from step 1. For example:
```
{
  "server": "shadowsocks.changemyip.com",
  "server_port": 8388,
  "password": "your_password_here",
  "method": "aes-256-gcm",
  "remarks": "ChangeMyIP"
}
```
Save the profile.
Enable System Proxy In the ShadowsocksX-NG menu, set Mode to Global or Auto Proxy (PAC). Global routes all traffic through the proxy; Auto Proxy uses rules to decide which sites go through the proxy. For anonymity, Global is recommended. Then turn on Enable Shadowsocks.
Verify Your IP Address Open a browser and visit an IP checking site (e.g., IPLeak.net or WhatIsMyIP.com). Confirm the displayed IP matches the ChangeMyIP server location. Alternatively, use curl in Terminal:
```
curl --socks5 127.0.0.1:1080 https://api.ipify.org
```
Note: ShadowsocksX-NG typically listens on local port 1080 for SOCKS5.
Test DNS Leaks (Optional) For enhanced privacy, ensure DNS requests also go through the proxy. In ShadowsocksX-NG preferences, enable DNS over Shadowsocks or configure your system DNS to use a secure resolver. Check for leaks at DNSLeakTest.com.

Troubleshooting

Cannot connect: Verify server address, port, and password. Ensure your network allows outbound connections on the specified port. Some networks block non-standard ports; try port 443 if provided.
No internet after enabling: Check that the proxy mode is not conflicting with other VPNs or proxies. Disable any other network extensions.
Slow speeds: Try a different server location or encryption method. ChangeMyIP supports multiple countries; choose one geographically close.
Client not starting: Ensure you have granted necessary permissions in System Preferences > Security & Privacy. Reinstall the client if needed.

Summary

You have configured ChangeMyIP Shadowsocks on macOS using ShadowsocksX-NG. This setup encrypts your traffic and routes it through ChangeMyIP's network, helping you change your IP and enhance privacy. For other protocols like WireGuard or HTTP, refer to ChangeMyIP's documentation or other tutorials on ProxyScout.net.