Setting up Tailscale
A guide for setting up Tailscale on Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Tailscale creates a private network between your devices. It is useful for securely reaching your own devices without opening ports directly to the public internet.
Official install page:
https://tailscale.com/docs/install
What is Tailscale?
Tailscale is a private mesh network built on WireGuard.
Simple idea:
Laptop
Phone
Server
Tablet
All devices join the same private Tailscale network, called a tailnet.
After that, devices can reach each other using Tailscale IPs or MagicDNS names.
What you need
Before starting:
Tailscale account
device to install on
internet connection
permission to install software
You can log in using an identity provider supported by Tailscale.
Basic setup flow
1. Create or log in to a Tailscale account.
2. Install Tailscale on a device.
3. Log in from that device.
4. Approve the device if required.
5. Repeat on other devices.
6. Test connection between devices.
Windows setup
Official Windows guide:
https://tailscale.com/docs/install/windows
Basic steps:
1. Download the Windows installer from Tailscale.
2. Run the installer.
3. Open Tailscale from the system tray.
4. Select Log in.
5. Authenticate in the browser.
6. Confirm the device appears in the Tailscale admin console.
Useful checks:
tailscale status
tailscale ip
If the CLI is not available, use the Tailscale tray icon.
Linux setup
Official Linux guide:
https://tailscale.com/docs/install/linux
Common quick install method:
curl -fsSL https://tailscale.com/install.sh | sh
Start and log in:
sudo tailscale up
Check status:
tailscale status
Show Tailscale IP:
tailscale ip
Check service:
systemctl status tailscaled
Enable service at boot if needed:
sudo systemctl enable --now tailscaled
iOS setup
Official install page:
https://tailscale.com/docs/install
Basic steps:
1. Install Tailscale from the App Store.
2. Open the app.
3. Log in to your Tailscale account.
4. Allow VPN configuration when iOS asks.
5. Confirm the device appears in the Tailscale admin console.
Useful checks:
Open Tailscale app
Check device is connected
Check Tailscale IP
Try reaching another device
Android setup
Official install page:
https://tailscale.com/docs/install
Basic steps:
1. Install Tailscale from Google Play.
2. Open the app.
3. Log in to your Tailscale account.
4. Allow VPN configuration when Android asks.
5. Confirm the device appears in the Tailscale admin console.
Useful checks:
Open Tailscale app
Check device is connected
Check Tailscale IP
Try reaching another device
Test connection
After two devices are connected to the same tailnet, test from one device to another.
From Linux or Windows CLI:
tailscale status
Ping another device:
tailscale ping DEVICE_NAME
Or ping the Tailscale IP:
ping 100.x.y.z
SSH example:
ssh user@DEVICE_NAME
or:
ssh [email protected]
Use placeholders in public notes.
MagicDNS
MagicDNS lets devices use names instead of Tailscale IPs.
Example:
example-server
example-laptop
example-phone
Instead of:
100.x.y.z
If MagicDNS is enabled, you may be able to connect with:
ssh user@example-server
Common commands
Linux/Windows CLI:
tailscale status
tailscale ip
tailscale ping DEVICE_NAME
sudo tailscale up
sudo tailscale down
On Linux, service check:
systemctl status tailscaled
Common problems
Device is not connected
Check:
tailscale status
Try reconnecting:
sudo tailscale up
Cannot reach another device
Check:
Is Tailscale running on both devices?
Are both devices logged into the same tailnet?
Is the destination device online?
Is the service running on the destination?
Is a local firewall blocking the service?
Are you using the correct Tailscale IP or MagicDNS name?
SSH does not work
Check:
tailscale status
ping 100.x.y.z
ssh -vvv [email protected]
On the destination Linux server:
systemctl status sshd
ss -tulpn | grep :22