# Configure Tailscale clients to use a custom control server

Last validated Jan 5, 2026

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][bl-headscale] as your control plane, use your Headscale instance's URL.

#### macOS

If you're using the [App Store or Standalone variants][kb-macos-variants] of the Tailscale client, you can add a custom control server URL in the Tailscale user interface:

> **Note:**
>
> The following instructions only work when at least one other tailnet has been authenticated in the client. If no other tailnets have been added to the device, use the Tailscale CLI instructions instead.

1. Select the Tailscale icon in the macOS menu bar.
2. Choose **Settings** from the menu.
3. Select the **Accounts** tab.
4. Select the down arrow in the lower left corner of the window.
5. Enter your custom control server URL and select **Add account**.

Alternatively, to sign in with a custom control server URL from the Tailscale CLI, run the following command. Replace `<URL>` with your custom coordination server URL.

```shell
tailscale login --login-server=<URL>
```

#### Windows

The Tailscale user interface for Windows doesn't support adding a custom control server URL yet. However, you can use the Tailscale CLI or edit registry settings to enable this feature.

To sign in with a custom control server URL from the Tailscale CLI, run the following command. Replace `<URL>` with your custom coordination server URL.

```powershell
tailscale login --login-server=<URL>
```

For more details, refer to [Deploy Tailscale on Windows using MDM][kb-deploy-tailscale-windows-mdm-registry] to use a custom control server URL by editing the `LoginURL` registry value. An MDM solution is not required; it is possible to edit the registry values directly.

#### Linux

Run the following command to authenticate to a custom control server. Replace `<URL>` with your custom coordination server URL.

```shell
tailscale login --login-server=<URL>
```

#### iOS

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

#### Android

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

#### tvOS

1. Open the tvOS **Settings** app.
2. Select **Apps** from the menu.
3. Scroll down the list of apps and select **Tailscale**.
4. Select **URL** under the **Alternate coordination server URL** heading.
5. Enter the custom control server URL and select **Done**.
6. Navigate back to the Tailscale application and sign in.

[bl-headscale]: /blog/opensource#the-open-source-coordination-server

[kb-deploy-tailscale-windows-mdm-registry]: /docs/integrations/mdm/windows-mdm#registry-values

[kb-macos-variants]: /docs/concepts/macos-variants