Headless M1 Mac Mini (Big Sur 11.4) + iPhone control (iOS 14.6) settings:
(Windows PC to Mac example, Mac to Mac Data transfer process should be easier)
Prologue.
Here are only the necessary settings in order to get your Mac running in headless configuration with automated function and the native “
Apple Music” application (previously known as iTunes) controlled via your iPhone with the
iOS iTunes Remote App.
Your audio archive must be ALAC for iTunes compatibility.
If you do not want to bulk convert your FLAC archive to ALAC (be careful when different bit-rate/sample rate), I suggest looking at
JRiver + JRemote for Mac/iOS solution.
Regarding audio archive data transfer, you may use “Migration tool”
or External storage drive.
If Migration refer to Apple’s
“Move your data from Windows PC to Mac”.
Notes:
- Migration process creates a new administrator “account” on your Mac each time it transfers, so I recommend Sign In your Apple ID and
apply all “headless settings” below on this newly created Migration account to minimise complications.
- External drive must be formatted to exFAT for compatibility if copying from Windows to Mac.
M1 Mac Mini settings:
(First setup assistant: Choose strong password, Skip all “Accessibility” etc, “Screen Time”/“Hey Siri” = off/disabled)
1.
In order displayed in “
System Preferences”. . . Only changed mentioned.
Apple ID - All off, except “Find My” on.
Notifications - All off.
Users & Groups - Click the lock icon, click “
Login Options” from “
Automatic Login” dropdown and select your account username.
Click “
Login Items”, Click “
+”, Go to “
Applications” on the left, Add “
Music” application.
Security & Privacy - General - “
Require Password” off, “
FileVault” off (default), “
Firewall” on (after Migration finished).
Software Update - Click “
Advanced” make sure
all on.
Sound - Sound Effects - All off.
Energy Saver - “
Turn Display off” = 10 mins, “
Prevent computer sleeping” = off “
Wake for network access/Start up automatically after Power failure” = on.
Sharing - “
Media Sharing” on. “
Home Sharing” on. Library name: “
Music” “
Device update play counts/Share photos with Apple TV” off. “
Share media guests” off.
Open “
Apple Music” application, go to “
Account” and Sign In then “
Authorize”.
Go to top right click on “
Music” then drop down “
Preferences”.
Files - “
Keep Music folder organised” off. “
Copy files to Music Media Folder when adding to Library” off (otherwise it will just copy audio taking up 2x data).
Restrictions - “
Music Profiles”, “
Apple Music” off.
2.
Now copy your audio archive files to Mac, I just copied main folder to inside “
Music” folder on Mac.
Drag copied folder (ALAC files only) into “
Apple Music” application.
Create Custom Playlists if you want.
3.
Download free iOS
iTunes Remote App on iPhone (make sure you are signed in your Apple ID on your iPhone and “
Home sharing” is enabled).
Open iTunes Remote App on iPhone.
Tap on “
Use iTunes Home Sharing”, a code will appear.
On Mac in
Apple Music application, your phone will appear on left column with Lock icon, Click on lock icon and enter code,
Music Library is now connected and you can now access iTunes using iOS
iTunes Remote App.
You can create/edit/rename playlists and control playback.
Every time you open iOS
iTunes Remote App and connect to Mac iTunes Library, Mac will auto-wake from sleep and be ready to function.
-
Requirements:
- You must Sign In with your Apple ID on both Mac (System &
Apple Music Application) and iPhone.
- All iCloud sync options can be disabled to minimise background processes, I left only “Find My” on.
- Most recent version of MacOS is recommended for security reasons, as the WiFi must be left on, and Mac will be connected to the internet.
Connecting DAC:
- Plug DAC into Mac USB port (no driver needed).
- Power on DAC, select USB input.
- Open Mac “Audio MIDI” settings and select fixed sample rate.
- Bit-rate is fixed to 32-bit (if you want bit-perfect then look at
JRiver +
JRemote software solution).