On macOS the location would be /Volumes/boot. 3, 4 etc.) and you are only planning on using the ethernet network connection.Ĭreate a file named wpa_nf in the root directory of the SD card volume named boot. You do not need to do this if you are setting up a full blown Raspberry Pi (e.g. Configure the Pi to use your WiFi network Note: balenaEtcher will unmount the SD card and you have to re-insert it to add the required config files. I prefer to use balenaEtcher (aka Etcher).

Note: Raspbian has been renamed to Raspberry Pi OS.ĭownload the latest Raspberry Pi OS Lite image from here.Įnsure the SHA256 checksum matches. While writing this guide I will see if now in 2021 we still face the same issues or not. However I came across this tutorial that allows you to SSH over USB. Originally back in 2019 I had issues getting the Raspberry Pi Zero W with Raspbian Buster to allow SSH to work on boot. So now is an excellent time to revisit setting up a Raspberry Pi Zero (W) to run headless. I opted for the pre-soldered header one, mainly just because all my electronics and tools are in storage. Pimoroni is currently (April 2021) running an easter special and I ordered the Grow Kit along with a Raspberri Pi Zero WH. My 'server' is in storage at the moment but I will share some of the timelapsing I did back in 2019 as soon as I can. This was part of a timelapse project I did while we lived in a rental place (because we were put out of our home due to a fire caused by my neighbour) that had a stunning view.Īlex Ellis wrote this amazing article about how he did timelapse photography using a Pi Zero and also wrote the phototimer software. I originally wrote a guide on how I setup a Pi Zero W to run headless back in July 2019 but never got round to polishing and publishing it. This guide should work with most Raspberry Pis. Running a Raspberry Pi in headless mode means you set it up so that it can boot and run without needing a display, keyboard and mouse.

Raspberry pi zero w setup headless