I am using ZeroTier’s free tier to connect my computer, a Raspberry Pi and my phone, and I am loving it. But I have run into one seemingly insurmountable problem. The ZeroTier client on Android seems to be quite a battery hog. As a result I have to keep it switched off most of the time, and manually remember to switch it on now and then so sync’ing etc. will happen.

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Are there any alternatives to ZeroTier, or to the ZeroTier client, that might use less battery on Android?

  • simpleFr4nk@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    You can indeed use Tailscale ad remember to set the VPN On-Demand so you’ll get connected just when you’re outside your home network :)

    • Wdrussell1@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      I don’t think that really solves the problem here. That will still use the VPN all the time when mobile. So the battery will still drain quickly. Zero Tier I admit is quite heavy compared to Tailscale but the battery issue remains.

      • simpleFr4nk@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        You’re indeed right about having the vpn on all the times you’re on mobile, but at least when home it won’t drain more battery as it will closed, so it’s not the best solution, but still better than what OP is using imo

        • Wdrussell1@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          11 months ago

          I mean, the entire point of VPN like that is all time online. The better solution is likely a port forward for syncing.

        • mikesellt@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          11 months ago

          The always-on VPN does NOT close Tailscale when you’re home. At least mine doesn’t. If it’s on, it’s on all the time.