NuboMac mini and Mac Studio from iPad: a reliable setup
What to check before putting the monitor away: permissions, available displays, sleep, and recovery.
Set up with a display first
Complete initial Mac setup with a display and input devices available. Install Nubo, grant permissions, and pair the iPad before attempting a monitor-free setup.
Enable Nubo at login if needed. Login is not the same as boot: after restarting, FileVault or the login screen may require local intervention.
Capture is not a virtual display
ScreenCaptureKit captures content exposed by macOS; it does not create a virtual monitor on its own. Disconnecting a monitor can change the available displays or resolutions.
Test your actual setup before relying on it. If you see “No displays available,” reconnect a display and review permissions. Headless operation and specific Retina resolutions are not guaranteed on every Mac.
Plan for sleep and recovery
Keep the Mac ventilated and on a stable network. Test after sleep, logout, and restart: these are different states and do not all allow remote access to recover in the same way.
Keep a local recovery option available. Wake-on-LAN depends on hardware, power settings, and the network; it does not guarantee booting a fully powered-off computer.