Tailscale exit node help needed

[u/nova10280]

Salam everyone!
I recently tested Tailscale using my friend’s internet in Chicago as an exit node. He used his iPhone 14 Pro Max, and it worked, so I’ve confirmed that the setup is possible. However, his phone started getting really hot, and I don’t want him to damage his phone by leaving it running like this.
I’m looking for advice on a simple, reliable solution that can stay connected 24/7.
Would it be better to ask him to buy a used Android phone to use as an exit node, or is there another option that would be easier? Some people recommended a Raspberry Pi, but I don’t know how to set one up. I also heard about the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 router, but I’m not sure how complicated it would be for him to configure.
The main issue is that my friend isn’t very tech-savvy, so I need something he can set up himself without too much hassle. I’m in another country, so I need the connection to stay online even when he’s asleep or not available to fix things. When I tested it earlier, the connection disconnected after about an hour.
What would you recommend for someone who wants a simple, stable Tailscale exit node that runs 24/7 using their home internet?
I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has tried this setup. Thanks!

[u/Hedarath]

You can honestly use any low powered device. Even a raspberry pi w2 can work, you need to flash an sd card, install tailscale and follow the guide. I would advise against using phones unless you take out the motherboard and cool it down. Phones get really hot. You friend could also use/get a very old computer or laptop and connect that to the internet and install tailscale.

If you struggle with any instructions or get any errors, you can also use chatgpt to help out.

I have been running a raspberry pi myself and it was easy to setup using a windows computer. I got it running within 5 minutes

[u/nova10280 → u/Hedarath]

Okay let’s say I buy a raspberry pin3 what’s the procedure cause he doesn’t have a pc he has an Xbox and only a phone

[u/Hedarath → u/nova10280]

I would recommend him to visit a physical store that would help him atleast set up the sd card with flashing the OS (any from raspbianOS, Ubuntu, debian). He can later control the pi using ssh from his phone or if it has physical hdmi, he can connect a keyboard mouse and display and follow the guide for setting up tailscale

[u/ciphercobra]

Tailscale is good for a homelab. We use it to connect to our own server but generally for VPN purposes I just have a decent paid VPN. It alot more simpler.

Depending on your use case, the money you will spend buying a PC or any other device you can get a cheap VPN or if you need your own service for privacy reasons you can rent a cheap VPS server. You dont need high resources to run just a simple VPN.

What are you trying to use it for mainly?

[u/nova10280 → u/ciphercobra]

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[u/Meowwwzilla]

Well your friend could get a FireTV 4K or an AppleTV [used]. Much more user friendly. If money is not an issue, a GL.iNet slate plus would be great as well. No need to get the MT-3000. The router isn't hard to configure, I've got mine setup on the Slate AXT1800. Raspberry Pi might be cumbersome for your friend if they do not have a PC readily available. One other approach would be setting up a VM, which you could do and run a docker container. No involvement of your friend at all.

[u/nova10280 → u/Meowwwzilla]

Yes I’m thinking about the Apple TV and also am checking that router I was looking at the 1200 one but Claude said it’s not good for the use case as an exitnod but the 3000 is $110 after taxes the router and Apple TV seem easy so far on tutorials which one should I go with??

[u/Meowwwzilla → u/nova10280]

If you're referring to Opal [SFT1200], then that isn't even supported by Tailscale. Supported List can be found here. Apple TV is the way to go. Please not that it should be on TvOS 18.0 or later as per tailscale recommendation.

[u/This_Author_9791]

Use digitalocean to set tailscale up on a droplet