i’d like to run a new M4 mac mini running Sequoia as a headless device, but i’m having one problem.
apparently, when the mini boots, it does NOT connect to wifi until you login.
the problem is that it is difficult to login w/o a monitor or keyboard!
is there perhaps a system setting or a terminal command i can use to allow the mini to connect to wifi at boot time? (once on wifi, i can connect using screen sharing and login. i can even logout and stay on wifi.)
However, it will connect to a keyboard via Bluetooth – at least to something that’s been connected to it via Bluetooth previously – on boot.
So, it’s easy to use a wireless Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, trackpad or whatever. Although for my my Apple Magic keyboard, I had to first connect it via USB cable in order to configure my M-Mac. Then I could add my mouse and trackpad via Bluetooth. Once those were operating, I disconnected the USB cable to the keyboard and let it connect via wirelessly via Bluetooth.
Before I bought and dedicated a monitor, I just connected the headless Mac to a spare HDMI port on a TV.
This is very much a guess, but it might be because there is no monitor. I have a much older Mac mini that needs a fake monitor attached in order to finish booting up. (I use an “hdmi dummy plug,” about 3 or $7 on Amazon)
Thanks for these comments. the bluetooth keyboard is my “plan b” if i can’t get the mini to connect to wifi automatically (the way my old one did!). 
Already using a hdmi dongle.
the not-connecting to wifi on boot may be a security feature, but i’m hoping it’s configurable (i.e., hoping i can turn it off!).
yes, my macbook pro m1 running ventura also connects on boot. not sure if mini doesn’t because of hardware or sequoia. or just a new system setting that i’m missing.
There is another option which might or might not be an option depending on your security preferences. If you do not use FileVault, you can use automatic logon in “System Settings” > “Users & Groups” > “Automatically log in as”. You can have a standard login-only user with no data and switch users to your user afterwards. I have never tried the switch, but it will probably work.
thanks! that’s a clever work around! when i set up the mini, it defaulted to FileVault and i accepted that default, so, for now, i’m sticking with my “plan B” to login with an external keyboard on reboot.
I assume that you are not using Ethernet because the machine is not conveniently located close enough to a router or switch with sufficient ports. Macs with Ethernet are able to connect to Ethernet networks before login.
A possible workaround would be to set up a wireless access point (WAP) next to the mini, configure the WAP to connect to your wireless network, and then connect your mini to the WAP via Ethernet.
Also note that starting with Tahoe, it is possible to unlock FileVault machines remotely via ssh before standard login.
ha! another excellent idea! i do have a router i could use for this (use it for an internet radio now). will have to experiment with relocating it. thanks! (i’ll make this plan B’!).
