Mac Allow Software To Connect

Have you bought a new Mac mini to serve as a network appliance of some sort? Perhaps it's to serve files to your network and provide rendering capabilities with Compressor or maybe it's going to run a Plex media server and share printers. You'll not want to waste resources on the device such as connecting a permanent monitor or keyboard/mouse combo. Whatever your purpose for the new Mac mini, we'll show you the basics of what you'll want to set up to run your new Mac mini without a monitor.

In this article we show how it's done. Here's how to connect a Mac and a Windows 10 PC and share files over a network. See also: macOS vs Windows 10 comparison. Run Windows 10 on your Mac using.

Make certain the new Mac mini is properly configured

In order to set up the new Mac mini for use without a monitor and keyboard/mouse, you'll actually need to have it connected to, you guessed it, a monitor and keyboard/mouse. You can follow our new Mac mini setup guide if you need help with getting things started. In short, have your new Mac mini set up like a regular desktop, ready to go so that we can configure somethings locally before disconnecting peripherals like the monitor and keyboard.

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Screen Sharing vs Remote Management

Apple offers two methods of remotely connecting to your new Mac mini. Screen Sharing and Remote Management. Screen Sharing offers a remote user to connect to the Mac mini and start up a session whereby a view of the Mac mini's desktop becomes visible and accessible as if the user were sitting right in front of a locally connected display. The connection is established via virtual network computing (VNC) and as such you'll have a direct albeit slightly sluggish connection to your new Mac mini's desktop. Here you'll be able to install software, reboot, run updates just like you normally would from a directly connected monitor setup.

Remote Management offers the same accessibility as Screen Sharing does but it also provides finer tuned accessibility to the remote Mac. It offers methods to install reboot and update remotely connected Macs without direct desktop access when it isn't called for and it provides remotely accessible system alerts. Remote Management is typically used by system administrators in larger companies that want to administer a multitude of hardware from a single location.

We'll be focusing on home use and as such we will enable Screen Sharing.

Turn on Screen Sharing

The first step is to turn on Screen Sharing. Once we've set up this service, you'll be able to remotely connect and install or configure whatever you like without the need of a monitor connected to the Mac mini.

  1. Start System Preferences.
  2. Click Sharing.

  3. Take note of the Computer Name. You'll need to know it to be able to connect to the Mac mini remotely later.

  4. Check the Screen Sharing Service to ON.
  5. If you want to connect from a non-macOS computer, click Computer Settings.
    1. Check VNC viewers may control screen with password: and set a password for those machines to access the Mac mini.
    2. Click OK.
  6. If you need to specify certain users to have permission to remotely connect to the Mac mini, click Allow access for: and add and remove users as needed.
  7. Done.

Your Mac mini is now ready to have the monitor and keyboard/mouse detached. Optionally, you can test your connection from a remote Mac before you do so.

Connect to your new Mac mini remotely

On a separate Mac, you'll be able to access Screen Sharing through the Finder.

  1. Start Finder.
  2. Under Locations, click Network.
  3. Double-click the Computer Name from step 3 in the 'Turn on Screen Sharing' section above.

  4. Click Share Screen.

  5. Enter your User Name and Password when prompted.

  6. Click Sign In.

  7. You'll now see your new Mac mini desktop ready at your command!

Continue to remotely install and configure your headless (sans monitor) Mac mini

You can now use the Mac mini's Screen Sharing capabilities to continue to make changes and install software. Apple's built-in services like File Sharing, Printer Sharing, and Content Caching are easily enabled with simply checking the appropriate box under the Share preference panel in System Preferences. Once you're done, simply exit the Screen Sharing application.

Final comments

Keep in mind that Screen Sharing and Remote Management are an either/or option. If you feel the need to be able to remotely manage your Mac mini with the more advanced toolset under Remote Management, simple un-check Screen Sharing and check Remote Management under the Share panel in System Preferences. Ensure that you set the VNC password if you have non-macOS machines to connect to your new Mac mini. Let us know what you plan on using your Mac mini for in the comments!

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Closed for 2020

Apple says its offices in the US will not fully reopen until at least 2021

According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is planning for its office and many of its retail workers to remain remote for the rest of the year.

Everything's seemingly going wireless, so why wouldn't you jump on the wireless music bandwagon? With Sonos, you can stream all of your music to every room in your house, provided you have enough Sonos speakers to fill it.

Sonos is a wireless smart speaker system that connects to your home Wi-Fi network and then creates a network of its own, so that it's not eating up your bandwidth.

There's a Sonos app for iPhone and iPad, but you can also have total control from your Mac, so if you have a massive music library, you can put it all to good use!

How to set up your Sonos speakers using the Sonos Controller app for Mac

Download the free Sonos Controller from the iTunes store and away you go!

  1. Launch the Sonos Controller app from your dock or from the Finder.
  2. Click Next on the welcome screen.

  3. Click Set up New System.

  4. Check Standard Setup. You can check BOOST Setup, which is a hardwired setup, but if you've just bought your Sonos speaker, you likely don't have a BOOST or Bridge, since they've been discontinued.

  5. Click Next.

  6. Click the lock.

  7. Enter the administrator's name and password and click OK. This will allow your Sonos player to connect to your Mac.

  8. Click Next on the Connect to Power screen, once you've plugged in your player.

  9. Click Next once you've seen the green flashing light. It's usually the mute/play/pause button that flashes and it can be quite faint, so put your hand over it and check if you're in a bright room.

  10. Click the dropdown menu on the Player Setup screen.
  11. Click your Sonos model in the list.

  12. Click Set Up This Player.

  13. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  14. Click Next.

  15. Click Next on the Wireless Setup screen, once your speaker is connected.

  16. Enter your Wi-Fi network name and password.
  17. Click Next.

  18. Click Next on the screen that says your player has been added.

  19. Click the dropdown menu on the Choose Room screen.
  20. Click the room in which you'll have your Sonos speaker.

  21. Click Next.

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  22. Click Add Another Player and follow the same steps, if you wish. Otherwise, click Not Now.

  23. Click Next on the Sonos Registration screen.

  24. Enter your email address.
  25. Uncheck the boxes if you do not wish to receive company product information or software update information.

  26. Click Next.

  27. Click the dropdown menu.
  28. Select your country from the list.

  29. Click Next.

  30. Enter your zip/postal code.

  31. Click Next.

  32. Check or uncheck the box, depending on whether or not you would like to share usage data with Sonos.

  33. Click Next.

  34. Click Next on the 'Registration Complete' screen.

  35. Choose whether or not you'd like to set up your music library.

    • Click Set up my music now and Sonos will take you through the process of adding your personal music library to the controller app.

    • Click I'll set up my music later if you just want to get right into things and use music services instead of your music library.

  36. Click Next.

  37. Click Done.

There it is. It took a little while, but your Sonos system is now up and running and waiting to blast your sweet tunes.

How to connect to an existing Sonos system

If you've got a Sonos system set up already, but maybe brought home a brand new Mac, connecting to the existing system is a snap!

  1. Launch the Sonos Controller app from your dock or from the Finder.
  2. Click Next on the welcome screen.

  3. Click Connect to Existing System.

  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. Click Next on the 'Connected' screen.

  6. Choose whether or not you'd like to set up your music library. Gmail app for mac mohave county.

    • Click Set up my music now and Sonos will take you through the process of adding your personal music library to the controller app.

    • Click I'll set up my music later if you just want to get right into things and use music services instead of your music library.

  7. Click Next

  8. Click Done.

Connect Pc To Mac Network

Now your Sonos Controller app is connected to your existing Sonos system and you're good to go!

How to set up music streaming services using the Sonos Controller app for Mac

Sonos supports a TON of music services, including Apple Music (though, you have to set up Apple Music through the iPhone or iPad app). If you've got a subscription, then you have access through Sonos!

Here's how to set 'em up!

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  1. Launch the Sonos Controller app from your dock or from the Finder.
  2. Click Add Music Services in the menu on the right.
  3. Click the music service you'd like to set up.

  4. Sign in to your account or sign up for a new one. Some services require a paid subscription.

That's really all there is to it. Each music service will have a different way of signing you in. You'll usually have to click a link, which will take you to that service's website, where you will have to sign in or create a new account and agree to connect to Sonos.

Once you're connected, you can return to your Sonos Controller app and the service will be available in your music sources.

How to control your music services using the Sonos Controller app for Mac

Now that you have your music service(s) set up, you'll want to start jamming!

  1. Launch the Sonos Controller app from your dock or from the Finder.
  2. Click a music source in the menu on the righthand side.
  3. Choose how you like to explore that service. Each music service will have different categories to choose from. You can also search that particular service for anything specific you may want to hear.

  4. Click the dropdown arrow to choose when to play your selection.

    • Click Play Now to play the track or album immediately.
    • Click Play Next to play it after the current selection.
    • Click Add to Queue to add the selection to the end of your queue.

    • Click Replace Queue to completely replace your current queue. This will stop the song that's playing right now.

Once you've made your selection, you can use the standard music controls, like play, pause, skip, etc.

How to control your music library using the Sonos Controller app for Mac

During the setup process, you can choose to add your music library to the Sonos Controller app.

  1. Launch the Sonos Controller app from your dock or from the Finder.

  2. Click Music Library in the menu on the righthand side.

  3. Look through each category to find what you'd like to play. You can also search, using the search bar.
    • Artists
    • Albums
    • Composers
    • Genres
    • Songs
    • Imported Playlists
    • Folders

  4. Click the dropdown arrow to choose when to play your selection.

    • Click Play Now to play the track or album immediately.
    • Click Play Next to play it after the current selection.
    • Click Add to Queue to add the selection to the end of your queue.

    • Click Replace Queue to completely replace your current queue. This will stop the song that's playing right now.

Once your selection is playing, you can use the standard music controls, like play, pause, and skip.

How to factory reset your Sonos speaker

  1. Turn it off.
  2. Unplug it.
  3. Plug your speaker back in, while simultaneously holding the play/pause button (on older models, it's the mute button).
  4. Hold the button until the light starts flashing orange.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below!

Updated July 2017: All the information is up to date and accurate!

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Closed for 2020

Apple says its offices in the US will not fully reopen until at least 2021

Mac Allow Software To Connect To Wifi

According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is planning for its office and many of its retail workers to remain remote for the rest of the year.