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device renaming guide

Tailscale Device Renaming Guide

Date: 2026-01-07
Purpose: Fix confusing device names in Tailscale

Current Device Names (Confusing)

  • mac-m3 = BlueFly Mac (M4 Pro) - WRONG NAME
  • mac-m4 = GitLab Mac (M3 Max) - WRONG NAME

Target Device Names (Clear)

  • bluefly-m4 = BlueFly Mac (M4 Pro)
  • gitlab-m3max = GitLab Mac (M3 Max)
  • glinet-router = GL-iNet Router (GL-BE3600)

Renaming Methods

Method 1: Tailscale Admin Console (Easiest)

  1. Go to: https://login.tailscale.com/admin/machines

  2. Find device mac-m3 (currently online)

  3. Click "..." "Edit"

  4. Change "Display name" to bluefly-m4

  5. Save

  6. Find device mac-m4 (currently offline)

  7. Click "..." "Edit"

  8. Change "Display name" to gitlab-m3max

  9. Save

  10. Find device gl-be3600 (if exists)

  11. Click "..." "Edit"

  12. Change "Display name" to glinet-router

  13. Save

Method 2: Tailscale CLI (Requires sudo)

On BlueFly Mac (M4 Pro):

sudo tailscale set --hostname=bluefly-m4

On GitLab Mac (M3 Max) - When online:

sudo tailscale set --hostname=gitlab-m3max

On GL-iNet Router - Via SSH:

ssh root@glinet-router.tailcf98b3.ts.net
tailscale set --hostname=glinet-router

Verify Rename

tailscale status --self

Should show:

  • bluefly-m4 for BlueFly Mac
  • gitlab-m3max for GitLab Mac
  • glinet-router for GL-iNet Router

Update All References

After renaming, update:

  • Cloudflare Tunnel config (already uses hostname)
  • Documentation (in progress)
  • Code references (if any)
  • Monitoring/alerting configs

Related Documentation