Advertise on podcast: Hands-On Apple (Video)

Focus modes on your Apple devices can be transformative, but they're also plagued by clunky settings and sync headaches. Mikah Sargent gets real about the practical benefits, dealbreakers, and smart workarounds. Why most users ignore or misuse Focus modes Building a useful "Work" focus mode step-by-step Setting up allowed contacts, apps, and focus filters for work Automating work focus mode with schedules and location triggers Customizing visuals and widgets for work focus on Mac, iPhone, and iPad Creating a "Wind Down" focus for evening transitions Limiting urgency, contacts, and app notifications during Wind Down Adjusting visuals and automations for a restful device experience Designing a "Weekend" focus to reduce work-related interruptions Silencing work contacts and apps; surfacing personal calendars and profiles Scheduling weekend focus mode for Fridays through Sundays Honest breakdown: Focus sync glitches, app limitations, confusing notification behavior, and abuse of "time sensitive" alerts Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit

Find out how Apple's Focus filters quietly transform your entire digital environment, switching not just alerts but the apps, screens, and even info you see the moment you switch context. Mikah Sargent shows how to turn your Apple setup into a tailored workday powerhouse or a distraction-free oasis with just a tap. Customizing app content and behavior with focus filters Built-in focus filters for Mail, Calendar, Messages, Safari, and system settings Third-party apps and the slow adoption of focus filter support Lock screen and home screen pairing with focus modes Crafting lock screens for work, mindfulness, and other custom focus modes Environmental and contextual device changes triggered by focus modes Combining notification rules, filters, and screen pairing for a unified experience Real-world work and personal scenarios made easier with focus modes Hands-on homework: setting up focus filters, screen pairings, and Safari tab groups Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Most users barely scratch the surface of Apple's Focus presets and triggers. Find out how customizing these settings can turn your device into a smart assistant that truly gets your day-to-day routine. These overlooked Focus features can let you shape your own digital boundaries. Differences Between Focus Modes and Classic Do Not Disturb Overview of Built-In Focus Presets and Customization Options Manual Activation and Scheduling of Focus Modes on Devices Focus Automation: Timed, Location-Based, App-Based, and Smart Activation Controlling Who and What Gets Through During a Focus Allow Lists vs Block Lists for Contacts and Apps Creating a Custom "Heads Down" Focus Mode Step-by-Step Deep Work Focus: Customizing Allowed Notifications and Triggers Homework Challenge: Set Up and Live With a Focus Mode Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: Melissa.com/twit

Tired of autocorrect sabotaging your texts? This episode shows how small changes like persistent rejection and custom text replacements can actually make Apple's keyboard work for you. Why auto-correct fails and how Apple devices handle corrections Auto-correct's evolution with iOS 17 and transformer language models How auto-correct learns and why personalized dictionaries matter Key steps to retrain auto-correct for smarter suggestions Resetting your keyboard dictionary: the nuclear option explained iOS and macOS keyboard settings: making auto-correct work for you Auto-correct's pain points: bilingual typing, jargon, and missing features Text replacement: the ultimate hack for tricky words and shortcuts Top text replacement use cases for emails, addresses, and custom phrases Practical tips to tame auto-correct and improve your typing flow Missing features Apple still hasn't addressed in auto-correct Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Is Apple's Passwords app a true contender for your digital life, or does it fall short for tech-savvy households? Find out how it stacks up against premium managers and where it still leaves power users wanting more. How shared password groups work in the Passwords app Step-by-step walkthrough: creating and managing shared groups Apple Passwords sharing vs. third-party apps like 1Password, Bitwarden (TWiT sponsor) Wi-Fi password management and sharing via QR codes Passwords app limitations: organization, secure notes, file storage, platform support Migration challenges from other password managers Travel needs and sensitive data: third-party travel mode vs. Passwords app Who should use Apple's Passwords app and who needs more advanced tools Hybrid approaches: combining Apple Passwords with third-party managers Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit

What if logging in didn't mean juggling passwords and SMS codes? This episode demonstrates how Apple's Passwords app could make passkeys your new security upgrade and what may help protect your digital life. Understanding and setting up two-factor authentication codes in Passwords How to scan and autofill TOTP codes on macOS and iOS Best practices for migrating 2FA codes from other authenticator apps Passkeys setup, security benefits, and workflow Passkey vs. password: what to expect when logging in Apple security recommendations: flagged, reused, weak, and leaked passwords Prioritizing which flagged passwords to fix first Homework: add verification codes, create a passkey, and fix at-risk accounts Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: outsystems.com/twit

Apple's standalone Passwords app gives Keychain a proper home! Ready to clean up your secure digital life? This episode walks you through using Apple's Passwords app to spot weak logins, organize old accounts, and take control of your online security with tools already built into your devices. Quick history: Keychain to iCloud Keychain to Passwords app How to access the Passwords app on iPadOS, iOS, and macOS Passwords app interface tour: categories, search, and shared groups What autofill and notifications options you can enable in Passwords Exploring the main categories: All, Passkeys, Codes, Wi-Fi, Security, Deleted Viewing, editing, and sharing individual logins in the Passwords app Manually adding, updating, or deleting passwords and usernames Using search and sort to find and organize your saved logins How autofill password suggestions work in Safari and system settings Tweaking autofill and 3rd-party password manager integration Homework: review and clean up your Passwords app before next episode Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: Melissa.com/twit

Ready for an iPhone security audit? This episode is your personal walkthrough to reclaiming control, explaining not just what each privacy setting does but why changing them actually matters. Discover how hidden iOS settings let you outsmart sneaky trackers that follow you across apps, home networks, and even your own calendar. App permissions: location, tracking, calendars, contacts, health, photos Restricting calendar and photo access for better privacy App access to files, folders, focus modes, and health data Managing smart home and Apple Music permissions Third-party browser passkeys and selective photo sharing Apps controlling reminders and using Apple Wallet features Peripheral and Bluetooth permissions to limit device profiling Camera, microphone, and local network access by apps Motion, fitness, and nearby device tracking permissions Research and sensor data sharing for studies and health Speech recognition and journaling suggestions using device activity Viewing and managing blocked contacts and sharing via Safety Check Safety Check's emergency resets and granular access control Sensitive content warnings for nudity in photos or videos Sharing analytics with Apple and app developers (opt-in controls) Reviewing app transparency logs and network activity reports Accessory connection permissions and security update automation Stolen Device Protection and Lockdown Mode explained Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT

Tired of losing your place online when moving between Apple devices? Hands-On Apple shows you how syncing Safari tabs can keep your workflow as smooth as your tech. Juggle dozens of tabs across Mac, iPhone, and iPad without missing a beat! Setting up "Saved to iCloud" across Apple devices Using Safari Tab Groups for task-specific browsing synchronization Accessing and managing open Safari tabs with iCloud Tabs Troubleshooting iCloud Tabs sync issues and solutions Quick tips for customizing the Safari start page for cross-device workflow Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit

Think saving webpages is just about hitting Print? Before you waste time on clunky printouts, learn how Safari's built-in options can actually preserve entire sites! Export as PDF versus Print dialog Saving web pages as images, HTML, or Safari web archive files When to use PDF, HTML, PNG, or Web Archive for web page storage File size differences and optimal formats for offline web saving The best ways to keep web content on macOS Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: Melissa.com/twit