When connecting to a headless Mac, macOS automatically creates a virtual display to provide a graphical interface. The resolution of this display depends on several factors:
- Default Resolution: macOS assigns a default resolution based on the Mac model and its GPU capabilities. Common resolutions include 1920x1080 or 2560x1600.
- Display Emulators: If a display emulator (dummy plug) is connected, macOS will use the resolution specified by the emulator.
- Remote Software: Some remote desktop tools can influence the resolution by requesting specific dimensions during the connection.
For more control, users can manually adjust the resolution using macOS's display settings or third-party tools like Display Menu, SwitchResX or BetterDisplay.