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Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson
1114 episodes
18 hours ago
Get answers to your Apple tech questions every week! Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete share tips, tricks, and troubleshooting advice for your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and more — all delivered in a fun, friendly way that helps geeks and everyday users alike. Don’t Get Caught without your tech working right!
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Technology
Education,
News,
How To,
Tech News
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All content for Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting is the property of Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Get answers to your Apple tech questions every week! Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete share tips, tricks, and troubleshooting advice for your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and more — all delivered in a fun, friendly way that helps geeks and everyday users alike. Don’t Get Caught without your tech working right!
Show more...
Technology
Education,
News,
How To,
Tech News
Episodes (20/1114)
Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Innovation or Irritation? UX Crimes and Misdemeanors
In Mac Geek Gab 1114, you’ll uncover a ton of real-world Apple wisdom — from mastering Apple TV’s hidden control center to supercharging your Mac keyboard shortcuts. Learn how to re-enable Low Data Mode on your new iPhone, control-click your way into Terminal, and even get an alphabetical list from your Dock. Then, dive into listener-shared “Don’t Get Caught” moments like why people don’t always receive your calendar invites, CarPlay’s uncertain future at GM, and AirTag stealth hacks. And don’t miss the Cool Stuff Found segment, packed with geek-approved tools like Hidden Bar, OVMS for your car, and the Withings Sleep Pad. It’s all here — tips, tricks, and the occasional gotcha — so you can stay ahead of your tech. Don’t Get Caught.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1114 for Wednesday, November 3rd, 2025

November 3rd: Give Someone a Dollar Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your own OpenCase!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Tom-QT-Apple TV Control Center by Pressing and Holding TV button
00:03:23 Apple tvOS 26 adds profiles to every startup
00:06:50 Sharp TVs use TiVo interface now
00:09:30 Thoughts on TV interfaces

JustWatch
TV Time


00:14:52 QT-Re-enable Low Data Mode on your new iPhone
00:17:01 Bill-QT-1113-Control-Click to Open in Terminal
00:18:12 Gene-QT-Toggle Between Function and Standard Keys

Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts… > Services > Shortcuts > Toggle Function Keys
WordService
CalcService

Settings > Keyboard > Services > Text






00:20:22 Bill-QT-1113-Right click on Settings in Dock to get Alphabetical Listing
Sponsors

00:22:25 SPONSOR: NordLayer. Get an exclusive offer: up to 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with coupon code: macgeekgab-28. Try it risk-free—14-day money-back guarantee.
00:23:55 SPONSOR: Shopify. For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/MGG and upgrade your selling today!


Don’t Get Caught

00:25:33 Scott-DGC-Invitations to iCloud-calendar events are only sent to iCloud accounts
00:31:26 Mark UK-DGC-Be aware of which port is the DFU port on your Mac
00:34:54 Terry-DGC-GM will be dropping CarPlay (and Android Auto) from Future Vehicles
00:38:30 Chris-DGC-Hide your AirTags in your car
00:40:58 KiwiGraham-DGC-Copy as Pathname doesn’t escape the special characters
00:41:40 DGC-Shortcuts “Match” Fails in macOS 26 until recreated


Sponsors

00:45:05 SPONSOR: AG1. Head to DrinkAG1.com/MGG to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe.
00:46:43 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at Show more...
18 hours ago
1 hour 21 minutes 32 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Polka On a Flatbed
This week, you roll right into another round of Quick Tips, laughs, and lessons learned with Dave, Pilot Pete, and Adam! From macOS Tahoe’s alphabetized Settings to Spotlight searching everything—including those hidden menus—you’ll uncover new tricks that keep your Mac life humming. The crew digs into Apple and Google Maps’ smart intersection awareness, shares shortcuts to open Terminal right where you are in Finder, and explores accessibility superpowers like controlling your screen with your eyes and using full voice control across macOS and iOS.
Of course, there’s time for listener questions, from fixing calendar syncs and Mail zoom quirks to selecting inverse text the geeky way. You’ll even get their latest Gear Picks, like the Scosche ScoVac mini vac, Sifely smart door lock, and Matias Tactile Pro keyboard—all topped off with a detour into absurdity: Polka on a Flatbed. Stay sharp, have fun, and as always—Don’t Get Caught!

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1113 for Wednesday, October 27th, 2025

October 27th: National American Beer Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your license to PowerPhotos!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Bill-QT-macOS Tahoe Settings in Alphabetical Order
00:03:30 Spotlight searches Settings, too
00:05:47 A welcomed detour for some love for the show…and all of you!
00:07:39 TheDaveAbides-QT-Apple and Google Maps understand intersections

Fantastical’s “magic” parsing of text


00:09:51 Polka On a Flatbed
00:11:58 David-QT-Open Terminal To The Folder Path You’re in, in Finder
00:12:58 In Finder Copy Pathname to Clipboard
00:17:52 Harvey-QT-Enhancing Assistive Touch
00:20:57 Accessibility-Control the screen with your eyes

forScore app


00:24:30 Using full voice control on macOS and iOS
00:25:32 Barb-QT-1111-Bluetooth Menu Bar item shows Mouse Battery Percentage


Sponsors

00:26:30 SPONSOR: Framer. Ready to design, iterate, and publish all in one tool? Start creating for free at Framer.com/design, and use code MGG for a free month of Framer Pro.
00:28:31 SPONSOR: NordLayer. Get an exclusive offer: up to 22% off NordLayer yearly plans plus 10% on top with the coupon code: macgeekgab-10. Try it risk-free—14-day money-back guarantee.


Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

00:30:00 Mark-My Books App Won’t Launch, how can I resolve this?
00:38:22 Robert-How do I select the inverse of my selected text?
00:40:55 QT-Close other tabs in your browser
00:41:43 QT-Command-Shift-T Reopens Last Closed
00:43:22 Fist shake about mis-interpreted clicks, taps, and keystrokes!
00:45:24 Peter-How to change the zoom level when composing in macOS Mail.app?
00:50:44 Scott-How do I fix calendar syncing?
00:55:00 The AWS East-Coast Outage


Sponsors

00:56:23 SPONSOR: PAKA makes performance apparel from sustainable alpaca fiber, softer than cashmere, warmer than wool. To grab your PAKA hoodie and free pair of alpaca crew socks, head to PAKAapparel.com/MGG and use code MGG.


Gift Guide

00:57:57 Pete-GG-Show more...
1 week ago
1 hour 18 minutes 5 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Do Your Homework and Don’t Get Caught
This week, you’re diving deep into a treasure trove of quick tips and practical geekery with Dave, Pilot Pete, and Adam! From setting iOS call-back reminders to connecting keyboards to your iPhone or iPad, you’ll learn how to make Apple’s ecosystem work smarter for you. Discover why Numbers might finally replace Excel, how to share spreadsheets with non-Mac users, and why FileMaker still rules the database world. macOS Tahoe brings a few surprises too—automatic FileVault encryption and a slick new SSH remote unlock feature—plus Docker tricks for keeping MariaDB safe across installs and smarter audio control for Zoom with SoundSource.
Then, it’s time for MGG’s signature blend of news and gear: Synology loosens its drive rules, Apple’s M5 chip and Vision Pro refresh redefine what’s “next-gen,” and the hosts roll through this year’s first Gift Guide—packed with clever, affordable gadgets from wireless CarPlay screens to flight-ready Bluetooth transmitters. Finally, listener questions hit hard: should you upgrade to macOS 26, and what’s the real story behind its indexing bugs? Tune in, geek out, and remember—Don’t Get Caught without your tech homework done!

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1112 for Wednesday, October 20th, 2025

October 20th: Information Overload Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your license to PowerPhotos!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Kiwi Graham-QT-Set a Call-Back Reminder in iOS 26
00:03:06 Jim-QT-Cmd+Space works on iPad too

Using a keyboard with your iPad or iPhone
Adam connected a keyboard to his iPhone with a USB-C Cable
Dictate to ChatGPT when starting a project to give it a blob of information


00:05:53 GW-QT-Started Using Numbers Instead of Excel
00:07:00 FileMaker is *still* crushing it!
00:09:13 Sharing Numbers documents with non-Apple users

Use iCloud for Numbers
LibreOffice
Synology Office


00:11:37 QT-macOS Tahoe upgrade automatically enables FileVault
00:13:28 SccrHallways-QT-Tahoe adds a way of using SSH to remotely unlock
00:14:44 Dave-QT-1110-Run MariaDB in Docker to preserve it across installs

Portainer
Docker Desktop


00:19:13 QT-Use Soundsource for those Zoom meetings
00:22:10 Heidi-QT-Hold Option in 1Password to reveal hidden fields

How do you have your password manager configured? Is it super-secure, or super-convenient, or somewhere in-between?


00:26:57 Tony-QT-Taming Liquid Glass (ChatGPT Summary)


Sponsors

00:30:36 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG


Vendor News

00:32:19 Bob,
Show more...
2 weeks ago
1 hour 20 minutes 34 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
This One Goes To The Eleventh Dimension — Mac Geek Gab 1111
You’ll come out smarter — and maybe even safer — after this week’s Mac Geek Gab with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, Dave Hamilton, and a triumphant return from John F. Braun. From unlocking hidden gems in iOS 26’s Health app and securing your Mint Mobile account with Number Lock to setting up ChatGPT Tasks like it’s your own personal Knowledge Navigator, you’ll pick up tricks to stay ahead. Printer drivers got you down? John’s got fixes. Want to finally make your Apple TV remote work right or unlock secret iOS 18 controls? Done. And yes, migrating to Apple Silicon? Don’t Get Caught without Go64.
For the gearheads, you’ll find Cool Stuff Found like the FIXD car scanner (a modern Automatic replacement), QuickLook folder previews, AirBattery to track your mouse’s juice, and Parachute Backup to wrangle your iCloud data. Got a Brother printer? Scan straight to USB — no computer needed. Oh, and HomePods as stereo TV speakers? Surprisingly great even though you’re skipping the center channel. With AirTags, shortcuts, OBD2 adapters, and even blood oxygen data hacks, this episode’s got something for every geek in your galaxy.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1111 for Wednesday, October 13th, 2025

October 13th: National Train Your Brain Day (and also National No Bra Day)
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your license to PowerPhotos!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 n-Bryan-QT-Tap Search Magnifying glass in iOS 26 Health to get to the menu of categories
00:04:50 JFB-QT-Check your printer drivers if you have paper selection issues

Canon iX6820 Large Paper Printer


00:08:04 Uncle Jamie-QT-Enable Mint Mobile’s Number Lock to prevent SIM-swapping
00:10:42 QT-Setup ChatGPT Tasks to stay on top of your projects

It’s like the Knowledge Navigator *could* have been


00:15:41 Tell us how you’re using AI at feedback@macgeekgab.com
00:17:48 X/Twitter client will let you summarize with Grok
00:20:37 JFB-QT-If your Apple TV remote is being finicky, try un-pairing and re-pairing it
00:23:17 Ben-QT-1110-iOS 18 added remote control
00:25:45 Robert-QT-Create a Shortcut to Toggle Liquid Glass Effects


Sponsors

00:27:53 SPONSOR: Zapier – Zapier is the easiest way to automate your tasks. Transform how you work with Zapier and AI. Get started for free today by visiting Zapier.com/macgeekgab
00:29:36 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/macgeekgab


On the subject of trade-ins

00:30:59 JFB-2018 i7 Mac mini trade-in with Apple went smoothly

“I’m no prevaricator”


00:35:11 If migrating from Intel to Apple Silicon, check Go64
00:39:53 Bill-QT-In-person Apple Trade-Ins are More Reliable
00:40:57 Bill-QT-1109-Apple’s Trade-ins hold value for me
00:42:20 Do you put a case or a screen protector on your watc...
Show more...
3 weeks ago
1 hour 22 minutes 36 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
We Don't Personality Shame
This week on Mac Geek Gab, you’re climbing to new heights—literally and geekily—with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton. With big, 6,000-foot energy, you’ll inhale knowledge (not bear spray!) with Quick Tips like disabling auto-return to apps, blazing through iPhone setup using a wired Phone-to-Phone connection, and printing photo books via third-party tools. You’ll also learn how to save iPhone pics directly to an SD card and how macOS 26’s Notes app now exports Markdown—yes, really. And don’t forget to check those “Notify When Left Behind” settings in Find My, unless you want to get caught.
Dig deeper with listener questions about upgrading to iOS/macOS 26, tracking down mystery image libraries, and setting up lossless audio with Spotify Premium. There’s also a nod to the new “Carrot, the Musical,” and a reminder that on this show, We Don’t Personality Shame. Need to help your family remotely? You’ve got Tailscale, Jump Desktop, and even Messages’ built-in screen sharing. This episode is packed with practical answers, absurd moments, and the classic Mac Geek Gab motto: Don’t Get Caught.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1110 for Wednesday, October 6th, 2025

October 6th: Zero Inbox Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your license to PowerPhotos!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


00:02:45 Pete’s high!

About 6,000 feet
DGC-Don’t inhale bear spray by accident!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 QT-Disable Return to App if apps like workout are on screen too much

AllTrails


00:06:43 Joe-QT-Phone-2-Phone Connection = Fastest new setup! USB-C to Lightning worked for me!

Use a wired connection to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad


​​00:13:02 Ben-QT-1108-Photos can create printed books with third party extensions

Mac Mondays
Mimeo Photos
Motif Photos
PrestoPhoto
MILK Books
Friedmann print




00:16:16 Tim-QT-Save pictures from your iPhone to an SD Card

iPhone Lightning to USB-C Camera Adapter
USB-C to SD Card Reader


Sponsors

00:22:46 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG
00:24:15 SPONSOR: Shopify. For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/MGG and upgrade your selling today!


MOAR Quick Tips

00:25:56 QT-Check your “Notify when left behind” Find My settings
00:28:31 Kiwi Graham-QT-Notes in macOS 26 now supports Markdown export!
Show more...
4 weeks ago
1 hour 21 minutes 16 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
It's a Clear Case of Lying
Pete and Dave admit they couldn’t resist ordering new iPhones—though Adam stayed strong—but the catch is they haven’t even received them yet. That doesn’t stop the crew from diving into the best ways to buy and sell your old gear, plus a slew of Quick Tips you’ll actually use. From setting your default calling app to snagging Amazon’s free photo storage, updating contact images in seconds, and taking smaller HEIC screenshots, you’ll come away sharper than ever. They even explain why sticking with developer betas can sometimes be more stable than waiting on the public release. Don’t Get Caught missing these shortcuts.
You’ll also learn how to dodge surprise roaming charges after a Canada trip, fix stubborn RCS issues with one iCloud toggle, and disable carrier locks before upgrading. Listener questions bring even more depth, like whether APFS is worth it on spinning drives, how to troubleshoot iCloud sync quirks, and why Apple’s “Clear” case isn’t so clear. Sprinkle in Apple Intelligence tricks, AI-powered cocktail recipes, and smart audio bug warnings in macOS Tahoe, and you’ve got an episode stacked with must-know Apple wisdom.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1109 for Wednesday, September 29th, 2025

September 29th: National Biscotti Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and U7 Pro XG
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


00:03:23 We’re liars…well, at least two of us are. Pete and Dave bought iPhones

Gazelle.com
Swappa.com
eBay.com
Facebook Marketplace


Quick Tips

00:00:01 QT-Settings > Apps > Phone for Default Calling App, Spam handling, more
00:15:47 QT-Don’t reset the iPhone until money is in-hand


Sponsors

00:17:15 SPONSOR: PAKA makes performance apparel from sustainable alpaca fiber, softer than cashmere, warmer than wool. To grab your PAKA hoodie and free pair of alpaca crew socks, head to PAKAapparel.com/MGG and use code MGG.
00:18:49 SPONSOR: Insta360 GO Ultra. About the size of an Oreo and does 4K @ 60fps! To bag a free Sticky Tabs with your Insta360 GO Ultra purchase use code “MGG” at store.insta360.com.
00:20:18 Pete uses the Insta360 Link 2c…and Alpaca wool is the most fantastic clothing


MOAR Quick Tips

00:21:15 JoeM-QT-iOS 26 Preview App is Feature Rich!
00:23:27 Terry-QT-ChatGPT CarPlay widget requires phone face up
00:26:07 QT-System Settings – Apple Intelligence & Siri – ChatGPT Extension – Sign In if you like
00:27:30 JK Dawson-QT-Amazon Prime members get unlimited photo storage
00:29:34 Uncle Jamie-Quickly Update Logo / Image in Contacts

Yoink is great for moving files from app to app
The Apple Newton had a great copy/paste user interface


00:33:44 Use Expose to drag and drop to a new window
00:34:41 Alex-QT-Take screenshots in HEIC format on macOS

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type heic; killall SystemUIServer


00:38:05 Connection Troubles!
Show more...
1 month ago
1 hour 23 minutes 58 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
CarPlay Widgets, eSIM Swaps, Photo Preservation & AI Assisted Living
You kick things off with a stack of Quick Tips that make your Apple gear feel smarter. From getting a free year of Perplexity Pro, to turning on CarPlay widgets in iOS 26, to using ChatGPT itself to search for Mac Geek Gab answers (like which dash cam Pilot Pete prefers), you’re reminded how powerful the tools you already have can be. You’ll also learn how Apple Maps saves your recent routes, how to grab a full-res screenshot from a video, and why buying an AirPrint-capable printer is always the move. The point: these bite-sized tweaks add up fast, and you don’t want to miss them. Don’t Get Caught overlooking the simple wins.
From there, you dive into Cool Stuff Found and listener Q&A that blend everyday utility with future-facing tech. MGG-listener vibe-coded StockTrackr helps you spot Apple Store inventory, GoodSync makes backups painless, and UGreen’s clever AirTag key accessories keep your essentials trackable. You also face the reality of e-waste, the looming Nest thermostat cutoff, and how AI is evolving from assisted coding to assisted living—crafting web pages, logic, and even graphics on command. Questions push you deeper: swapping eSIMs, nuking stubborn trash files, using Tailscale exit nodes for Netflix, and preserving family photos for generations. The thread through it all? Practical hacks that save your time, money, and sanity.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1108 for Wednesday, September 22nd, 2025

September 22nd: Hobbit Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and U7 Pro XG
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Shannon-QT-Get Perplexity Pro free for 1 year
00:04:11 Terry-QT-iOS 26 Allows you to enable Widgets in CarPlay
00:06:25 Todd-QT-Use ChatGPT to search for MGG answers
ChatGPT Prompt: on the Mac Geek Gab podcast what dash cam does pilot Pete like
00:09:25 Joe from Raleigh-QT-Apple Maps saves your Recent Routes
00:11:10 Dave-QT-Grab a full-res screenshot from a video with QuickTime Player
00:13:20 Pilot Pete-QT-1090-Create a Focus Mode “On a Call” details
00:16:26 DataForNothinAndBitsForFree-QT-1105-Always buy an AirPrint-capable printer


Sponsors

00:17:36 SPONSOR: Mint Mobile. Cut your wireless bill to just $15 per month at MintMobile.com/MGG
00:19:15 SPONSOR: OWC’s Express 1M2 80G SSD is now shipping. Bus powered, pocket-sized, with a USB4 cable in the box.


Cool Stuff Found

00:20:25 Barry-CSM-StockTrackr for Apple Stores

It’s AI Assisted Coding…and AI Assisted Living!


Some AI prompts

“Can you provide more context to this?”
“Please explain this piece of code to me.”
“Are there any third-rails to be aware of before partnering with this brand?”
“Create me a webpage…with logic AND graphics.”


00:29:32 David-CSF-GoodSync is working very well for me
00:31:35 Andrew-CSF-UGreen AirTag Key with keyring and wallet card
00:34:05 e-Waste is an unfortunate reality

Nest 1st and 2nd gen Thermostats Go Offline on October 25th,
Show more...
1 month ago
1 hour 19 minutes 42 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Don’t Mess With The Sacred Timeline
This week’s Mac Geek Gab kicks off with quick tips you’ll actually use: from setting custom backgrounds in iOS 26 Messages to automating iPhone restarts with Shortcuts, spotting hidden savings on AppleTV+, and even using freezer bags to tame cable chaos. You’ll also learn the power of politeness, how Adaptive Power Mode can stretch your battery, why Spotlight Cmd-1 is your new macOS shortcut, and how to scroll CarPlay garages with a simple swipe. The crew dives into running Apple betas—developer vs. public—and the gotcha lurking in Apple’s (relatively) new cloud sync rules. Don’t Get Caught moving your home folder or syncing Dropbox without knowing the risks.
Then it’s all about gear and listener wisdom. Discover stress-relief spirals and right-angle cables that save your chargers, a sleeper hold travel pillow that kills the head-bobble, and eero’s signal upgrades coming in 2026. Adam shares how his Jackery solar generator kept him connected, plus the team breaks down backup internet options. Questions cover the smart way to prep your iPhone before trade-in, managing iMessage when moving to Android, and choosing a mesh system that won’t break the bank. From tri-band Deco deals to stubborn deleted files, you’ll walk away with practical fixes and clever finds ready to put to use today.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1107 for Monday, September 15th, 2025

September 15th: National Online Learning Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and U7 Pro XG
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Frank-QT-iOS 26-Set background images in Messages
00:04:24 Todd-QT-AppleTV+ still only $99/year! (Savings $56.88)
00:07:46 Ben-1104-You can (semi-)Automate an iPhone Restart with Shortcuts
00:09:05 Jim in Alaska-QT-Use Quart or Gallon Freezer Ziplocks to store cables
00:11:13 Be polite…it costs nothing, and can buy you so much!
00:15:55 Running Apple operating system betas

00:16:58 QT-iOS 26 Adaptive Power Mode
00:18:24 QT-macOS 26 Spotlight Cmd-1 to see Applications
00:19:31 Developer betas vs. Public betas


00:20:53 Lucas-QT-You can swipe up and down in CarPlay to scroll through garages

Meross HomeKit Garage Door Opener




Don’t Get Caught

00:23:36 Robert-DGC-Apple is forcing cloud sync providers to use the internal drive
Dropbox External drive support with Apple’s File Provider
Move your macOS home folder to an external drive


Sponsors

00:27:31 SPONSOR: OpenCase. Designed for MagSafe accessories. The result is more secure, thinner, lighter, optimizes charging and more. Code MGG saves you 10%.
00:29:15 SPONSOR: Insta360 GO Ultra. About the size of an Oreo and does 4K @ 60fps! To bag a free Sticky Tabs with your Insta360 GO Ultra purchase use code “MGG” at store.insta360.com.
00:30:50 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/macgeekgab


00:32:10 If Adam were going to use a case…OpenCase would be the case he used!

Show more...
1 month ago
1 hour 21 minutes 11 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Apple Keynote Reactions: Always On for Everyone!
You dive right into the Apple event fallout with Pilot Pete, Adam, and Dave weighing their wish lists against reality. The iPhone 17 shines with its blistering 3000-nit display, always-on ProMotion, liquid-cooling in the Pro models, and a storage bump to 256GB minimum. The real curveball? The iPhone Air. Sleek, light, and maybe a proof-of-concept for what comes next, it’s got you asking if this is Apple’s new MacBook Air moment. Should you upgrade from your 16 Pro? The geeks debate it all while reminding you: Don’t Get Caught without considering who Apple is really building these devices for.
You also get the lowdown on AppleOS 26 releases. The crew breaks down when to hit update on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, with practical advice on what to install day one and what to hold back, especially if you rely on finicky menu bar apps. Then it’s AirPods Pro 3 with better fit, bass, and active earplug performance, Apple Watch 11 and Ultra 3 with expanded always-on features, and a sneak peek at what Apple didn’t announce: Macs, displays, maybe even a revamped Apple TV. The conversation closes with the big reveal: who’s ordering what and who’s sitting this one out.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1106 for Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

September 10th: National Anti-Junk Light Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and U7 Pro XG
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


❤️ Thank you, Todd Cochrane
00:04:26 What do we each think we’re ordering?

Adam: Nothing
Pete: AirPods Pro 3, iPhone Air (for xmas?)
Dave: AirPods Pro 3, no iPhone (right?).


00:09:41 New iPhones

iPhone 17

New Display with ProMotion and Always-On with 3000 Nits
New Front-Facing Cameras
256GB storage minimum
MacTracker




00:19:30 iPhone Pro/Pro Max

It’s Liquid-Cooled with a Vapor Chamber


00:26:33 iPhone Air (no number!)

Will it throttle?
It sure is sexy!
Who is it for? feedback@macgeekgab.com
Is this a proof of concept like the MacBook Air? Paving the way for future generations of iPhone Air?


00:36:10 Scott-Is it worth Upgrading from a 16 Pro to a 17 Pro?
Sponsors:

00:38:52 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Get six months of the team plan for startups for FREE at Coda.io/mgg.
00:40:13 SPONSOR: Fireflies AI. Fireflies is the number one AI teammate that transcribes, summarizes, and analyzes your conversations so you can get the most out of every meeting. Get 2 months free at Fireflies.ai/mgg.
00:41:30 PODCAST: The 5 AM Miracle. Every Monday morning, The 5 AM Miracle is here to help you dominate your day before breakfast, create powerful lifelong habits, and tackle your grandest goals with extraordinary energy.


00:42:35 When Should I Upgrade to [x]OS 26?

All new AppleOS 26 updates come out on Monday, September 15th.
iOS 26: Adam & Dave: Release Day

macOS 26: Dave: Release Day (but watch your third-party menu bar items and hardware), Pete: Wait a week
Show more...
1 month ago
1 hour 25 minutes 2 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Your Computer May Decide For You
This week’s Mac Geek Gab is packed with quick tips and clever workarounds you can actually use. You’ll learn how to silence your partner’s alarm with Siri, calm down watchOS 26’s Liquid Glass by reducing transparency, and keep your AirPods secure with Croakies or a magnetic strap. You’ll even pick up tricks like delaying Low Power Mode automation, grabbing CarPlay screen captures, and—yes—using your nose to turn off your Apple Watch alarm. Along the way, the crew reminds you: don’t get caught making common mistakes like letting Wi-Fi calling charges sneak up on you or letting toxic content hijack your online focus.
From cool gear like LG’s Ultrafine 4K monitor to smart app swaps like Notion over Notes, you’ll discover fresh tools to boost productivity. Listener questions spark sharp advice, too—whether it’s saving corrupted data volumes, choosing the right budget Mac mini, or bringing an old scanner back to life. And as Apple Intelligence hype builds, the takeaway is clear: we’re not there yet. Stay sharp, stay curious, and don’t get caught missing the hacks that make your tech work smarter for you.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1105 for Monday, September 1st, 2025

September 1st: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and U7 Pro XG
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Rick-QT-Ask Siri to turn off your partner’s alarm
00:06:07 QT-Tame Liquid Glass by using Accessibility – Reduce Transparency
00:10:15 Mike-QT-Use Croakies to retain the AirPods

AirPods Magnetic Lanyard and Strap


00:17:15 QT-Add a delay to the automatic Low Power Mode Shortcut

A Mango-Shaped Space


00:23:10 Mr. Ed-QT-CarPlay Screen Capture
00:24:21 Turn off your Watch alarm with your nose


Don’t Get Caught

00:25:32 Paul-DGC-1103-WiFi Calling might cost you
00:27:24 Mint Mobile – T-Mobile Home Internet for $35/month
00:29:56 Apple TV+ Pricing Increase
00:34:04 Don’t Get Caught engaging with incendiary content online

Tips on tuning social feed and news algorithms to your advantage




Sponsors

00:38:17 SPONSOR: Strawberry.me. Own Your Future. Discover what’s possible with a professional coach by your side. Visit Strawberry.me/MGG or use code MGG to claim your $50 credit today.
00:39:44 SPONSOR: Quince. Elevate your closet, get free shipping,
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2 months ago
1 hour 27 minutes 41 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Don't Forget TOTO!
Learn how to use hyphens for strike-through in Messages, schedule a Mac restart, and even tell Siri or Alexa to run one-time automations. Master plus-addressing in iCloud Mail for cleaner inboxes and privacy with Hide My Email, and keep Safari’s tab bar neat by ditching Favorite Icons. And of course, Don’t Forget TOTO—Turn it Off, Turn it On again—to solve more problems than you think. Don’t Get Caught missing these fixes, including ways to recover from a too-dim iPhone screen or undo accidental changes in Notes.
Then it’s a flood of Cool Stuff Found: from an AI-built Coffee Finder app to the Scosche PBJ2000 jump starter, US Mobile’s pick-your-network option, and ViewSonic’s 27” 5K Thunderbolt display. Discover tools like vFlat for clean scans, WATTBOX for remote gear reboots, and GL-iNET’s Brume VPN appliance. Add in Braxley Bands for Apple Watch, EVapo-Rust for metal cleanup, and Treedix’s USB Cable Tester, and you’ve got an arsenal of gear to make your life easier. This episode is packed with shortcuts, hidden features, and gadgets you didn’t know you needed. Press play and enjoy, folks!

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1104 for Monday, August 25th, 2025

August 25th: National Banana Split Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Default Folder
The MGG Merch Store is Live!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Ben-QT-Use hyphens to create strike-through text on iPhone Messages
00:03:33 Robert-QT-Don’t forget to try the restart

Don’t Forget TOTO! (Turn it Off and Turn it On)
Schedule a Restart Of Your Mac


00:06:54 QT – Tell A-Lady or S-Lady to do something at a set time
00:10:30 Where does it store those one-time automations
00:12:40 Scott-QT-Use plus-addressing for your iCloud email (and also iCloud’s Hide My Email)

RFC for email plus-addressing
Duck.com/email


00:20:46 SteveHammond-QT-Disable Favorite Icons to clean up Safari’s tab bar


Sponsors

00:22:31 SPONSOR: Function Health gives you access to the kind of data most people never see—and the insights to actually take action. Visit www.functionhealth.com/MGG. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership.
00:24:00 SPONSOR: Webroot. Get 50% off Webroot Total Protection or Webroot Essentials when you go Webroot.com/MGG.
00:25:27 SPONSOR: Constant Contact makes marketing easier and more effective for small businesses like yours. Try Constant Contact free for 30 days at ConstantContact.com


Don’t Get Caught

00:26:40 Stephen-DGC-You can’t delete custom-created Stations in Apple Music
00:29:59 Ed-DGC-Don’t turn your iPhone brightness all the way down…and some fixes if you do!

Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap


00:32:37 David-DGC-Apple Notes doesn’t have a undo revisions


Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 21 minutes 25 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Hey ChatGPT: Are You Sure?
This week’s Mac Geek Gab with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton packs in quick tips, clever hacks, and gear finds to level up your Apple life. You’ll learn how to instantly turn screenshots into PDFs, scan docs like a pro, and understand why most Macs can’t handle 20Gbps USB. Get smarter about CarPlay cables, unlock better wireless GPS performance, and discover menu bar magic with tools like uBar, Sketchybar, and Looking Glass. Don’t Get Caught missing the debates over Apple Music vs. Spotify—plus which one wins for playlists and which takes the crown for audio quality.
When it comes to troubleshooting, you’ll see how to fix blank Mail previews, keep your number abroad for iMessage, and squeeze the most out of budget carriers. Round it out with negotiation strategies to lower your mobile and ISP bills, plus Wi-Fi service order tweaks and DHCP reservation tips to keep your Mac running smooth.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1103 for Monday, August 18th, 2025

August 18th: National Fajita Day
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Default Folder


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Pogo Kelly-QT-Turn Screenshots into a PDF in the Finder
00:02:50 Karl-QT-CHiPs taught us some police 11-codes!
00:04:34 Kiwi Graham-QT-Apple devices use randomized serial numbers
00:07:36 Mike-QT-Files.app document scanning maxes out at 24 pages
00:10:59 CSF-Genius Scan (free version)
00:12:10 Peg-QT-Scanning using Image Capture
00:13:48 Craig-1101-QT-Most Macs can’t support USB 20Gbps


Sponsor

00:16:37 SPONSOR: Caldera Lab. Guys, don’t settle for drugstore junk or steal your partner’s products—elevate your routine with skincare made for you. Head to CalderaLab.com/MGG and use MGG at checkout for 20% off your first order.
00:17:59 SPONSOR: K12 can help your child start reaching their full potential in life now – and give you the support you need to get them there! Go to K12.com/MGG today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now
00:19:29 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.


Don’t Get Caught

00:20:50 RandyWalker-DGC-Change Out Your CarPlay Cable

Coiled cable for CarPlay


00:24:09 Wireless CarPlay and GPS Passthrough

CarLinkIt 5.0 Wireless CarPlay Adapter




Cool Stuff Found

00:30:16 PorthosJon-CSF-uBar, a Dock Enhancer
00:32:16 Ben-CSF-Sketchybar to customize your menubar (video instructions!)
00:34:30 Andrew-CSF-Looking Glass for Apple Music (or Spotify) to control Apple Music from your Mac’s Menu Bar
Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 24 minutes 37 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Mirrors are Wi-Fi's Mortal Enemy
Mirrors killing your Wi-Fi? You’re not imagining it. This week on Mac Geek Gab 1102, you’ll learn how metal surfaces sabotage your signal…and what to do about it. From smarter ways to manage your Apple Watch unlocks (hint: avoid accidental calls) to clearing your iPhone’s keyboard dictionary without going full nuclear, the Quick Tips are flying fast. Want your Dock to behave on multi-monitor setups? There’s an AppleScript for that.
Don’t Get Caught thinking “Until Tomorrow” actually means tomorrow…battery limits may surprise you. And if AirPlay is acting up, you might be powering off your speaker in the wrong order. Plus, you’ll discover data-blocking USB-C gadgets, secret vaults for your passwords, and whether SMB is a safe bet now that Time Machine is ditching AFP. All that, and more listener questions answered with your three favorite geeks leading the charge.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1102 for Monday, August 11th, 2025

August 11th: National Align Your Teeth Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway


00:04:13 Your Opinions on MGG’s Titular Methodology?

PowerPress from Bluberry


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Craig-QT-Mirrors are WiFi’s mortal enemy!
00:13:04 Andrew-QT-Clear iPhone keyboard dictionary without Nuke and Pave
00:13:49 Craig-QT-Inspector is better than Get Info
00:16:21 Bruce-QT-1101-Don’t Unlock with Apple Watch to Avoid Dialing!
00:18:58 Steve-QT-1101-Require FaceID for Phone app to avoid butt-dialing


Sponsors

00:20:45 SPONSOR: Webroot. Get 50% off Webroot Total Protection or Webroot Essentials when you go Webroot.com/MGG.
00:22:08 SPONSOR: Strawberry.me. Own Your Future. Discover what’s possible with a professional coach by your side. Visit Strawberry.me/MGG or use code MGG to claim your $50 credit today.
00:23:49 SPONSOR: DeskMat for Mac allows you to cover your Desktop with a single click, providing cleaner screen sharing, video conferencing, streaming, and distraction-free work.


MOAR Quick Tips

00:25:14 Joe-QT-1100-Use Pill Organizers for holding screws during a teardown

iFixit – FixMat




00:27:52 David-QT-1099-AppleScript to move the Dock back to primary monitor

do shell script "defaults write com.apple.dock orientation -string left; killall Dock; sleep 1; defaults write com.apple.dock orientation -string bottom; killall Dock”


Don’t Get Caught

00:30:55 Antony-DGC-Battery Limit Changed “Until Tomorrow” doesn’t always mean “tomorrow”
00:33:04 DGC-Apple’s Calendar.app doesn’t always send invites through Google.
00:36:32 Scott-DGC-Turning Off a Speaker Before Disabling Airplay Can Prevent Normal Function of your Mac Audio


Cool Stuff Found

00:39:21 Seth-CSF-Access: Private Vault for Passwords
00:40:05 What Password Manager do you use?

1Password
Apple Passwords
Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 19 minutes 5 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Life’s Too Short to Deal With Bad Cables
You’ll pick up quick wins this week with smart Mac tips you can use right now. Color-code your USB and Thunderbolt cables so you always grab the right one, and stash them in mesh zipper pouches or a travel organizer so you’re never digging for the right connection. Add Apple Music playlists right to your Mac’s menu bar, trigger Time Machine backups with macOS 26 Shortcuts, and even have ChatGPT read answers aloud to you. Learn how to suss out the speed of your USB-C cables, avoid accidental calls, and know when a higher‑wattage charger is perfectly safe. And remember: when moving from Intel to Apple Silicon, migrate your Homebrew setup properly—Don’t Get Caught re‑installing from scratch.
From troubleshooting with AI without “leading the witness” to discovering that High Sierra is still getting (at least some!) security updates, you’ll walk away sharper than before. We dig into Cool Stuff Found like Dory, a frictionless Mac app switcher, and VueScan, which resurrects old, unsupported scanners. Clean up your cloud clutter, auto‑paste from Messages into any app, and explore apps like Dialed AI to keep your motivation up. Whether you’re traveling, upgrading, or just tidying your digital life, these tips keep you efficient, organized, and ready for anything.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1101 for Monday, August 4th, 2025

August 4th: National Clouded Leopard Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Tom-QT-Color code your USB/Thunderbolt cables for easy identification
00:04:01 Andrew-QT-Add Apple Music Playlists, Albums, and Artists to Your Mac’s Menu Bar
00:05:45 Karl-QT-Apple Music needs to be installed to get audio out of your Lightning port

https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone/


00:10:36 Advice when troubleshooting with AI: Don’t lead the witness!
00:14:43 Tom-QT-1097-Fix the perpetually-incrementing System name numbers
00:17:01 Don’t Get Caught: when migrating from Intel to Apple Silicon you need to reset up all your homebrew stuff

Migrate Homebrew from Intel to Apple Silicon




Sponsors

00:20:27 SPONSOR: Caldera Lab. Guys, don’t settle for drugstore junk or steal your partner’s products—elevate your routine with skincare made for you. Head to CalderaLab.com/MGG and use MGG at checkout for 20% off your first order.
00:21:59 SPONSOR: K12 can help your child start reaching their full potential in life now – and give you the support you need to get them there! Go to K12.com/MGG today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now
00:23:40 SPONSOR: Fireflies AI. Fireflies is the number one AI teammate that transcribes, summarizes, and analyzes your conversations so you can get the most out of every meeting. Get 2 months free at Fireflies.ai/mgg.


MOAR Quick Tips

00:25:14 QT-On a Mac ChatGPT will Read the answer to you
00:26:18 Doug-QT-macOS 26’s Shortcuts Automations can be used to trigger Time Machine and more

Amphetamine


00:29:46 macOS 26 allows auto-paste-from-Messages/Mail into any app, not just Safari
Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 24 minutes 1 second

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
It’s All About Learning How To Fish
You’re diving into Mac Geek Gab 1100, where quick tips flow faster than USB-C power. Learn how dragging files into a blank Finder space automatically creates folders, and why AppleCare One’s $20/month plan might be worth a look. You’ll get hacks for AirPods Pro as earplugs, scanning docs to a thumb drive, and managing your Mac’s noisy notification overload. Curious about how to bulk scan like a pro or fix TestFlight Apple ID merge issues? Adam, Pete, and Dave have you covered.
Things get deeper with listener questions—from phantom iMac reboots to the clever use of dry-erase markers when fixing hardware. You’ll also get practical ways to manage family passwords and discover why teaching someone to fish (figuratively, of course, though fish can be yummy, too!) beats fixing their tech woes every time. Cool Stuff Found includes compression tools, trackable flashlights, and ChromeOS Flex as a Mac revival trick. Don’t Get Caught missing this one—it’s packed with geeky gold.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1100 for Monday, July 28th, 2025

July 28th: National Milk Chocolate Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable


Quick Tips

00:00:01 David-QT-Drag files to a blank space and Finder creates a folder for you
00:06:05 Gary-QT-Apple released a new AppleCare One plan for $20/month

Apple Support App
9to5 Mac’s Article about AppleCare One


00:14:34 Rob-1099-Phonetic vs. Pronunciation Contact Fields


Sponsors

00:16:48 SPONSOR: OpenPhone is the #1 business phone system that streamlines and scales your customer communications. Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/MGG
00:18:17 SPONSOR: TransLoader. Initiate downloads on your Macs, remotely from your iPhone, iPad, and other Macs.
00:19:50 SPONSOR: OWC’s Thunderbolt 5 Dock is now shipping!


MOAR Quick Tips

00:21:07 Adam-Bulk Scanning Quick Tip – Use your all-in-one printer’s direct-to-thumb drive scanning option

Using ChatGPT’s summarization feature to jog your memory for public performance and public speaking
Apple’s Files app scanning option


00:25:00 For AirPods Pro as earplugs, AirPods > Accessibility > Loud Sound Reduction needs to be on

AirPods Magnetic Strap


00:33:41 David-TestFlight can get in the way of merging Apple accounts…and there’s a fix!
00:37:19 Andrew-QT-Some USB-C devices need a USB-A to USB-C cable to properly charge
00:43:05 Chris-QT-Turn Off Notification Sounds on Mac & iPad to Avoid Notification Overload (aka MacProCT)


Sponsors

00:46:05 SPONSOR: Mint Mobile. Cut your wireless bill to just $15 per month at MintMobile.
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3 months ago
1 hour 23 minutes 39 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Stump The Geeks Live from Macstock 2025
Recorded LIVE at Macstock 2025, this episode of Mac Geek Gab is a true “Stump The Geeks” showdown! With zero prep and a crowd full of curveballs, Dave, Pete, and Adam tackled real-time questions and Quick Tips on the fly. You’ll hear how to enable iPhone Mirroring for Mac notifications, rescue iMessages, and stabilize that wandering Dock. From Drobo debates and Apple Maps silence to VPNs with Tailscale and quirky Apple TV issues—this is geek troubleshooting in its rawest form.
Desktop icons shifting, login cert errors, Siri forgetting your name—nothing was off-limits. The crowd kept the trio on their toes with Mac mysteries and clever hacks, like Doc Rock’s red/green card video editing trick. You’ll even find out what wine your favorite geeks prefer. Whether it’s legacy Macs, lost phonetics, or wild goose chases through Apple’s system status, this one’s packed with fast answers and deep dives. Don’t Get Caught unprepared—this episode is live, unscripted, and all in.

Mac Geek Gab 1099 for Monday, July 21st, 2025
July 21 – Invite an Alien to Live with You Day. Also National Junk Food Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable
Stump The Geeks Live from Macstock 2025!

QT: Enable iPhone Mirroring on your Mac, and then you can get iPhone app notifications on your Mac
QT: Pete’s trip from Judy about undeleting iMessages
Rachel: Is Pete’s toga the only thing he’s wearing?
Jill, from the North Woods: Why does my dock keep moving from screen to screen?
Mike: How and when should I replace my Drobo 5D?
Troy: multiple spaces, finder never opens in the space I’m in
Allison: QT: Drobos are worth money to sell on eBay
John F. Braun: What VPN should I use to connect to

Tailscale
You’re a 10.10
Dan: it’s called Subnet Routing




Sponsors

Caldera Lab. Guys, don’t settle for drugstore junk or steal your partner’s products—elevate your routine with skincare made for you. Head to CalderaLab.com/MGG and use MGG at checkout for 20% off your first order.
K12 can help your child start reaching their full potential in life now – and give you the support you need to get them there! Go to K12.com/MGG today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now
BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.


More Stump The Geeks Live from Macstock 2025

Lynda: Why does Apple Maps no longer speak?
Dave: Why does my Apple TV not Appear in HomeKit anymore?
Patrick: Why do my drive icons move when my Mac wakes up
Father John – CSF – Desktop Icon Manager will fix desktop icons in their locations
Lynda: Follow-up on Apple Maps. Sometimes the icon appears
Blair: what to do with a 2010 iMac?
OCLP: Open Core Legacy Patcher
Elementary OS


Sponsors

Wix puts incredible website creation at your fingertips with their AI site builder. It’s fun and it’s drag-and-drop easy. Go to Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 16 minutes 13 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Doing The AirPods Dance
You’re swimming in Quick Tips this week on Mac Geek Gab 1098! You’ll learn how to fix flaky Apple TV Wi-Fi, make your AirPods fit better (hint: flip ’em), and finally tame Hot Corners with a smart modifier key. Discover the secret to custom routes in Apple Maps on iOS 18 and why renaming flags in Mail might be the power move you didn’t know you needed. Oh—and don’t forget: July 14th is National Tape Measure Day, so measure twice before you trigger that accidental corner action.
Then it’s your questions answered, from routers with nerdy flexibility to iCloud alias issues and Apple Music migration woes. We dive into why not all USB-C cables are created equal—seriously, Don’t Get Caught with the wrong one—and help you vet display brightness before buying. Plus, Cool Stuff Found brings Raspberry Pi Time Machine backups, Copilot Money, and Setapp’s killer image tools. Always be learning, always be tweaking—just don’t get stuck with bad cables.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1098 for Monday, July 14th, 2025

July 14th: National Tape Measure Day
Police Code 10-98 – Assignment Completed…or…JailBreak! (why can’t both be true?)
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Jim-QT-Add a modifier key to hot corners to keep from accidentally triggering them
00:02:12 Chicago Tom-QT-Renaming Flags in Apple Mail
00:04:54 rnDoug-QT-Flip your AirPods upside down to resolve fit issues
00:08:36 MySpoonIsTooBig & ChicagoTom-QT-Possible fixes for flaky Apple TV Wi-Fi connections
00:10:32 Chicago Tom-QT-Apple Maps lets you do custom routes in iOS 18, too…kinda


Sponsors

00:13:33 SPONSOR: K12 can help your child start reaching their full potential in life now – and give you the support you need to get them there! Go to K12.com/MGG today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now
00:15:04 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Get six months of the team plan for startups for FREE at Coda.io/mgg.
00:16:21 SPONSOR: Constant Contact makes marketing easier and more effective for small businesses like yours. Try Constant Contact free for 30 days at ConstantContact.com


Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

00:17:54 Michael-Should I consolidate Dropbox into iCloud to save $$?

Mint Mobile (it’ll cut your “big three” cell phone bill in half)


00:25:28 Eddie-I need a good, standalone router with some nerdy flexibility

Synology WRX560
GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000)
UniFi Cloud Gateway Max (doesn’t have Wi-Fi, so you’d need to add that)


00:30:28 Ian-Why can’t I receive to my new iCloud aliases?

Check out NosillaCast


00:34:02 Michael-New iPhone and watch craziness


Sponsors

00:41:29 SPONSOR: Function Health gives you access to the kind of data most people never see—and the insights to actually take action. Visit Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 19 minutes 2 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Bring Your Own Dog
You’re in for a fast-paced ride with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton as they dive into power-user Quick Tips that’ll change your Apple game. From lightning-fast navigation in Notes to creating Spotify-style stations in Apple Music, and securing your Time Machine volumes inside encrypted APFS containers, this episode is loaded. You’ll rearrange CarPlay apps like a pro, check your battery with Siri, and streamline iCloud Mail aliases. And if you haven’t played with ChatGPT’s new voice mode recently, you’re missing out—it’s weirdly friendly.
Then it’s a hard turn into real-world snags, like when JP’s HomePod stopped being a Home Hub—Don’t Get Caught like he did. Adam tries—and fails—to merge his Apple IDs, raising red flags for developer account holders. Cool Stuff Found includes retro-modern turntables from Victrola (this month’s MGG giveaway!) and a handy AirPods noise guide. Listener questions dig into hostname quirks and CarPlay glitches, and the crew weighs in on Apple’s 2026 OS betas. Pilot Pete gives iOS 26 a solid 95%, so maybe it’s time to test the waters—maybe just not on your main device?

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1097 for Monday, July 7th, 2025

July 7th: World Chocolate Day
Police Code 10-97 – Arrived at Scene
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
We’ll be doing MGG Live at Macstock on Saturday, July 12th! Join us, and use our coupon code: MACGEEKGAB50 to save $50!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Dan-QT-Tab from Notes List to get to Start of Note
00:04:44 Tony-QT-Apple Music Create Station – Spotify also
00:06:06 Allen-QT-Encrypt your Time Machine Volumes inside an APFS container

2TB Crucial X9 Pro SSD


00:08:18 Joe-QT-Apple iCloud Mail Aliases
00:11:08 Steve-QT-With CarPlay (or not) you can ask Siri for your iPhone’s battery percentage
00:13:24 Who is using Alexa+ Early Access?
00:17:39 ChatGPT’s voice mode…is friendlier
00:18:40 Gary-QT-ReArrange Apps in CarPlay to suit your needs!
00:19:59 Tim-QT-Show alternate directions in Apple Maps CarPlay


Sponsors

00:21:06 SPONSOR: Fireflies AI. Fireflies is the number one AI teammate that transcribes, summarizes, and analyzes your conversations so you can get the most out of every meeting. Get 2 months free at Fireflies.ai/mgg.
00:22:34 SPONSOR: Strawberry.me. Own Your Future. Discover what’s possible with a professional coach by your side. Visit Strawberry.me/MGG or use code MGG to claim your $50 credit today.


Don’t Get Caught

00:23:53 JP-I got caught with my HomePod stopping acting as a HomeHub
00:30:49 Fr-John-DGC Follow Up-CleanMyMac Not as effective as MacUpdater
00:31:48 Bob-CSF-Latest lets you check for software updates on your Mac


On Merging Your Apple IDs

00:33:11 Adam could NOT merge his two Apple IDs, possibly because he has a developer account?


Sponsors

00:44:07 SPONSOR: Caldera Lab. Guys, don’t settle for drugstore junk or steal your partner’s products—elevate your routine with skincare made for you.
Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 19 minutes 18 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
He's Mr. Hundred and One!
You’re about to level up your tech game with Quick Tips and Cool Stuff Found that’ll make you wonder how you ever lived without them. From keeping tabs on low AirPods battery via the Today view widget to renaming your Spaces for better Mac workflow, it’s all here. Discover magnetic AirTag mounts, a Zulu Time converter, a portable vac/blower combo, and even a 10Gbps SSD that’s thinner than your AirPods case. And if you’ve been craving better backups, networked Time Machine options from Synology and Buffalo make an appearance, too. Don’t Get Caught without them.
Ever thought of doing a clean install straight from macOS Settings? You can. Migrating from Intel to Apple Silicon? Yeah, it “just works.” Plus, we answer listener questions on fixing autocorrect quirks, exporting text replacements, and balancing podcast audio using tools like Overcast and Levelator. Got a slow-booting iMac? Try verbose mode and dive deep with the Terminal. And if you’re monitor shopping, we’ve got budget picks ranging from Sceptre to Philips. This episode’s packed—just the way you like it.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1096 for Monday, June 30th, 2025

June 30th: Social Media Day
What is “Wook Flu”?
Police Code 10-96 – Mental patient / Detain suspect
MGG Monthly Giveaway – 1MORE Sonoflow Headphones
We’ll be doing MGG Live at Macstock on Saturday, July 12th! Join us, and use our coupon code: MACGEEKGAB50 to save $50!


Quick Tips

00:00:01 Scott-QT-Use the Batteries widget in Today view to see low AirPods


Cool Stuff Found

00:03:29 Richard-CSF-AirTag Magnetic Aero
00:05:02 Ben-CSF-Spaces Renamer to assign names to your Mac’s spaces
00:06:25 Andrew-CSF-Time Zone Converter for Zulu Time
00:09:01 CSF-Ampace Andes 1500 Power Station
00:13:18 CSF-Scosche Portable Vac / Blower


Sponsors

00:16:16 SPONSOR: Wix puts incredible website creation at your fingertips with their AI site builder. It’s fun and it’s drag-and-drop easy. Go to Wix.com to start building your website today. Click this link https://bit.ly/43XQ3JB to start your free trial with Wix.
00:17:34 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Secure your privacy with SurfShark. Go to https://surfshark.com/mgg or use code MGG at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!


Cool Stuff Found for backups and more

00:18:51 CSF-Crucial 2TB SSD – 10GBps USB-C – $121 (about the size than an AirPods case)

CSF-Anker 4-in1 USB-C Hub
Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI)


00:24:18 Partitioning vs. Multiple Volumes with APFS
Show more...
4 months ago
1 hour 16 minutes 49 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Is it appleOS 26? Or aquaOS 26?
Ready to upgrade or migrate your Mac? You’ll learn the smartest way to do it from Adam’s shiny new M4 MacBook Pro to migration tips that help you avoid the dreaded cruft. Whether you’re going Mac-to-Mac over Thunderbolt or restoring from Time Machine, we’ve got you covered. Don’t forget those “On My Mac” Mail folders, and hey—CleanMyMac’s SpaceLens is back. If you’re rocking the MacBook Air vs. the Pro, brightness matters (hint: 500 nits vs. 1600 nits!), and we break it down so you don’t get burned.
This week’s quick tips hit hard: from iPhone Mirroring on your Mac to binder clips as minimalist wallets (yes, really). We’ve got AirTags, Apple Music hacks, and a live activity trick to boost your focus. Need image compression or automation tools? Retrobatch and Lingon Pro 10 make the list. As always, Don’t Get Caught—like we did when our episodes wouldn’t even play on Apple Podcasts in some cases. From Flipper Zero hotel tricks to your iPhone’s audio quirks in the car, it’s all here.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1095 for Monday, June 23rd, 2025

June 23rd: International Women in Engineering Day
Police Code 10-95 – Officer’s Residence
MGG Monthly Giveaway – 1MORE Sonoflow Headphones
We’ll be doing MGG Live at Macstock on Saturday, July 12th! Join us, and use our coupon code: MACGEEKGAB50 to save $50!


00:03:59 Adam’s New M4 MacBook Pro

It’s all about the nits (and ProMotion)

MacBook Air = 500nits
MacBook Pro = 1600nits


1TB/24GB RAM


00:07:33 Adam’s Migration Path to his new Mac

First, Update all backups
Then Migration Assistant from a USB Time Machine Backup
For direct computer-to-computer migrations, start handshake over Wi-Fi, then plug-in Thunderbolt


00:12:41 Gary-What’s the best Mac-to-Mac migration path while avoiding cruft

Don’t forget about Mail that’s only “On My Mac”
Or Migration Assistant then CleanMyMac
CleanMyMac gets SpaceLens back!


Sponsors

00:22:04 SPONSOR: Surfshark. Secure your privacy with SurfShark. Go to https://surfshark.com/mgg or use code MGG at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!
00:23:23 SPONSOR: OWC’s Envoy Ultra, their super-fast Thunderbolt 5 SSD.
00:24:41 SPONSOR: IDEO U. Practical, relevant courses designed to seamlessly transition you from theory to practice. Get 15% off at IDEOU.com/mgg.


Quick Tips

00:00:01 n-DLH-QT-Setup iPhone Mirroring and get all Notifications on your Mac
00:26:12 P2-QT-AirTags are Magnetic…Why?
00:30:02 QT-Use a binder clip as your wallet

High-end binder clip wallet


00:32:08 Andrew-QT-Use iCloud.com if you’re concerned about putting your iCloud account on a work device
00:33:22 Andrew-QT-Use Favorite Playlists for Apple Music
00:36:51 Michael-QT-Tap the Now Playing Live Activity on iPhone to see more detail…and focu...
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4 months ago
1 hour 20 minutes 26 seconds

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Get answers to your Apple tech questions every week! Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete share tips, tricks, and troubleshooting advice for your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and more — all delivered in a fun, friendly way that helps geeks and everyday users alike. Don’t Get Caught without your tech working right!