I neither have a micro HDMI adapter nor a dedicated display for the Pi. I just want to use it as a server. Thanks to Raspbian for providing a simple way to auto-enable SSH on boot!

I prefer the leaner, manual approach over NOOBS, the more popular option.

dd Raspbian’s image on to a new SD card
To auto-start SSH service on boot touch ssh in /boot partition
Insert SD card, connect ethernet cable (RJ-45) and boot
- Check IP address assigned to RPi from your router’s portal
ssh -l pi IP
- Change default password (raspberry) with passwd
- sudo apt update
- sudo apt upgrade
Use raspi-config and setup
- Locale
- Wi-Fi country code
  - Needed to abide by your country’s wireless laws
  - Radio device may not work properly if not done
- Wi-Fi (SSID and password)
- Enable SSH (for good measure)
- Check systemctl is-enabled sshd
- Make sure wireless isn’t soft-blocked: rfkill list and rfkill unblock wifi
Unplug ethernet and wireless should work now
- Use ifconfig to know your Mac address
- eth0/wlan0 interfaces that’re up have inet (IP address) populated
Use raspi-config and enable VNC
- Setup VNC password: sudo vncpasswd -service
- Boot into Desktop instead of Console in System Options -> Boot / Auto Login
  - See this if you want to boot to CLI and startx later [3]
- Make sure to select a resolution under Display Options -> Resolution
- For macOS Screen Sharing to work, make /etc/vnc/config.d/common.custom with Authentication=VncAuth
- sudo reboot -n
- Check VNC server status: systemctl status vncserver-x11-serviced
- You should be able to VNC to your Pi by first giving the VNC password and then pi’s password
Install Firefox: sudo apt install firefox-esr
- sudo update-alternatives --config x-www-browser

Another interesting alternative to Raspbian is DietPi (also Debian based), comes with a bunch of software optimized for the Pi.

Raspberry Pi 4 Setup

References