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Configure Tailscale clients to use a custom control server

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The Tailscale clients let you specify a custom control server URL instead of the default https://controlplane.tailscale.com server. If you are using a self-managed deployment of Headscale as your control plane, use your Headscale instance's URL.

Add a custom control server

macOSWindowsLinuxiOSAndroidtvOS
  1. Tap the user profile icon in the top-right corner of the Tailscale app to open Settings.
  2. If you are not signed in to any other tailnets, tap Log in. Otherwise, tap the signed-in user.
  3. Tap the ellipsis icon menu in the top-right corner, then select Use an alternate server.
  4. Enter the custom control server URL and tap Log in.

Remove a custom control server

macOSWindowsLinuxiOSAndroidtvOS
  1. Tap the user profile icon in the top-right corner of the Tailscale app to open Settings.
  2. Tap the active account name.
  3. Tap Log out.

If the custom control server is offline or unreachable and you cannot log out, clear the Tailscale app's stored data from the Android system settings. The exact menu names can vary by Android version and device, but you can typically find this option under Settings > Apps > Tailscale > Storage.

Clearing the Tailscale app's stored data resets its local client state.