Getting started.

The short name comes from MagicDNS. Local mDNS names such as frame.local usually stay on one network. Tailscale’s MagicDNS lets you use frame across your private Tailscale network (your “tailnet”), without local mDNS. Both devices need internet access and an active Tailscale connection.

1. Prepare your Steam Frame

   Enable Developer Mode and SSH on the headset, set its SSH password, and complete Stream Frame’s headset setup. For initial installation, open a terminal on the Frame, or connect from a computer on the same local network:

   ssh steamos@frame.local

   If local discovery is blocked, use the headset’s local IP address instead. If that Wi-Fi also blocks direct connections, use a terminal on the headset or temporarily use a network that lets your devices communicate. The installer needs internet and sudo access, plus git, bash, curl, jq, wget, tar, and systemd.

2. Install Tailscale on the headset

   Use frame-tailscale on GitHub ↗, a fork of the Steam Deck installer updated for Steam Frame. It selects the ARM64 build and installs the binaries in the steamos home directory, avoiding the read-only /opt filesystem. Run these commands on the headset:

   git clone https://github.com/sherbondy/frame-tailscale.git ~/frame-tailscale
   cd ~/frame-tailscale
   sudo bash tailscale.sh
   source /etc/profile.d/tailscale.sh
   sudo /home/steamos/tailscale/tailscale up --operator=steamos

   Open the login URL printed in the terminal on any device and sign in to your Tailscale account. Installing the service alone does not sign the headset in. Keep Stream Frame’s usual SSH server enabled; the separate Tailscale SSH feature is not needed.

3. Connect your computer or phone to Tailscale

   Install Tailscale on the Mac, Windows or Linux computer, iPhone, iPad, or Android device you’ll use with Stream Frame. Sign in to the same tailnet as the headset, approve the VPN connection if prompted, and turn Tailscale on. Confirm both devices appear online in the Tailscale admin console.

4. Give the headset the name frame

   In the admin console’s Machines list, select your headset and edit its machine name to frame. Choose another unique name if that one is already in use. In the DNS settings, enable MagicDNS. On your viewing device, leave Use Tailscale DNS enabled so the name resolves. See Tailscale’s MagicDNS guide for platform details.

   You can also copy the headset’s full DNS name from its device details, such as frame.your-tailnet.ts.net (use your actual name), or its Tailscale IPv4 address, usually starting with 100..

5. Connect in Stream Frame

   Open Stream Frame on your computer or phone. Choose Network (SSH) where a transport selector is available, and enter frame in the headset address field. Use your normal headset username (steamos by default) and SSH password or trusted key. Verify the headset fingerprint when asked, then start the stream.

   To check from a computer terminal first, try ssh steamos@frame. If the short name does not resolve, try the full Tailscale DNS name or the headset’s Tailscale IPv4 address in Stream Frame. Use frame for this connection rather than the local-only frame.local name.

6. Check video and recording

   Keep the headset awake and Tailscale connected on both devices. Confirm the live preview arrives, record a short clip, and download it. SSH and transfers need TCP port 22 to the headset; live preview also needs a return path from the headset to your viewing device on Stream Frame’s UDP port (8090 by default). If you manage firewall or tailnet access rules, allow both directions for those services.

   Tailscale can work around local Wi-Fi isolation, but the network must still permit Tailscale connectivity. Complete any Wi-Fi sign-in page first. A relayed connection or a slow internet upload can reduce preview quality; try 720p or 480p and a lower frame rate, or use Recording only and download the headset recording afterward.