Hi Jason
Yes, correct. That's the 1st step. I connect my Mac to the Pi's hotspot wifi.
The fact that it works everywhere else really makes me think it's something? on my mac mini.
Should add, I can even connect from my macbook pro. Mini is 10.15.7 Catalina; Macbook Pro is 10.14.6 Mojave.
Very stumped.
Guess I'll compare system preferences, but it's going to go to the back burner....seeing that I can get on the BAP/w/hotspot enabled via many other routes.
I guess I'll shelve it for now.?
T.M.