{"slug":"connecting-without-installing-tailscale","title":"Connecting without installing Tailscale","tags":["tailscale","devices","setup"],"agent_summary":"Last validated: Aug 1, 2025","trigger_phrases":[],"runnable":false,"markdown":"\r\n# Connecting without installing Tailscale\r\n\r\nLast validated: Aug 1, 2025\r\n\r\nIn most cases, we recommend [installing Tailscale](https://tailscale.com/download) directly on devices you want to connect to. It just works, and requires no configuration as devices move between networks.\r\n\r\nHowever, sometimes you don't want to, or can't install Tailscale directly:\r\n\r\n- Incrementally migrating to Tailscale from a large number of existing networks\r\n- Incrementally migrating to Tailscale from a cloud provider's own virtual private cloud (VPC) offering\r\n- Connecting to appliances you can't install software on (for example, gaming consoles, smart appliances, IoT devices)\r\n- Connect to devices running unsupported operating system\r\n\r\nIn these cases, you can run a device called a [subnet router](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/subnet-routers) and relay traffic between your Tailscale network and these devices.\r\n\r\n**For more information, read our topic about [subnet routers →](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/subnet-routers)**\r\n\r\n![Project Logo](https://cdn.brandfetch.io/tailscale.com/fallback/lettermark/theme/dark/h/256/w/256/icon?c=1bfwsmEH20zzEfSNTed)\r\n\r\nAsk AI\r\n\r\nreCAPTCHA\r\n\r\nRecaptcha requires verification.\r\n\r\nprotected by **reCAPTCHA**\r\n","html":"<h1>Connecting without installing Tailscale</h1>\n<p>Last validated: Aug 1, 2025</p>\n<p>In most cases, we recommend <a href=\"https://tailscale.com/download\">installing Tailscale</a> directly on devices you want to connect to. It just works, and requires no configuration as devices move between networks.</p>\n<p>However, sometimes you don't want to, or can't install Tailscale directly:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Incrementally migrating to Tailscale from a large number of existing networks</li>\n<li>Incrementally migrating to Tailscale from a cloud provider's own virtual private cloud (VPC) offering</li>\n<li>Connecting to appliances you can't install software on (for example, gaming consoles, smart appliances, IoT devices)</li>\n<li>Connect to devices running unsupported operating system</li>\n</ul>\n<p>In these cases, you can run a device called a <a href=\"https://tailscale.com/docs/features/subnet-routers\">subnet router</a> and relay traffic between your Tailscale network and these devices.</p>\n<p><strong>For more information, read our topic about <a href=\"https://tailscale.com/docs/features/subnet-routers\">subnet routers →</a></strong></p>\n<p><img src=\"https://cdn.brandfetch.io/tailscale.com/fallback/lettermark/theme/dark/h/256/w/256/icon?c=1bfwsmEH20zzEfSNTed\" alt=\"Project Logo\"></p>\n<p>Ask AI</p>\n<p>reCAPTCHA</p>\n<p>Recaptcha requires verification.</p>\n<p>protected by <strong>reCAPTCHA</strong></p>\n"}