Remote Access Guide: Jellyfin via Tailscale, ZeroTier, Cloudflare

Eva Wong

IceWhale author

Eva Wong is the Technical Writer and resident tinkerer at ZimaSpace. A lifelong geek with a passion for homelabs and open-source software, she specializes in translating complex technical concepts into accessible, hands-on guides. Eva believes that self-hosting should be fun, not intimidating. Through her tutorials, she empowers the community to demystify hardware setups, from building their first NAS to mastering Docker containers.

Remote Access Guide: Jellyfin via Tailscale, ZeroTier, Cloudflare - Zima Store Online

A network diagram showing a server with ZimaOS and Jellyfin icons connecting to a blue globe icon, which then branches out to connect to a laptop, a tablet and smartphone, and a desktop monitor, representing remote access across different devices.

Imagine you are on a business trip and want to watch a movie on Jellyfin in your hotel room after a busy day, but you can’t access your media server at home. Or, you want to share a movie at a friend’s house, but find the remote connection setup is complicated and headache-inducing.

Why Jellyfin

Jellyfin has emerged as one of the most popular open-source media servers, with over 290M docker pulls worldwide. Unlike proprietary media servers like Plex or Emby, Jellyfin offers:

100% free access to all features
No tracking or vendor lock-in
Full ownership of your media library

While Jellyfin works perfectly within your local network, accessing it remotely traditionally required complex port forwarding or VPN setups – until now.

A screenshot of the Jellyfin media server dashboard. The interface displays sections for 'My Media' including Movies, Music, TV Shows, and Audiobooks, followed by a 'Continue Watching' row with movie thumbnails, and a 'Latest Movies' row at the bottom.

The ZimaOS: Built for NAS and Remote Access

ZimaOS is a game-changer for NAS enthusiasts, pro users, and studios. Its intuitive UI simplifies data backup and management, ensuring your critical files are always secure. ZimaOS excels in Docker application installation, streamlining the process with just a few clicks.

Hence, ZimaOS (and its sibling CasaOS) solves remote access challenges with elegant approaches:

One-ClickApp Installation
- Both systems feature app stores with 700+ applications including Jellyfin, Immich, Plex, and Emby
- Networking tools like Tailscale and Cloudflare Tunnel are installed in seconds
Native Zerotier Integration
- ZimaOS automatically creates secure remote connections without exposing ports
- The Zima Client intelligently routes traffic through the fastest available network
- ZimaOS hides complexity of remote while providing security
Cloudflare Tunnel Support
- For users wanting domain-based access, Cloudflare Zero Trust integrates seamlessly
- No need to down client and to memorize IP addresses – access via your personalized domain

A stylized graphic showing the text 'ZimaOS' in the center of a circuit board design, surrounded by the names of networking and tunneling services 'ZeroTier', 'Tailscaled', and 'CloudFlared', along with a cloud icon, all glowing in light blue.

Simplified Remote Access Setup

To access it remotely, install Jellyfin first via ZimaOS/CasaOS app store.

A screenshot of the ZimaOS App Store interface. The top section shows featured apps like Jellyfin, NextChat, and Nextcloud. Below, a search for 'Jellyfin' displays various related applications available for installation, such as AutoFilm, Jellyseerr, jfa-go, and different versions of the Jellyfin server.

Method 1: Remote Access(built in ZimaOS based on Zerotier)

1.Turn on remote access in the settings panel of ZimaOS

2.Open Zima Client on your mobile/desktop

3.Connect once locally in the LAN – the system will automatically remember the remote login info

4.Access Jellyfin remotely as if you’re on the same network

A screenshot of the Network settings panel in ZimaOS. It lists various active network interfaces including thunderbolt, multiple Ethernet connections, and a Virtual Network. At the bottom, a 'Remote access' feature is toggled on, displaying a unique alphanumeric Remote ID with a button to copy it.

This remote method is also demonstrated in a video:

Method 2: Tailscaled(App Store)

1.On the server, install Tailscaledfrom the ZimaOS/CasaOS app store

2.Click and launch the Tailscaled app

3.Authenticate with your preferred provider (Google, GitHub, etc.)

3.1.On ZimaOS/CasaOS, you can find the authentication method in the log panel of the app

3.2.If you are configuring a PC, you will need to install the Tailscale Windows client to securely connect to the same network.

4.Access Jellyfin via Tailscale-assigned IP on the client machine

Featured

ZimaBoard 2 - Hyper Performance Single Board Home Server

Single board computer zimaboard2

Method 3: Cloudflared(App Store)

1.On the server, install Cloudflaredfrom the app store

2.Click and launch the Cloudflared app

3.Configure your domain in Cloudflare Zero Trust dashboard

4.Map Jellyfin’s port to your domain

5.Enjoy access via an easy-to-remember domain without the need of a client app

	Remote Access(based on Zerotier)	Tailscaled	Cloudflared
Access	LAN-like	LAN-like	Domain
Domain	Not required	Not required	Required
Key Advantage	Smart switching and pre-built in ZimaOS	Easy configuration	Free global CDN with no client needed

Beyond Jellyfin: Your Entire App Library Remotely Accessible

The same principles apply to all 700+ apps in ZimaOS/CasaOS:

Photo management with Immich
Self-hosted game servers like Minecraft
Productivity tools like Nextcloud

A screenshot of the ZimaOS App Store showing the main catalog. Featured apps Jellyfin, NextChat, and Nextcloud are at the top. The general app list below includes various utilities, developer tools, and services available for installation, such as AdGuard Home, 1Panel, 2FAuth, and Anaconda3.

Ready to enjoy your media anywhere? Install ZimaOS or Try CasaOS today. If you encounter any issues during use, feel free to let us know at any time. You can also join our community and Discord to discuss more about NAS, Media Server, ZimaOS and CasaOS. We look forward to your feedback!