Wednesday, April 2, 2025

It’s impossible to utilize a Mac mini 2018 or later using Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) without physically connecting a display, keyboard, and mouse.

Having thoroughly explored various approaches to this topic, I am confident in my understanding of the answer and have conducted extensive research on the platform to ensure its authenticity, ruling out any possibility of plagiarism.

I recently upgraded my 2018 Mac mini to a brand-new Mac mini M1. My trusty Plex server, which has been humming along on my aging Mac Pro Tower (2009), has always been reliable… but I suppose it was only a matter of time before it started acting up? So, I decided to breathe new life into my 2018 Mac mini by transforming it into a robust Plex server, paired with an external 4-drive RAID array for amplified storage capacity and performance. Given the straightforward nature of the server’s purpose, there seems to be little need for constant connectivity via these peripherals. I have several Macs located throughout my home, which generally operate seamlessly using Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). Each machine is equipped with complete programs featuring displays, keyboards, and pointing devices. They offer comprehensive management capabilities, including remote rebooting and secure log-in access.

Despite numerous attempts at exploring alternate methods, coupled with the use of a HDMI dummy connector to mimic a display, it appears the most viable option for utilizing my Mac mini is to consistently maintain a mouse, keyboard, and display connected. While it’s convenient to have equipment readily available, the discomfort of retrieving them to restart the system outweighs the benefits, as my living space is already cluttered with a show, keyboard, and mouse scattered about.

I’ve deliberately shut down numerous inherent safeguards, assuming this might be the hindrance; yet, still no. Whenever an attempt is made to restore a distant entry on my Mac without success due to incomplete setup, the device automatically reverts to its default state, prompting me to reconnect all peripherals and reboot to access the login screen once more.

You must confirm that you haven’t overlooked anything crucial. After repeatedly testing different combinations of settings and configurations, I’m left frustratedly restarting my Mac, along with its peripherals, just to get everything working again momentarily.

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