Can you use an iPad Pro as a screen to a Mac mini server?

[Lacedup17]

Say I put my Mac mini in the attic running mad server. Then I want to change something. Can I use my iPad or do I need to go all the way in the attic? Thank you

 

[BrianBaughn]

Turn Screen Sharing "ON" for the Mac Mini and use the "VNC Viewer" app on the iPad.

 

[eyoungren]

Say I put my Mac mini in the attic running mad server. Then I want to change something. Can I use my iPad or do I need to go all the way in the attic? Thank you

If you turn on screen sharing you can use a VNC app on the iPad to connect. I use VNC Viewer on my iPad from time to time for things like that.

I have a PowerMac G3 B&W I am using headless as a server and a PowerMac G4 (also headless) as a glorified NAS.

 

[Lacedup17]

If you turn on screen sharing you can use a VNC app on the iPad to connect. I use VNC Viewer on my iPad from time to time for things like that.

I have a PowerMac G3 B&W I am using headless as a server and a PowerMac G4 (also headless) as a glorified NAS.

For that screen sharing do I need that $20 macOS server app? Do I need to install vnc on the Mac also?

 

[eyoungren]

For that screen sharing do I need that $20 macOS server app? Do I need to install vnc on the Mac also?

Screen Sharing is a basic function of Mac OS X. It uses VNC.

Open System Preferences, select Sharing.

Check the box that says Screen Sharing to turn on Screen Sharing.

This works whenever your Mac is logged in to your account. If you want to be able to use Screen Sharing from the login screen you'll need something that loads on boot. For that I would suggest Vine Server: https://sourceforge.net/projects/osxvnc/

Vine Server is free.

 

[phrehdd]

Isn't there a "sidecar" feature to allow the iPad to be used as a screen for the Mini?

 

[Lacedup17]

Screen Sharing is a basic function of Mac OS X. It uses VNC.

Open System Preferences, select Sharing.

View attachment 1826859

Check the box that says Screen Sharing to turn on Screen Sharing.

View attachment 1826858

This works whenever your Mac is logged in to your account. If you want to be able to use Screen Sharing from the login screen you'll need something that loads on boot. For that I would suggest Vine Server: https://sourceforge.net/projects/osxvnc/

Vine Server is free.

Thank you. Also can I use my macs hdd to save things from my iPhone? Instead of iCloud?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Isn't there a "sidecar" feature to allow the iPad to be used as a screen for the Mini?

Yes but one glance at the instructions shows that you have to begin the Sidecar connection procedure on the Mac.

 

[dotnet]

A follow-up question if I may…

I’ve been running a 2012 Mac mini headless with iPad Pro as display for some time, using the Screens app. I’m also using the NewerTech HDMI plug for better graphics performance.

I’m about to replace the 2012 mini with an M1. My question is this: is there any way of doing the initial installation of the new Mac mini using screen sharing, or do I need to borrow a monitor again (like I did with the 2012 mini)?

 

[legato01]

A new machine does not have the user provisioned, screen sharing is off and root is disabled by default.

My guess is you'll need a monitor.

 

[dotnet]

Thanks, that’s what I thought. I just hoped there might be some pre-boot screen sharing capability in the EFI. Kind of like you could join a new Airport Extreme out of the box without cable, before you configured it.