Using Postman Proxy to Capture and Inspect API Calls from iOS or Android Devices
In this tutorial, I will guide you on how you can use Postman’s proxy feature to inspect HTTP communication going out from your phone. All you need to get started is your computer and mobile connected to the same local wireless network.
Step 1: Open Proxy Settings in Postman Mac App
Keep a note of the port mentioned in the Proxy Settings. In my case, I am keeping it to the default port 5555. As a start you should set the target in the proxy dialog box to “History.” This will cause all your requests to be captured and stored in the History sidebar panel.
Step 2: Take a note of your computer’s IP address
On OSX, it is inside System Preferences > Network. In my case, the IP address of my Macbook is 192.168.0.101.
Step 3: Configure HTTP Proxy on your mobile device
Open Wireless Settings of your mobile device and update the configuration of the wireless connection to use HTTP Proxy. Set the IP address to your computer’s IP you found in second step and the port from what you set in Postman in first step.
I am using an iPhone and I set the proxy IP address to 192.168.0.101 and port 5555.
You are all set!
Now head over to your app or browser and you will notice the network calls listed in your Postman App’s history sidebar. In the following screenshot, you will notice that I opened www.postman.com from Safari on my iPhone and I could see all the requests made by the browser in my Postman sidebar!
If you want to discuss more about Postman Proxy—how it works or what more you can do with it, join our Postman Community.
Unable to see proxy settings button in postman mac app.. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/316afb977c82a8ea267c4661f5c59d7a560b3d75169886c2efe8aac4cca4bcb7.png
Any help please?
Currently only available in canary channel of osx only. 🙁
https://www.postman.com/app/postman-osx?channel=canary
Thanks Yajnesh
from your screenshot, that looks like a Chrome App, the Map App does not have Inspector icon at the top bar.
This is really cool.. It works for me.
https works. but not for servers having HSTS enabled
Sounds just like Fiddler. What are the advantages / use cases for this over using Fiddler?
I would usually use this to add the listed requests into useful collections, write tests in them and re use later for testing. Then I would access the collection via postman API and run it on command line using Newman in CI system for the project.
Great answer, that would make things smoother.
This is awesome stuff! Thanks for the simple blog on how-to on this topic.
How about SSL / HTTPS ?
I am able to capture requests just fine.
Does anyone know a way to capture all the responses at the same time?
I want use the API (from the App) and collect all the responses in a single collection but it seems you have to go back and fire off each request in order to view a response?
are the responses logged any where?
My interceptor icon looks more like ISS rather than radar and it only opens little popup with on and off toggle: http://i.imgur.com/7yK3N5n.png
My version is 4.4.3: http://i.imgur.com/sB6pxOu.png
Maybe that’s the problem? But I can’t find any update button.
Do you know what’s going on?
good for testing the performance of APIs for android app
Hi shamasis ,
Thanks for sharing this blog with screenshots. it’s really helpful to me.
Hi Fahed,
I’m afraid our apps only run on MacOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS.
Followed the steps but not able to capture requests.
Thanks for sharing this blog with screenshots. it’s really helpful. i am able to connect HTTP request .not able to connect HTTPS request. Is it possible to track https request ?
thanks
An additional chapter for the iOS Simulator setup would be nice.
Hi tried this but i am getting “This connection is Not Private” error and does not get me any response. How can I overcome this?
Also there is a certificate that was not trusted. Cert name : Internet Widgits Pty Ltd
On Android TV set top box, after the apk is installed, it runs on the set top box. My question is how to use Postman for APIs testing in that kind of environment?
You may be able to run Postman for the Web on your Android TV: https://blog.postman.com/announcing-postman-for-the-web-now-in-open-beta/
support https?
Hi this article was really insightful.
it is only working with browsers. how to make this work with iPhone apps as well?
How we can capture the api calls from iOS & Android simulator
Hi, seems quite late here… i have tried this on iOS device and worked as explained here i could capture all the request from an app that i tested but not for Android, the app i tested is like blocked from the connection after setting up the proxy on the device, any suggestion?
For Android, check out this troubleshooting thread on our forum: https://community.postman.com/t/unable-to-proxy-from-android-phone/4268
Can I Capture the API call of mobile application working on VPN?
I can’t install the SSL Certificate on Android as it keeps asking me for a private key. It seems like Android 11 requires a CA:True flag that the certificate that postman is generating does not include as of now: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/237141/how-to-get-android-11-to-trust-a-user-root-ca-without-a-private-key
Will there be a Fix for this issue from Postman side?
Good info, you could please cover about connecting from emulator and the correct settings, the above setting when we do on emulator on Android on Mac does not work.
I did this. Got some of the API call but there were no major API like login or logout API being called instead app was throwing Internet connection lost.
I just want to confirm if this is used for apps which are pointed to localhost. Right? Otherwise it will be a security breach for the apps as we can see all requests and response for an API call.
Hi Dinesh, Please contact our support team at https://www.postman.com/support and they’ll be glad to help you.
I’ve carefully followed all the steps. It doesn’t work for me. Once I enable proxy, there is no internet connection.
Hi, Please contact our support team at https://www.postman.com/support, and they’ll be glad to help you!
Have a problem when on proxy on my phone it lost internet connection. How can i access internet while using proxy
I’ve tried to setup the same but i’m losing my internet connection in my iOS device. I hope anyone can help on this issue. Thanks!
didn’t work for me, once setting the proxy on my iPhone wi-fi i got “no internet connection”
p.s I’m using the postman proxy tool with my browser using the Interceptor add on successfully..
I see only http://connectivitycheck.gstatic.com/generate_204 get requests didn’t work
Is there a chance to check API traffic for a Samsumg TV app not mobile devices!!!
Commendable insights! This blog brilliantly elucidates the value of utilizing Postman Proxy to capture and scrutinize API calls from both iOS and Android devices. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for providing this blog along with screenshots ; it has proven to be very beneficial for me.
For hybrid mobile it is not working.