Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

You dig into the little things macOS quietly does for you, starting with the surprising truth about Clipboard History and why macOS 26 might feel slower than you’d expect. You explore ways to rein things in, from taming runaway apps to making better use of iPhone Mirroring and clever video capture tricks. Along the way, you’re reminded that old hardware still has value if you give it purpose, and that blind trust in AI troubleshooting can lead you astray faster than it helps. This is where staying curious beats staying complacent, and where “Don’t Get Caught” is more than a catchphrase. Then you move into the real-world problem solving that defines Mac Geek Gab: networking quirks that break expectations, WiFi settings that ignore reservations, and router updates that change the rules midstream. You also get clear, practical guidance on buying the right Mac, migrating only what you actually need, hunting down duplicate files, and reclaiming menu bar space from the notch. Even photo libraries get a reality check, helping you decide what truly needs to live inside Photos. It’s a fast-moving episode packed with answers you can use immediately, designed to keep your setup efficient, intentional, and frustration-free. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1121 for Monday, December 22nd, 2025 December 22nd: International Day of Mathematics MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of OpenIn! The MGG Merch Store is Live! MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors: BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)! Eero Ecamm MacPaw CCC Backup Quick Tips 00:00:02 QT-Turns out macOS keeps your Clipboard History? 00:04:59 macOS 26 is slowing down Dave’s Macs App Tamer helps a little bit 00:15:00 Adam-QT-Use your iPhone Mirroring on your Mac 00:17:59 Dale-QT-Video capture your devices’ “I’m Charged” states 00:19:27 Kent-QT-CSF, or One Thing To Do With an Old iPad DAKboard.com Sponsors 00:22:27 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/mgg #rulapod 00:23:41 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support Don’t Get Caught 00:24:57 Beware of Troubleshooting with ChatGPT and Gell-mann Amnesia 00:27:59 Pilot Pete-DGC-Private WiFi Address doesn’t honor DHCP Reservation 00:32:36 Craig-DGC-Updated my Orbi and it won’t let me set DHCP Reservations within the Dynamic DHCP Pool IP Range MGG Reviews 00:43:36 NYCkRon-MGG Review-Learn new things 00:44:29 Scotty Southard-MGG Review-Outstanding Mac Tips, New Stuff Found and Great Knowledge Sponsors 00:46:33 SPONSOR: Copilot Money. Your money, beautifully organized, now across every device. For a limited-time, get 26% off your first year when you sign up at https://try.copilot.money/macgeekgab. Get two months free with code ‘macgeekgab’. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:48:18 Elbert-How much Mac shall I buy? Refurb.me 00:58:40 Jose-Can I migrate just my user settings to a new Mac without migrating an entire account? 01:05:13 Gary-How can I easily find duplicate files on my Mac? MacPaw’s Gemini 2 (it’s in Setapp!) Find Any File Scripts for Duplicate Finding 01:08:04 David-How do I keep Fantastical (or any app) from being hidden by my menu bar notch! Command-Drag that menu bar icon! Set a keyboard shortcut for it 01:13:27 Donald-Do I have to import all my photos into a library? 01:16:58 MGG 1121 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You jump straight into a rapid-fire run of Quick Tips that quietly level up how you use your devices every day. You learn how iOS 26 now shows charging time right on the lock screen, how to build polished collages in Pages or Canva without paying a dime, and how to finally extract and archive your full iMessage history using proper database tools instead of hacks. Along the way, you tweak haptics for better feedback, realize the iOS Stocks app works just fine on a Mac, and discover how a simple Command-Shift-2 move inside ChatGPT can instantly pull screenshots into your workflow. The throughline is efficiency without sloppiness, because convenience is great until it compromises control. Don’t Get Caught. Then things get deeper, and more fun. You wrestle with real-world troubleshooting, from intermittent freezing in Tahoe to why subjective sleep scores still matter if you want to manage what you monitor. Siri’s growing confusion about dates and times turns into a full-blown intercontinental misunderstanding, and the team breaks down the alphabet soup of 5G variants so you know what your phone is actually using. The final stretch becomes a live, unscripted tech support jam session, digging into creative AirTag placement, pasting clipboards as keystrokes, and reorganizing applications with surgical precision. It’s messy, methodical, and exactly how real problem-solving happens when the mics are on and the answers are not obvious. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1120 for Monday, December 15th, 2025 December 15th: International Tea Day MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of OpenIn! The MGG Merch Store is Live! MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors: BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)! Eero Ecamm MacPaw CCC Backup Quick Tips 00:00:01 QT-iOS 26 lock screen has charging time 00:04:38 Jim-QT-Use Pages to Make a Collage! Don’t Pay! Canva, too. 00:07:37 Chris-QT-Get a useable complete iMessage History DB Browser for SQLite Base for SQLite on Setapp 00:09:33 Robert-CSF-1118–iMessage-Exporter to archive your iMessages 00:12:46 Todd-QT-1119-Increase Haptic Prominence 00:14:15 Bill-QT-Stocks App iOS QT Works on a Mac too! 00:15:52 QT-Command-Shift-2 in ChatGPT immediately adds a screenshot of your most-recent window Shottr A discussion about using ChatGPT, et al, and finding your place on the continuum between privacy and convenience. One year free Perplexity subscription if you have PayPal VS Code CoPilot ChatGPT integration Google Antigravity 00:26:16 QT-ChatGPT, use these screenshots to help me build a formula for Google Sheets Sponsors 00:27:27 SPONSOR: Udacity is an online learning platform with courses in AI and Tech. For 40% off your order, head to Udacity.com/MGG and use code MGG. 00:28:44 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/MACGEEK Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:29:59 Kirit-Tahoe, freezing from time to time 00:34:19 Bob, MD-1119-If sleep score is so subjective, why use it? That which is monitored is managed 00:41:17 Antony-Does Siri Know What Day It Is? 00:48:19 What’s the difference between 5G, 5G+, 5G UC, and 5G UW? 00:51:48 Time For an Intercontinental Misunderstanding Sponsors 00:53:32 SPONSOR: Aura Frames. Relive your favorite holiday traditions—every day. Visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames – named #1 by Wirecutter – by using promo code MGG at checkout. MOAR Quick Tips 00:55:30 Scott-QT-Creative Air Tag Locations 00:57:42 Pilot Pete-QT-Paste Clipboard as Keystrokes – Native to Mac OS 01:09:20 Chris-QT-Add folders to label Applications 01:19:43 MGG 1120 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You dive into a packed Cool Stuff Found episode this week, moving fast from sensor-powered tinkering with phyphox to smarter dictation using Wispr Flow, altitude readouts in CarPlay, and Emby’s upgraded media management. You get practical wins too: safer file sharing with MetaWipe, smoother workflows through PopClip, a road-tested Nomatic backpack, and Picmal for quick local media conversions. Then the conversation flips to your questions: which sleep score app you can trust, how the new Journals app handles multiple journals, and how to make notifications behave when your Apple Watch is on your wrist. Don’t Get Caught missing the deep cuts. You also hear clear guidance on backup safety, with SuperDuper, Carbon Copy Cloner, ChronoSync, and Backblaze each playing a different role depending on how you protect your data. To wrap things up, the crew tackles border ID differences between REAL ID and passports, whether upgrading to macOS Tahoe or Sequoia is the smarter move, and a listener warning about bottom-filled beers that’s both funny and useful. It’s a full tour of tech insight and practical nerd wisdom, delivered at MGG speed. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1119 for Monday, December 8th, 2025 December 8th: Take it in the Ear Day MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of OpenIn! The MGG Merch Store is Live! MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors: BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)! Eero Ecamm MacPaw CCC Backup Cool Stuff Found 00:00:01 Ian-CSF-phyphox gives you ALL the Sensors on your Phone to play with! 00:07:44 David-CSF-Wispr Flow for Dictation 00:10:02 Bob-CSF-Altimeter & Barometer Pro shows your altitude in a CarPlay widget 00:11:56 P2-CSF-Emby Media Server Emby Metadata Enhanced Plugin Plex 00:16:29 Michael-CSF-1117–MetaWipe to safely send files 00:20:17 Tony-GG-Popclip app is super handy and affordable 00:22:04 Dave-GG-Nomatic Travel Backpack been using all year 00:27:58 Alberto-CSMade-Picmal converts and compresses images, videos, and audio files locally on your Mac Sponsors 00:30:11 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. 00:31:51 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:33:10 Tony-Which App’s sleep score is best? Sleep++ Withings Sleep Apple Sleep Score 00:48:33 Journals app now supports multiple journals Sponsors 00:49:31 SPONSOR: Superhuman. Get AI that works where you work. Unlock your Superhuman potential. Learn more at Superhuman.com/PODCAST 00:50:54 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. MOAR Questions 00:52:23 Brian-How to Get Notifications on my Phone With an Apple Watch on My Wrist 00:59:25 Raptor-Is it OK to run backups in the background on your Mac? SuperDuper! CCC Backup ChronoSync Backblaze 01:03:57 WPooka-MGG Review-Great show Don’t Get Caught 01:08:49 Dave-DGC-Differences between REAL ID and US Passport at Land Borders 01:12:12 SonoMacGuy-DGC-Update Sequoia -v- Upgrade to Tahoe 01:16:20 Gray-DGC-Beware the bottom-filled beers! 01:17:30 MGG 1119 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You kick off this episode with a rapid-fire blast of Quick Tips that sharpen how you use your Mac, iPhone, and apps every day. You learn how to tame iOS typing quirks, get the most out of dictation in ChatGPT’s Mac app, clean up Safari’s sidebar, and jump straight into System Settings with an alphabetical view. Then you dive into the spam-text battlefield, where forwarding to 7726, filtering, and blocking help you stay ahead. And because it’s Mac Geek Gab, you’re reminded: Don’t Get Caught letting your smart TV monitor more than you expect. From there, you get practical answers to real listener questions: backing up external Photos Libraries, deciding whether you trust Tailscale (and your relatives!), keeping network drives mounted in macOS 26, and dealing with the fact that Messages aren’t included in your Apple Data Archive. You round things out with a strong Cool Stuff Found segment covering tools to clean your menu bar, manage your watch history, secure your Mac, replace Bento, and more. It’s a full week of tips that tighten your workflow and expand what your Apple gear can do for you. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1118 for Monday, December 1st, 2025 December 1st: Eat a Red Apple Day MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of OpenIn! The MGG Merch Store is Live! MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors: BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)! Eero Ecamm MacPaw CCC Backup Quick Tips 00:00:01 Darrin-QT-Set Amazon Auto Buy 00:04:47 Susan-QT-Maybe disable “slide to type” to tame iOS typing? 00:07:09 QTR-Dictating to ChatGPT’s Mac App is really handy 00:07:59 Bruce-QT-1116-Manage Safari’s Sidebar to your liking 00:09:11 Gene-QT-System Settings Alphabetical List 00:13:28 DGC-Dealing with those SPAM Text Messages Forwarding to 7726 Reports SPAM to your carrier Screen, filter, report, and block text messages on iPhone Don’t Get Caught 00:18:09 Todd-DGC-Beware of your TV selling data about you 00:22:45 ATC-DGC-Know about Mouse Keys Sponsors 00:27:02 SPONSOR: Aura Frames. Relive your favorite holiday traditions—every day. Visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames – named #1 by Wirecutter – by using promo code MGG at checkout. 00:28:39 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! Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:29:48 Larry-How to back-up an external Photos Library? Task Organization – Bombich Software 00:33:25 Allison-How MUCH do you believe in Tailscale…and your relatives? Splashtop 00:37:23 DLH-1117-Messages are not a part of your Apple Data Archive iMazing 00:44:14 Uncle Jamie-Keep Network Drives Mounted on MacOS 26? Automounter for macOS MGG Discord 00:46:45 SccrHallways-CSF-Google Antigravity agentic IDE for coding Sponsors 00:54:32 SPONSOR: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/mgg #rulapod 00:56:14 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. Cool Stuff Found 00:57:36 Terry-CSF-Moonlock Security Suite by MacPaw (Setapp) 01:00:43 Allison-CSF-Ice for managing your Mac’s menu bar 01:02:00 n-Greg from LA-CSF-Vanilla to Manage your Mac’s Menubar 01:04:44 TheDaveAbides-CSF-Plex Universal Watchlist and Channels Stream Links Stream Link Manager for Channels 01:06:53 Joe-QT-1115–Trakt only stores your passwords on your local device(s) 01:12:08 Mark M-CSF-1112–Tap Forms Pro as a great Bento/Filemaker replacement AirTable Panorama X 01:14:16 MGG 1118 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You kick off this week’s episode on D. B. Cooper Day with a rapid-fire mix of fresh iOS 26 tricks and Mac power-moves. You learn how iOS 26’s haptic call alerts work, how Alfred can shut down your Mac faster than any menu, and how Forklift’s sync feature rivals DeltaWalker without any hassle. Shortcuts get smarter with automated sleep tracking, Command-P becomes your instant PDF escape hatch, and you get clarity on when you do and don’t need to hand over your phone as a digital ID. Listener follow-ups keep the energy rolling, including a reminder to rethink long-held holiday assumptions and a shoutout to Tailscale for keeping your tech effortlessly connected. Then it’s time to sharpen your defensive instincts so you Don’t Get Caught. You hear how to avoid being stranded without a wireless charger, why sending photos can leak your location, and what to do when the Mac App Store refuses to update your apps. You dig into undeleting Mail quirks, discover where your iPhone hides space-hogging files, and pick up smart workflows for offloading Messages media with CCC, iMazing, and Apple’s GDPR archive. You close with a simple breakdown of SSH so you can finally understand what’s happening when you open that mysterious Remote Login switch. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1117 for Monday, November 24th, 2025 November 24th: D.B. Cooper Day MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your own OpenCase! The MGG Merch Store is Live! 00:11:12 MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors: BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)! Eero Ecamm MacPaw Quick Tips 00:00:01 Alex-QT-iOS 26 adds haptic vibrations for connected and dropped calls 00:05:18 MoeCoffee-1116-Use Alfred to Shut Down your Mac 00:06:30 Forklift has a Sync Function – Much like Delta Walker 00:07:59 Paul-Create a shortcut to automatically Start Sleep Analysis 00:11:32 Todd-QT-Add Command-P to Save as PDF 00:13:52 Pilot Pete-QT-Follow Up – No Need to Hand Over Phone Digital ID Sponsors 00:17:42 SPONSOR: Aura Frames. Relive your favorite holiday traditions—every day. Visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames – named #1 by Wirecutter – by using promo code MGG at checkout. 00:19:44 SPONSOR: Udacity is an online learning platform with courses in AI and Tech. You can try Udacity risk-free for seven days. Head to Udacity.com/MGG and use code MGG for 40% off your order. Follow-ups and Reviews 00:21:10 Paul & Ben-Was the last episode Wednesday or Monday? 00:23:41 MGG Review-T. Hongo-An Apple Geeks home for tips and tricks 00:25:51 Brian-Tell us the story about the Santa mind-shift, Dave! 00:32:22 Joe-Let’s Hear It for Tailscale Don’t Get Caught 00:35:42 ATC-DGC-Without A Wireless Charger 00:43:09 GW-DGC-Sending Photos Sends GeoData! Sponsors 00:47:16 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG 00:48:36 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. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:50:12 Rob-Why doesn’t Mac App Store update all my apps? 00:53:50 ED-Why does mail sometimes undelete my emails? Mail > Mailboxes > Rebuild Mailbox 00:57:58 Steve-How can I clean up my iPhone storage? [home]/Library/Photos/Libraries/Syndication.photoslibrary/ 01:02:48 A solution for offloading your Messages media CCC Backup to sync photos to a new destination iMazing to archive messages Request a data archive from Apple for your data 01:09:49 Steve-What is SSH-ing? System Settings > General > Sharing > Remote Login 01:18:19 MGG 1117 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors: BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)! Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You kick off with a blast of rapid-fire tips: instantly saving PDFs from Google Docs, digging photos out of Messages, moving your playlists into Apple Music with iOS 26, tightening up your Digital ID setup, wrangling mail right inside a message, and even retraining Siri when she goes off the rails. Then you dig into listener questions: how to avoid phishing traps, whether segmenting IoT gear actually improves security, and how to bypass that annoying shutdown confirmation. Sleep-tracking follow-ups, auto-opening Safari’s sidebar, and a perfectly absurd detour into fattening up backyard squirrels keep things moving. Through it all, you avoid the pitfalls and, of course, Don’t Get Caught. From there, the next iteration of the Gift Guide rolls out, finding those products that are so embedded into our lives we forget about them: Hue bulbs for whole-home color, the Snap Grip for better shooting on the go, the Olight for serious flashlight needs, AirPods Pro with live translation tricks, single-ear noise canceling, and Comply tips for comfort. You wrap with Cool Stuff Found, including What Three Words for location smarts and the clever NoLongerEvil workaround to resurrect aging Nest thermostats. Punchy, practical, and full of the good bits you can use right now. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1116 for Monday, November 17th, 2025 November 17th: National Homemade Bread Day MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your own OpenCase! The MGG Merch Store is Live! MGG CES 2026 Sponsors: BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)! Quick Tips 00:00:01 QT-Command+P in Google Docs immediately saves a PDF 00:04:57 P2-QT-Find a Photo in Messages 00:08:45 n-JKDawson-QT-iOS 26 lets you transfer music from other services to Apple Music 00:10:53 QT-Set up your Apple Digital ID 00:16:30 QT-iOS Mail management from within the message 00:18:10 Ben-QT-Retrain Siri if She’s Not working on your Watch Sponsors 00:24:22 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. 00:26:07 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. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:19:23 Paul-How best to avoid phishing scams? 00:28:27 Dan DXZDB-What are the impacts of putting IOT devices on a separate Wi-Fi network? 00:36:37 Steven-Q-Getting Around the ‘Are You Sure’ prompt when shutting down Shutdown and Restart Keystrokes sudo shutdown -h now 00:41:52 OurStanley-Sleep Cycle Follow-up 00:44:46 Fattening Up The Squirrels 00:45:26 Dick-How to auto-open Safari with the Bookmarks Sidebar visible? Sponsors 00:49:06 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/MACGEEK 00:50:38 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. Gift Guide 00:52:15 GG-Philips Hue Full Color Bulbs 00:56:15 GG-OhSnap Snap Grip 00:58:41 GG-Olight ArkPro Flashlights 01:02:31 GG-Airpods Pro 3 01:02:49 AirPods Pro Live Translation review 01:04:22 AirPods Pro single-ear noise canceling 01:05:51 Comply AirPods Foam Tips Cool Stuff Found 01:08:08 Jeff-CSF-What Three Words & Some Use Cases 01:10:25 CSF-NoLongerEvil-Thermostat brings Nest thermostats back online 01:19:19 MGG 1116 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

This week on Mac Geek Gab, you, Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton dive headfirst into a whirlwind of Quick Tips and real-world Apple wisdom. You’ll learn how to clean up those pesky “recovered” Messages folders, fine-tune your Apple TV profiles, and even adjust the contentious “Liquid Glass” effect on your devices. Apple might be making the iPhone feel more Android-like, but you’ll still stay one step ahead with tips like checking your Apple Watch battery health directly from your wrist, tightening up that Mac menu bar spacing, and using ChatGPT safely in CarPlay (just remember to ask it, “Are you sure?”). From mastering sleep tracking apps to making Mail behave across devices, you’ll find out exactly how to fix what’s bugging you—and how to keep your tech life running smooth. Then it’s on to your questions and Cool Stuff Found, where the crew reveals clever AirTag hiding spots, bookmark-organizing tricks, and gift-worthy gear like LED light strips and power inverters for your car. Whether you’re fine-tuning your sleep cycle or supercharging your workflow with Obsidian, there’s always a shortcut, hack, or hidden feature to uncover. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and—most importantly—you’ll make sure you Don’t Get Caught by the next digital dilemma. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1115 for Monday, November 10th, 2025 November 10th: Marine Corps Birthday (and World Science Day!) MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your own OpenCase! The MGG Merch Store is Live! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Joe-QT-Stocks App – Find Delta of Stock Price for any two points in time! 00:03:44 Dave-QT-26.1 Lets You Adjust Liquid Glass on iOS, macOS…but not watchOS. Here’s a workaround. 00:06:21 Apple has Android-ized the iPhone Palm Treo 650 00:09:24 Pilot Pete-QT-Delete “recovered” Messages Folders to clean up and gain (a little) space 00:12:34 Harvey-QT-Setting Default Apple TV Profiles (and Bill, too!) 00:14:26 Andrew-QT-Check your Apple Watch battery health…only on your Watch Withings Sleep Pad from MGG 1114 00:17:36 Heart rate discussion 00:18:56 Bill-QT-Adjusting the white space in menu bar! 00:20:10 ChatGPT widget in CarPlay 00:23:41 But ChatGPT lies sometimes: ask it “Are you sure?” Sponsors 00:25:04 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 00:26:34 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. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:28:47 Bob-Fixing Non-Syncing Mailboxes 00:35:28 Raptor-Why does Mail on my iPhone default to Trash and my wife’s is Archive? Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > [account name] > Account Settings > Advanced and then under “Move Discarded Messages Into” you can choose “Deleted Mailbox” or “Archive Mailbox”. 00:39:58 James-Are there any devices or apps that wake you during light sleep? Beautyrest Sleep Tracker AutoSleep Sleep Cycle app 00:47:54 CSF: Ringconn gen 2 air Sponsors 00:44:57 SPONSOR: Superhuman. Get AI that works where you work. Unlock your Superhuman potential. Learn more at Superhuman.com/PODCAST 00:46:19 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 Questions Answered 00:49:26 Steve-How do I organize my Safari Bookmarks? Obsidian 00:58:27 John-What is the Mail icon that appears near the trash can in my Dock? System Settings > Desktop & Dock > “Minimize windows into application icon” 01:01:55 Roy-Where are some good AirTag locations in my car? Gift Guide 01:05:06 Dave-GG-Cync LED Strip 01:07:52 Pilot Pete-GG-Pro Chaser Vehicle Power Inverter Car Jump Starter Cool Stuff Found 01:13:23 Dan-CSF-1114–Trakt for Apple TV will help you know what to watch next 01:17:12 MGG 1115 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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 Monday, 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 gusto.com/MGG Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:48:23 John-Which AirPods should I get for my wife…and where? AirPods 4 Check Refurbished AirPods But they’re less expensive at Amazon for the AirPods Pro 2 Comply Tips for AirPods Pro 00:56:42 Kirit-Tahoe vs. the Third Party Utilities Cool Stuff Found 01:02:50 Scott-CSF-1112–Hidden Bar for managing your menu bar 01:04:55 Chris from Malta-1111–OVMS OBD Adapter for your Car 01:06:22 Terry-CSF-AAA Auto Club app adds CarPlay features GasBuddy 01:10:10 DLH-CSF-Withings Sleep Pad 01:12:32 Scott-CSF-1112–prettyJSON for Safari makes JSON look…prettier! 01:13:37 Bryan-1112-Logitech Brio 500 with Show Mode for your on-desk whiteboard Gift Guide 01:15:00 Adam-GG-10-Year Battery Adhesive Mount for AirTag TagVault – AirTag Security Mount 01:18:50 MGG 1114 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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 Monday, 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-Scosche ScoVac 4 in 1 Mini Vac & Duster $69.99 (with the $10 coupon) 01:00:07 Dave-GG-Sifely Fingerprint Smart door lock 01:07:35 Adam-GG-iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit 01:10:17 Dave-GG-Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard for Mac 01:12:00 The Severance Keyboard 01:15:17 MGG 1113 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly MOAR Geeks Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network  

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 Monday, 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, et al-QT-Synology no longer requiring first party drives Christopher-Synology DSM 7.3 is out, and relaxes drive restrictions) 00:34:28 Apple TV & Peacock Bundle 00:37:02 Apple’s new M5 Chip New M5-based MacBook Pro 00:43:11 New M5-based Apple Vision Pro The way Apple upgraded this is more like the way they upgrade computers vs. iPhones and Watches 00:49:14 The M5 is only the M5 for now (no Pro or Max) Sponsors 00:51:49 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. MGG Gift Guide 00:53:32 Dave-GG-7” Aftermarket Wireless CarPlay Screen ($49) 00:56:24 Adam-GG-CarLinkIt 5.0 Wireless CarPlay adapter ($55) 00:59:52 Pete-GG-Air Tags on Sale $64.99 / 4-pack 01:02:07 Dave-GG-Quartet Glass Dry Erase Desktop Computer Pad ($28) 01:03:51 Pete-GG-UGREEN Airplane Bluetooth 6.0 Transmitter Receiver for 2 Flight, TV, Car Stereo ($19) 01:06:04 Pete-GG SARISUN Airplane Head Strap with Eye Mask for Sleep Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 01:07:16 Paul-Should I upgrade macOS 26? Bartender 6 for macOS 26 01:14:45 Michelle-1110-Safari indexing was broken until 26.0.1 01:18:52 MGG 1112 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network  

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 Monday, 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 watch Do HomePods work as TV sound? 00:43:50 Andy-1110-Stereo Speakers can work for TV 00:49:09 n-Blake-1110-I Switched from a Center Channel to 2 HomePods and love it! Cool Stuff Found 00:49:49 JFB-CSF-FIXD Car Scanner Kinda like the old Automatic OBD2 adapter 00:54:39 Fist shake for Mercedes! 00:56:23 JFB-QT-Put an AirTag in your car Just don’t let it fall into the suckwich! 00:58:00 Check OBD Fusion for open source OBD-software 00:59:36 Tony-CSF-Folder Quick Look BetterZip’s QuickLook Extension 01:03:17 Avraham-CSF-AirBattery shows your Mouse’s battery level 01:05:27 Another fist shake for Mercedes – No battery warning for FOB 01:08:18 Terry-CSF-O2 Buddy: Blood Oxygen brings Blood Oxygen data back to Apple Watch 01:13:20 Tom-CSF-Parachute Backup for iCloud 01:15:14 JFB-CSF-Brother DCP-L2550GW Brother HL-L2460DW Quick Tip: Scan directly to USB on your printer 01:19:40 MGG 1111 Outtro Find JohnFBraun on X! MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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 Monday, 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! 00:31:40 Roger-When is it safe to upgrade to iOS 26 and macOS 26? App Tamer Apple’s Workout Buddy 00:43:06 DLH-Syndication.photoslibrary appears in my home folder and holds images and videos from Messages Sponsors 00:48:16 SPONSOR: AG1. Head to DrinkAG1.com/MGG to get a FREE Welcome Kit, including a bottle of Vitamin D and free AG1 Travel Packs, when you first subscribe! That’s DrinkAG1.MGG. 00:49:39 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. 00:51:03 Pete got caught! Cool Stuff Found 00:52:47 Alex-QT-Use Quinn Nelson’s Shortcut to Open Settings from Current App 00:55:39 ScottS-CSF-Spotify Brings Lossless Listening to Premium Lossless with Spotify Premium ABX Tester app for macOS 01:02:14 What’s your home audio setup? 01:03:58 Carrot, the Musical (from Carrot Weather) We Don’t Personality Shame Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 01:07:18 What to use for remote screen sharing with my parents? TailScale with Apple’s Screen Sharing Jump Desktop 01:12:56 Initiating Screen Sharing from within Messages/Facetime MGG 1110 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network  

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 Monday, 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 go.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! 00:40:24 CSF-OnyX 4.9.x for macOS 26 is out Beware that HEIC might not be supported by everyone to whom you send screenshots 00:42:08 Is it more stable to stay on the Developer Betas for a couple of months? You get bug fixes faster! Sponsors 00:45:38 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 00:47:04 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 00:48:26 QT-Disable Data Roaming when you return from Canada (especially if you’re on Mint Mobile or another prepaid plan) 00:51:58 Pensacola Craig-QT-Disable Carrier SIM Lock before upgrading 00:52:55 QT-If you Mac can’t send RCS with macOS 26, toggle “Enable Messages in iCloud” off and on. Unstick The Stuck Bit 00:54:56 DGC-macOS 26 (Tahoe) has significant audio-related bugs 00:57:20 Joe-DGC-Beware Apple’s “Clear” Case isn’t so clear It’s a Clear Case of Lying! 00:59:29 Mark-iCloud Files were found in iCloud Drive (Archive) folder 01:03:37 Jessica-DGC-1108-The episode was late to Apple Podcasts…and it’s Dave’s fault! Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 01:05:40 Louis from Montreal–Is APFS good these days or something else for external drives? APFS speeds on Rotational Drives 01:09:27 Bill-1107-How to troubleshoot file syncing issues? 01:13:47 JK Dawson-1108-Using AI for Recipes Cocktail recipes with ChatGPT: Take a picture of what’s in your bar and let IT decide! 01:16:20 DJ Mac-1108-More AI for Recipes 01:17:43 ChatGPT: Make us a travel itinerary in the city we’re visiting 01:21:31 MGG 1109 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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 Monday, 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, 2025 Ember Charger 00:35:28 Tom-CSF-1106-DoubleTake – App for multicam video on your iPhone Sponsors 00:37:26 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG 00:38:55 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:40:12 Steve-How can I quickly swap eSIMs between two iPhones? Apple supports eSIM Quick Transfer with selected carriers 00:45:44 Father John-How do I erase things that are stuck in my trash? Use lsof and filtering by those files to see if you can identify the process holding on to those files Recovery Terminal on macOS 00:50:36 Joe-How do I use TailScale’s Exit Nodes to make Netflix think I’m at home? 00:58:07 Amazon Prime free shipping limited to your home address 01:03:35 James-How can we preserve our photos for future generations? What about all my photos on my Zip disks? How to Add Legacy Contact for your Apple Account A thought: Make physical copies of the important ones Shutterstock Photo Book Quick Tip: Favoriting your actual favorites, then create a smart album and organize your favorites (by year, by location, etc) 01:16:47 MGG 1108 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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! (But he will instead remain naked and not afraid!). 00:34:59 Adam’s Monitor Update Cool Stuff Found 00:38:55 n-Bob-CSF-iPhone Charging Cable Stress Relief spirals Anker Right Angle USB-C Cable 00:43:32 Avoid head-bobble with airplane Head Strap with Eye Mask for Sleep Sleeper Hold Travel Pillow 00:47:06 CSF-eero Signal coming in 2026 00:48:40 Using a backup internet connection? 00:49:27 Adam used his Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh) Show Business 00:52:07 TallEarthling-MGG Review 8/28/2025 00:52:52 EarthSaver-MGG Review Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:54:37 Will-Things to Consider when buying a new iPhone Mint Mobile (Pete and Dave use for themselves and their families!) What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad If moving from iPhone to Android, Deregister iMessage 01:03:21 Jim from metro Detroit-What’s the best affordable wireless mesh? TP-Link Deco Wireless Mesh Deco XE75 Tri-Band 3-pack for $220 (at the moment we built these shownotes) 01:11:51 Terry-Why do deleted files keep reappearing after reboot? 01:19:08 MGG 1107 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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 Bartender for macOS iPadOS 26: Casual use, release day. Daily use, wait a month. watchOS 26: Release Day tvOS 26: Release Day 00:52:17 There’s a reason studio and front of house engineers delay a LONG time before you update your macOS 00:53:43 New copy/paste gestures with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 00:54:39 New AirPods Pro 3 New silicone/foam fusion tips (better seal and fit) Better active noise canceling Better bass response Better Active Earplug performance 01:01:31 Note: Live Translation comes to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 and later 01:05:38 New Apple Watches Always On for Everyone Series 6 and later gets Sleep Score Apple Watch 11 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple Watch SE 3 01:11:51 What didn’t they announce? Is there an October event brewing? Apple TV (does that morph into a home control center?) MacBooks / Macs-in-general New Displays? 01:14:42 Buried…Final Cut Camera 2.0 01:18:35 What are we each actually ordering? Adam: Still nothing Pete: AirPods Pro 3 Dave: Joined team Adam – Nothing! 01:23:38 MGG 1106 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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, and 365 day returns at Quince.com/MGG. 00:41:11 SPONSOR: Private Internet Access VPN – Save 82% off your VPN service PLUS four free months with a two-year plan at PIAVPN.com/mgg. Cool Stuff Found 00:42:58 Jerry-CSF-LG 27-inch Ultrafine 4K UHD is the best bang for the buck 00:47:28 Bram-CSF-1104-Use Notion instead of Notes 00:48:17 Donald-I Vibe-Coded California State Landmarks app GitHub CoPilot (into VSCode) Show Business 00:56:46 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment Fountain.fm Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 01:00:38 Ron-My Data Volume is Corrupted…what should I do? 01:05:38 Paul-1104-Is Restart the same as TOTO? 01:08:04 Dan-Mac-Mini 16Gb/256Gb <$500 worth it? Apple Intelligence: Are We There Yet? No, kids, we’re not there yet. 01:13:04 Rob-What do I do when my MFC won’t scan anymore? VueScan 01:23:47 MGG 1105 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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 Cool Stuff Found 00:39:47 Brian8944-Stephen Robles Coffee Finder app that he built with ChatGPT-5 PayFinders’ Brian Roemmele on Maccast 00:43:43 Ben-CSF-HomeCare for Troubleshooting HomeKit 00:45:00 CSF-Scosche PBJ2000 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter (Scosche PBJ2000 @ Walmart) Sponsors 00:50:24 SPONSOR: OWC’s Thunderbolt 5 Dock It’s now shipping and it’s built for serious connectivity! 00:51:39 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 Cool Stuff Found 00:53:08 PorthosJon-CSF-US Mobile lets you choose your own network for your mobile 00:55:45 CSF-ViewSonic VP2788-5K 27” 5K Thunderbolt Display 01:03:15 John-CSF-vFlat Scanner takes page roll and fingers out of scans 01:05:05 Dan-CSF-WATTBOX to remotely reboot equipment from anywhere OvrC.com 01:07:42 n-Ben-CSF-Braxley Bands for Apple Watch 01:11:14 CSF-EVapo-Rust rust remover 01:13:26 Rich-CSF-GL-iNET Brume VPN Network Appliance 01:15:42 Andrew-CSF-Treedix USB Cable Tester 01:18:07 Quick follow-up on the Eufy E15 01:19:29 MGG 1104 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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 Some Cage Matches A discussion of playlists, Apple Music vs. Spotify… Spotify wins A discussion of audio quality… Apple Music wins 00:42:44 Bob-CSF-Zip-Tie Cable Labels Sivet Coffee 00:46:35 Ben-CSF-Access: Passwords Companion 00:47:44 CSF-Kris Black-Sidebar is a Setapp alternative to Ubar Sponsor 00:49:05 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 00:50:14 SPONSOR: Webroot. Get 50% off Webroot Total Protection or Webroot Essentials when you go Webroot.com/MGG. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:51:40 Mark-Mail Preview isn’t showing text Rebuild Mail Indexes with Mailbox > Rebuild Rebuild Mail’s Envelope Index Or use OnyX 00:58:46 JKDawson-How to Maintain Tel. # while abroad for iMessage / AppleID? Tello plans to maintain your phone number 01:06:09 Which budget carrier makes sense to use? Mint Mobile Verizon’s Visible (but you don’t get 5G) 01:10:55 Tips for renegotiating your mobile phone plan …and your home ISP plan, too! 01:13:12 Grumpy Mike-1101-WiFi can be enabled but not associated Setting service order for your Mac’s networks Settings DHCP Reservations in your router 01:22:33 MGG 1103 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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: Eternal Storms Productivity Bundle includes ScreenFloat, Transloader, Yoink, and DeskMat. Go get it! 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 Bitwarden 00:45:52 Kevin-CSF-1101–USB-C (and USB-A) Data Blocker Sponsors 00:51:53 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. 00:53:21 SPONSOR: IDEO U. Practical, relevant courses designed to seamlessly transition you from theory to practice. Get 15% off at IDEOU.com/mgg. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:54:48 Bjørn-Why won’t music play through my phone’s speaker? 01:01:19 Craig-Apple is dropping AFP support for Time Machine Backups. Is SMB OK to use? “Future versions of macOS will no longer support AFP network disks to Time Machine backups” 01:04:44 David-Why Cardio Recovery Data Not syncing from Watch to Health App 01:17:04 MGG 1102 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast! Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network