
Advertise on podcast: Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Rating
4.8from
This podcast has
1152 episodes
Language
EnglishExplicit
No
Date created
2005/06/23
Latest episode
2026/04/23
Average duration
-
Release period
7 days
Description
Get answers to your Apple tech questions every week! Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete share tips, tricks, and troubleshooting advice for your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and more — all delivered in a fun, friendly way that helps geeks and everyday users alike. Don’t Get Caught without your tech working right!
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Check latest episodes from Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting podcast
Cool Stuff Found Marathon: 20+ Must-Know Mac Tools, Gadgets & AI Hacks
2026/04/23
Cool Stuff Found marathon: TinyStart, VoidCommander, USB cables, AI SKILLS.md, Plaud NotePin, Pit Boss grill & more!
Mesh Networks, iCloud Bandwidth Fixes, and Must-Know Mac Tips
2026/04/20
This week on Mac Geek Gab 1138, Pilot Pete, Adam, and Dave tackle your burning questions and deliver the tips that keep your tech humming. You’ll learn how to properly delete images from your iPhone, sort out mesh networking headaches with T-Mobile, and decide whether Updatest and HomeBrew belong in your app-updating toolkit (spoiler: brew install topgrade is a game-changer). Struggling with limited bandwidth? TripMode lets you pause iCloud downloads on demand. Plus, the crew digs into why Plex Remote Access suddenly quit working and how Claude Code can help you recompile apps on the fly.
The quick tips are stacked this week: skip the remount dance by using Finder Sidebar for network shares, generate QR codes straight from your clipboard, and tap Show Highlights in Notes to track edits. Listener Dave’s keyboard shortcut (Left-Control + Left-Command + Right-Shift…and then power) will save your Mac from accidental restarts while cleaning the keyboard, and a Synology power supply swap might save your wallet. Don’t Get Caught slipping on the latest Apple Pay hack that drains accounts from locked iPhones, or blindsided by Backblaze now excluding iCloud Drive from backups. Round it out with tickIQ for tracking your mechanical watches, and you’ve got another solid episode in the books.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1138 for Monday, April 20th, 2026
April 20th: National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a Plex Pass for a Year
Congrats to March’s SoundSource winners: Ian, Robert, and Jeff
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:03:42 Gary-How do I delete images from my iPhone?
00:09:05 Jim-Which Mesh setup will work with my home and TMobile?
00:21:20 Ian-Is Updatest (and HomeBrew) good for updating apps?
00:23:35 Using Claude Code to recompile apps
brew upgrade
brew install topgrade
00:29:05 GW-How to Pause an iCloud Download when bandwidth is limited?
TripMode
00:38:02 Dr. Brad-Why did Plex Remote Access stop working
Plex Support Forum – for Plex Media Server
Sponsors
00:45:22 SPONSOR: CarGurus. Meet CarGurus Discover, a new search feature where you can look for vehicles based on the way you think—using your own words. No more being boxed in by filters. Check it out at https://cargurus.com/
00:46:41 SPONSOR: OneSkin. Born from over a decade of longevity research, OneSkin’s OS-01 Peptide is proven to target the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MGG at https://www.oneskin.co/MGG #oneskinpod #ad
00:48:19 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/MGG
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Jeff-QT-Instead of remounting network shares, just use the Finder Sidebar
00:49:56 Peter-QT-Shortcut to create a QR Code from Clipboard Contents.
00:51:51 QT-Show Highlights in Notes.app to see who edited the Note and when
00:54:09 Dave-Use Left-Control, Left-Command, + Right-Shift to keep your Mac from accidentally restarting
KeyboardCleanTool
00:57:50 JP-QT-Synology Power Supply May Be Cheaper Repair Option
Don’t Get Caught
01:02:05 DGC-Can you steal $$ from a locked iPhone?
This Apple Pay Hack Can Drain Your Account Without Unlocking Your iPhone
01:11:03 Paul-DGC-Backblaze now excludes iCloud Drive
Cool Stuff Found
01:14:13 DLH-CSF-tickIQ to measure and track your mechanical watches
01:18:26 MGG 1138 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 iOS app
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
Why Your AI App Matters, What's Draining Your iPad & How TSA Digital ID Works
2026/04/13
You’ve got quick tips galore this week: if your iPad battery’s draining mysteriously, your Apple Pencil might be the culprit, so pop it off when you’re not using it. Want custom emoji? Now you can create your own. LaunchBar fans, there’s a slick way to jump straight into System Settings, and if you’re self-hosting Bitwarden, the guys walk you through adding a local server with Cloudflare Tunnels. Pilot Pete also breaks down getting your digital ID working at TSA — and makes a compelling case that it’s actually more secure than handing over your physical license — plus there’s a look at TSA’s new Touchless ID system.
On the AI side, if agentic browsing still makes you nervous, Dave and Pete have practical advice for easing in, and they dig into why the app you use matters just as much as the LLM behind it — including a look at Claude’s upcoming Mythos model. You’ll hear how to tighten your AI agent’s security awareness (Don’t Get Caught slipping on that one), use Comet to become the ultimate “Reply Guy,” let your LLM tell you which apps are available in Setapp, and even have your chatbot generate QR codes . Wrapping up, there’s a fix for Mail not seeing updated Contacts Groups, a cost breakdown of building your own 2026 27-inch iMac, and an honest conversation about whether Plex is getting worse. Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things, folks!
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1137 for Monday, April 13th, 2026
April 13th: National Scrabble Day
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a Plex Pass for a year!
Congrats to March’s SoundSource winners: Ian, Robert, and Jeff
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Ian-QT-1136-Apple Pencil can drain an iPad battery
00:03:37 PilotPete-QT-Create Your Own Emoji
00:06:24 Ben-1136-CSF-Use LaunchBar to launch System Settings
00:08:22 Adding a local Bitwarden server
Cloudflare Tunnels
Cloudflare Workers
Uplock app for Apple Passwords
00:21:39 PilotPete-QT- getting digital ID to work at TSA & why it’s likely more secure than your license
00:25:59 TSA Touchless ID
Sponsors
00:30:28 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/MACGEEK
00:32:01 SPONSOR: Pocket Hose. For a limited time, you can get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Just text MGG to 64000.
AI Side Quest
00:33:40 The Flora-Bama Club
00:35:59 Andy-What can I do if I’m not yet comfortable with agentic browsing?
00:41:20 Your AI app matters as much as the LLM
00:45:08 What’s up with Claude’s new Mythos LLM?
00:48:42 Jason-QT-Tighten Your AI Agent’s Security Awareness!
00:51:32 Using Comet to help you be “Reply Guy”
00:53:46 Todd-QT-Let your LLM tell you which apps you can get in Setapp
00:55:49 Roy-QT-Let your chatbot create QR codes
iQR for QR Codes
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:58:33 Joe-Why is Mail not seeing my updated Contacts Group?
01:04:12 Brent-Cost breakdown of the 2026 27″ iMac
01:06:16 Matt-Is Plex getting worse? If so, can it get better?
Emby
Jellyfin
01:19:31 MGG 1137 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 iOS app
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
Healthier Than Doomscrolling
2026/04/06
You get a rapid-fire run of Mac tips that actually make your daily workflow smoother instead of noisier. From finally being able to change your Gmail address and using Markdown to escape Apple Notes, to smarter ways to attach glass screen protectors, auto-mount network shares, prune that graveyard of old Bluetooth devices, and squeeze better battery life from your iPad Pro, this episode keeps you moving instead of doomscrolling. If you’re shopping monitors for a Mac mini, curious why Find My wants light, or looking to travel with the right iPhone car mount, you’ll walk away with practical, field-tested ideas you can apply immediately.
Then you dive into a real-world warning shot: Adobe quietly touching your /etc/hosts file and what that means for taking control back on your own Mac so you Don’t Get Caught. You’ll also hear listener-vetted iPhone cases—from rugged bumpers and leather shells to newer clear cases that don’t yellow—so you can carry your iPhone with confidence and a bit more style.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1136 for Monday, April 6th, 2026
April 6th: New Beer’s Eve
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a Plex Pass for a Year
Congrats to March’s SoundSource winners: Ian, Robert, and Jeff
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
00:03:01 Grappling With The Weather
Quick Tips
00:00:01 QT-You can now change your Google/Gmail username
00:04:47 Todd-QT-Use Markdown to migrate from Apple Notes
Bear app’s instructions for migrating from Apple Notes
00:06:46 Clif-QT-Install Glass screen protectors in a steamy bathroom
00:09:33 Chris Powers-QT-Connect (more) Reliably to Network Shares on Startup
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:13:38 Greg in NC-How do I bulk-clean-up my Bluetooth devices?
ToothFairy for macOS
00:20:17 QT-Bluetooth name changes are saved on the Bluetooth device, not on your iPhone
00:23:57 Randy Walker-How long should my iPad Pro 11″ M2 be able to hold a charge?
CoconutBattery
Low Power Mode
Is it iCloud Syncing?
00:30:02 Larry-Which 5K monitor for my new Mac mini?
Refurb LG UltraFine 5K – $799
ViewSonic VP2768-4k – $549
ViewSonic VP2788-5K – $929
Philips 4K UHD 27” – $499 (unavailable)
BenQ PD2730S – $1,099
KTC 5K 27” – $549
LG 27UP850K-W 4K – $334
00:46:25 Joe-Why does Find My need light?
00:48:09 Leveraging Claude Code
00:50:08 Uncle Jamie-What iPhone car mount do you travel with?
USB A to USB C Adapters
iPhone Dash-mount Cradle
Sponsors
00:56:39 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG
Don’t Get Caught
00:57:59 Adam-DGC-Adobe Messed with My /etc/hosts file…and yours, too!
Your Favorite iPhone Cases
01:06:09 Chris-CSF-Incipio Duo iPhone Case
01:07:17 NASANut-CSF-Spigen iPhone cases and screen protectors
01:09:20 Clif-The new, cheap clear cases don’t yellow like they used to
01:10:35 Dan-Wuwedo is a bumper/open case for $13
01:12:40 Thad-CSF-Check out Bullstrap Leather Cases
01:13:43 Todd-CSF-Nomad Leather Case and the case for screen protectors
01:15:26 Tony-CSF-Fierre Shann Leather iPhone Cases
01:17:18 CSF-Mujjo Leather iPhone Case
01:18:36 MGG 1136 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 iOS app
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
When the Internet Spits You Out
2026/03/30
You’re about to spend an hour geeking out about the moments when your tech life goes sideways and how to keep it all under control. You’ll hit World Backup Day prep, tame your email with smart rules and categories, turn your AirPods into stealth earplugs, and learn Mac power tricks like killing stubborn processes and using Reminders so your birthday rewards never slip by. Along the way, you’ll hear from listeners about pre-emptively swapping NAS drives, upsizing your Synology, and the best way to get your movie library playing cleanly on your iPad.
Then you’ll dive into the fun stuff that happens when the internet spits you out in the wrong place, from working around VPN restrictions to making sure you Don’t Get Caught when networks get weird. You’ll remember John Martellaro and his dents in the universe, plus load up on Cool Stuff Found like AirTag sleeves for your Apple TV remote, faster AirDrop-style sharing with Blip and LocalSend, and even AI that can drive your car with Comma 4.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1135 for Monday, March 30th, 2026
March 30th: National Pencil Day
Pentel Twist Erase
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba!
00:05:05 World Backup Day is tomorrow!
Fastmail backs up your email!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Bill-QT-1134-Set macOS to always open new documents in tabs
00:09:09 P2-QT-use noise cancellation with AirPod in one ear
Using AirPods as earplugs
Comply Foam Tips for AirPods
00:14:00 SXSW: Shokz OpenDots One
Shokz OpenFit Pro
00:18:46 David-QT-Host your own cloud mail rules
Spark Mail
SaneBox
Claude CoWork and Dispatch
00:24:48 n-Ben-QT-1131–Train Apple’s Mail Categories for your own emails
00:26:17 John-QT-Use killall -9 if you really need to kill a process
killall -9 “[process name]”
killall -KILL “[process name]”
Check Activity Monitor’s View menu
00:37:17 Tim-QT-Use Reminders to remember your birthday rewards
Sponsors
00:38:30 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.
00:39:41 SPONSOR: Stamps.com With Stamps.com you can send from your computer or phone 24/7. No long lines, no low supplies, open any time. Go to stamps.com and use code mgg to get sixty days risk-free!
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:41:01 JP-Should I Replace Drives Pre-emptively in my NAS?
Synology Monthly Disk Health Report
Synology Hot Spare
00:47:14 How about adding larger drives to your NAS?
00:51:06 Roger-What’s a better way to display and play movies on my iPad?
VLC
Infuse
Plex
00:55:42 Mark-How can I use a VPN and bypass VPN restrictions
01:00:02 CSF-GoodReader for playing movies
01:00:43 GW-Glowing MacBook Apple Logo
01:03:00 Remembering John Martellaro and the dents he put in the universe
Finding John Martellaro’s Space Shuttle Lander Simulator for Apple ][
Cool Stuff Found
01:08:04 James-CSF-Elago AirTag sleeve for AppleTV 4K remote
01:09:45 -n-Ahkeens-CSF-1132-Blip is reliable, AirDrop-style replacement
Allison-CSF-Blip to give a better AirDrop-like experience
LocalSend
01:11:53 Greg-CSF-Comma 4 uses AI to drive your car
01:18:05 MGG 1135 Outtro
MGG Monthly Giveaway
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
More shows
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 iOS app
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
Siri Power Moves, CarPlay Smarts, and Phil Schiller's SXSW Stories
2026/03/23
You’ll come away from this episode with a faster, smarter iPhone and Mac workflow dialed in. You learn how to boss Siri around for brightness, Dark Mode, CarPlay directions, and per‑source audio levels, so your phone actually behaves in the car and on the couch. You tap into power‑user gestures like two‑finger‑tap to open links in a new Safari tab, Quick Actions to spin anything into a PDF, and Option‑click display rotation on the Mac. You even get sneaky with ad‑supported games by flipping Airplane Mode, and peek at where on‑device AI is heading with tools like Locally AI from the SXSW “more personal computer” session.
Then you shift into solving real listener problems so your Apple gear finally stays in sync with you. You clean up contact groups, fix that iPad Mail inbox that doesn’t match your other devices, and fight back against toll‑free robocalls. You hear which iPhone cases and glass protectors the geeks actually trust, plus protection options like Verizon Home Protect and automation tools like Crank to trigger actions based on what you’re doing. The whole way through, you’re reminded of the Mac Geek Gab mantra: Don’t Get Caught missing the tweaks, tricks, and Cool Stuff Found that make your Apple life smoother.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1134 for Monday, March 23rd, 2026
March 23rd: World Math Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba!
Congrats to February’s winners!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Ian-QT-Hey Siri, turn up the brightness
00:03:50 Scott-QT-1133-Tell Siri to toggle Dark Mode
00:10:08 Vira-CSF-Locally AI – run models on your iPhone locally
SXSW: A More Personal Computer: How AI is Transforming Desktops
00:11:58 Bill-QT-Spoken Directions in CarPlay
Adjusting the volume of the different sources on your iPhone (Siri, Music, Maps, more)
“Hey Siri, speak louder”
00:17:06 Henry-QT-Two-finger-tap to open links in a new Mobile Safari tab
00:18:03 ETC-QT-Use Quick Actions to create a PDF
00:22:44 Mickey-QT-Hold Option to get Display Rotation options in System Settings
00:23:40 Adam’s wife-Stop Ads with Airplane Mode in ad-supported games
Sponsors
00:28:37 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG
00:29:53 SPONSOR: Pocket Hose. For a limited time, you can get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Just text MGG to 64000.
00:31:23 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG
00:32:49 SXSW: Phil Schiller & David Pogue Fireside Chat
David Pogue Apple: The First 50 Years
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:43:49 Joe-Question about Contact groups
00:48:32 Bill-How come my iPad shows different Mail than everything else?
00:54:45 Craig-Robo Calls showing up from Toll Free Numbers
00:59:52 Scott-What iPhone cases does everyone use?
OpenCase
Mujjo Leather Case
Tempered Glass Screen Protectors
Cool Stuff Found
01:14:02 Steve-CSF-Verizon Home Protect for $25/month is a great AppleCare+ alternative
01:16:35 Joe-CSF-1133-Crank can launch actions based upon user-configurable criteria
01:19:23 MGG 1134 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 iOS app
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
Geek Therapy
2026/03/16
You get dropped right into geek therapy this week as you bounce from cult-favorite movies to Pixar shorts, then straight into practical Mac and iOS wins. You learn how to use the twenty-minute rule to bail on bad movies guilt-free, long-press your iPhone’s brightness to reveal Dark Mode and other hidden controls, and turn Live Listen into your stealth superpower for staying connected in noisy rooms. You also tighten up your iOS workflow by wrangling multiple photos, files, and links at once, and even rethink how often you actually need to say “Hey” to your devices. Don’t Get Caught missing the little system tweaks that make your Apple gear feel brand new again.
From there, you dig into real-world listener problems and come away with a cleaner network, a smarter Mac, and a more resilient data setup. You troubleshoot eerie eero behavior and learn how to coax stubborn 2.4 GHz-only devices onto your Wi-Fi, then set your Mac to auto-launch apps on wake with tools like Keyboard Maestro and Advanced SleepWatcher. You untangle VPN weirdness, then go full NAS-ty with guidance on migrating to a new Synology and choosing the right model using MGG’s comparison as your roadmap.
You wrap it all with Cool Stuff Found: Setapp’s new plans, rock-solid MailBackupX, US Mobile for nerdy cellular control, ForeverNotes for wrangling your brain, Titanium Software utilities, AppleCare+ plus Apple One savings, and TP-Link’s Wi-Fi Toolkit turning your iPhone or iPad into a pocket network analyzer.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1133 for Monday, March 16th, 2026
March 16th: Robert Goddard Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba!
Congrats to February’s winners!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
00:03:39 Movie Reviews and Ratings
RocketMan with Harland Williams
Hoppers from Pixar
Twenty Minute Rule for Movies
Project Hail Mary Lego
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Si-QT-Long press brightness to toggle Dark Mode and more
00:09:17 Joel-QT-Use Live Listen to stay in touch
00:11:25 Pilot Pete-QT-Multiple Photos, Files, Links handling in iOS
00:15:55 Do you still say Hey?
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:19:30 Larry-Eerie things going on with the Eero
00:29:04 Setting up eero for 2.4GHz devices
00:31:32 Father John-How can I launch an app when my Mac wakes up?
Desktop Icon Manager
Advanced SleepWatcher for macOS
00:38:04 Michael-Why US VPN issues?
00:41:05 Revelations During Geek Therapy
Sponsors
00:47:38 SPONSOR: Pocket Hose. For a limited time, you can get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Just text MGG to 64000.
00:49:10 SPONSOR: Sundays for Dogs. Every bite of Sundays is clean and made from real meat, fruits, and veggies, with no kibble. Stanley loves it! Go right now to sundaysfordogs.com/MGG50 and get 50% off your first order. Or, you can use code MGG50 at checkout.
00:50:43 SPONSOR: Tempo. For a limited time, Tempo is offering my listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/MGG.
Gettin’ NAS-ty
00:51:58 Patrick-How do I migrate my data to a new Synology?
01:00:47 Mike-Which Synology NAS should I buy?
Comparing MGG-focused Synology NAS
Cool Stuff Found
01:09:35 CSEvolved-Setapp adds new single-app purchase and subscription plans
01:12:07 Mark-CSF-MailBackupX to backup your Mail
01:13:01 Tony-CSF-US Mobile is built for nerds (Tony’s Referral Code: 6B9EAD23)
01:14:32 bbwerner on Threads-CSF-ForeverNotes for getting your notes in order
01:15:28 Niceville Steve-CSF-Titanium Software Utilities other than OnyX
01:16:41 Use AppleCare+ with Apple One to get bulk savings on AppleCare+
01:20:21 CSF-Wi-Fi Toolkit from TP-Link for iPhone and iPad
01:21:24 MGG 1133 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 iOS app
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
We Are Not The Mickey Mice!
2026/03/09
You start this episode by supercharging your daily Apple workflow with rapid-fire Quick Tips: speaking the time from your wrist, taming screenshot previews, unzooming a stuck iPhone screen, batch‑moving iOS apps, and sharpening Live Text and document photos so you can capture, control, and share exactly what you want without friction. You also learn how to keep Chrome from quietly hijacking your mic levels before Zoom calls, plus clever ways to organize appliance manuals using NotebookLM and Apple’s Books app so that the answers you need are always a quick search away—Don’t Get Caught hunting for docs or fighting your own settings again.
From there, you dive into Mac Developer Gab with the MGG iOS app as a living example of how AI‑assisted coding becomes a collaborative partner instead of a replacement, including practical use of Claude Code’s Plan Mode to map changes before writing a line of code.
Then you pivot into Apple’s newly “affordable‑first” lineup—MacBook Neo, Air, and Pro, the new Studio Displays, iPhone 17e, and iPad Air M4—breaking down which model actually fits your real‑world use and budget, before wrapping with fixes for flaky AirDrop using the NFC “boop” trick and remote‑controlling Apple TV via hubs so your gear does what you want, when you want it.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1132 for Monday, March 9th, 2026
March 2nd: National Banana Cream Pie Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba!
Congrats to February’s winners!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Dave C-QT-Hold two fingers on your watch screen to speak the time
00:07:16 Todd-QT-Turn Off Full Screen Preview ScreenShot change
00:09:18 Gary-QT-Three-finger triple-tap to unzoom your iPhone
00:15:10 Pilot Pete-QT-Move Multiple iOS Apps at Once!
Mac Developer Gab
00:16:57 Updating the Mac Geek Gab iOS app
Developing with AI Assisted Coding is a Collaborative Process
00:29:46 Using Claude Code’s Plan Mode
Back to Quick Tips
00:31:33 Gene-QT-Live Text Made Better
00:36:14 Pilot Pete-QT-Level Your Phone e.g. for Document Photos
00:37:59 Dave-QT-In Chrome, Disallow WebRTC to adjust the input volume to keep your mic set for Zoom calls
00:40:16 Joe-QTRevisited-1071-Use NotebookLM to store Appliance Manuals
00:43:00 Tony-QT-1131-Put User Manuals in the Books app
Sponsors
00:43:58 SPONSOR: Stamps.com With Stamps.com you can send from your computer or phone 24/7. No long lines, no low supplies, open any time. Go to stamps.com and use code mgg to get sixty days risk-free!
00:45:24 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/MACGEEK
00:46:56 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG
Reviews
00:48:29 Happy Camper-MGG Review-It’s what you learn after you know it all
00:49:17 digger4-MGG Review-Excellent show
00:49:29 StillRiverEditions-MGG Review-Makes the Apple universe fun, as it should be.
00:50:11 Neo-Wombat-MGG Review-Five Stars
00:51:25 New Macs and More!
Affordability seems to matter to Apple today!
Comparing the MacBook Neo, Air, and Pro
Where are the updates to the Mac mini and more desktops?
MacBook Neo – $599 – This is essentially macOS on an iPad
MacBook Air M5 – $1099
MacBook Pro M5 – $1699
27-inch Studio Display and Studio Display XDR – $1599
iPhone 17e – $599
iPad Air M4 – $599
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
01:07:35 Dan-How to Tame AirDrop Wonkyness
Use the iPhone NFC “Booping” Trick
01:15:21 Clif-Can I control my Apple TV remotely?
Jubilee Hub
Harmony Hub
01:21:45 MGG 1132 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
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
That’s Not Multitasking, That’s Cheating
2026/03/02
You drop into an iMessage quick tip and quickly branch into a whole toolkit for running your Apple life smarter. You learn faster ways to edit messages, how Slack’s up-arrow muscle memory carries over, and why platforms limit your edit window. From there, the show rolls into clever NFC and QR workflows for appliance manuals, Time Machine fixes over SMB on Synology, and a deep dive on spam and email hygiene: Fastmail’s undelete safety net, SaneBox’s smart filtering, Apple Mail’s categories, plus when to reach for SpamSieve or even your own chatbot to watch junk folders so you Don’t Get Caught losing important mail.
The crew also compares real‑world email providers, DNS setups (Cloudflare, Google, Quad9), and router‑level changes that stabilize your network. You get a reality check on legacy cruft—Trip Mode, MacFUSE, ancient launch agents—still loading after years of Migration Assistant, and how tools like Lingon and CleanMyMac help you audit what’s secretly running. On the fun-and-productivity side, you hear honest impressions of Apple Vision Pro: tabletop-style multiplayer games like Demeo, surprisingly usable virtual desktops, the importance of dual straps and decent cases, and when to skip hotel Wi‑Fi in favor of hotspots or a UniFi travel router so your Macs, iPads, and headsets all “think” they’re at home.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1131 for Monday, March 2nd, 2026
March 2nd: National Banana Cream Pie Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of SoundSource from Rogue Amoeba!
Congrats to February’s winners!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Fernando-QT-Command+E lets you edit your most recent iMessage on the Mac
00:07:39 Ian-QT-Put NFC Tags or QR Codes on your tools with links to user manuals
iFixIt Repair Guides and Manuals
00:11:03 That’s not Multitasking, That’s Cheating
00:13:16 Ben-QT-Select & Move Junk Mail Without Displaying its Content
Private Internet Access hides you from spammers
00:15:03 Ernesto-How do you deal with spam email?
SaneBox
00:25:20 Fastmail DOES offer a restore-from-backup option
00:27:13 Build domain-specific rules to filter spam
SpamSieve
00:31:34 David-Which email provider do you use?
Dave – Fastmail and Gmail
Adam – Gmail/Google and iCloud
Pete – Bluehost and iCloud
00:34:42 Migrating mail to a new provider
Sponsors
00:38:24 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG
00:39:54 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.
Audit your apps, Login Items, and Launch Agents
00:41:22 Pilot Pete-QT-MacOS 26 How I Fixed My Time Machine Backups on Synology after Tahoe
00:44:53 Tanel-DGC-Be aware of what you installed years ago
MacFUSE
CleanMyMac
Lingon
00:54:10 Will-QT-DNS Adjustment fixes Hinky Internet (That’s a Technical Term!)
Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1
Google DNS: 8.8.8.8
Quad9: 9.9.9.9
OpenDNS
What do you use for Wi-Fi in Hotel Rooms?
01:00:13 UniFi Travel Router
01:02:15 Tethering to your iPhone
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
01:06:40 Rob-How do you like your Apple Vision Pro? How do you use it?
Demeo on Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and more
Syntech Apple Vision Pro Case
Belkin Case for Apple Vision Pro
01:22:06 MGG 1131 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
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
My Chatbot Ate My Inbox
2026/02/23
You start this episode leveling up your daily workflows with fast, memorable tweaks: styling text in Notes with a long press, dropping today’s date into Google Sheets with a quick shortcut, testing your real-world network speed from the Mac, and turning any clipboard grab into a Preview window so you can annotate or export in a flash. You also learn that canceling an in‑app subscription doesn’t instantly nuke Family Sharing, why Safari’s pinned tabs might be quietly chewing resources, and how to right-size your browser use so it serves you instead of hijacking your Mac.
From there, you dive into practical tools for real life: apps to tame your family’s book library, a screensaver utility that slows things down, and current router picks spanning UniFi, TP-Link Wi‑Fi 7 options, Eero, and Orbi so your network actually matches your workloads.
You hear how to orchestrate multiple AI agents, safely archive and truly back up your mail, and keep your own chatbot from eating your inbox, plus Cool Stuff Found like Omerta, YouTube on Apple Vision Pro, and more—because in the Apple tech world, as in life, Don’t Get Caught without the right tools and backups in place.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1130 for Monday, February 23rd, 2026
February 23rd: Pinocchio Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a Copilot Money!
Congrats to January’s winner, Amanda Colyer!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Tom-QT-Long-press Aa in iPhone Notes to choose text styles
00:05:03 Avraham-QT-Use Command-Semicolon to enter current date into Google Sheets
00:06:46 Russell-QT-Use your Mac’s networkQuality to test your speed
00:10:30 Rob-QT-Paste Clipboard into Preview with Command-N
00:11:54 QT-You don’t immediately lose Family Sharing when you cancel an in-app subscription
On the subject of browsers…
00:13:28 Allison-1128-Safari’s Pinned Tabs can be resource hogs
00:17:18 How much are you using your browser these days, anyway?
Sponsors
00:19:30 SPONSOR: Tempo. For a limited time, Tempo is offering my listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/MGG.
00:20:58 SPONSOR: Sundays for Dogs. Every bite of Sundays is clean and made from real meat, fruits, and veggies, with no kibble. Stanley loves it! Go right now to sundaysfordogs.com/MGG50 and get 50% off your first order. Or, you can use code MGG50 at checkout.
00:22:30 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:23:58 Alan-What software exists to catalog my family’s book library?
CLZ Books
Libib
BookBuddy
Sofa
Tap Forms Pro
Goodreads
00:31:22 Ken-How do I slow down my Mac’s screensaver?
ArtSaver
00:34:54 Phillip-Which router do you recommend today?
UCG Max
TP Link Wi-Fi 7 Deco BE67 (or BE68 at Best Buy)
TP Link BE63 (also Wi-Fi 7)
Eero Pro 7
Orbi Wi-Fi 7
Reviews
00:45:40 Manhattan Glen-MGG Review-Great Show
AI Learned Something! … or … AIn’t It Cool? (Ok, obviously we need a segment name for our AI talk)
00:48:49 William-How do I set up multiple AI agents for my task?
00:55:05 Todd-QT-Use Perplexity’s website to download files it has created
00:57:09 Your mail might not be as backed-up as you think
MailSteward
01:06:57 My Chatbot ate my Inbox
OpenClaw
Cool Stuff Found
01:16:53 ATC-CSF – Omerta – Don’t Get Caught
01:19:42 Eakster-CSF-YouTube for Apple Vision Pro is here!
01:23:18 MGG 1130 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
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
Shaving With Occam's Razor
2026/02/16
You get a firehose of genuinely useful Apple tips this week, starting with new muscle-memory moves you’ll actually use: cycling app windows with Cmd + `, nodding or shaking to answer AirPods, dragging apps straight from iOS search, and building Focus-specific home screens so the right icons appear at the right time.
Edge Light turns your Mac into a cleaner on‑camera rig, Display Buddy tames external monitor brightness, and custom macOS keyboard shortcuts plus Dock CPU meters give you fast, surgical control over your Mac.
Then you level up your living room: master the Apple TV remote’s scrub wheel, undo accidental scrubs, jump in precise increments, push video from iPhone to Apple TV, and fling audio to HomePod with a tap. Even Reminders gets a glow‑up so you can punt a pile of alerts in one shot instead of playing whack‑a‑mole.
From there, you zoom out to “meta” geekery: backing up critical Notes (or moving to OneNote, Ulysses, or Obsidian), even flirting with a git repo to sync prefs and personal data like a developer. On the road, you learn how to keep CarPlay tappable with gloves, and in the cloud you explore why chatbots forget context, when to bring in tools like Claude, Perplexity’s Comet, Atlas, Gemini, or Claude’s Chrome extension, and how having an always‑on troubleshooting assistant changes how you work.
Listener reviews cap it off by framing the show as a kind of PhD in troubleshooting, all so you can experiment, push your tech harder, and, of course, don’t get caught.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1129 for Monday, February 16th, 2026
February 16th: Innovation Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a Copilot Money!
Congrats to January’s winner, Amanda Colyer!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Michael Ilin-QT-Press Cmd + ` to cycle all windows of that app
00:03:06 PilotPete-QT-Nod or Shake to answer your AirPods
00:05:49 Clif-QT-Relocate iOS apps by dragging from search results
Eufy Smart Scale
Withings Sleep Pad
00:07:47 Different home screens for different Focus Modes
00:11:16 QT-Use Edge Light for video calls in macOS 26.2-and-later
00:16:17 Use Display Buddy to control the brightness of your screen
00:18:09 Russell-QT-Map your own keyboard shortcuts in macOS settings
Brave Browser’s LEO AI
00:23:03 The value of an always-on troubleshooting assistant
Eney
00:26:32 Doug-QT-Set Activity Monitor to show CPU Usage in Dock
00:30:40 Apple TV Remote Quick Tip Masterclass
EyeDentify-QT-Undo Accidental Scrubs on Apple TV
Using the Apple TV remote’s scroll-wheel emulator to scrub in a fine-tuned way
Double-tap scroll wheel edges to jump forwards or backwards
Use Siri Commands, too
00:35:16 Dom Bettinelli-QT-Tap iPhone to Apple TV remote to transfer video to Apple TV
00:37:15 Tap your iPhone to your HomePod to transfer audio
00:37:45 Jeepster-QT-Procrastinate Multiple Reminders at Once
Sponsors
00:41:17 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/MACGEEK
Don’t Get Caught
00:43:56 Steve-DGC-1128-Duplicate important Notes as backup
Microsoft OneNote
Ulysses
Obsidian
00:54:56 What about a git repo to sync… prefs, notes, whatever?
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:55:53 Steve Hammond-How can I control CarPlay with gloves on?
Capacitive Gloves for Screens and Phones
01:00:30 DJ Mac-ChatGPT and others regularly forget what I’ve told them
Try claude.ai/giggab for half-price Claude Pro
01:08:16 William-1128-How do I get my browser to surf for me?
Perplexity – Comet browser
ChatGPT – ChatGPT Atlas browser
Gemini – Gemini in Chrome
Claude – Claude in Chrome extension
Reviews
01:15:08 gdubs-MGG Review-A PhD in troubleshooting
01:16:08 michaefs-MGG Review-A great podcast
01:16:57 d32bus-MGG Review-Excellent show
01:17:39 MGG 1129 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
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
Cool Stuff Found While Surfing with Agentic Browsers
2026/02/09
This week on Mac Geek Gab 1128, you dive into a treasure chest of Cool Stuff Found with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton. From DockLock Lite keeping your Dock in check to Backdrop 2.0’s animated lock screens and BookMacster’s bookmark magic, you’ll uncover smart Mac tricks you didn’t know you needed. The geeks take a nostalgic tangent into podcasting history before jumping into the now: Agentic browsers like ChatGPT’s Atlas and Perplexity’s Comet that are reshaping how you browse today. Safari killing your Tahoe? Find out why Apple’s AI choices might change how your Mac thinks.
Then it’s back to more gems: Bootable clones return with SuperDuper, World Clock Widget makes global time simple, and Fastmail’s new desktop app joins BusyCal and Fantastical in taming your digital life. You’ll also learn how not to get caught with Apple Notes overwriting your data (keep the app open until it syncs!). Wrapping up, apps like Pixeldrop, Shutter Declutter, and Brick help you tidy photos, redact safely, and silence distractions. Plus, creative NFC tag hacks that make your smart home even smarter. As always, the MGG crew makes sure you Don’t Get Caught.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1128 for Monday, February 9th, 2026
February 9th: National Clean Out Your Computer Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a Copilot Money!
Congrats to January’s winner, Amanda Colyer!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Cool Stuff Found
00:00:01 Bruce-CSF-Neo Network Utility
00:03:30 Oskar-CSM-Backdrop 2.0 adds Custom Live Wallpapers to the macOS Lock Screen
00:04:53 Pensacola Craig-CSF-DockLock Lite to keep your Mac’s Dock from jumping
00:06:11 Jim-CSF-1118–BookMacster by Sheep Systems to edit, sort, and sync bookmarks across browsers
00:08:26 Tangent: A discussion about how podcasting (and Maccast and Mac Geek Gab) got started
00:13:35 PilotPete-CSF-ChatGPT Atlas Browser
Comet from Perplexity
00:15:00 Using Agentic Browsers is not the future…it’s the present!
00:26:04 And Safari might be killing your Tahoe
00:28:48 AI integrated into your operating system
Apple needs to choose wisely
00:35:47 CSF-Eney Beta from MacPaw
Sponsors
00:37:21 SPONSOR: Sundays for Dogs. Every bite of Sundays is clean and made from real meat, fruits, and veggies, with no kibble. Stanley loves it! Go right now to sundaysfordogs.com/MGG50 and get 50% off your first order. Or, you can use code MGG50 at checkout.
00:39:42 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG
MOAR Cool Stuff Found
00:41:32 Bruce-CSF-1127–ClipGrab to download YouTube videos (free download)
00:42:54 Kirschen-CSF-KeyClu replaces CheatSheet
Use Brew! brew install –cask keyclu
00:45:25 Larry-CSF-SuperDuper WILL do bootable Clones on macOS 26
Using CCC Backup to create legacy bootable copies of macOS
Idea: create a bootable external and stop once macOS is installed, leaving it ready for Migration Assistant (or anything else)
00:52:36 Andrew-CSF-World Clock Widget app
UTC=Universal Time Coordinated
Swatch Internet Time
00:56:33 David-CSF-Fastmail Desktop App for Mac
BusyCal
Fantastical
Spark Mail
Cardhop
Don’t Get Caught with notes Syncing
01:01:42 DGC-Apple Notes only syncs when the app is open on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
This can lead to sync overwrites if one device makes a change without having the latest copy.
Back to Cool Stuff Found
01:04:58 Bob-CSF-1107-Shutter Declutter helps process photos
01:11:00 rnDoug-Mole, a system maintenance tool
01:12:18 DanDXZDB-Pixeldrop for selectively redacting part of a photo
Don’t Get Caught with your data buried in PDFs
01:14:20 DGC-Save redacted PDFs as a single layer so people can’t see your layers
Back on Track with CSF
01:14:50 CSF-Brick to block distracting apps and notifications on your iPhone
01:19:38 Creatively Using NFC Tags
Use NFC Tags with the Home app
01:21:48 QT-Re-use NFC Tags that other people send you!
01:24:04 MGG 1128 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
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
Newly Effectuated Reduced Functionality
2026/02/02
You move fast in this episode, stacking Quick Tips that shave friction off your day almost immediately. You tell Siri to take notes on command, record audio directly inside Notes with native transcripts, and pull off smarter gestures in CarPlay Maps and iOS 26 Safari that feel hidden in plain sight. You tame the Camera side button, rename files faster from Finder and app toolbars, and generally remind yourself that small muscle-memory tweaks compound into real time saved. This is the kind of workflow polish that keeps you ahead instead of catching up.
Then the conversation sharpens. You dig into why troubleshooting advice can be too eager to fix the wrong problem, unpack what “absolute mode” thinking really means, and react to Apple’s acquisition moves and fresh AirTag releases.
Listener questions take you into practical territory like grabbing a single frame from video, sharing iCloud calendars with Android users, and understanding how features get quietly “nerfed,” leading to Pilot Pete’s perfectly named Newly Effectuated Reduced Functionality.
You wrap with Cool Stuff Found that spans Vision Pro accessories, immersive gaming, and travel-ready power. The throughline is clear: know what still works, notice what’s been taken away, and adapt before it costs you time. Don’t Get Caught.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1127 for Monday, February 2nd, 2026
February 2nd: The Record of a Sneeze Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of Copilot Money!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Gene-QT-Hey Siri, Take a Note
00:03:48 Ian-QT-In Notes, Record Audio and Save the transcript natively! (Use the paper clip icon)
00:06:52 rnDoug-QT-1126-Zoom in CarPlay Maps with a special double-tap (and Peter, too)
00:10:32 Tom-1126-Hold down on URL Bar to close tab (and more) on iOS 26
00:11:13 Bill-QT-1126-Swipe Up on URL bar for All Tabs View on iPhone
00:12:53 Todd-QT-Camera Settings to Get Side Camera Button to do your bidding!
00:17:44 Bill-QT-1126-Rename files in Finder and from apps’ Toolbar
Sponsors
00:21:24 SPONSOR: Tempo. For a limited time, Tempo is offering our listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/MGG.
00:22:52 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG
We Need To Talk
00:24:12 Craig-ChatGPT is too hasty to troubleshoot my tech issues
ChatGPT Absolute Mode
Hey, Did You Hear?
00:41:23 Apple acquires secretive Q․ai startup for $2 billion
00:45:40 New AirTags from Apple
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:50:21 Rob-How can I copy one frame from a video?
yt-dlp (install with ‘brew install yt-dlp’)
PullTube and Downie (also available in Setapp)
What does NERF stand for when someone kills functionality
Newly Effectuated Reduced Functionality
01:03:04 Larry-How can I share my iCloud calendar with an Android user?
OneCalendar
Sync for iCloud
Cool Stuff Found
01:09:04 Adam-CSF-Apple Vision Pro Dual Knit Band
Demeo on Vision Pro
01:12:29 DLH-CSF-Anker Prime 25W 3-in-1 Travel charger
01:16:36 MGG 1127 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
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
Car As a Service
2026/01/26
You start with deceptively simple wins that immediately clean up your digital life. You batch-rename files in Finder, unlock hidden gestures on both Mac and iPhone, and speed yourself up with small but mighty keyboard and touch tricks. Along the way, a nostalgic detour into Lotus 1-2-3 sparks a surprisingly intense discussion about competitive spreadsheeting, airline safety systems, and how that thinking naturally leads to a bigger question: when does “Car as a Service” stop being a punchline and start being reality? Even the travel hacks stay practical, from surviving cruises without surprise data charges to resetting your internal clock before you even land.
Then you shift into defense mode. You learn where password chaos actually comes from, why panic-resetting devices is sometimes the worst move, and how to spot bugs masquerading as personal failure. Listener questions take you deep into Lightroom quirks, CarPlay gesture mysteries, app safety checks, and Contacts behaving badly, with calm, methodical ways to unweird your setup instead of burning it down. It’s classic Mac Geek Gab: curiosity, experimentation, and real-world fixes that keep your tech working for you. Stay sharp, stay efficient, and Don’t Get Caught.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1126 for Monday, January 26th, 2026
January 26th: Lotus 1-2-3 Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of Ecamm Live or Carbon Copy Cloner 7!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Craig-QT-You can batch rename files in Finder
00:05:01 January 26th: Lotus 1-2-3 Day
00:06:40 Competitive Spreadsheeting
Full Contact Spreadsheeting
TCAS System in airplanes
Tangent: Car as a service
00:13:11 When can we move to Car As A Service?
MOAR Quick Tips
00:19:30 Steve-You can also three finger pinch on the Mac!
00:22:56 Todd-Pinch iPhone Screen in Safari to reveal the All Tabs display
00:24:16 Time hack: when flying across time zones, start your day on the time zone you will be ending on
00:25:11 Craig-QT-Use Fn to bring up the Mac emoji picker
00:27:48 Jim-QT-For cruisers, disable cellular data on the ship
Sponsors
00:30:35 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/MGG
00:31:48 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’.
00:33:12 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.
Don’t Get Caught
00:34:24 Michael-DGC-Password Hell is a Real Place
Bitwarden
Access became Uplock
00:53:17 Larry-DGC-Known Bug in Apple Search in Settings – Don’t Nuke-n-Pave Your iPad just yet
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:54:26 Bob-?-Why Lightroom + DropBox TidBits Article Won’t Let me Put Files in the Trash Bin?
01:00:18 DLH-Where is CarPlay Maps pinch to zoom?
Maybe in iOS 26
01:04:49 Eric-Is MacUpdater still safe for now?
01:06:17 Sandy-Contacts is being weird…how do I unweird it?
01:17:55 MGG 1126 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
[email protected]
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
This Will All Be On The Test
2026/01/19
You start with Quick Tips that tighten up your daily Apple workflow fast. You learn how CarPlay scrubbing actually works while driving, how Siri can jump forward or back in precise time chunks, and why Apple’s vision for Siri, Gemini, and personal intelligence matters more than the hype suggests. You unlock practical wins like copying Voice Memos transcripts, using Continuity for clipboard magic across devices, mastering iPhone copy and paste gestures, and understanding when dragging photos quietly converts them to JPEGs. Along the way, you revisit Apple Newton roots, discover why tools like Yoink still matter, and pick up slick tricks for prepping images in Messages and pausing voice recordings mid-thought.
Then you move into real-world problem solving. You figure out how to record a selfie video on iPhone while reading a script without breaking your flow, why Sign in With Apple is still worth using, and how to monitor drive health without guessing. You finally get clarity on weird Trash behavior, stop your mouse from waking your Mac, and understand why green bubble RCS and SMS sometimes fail on macOS. The episode wraps with a discussion about Apple Creator Studio tools like Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Compressor, MainStage, and premium content across Apple’s productivity apps. Listen to sharpen your instincts so when it counts, you Don’t Get Caught.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1125 for Monday, January 19th, 2026
January 19th: Brew a Potion Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a copy of Ecamm Live or Carbon Copy Cloner 7!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
MGG’s CES 2026 Sponsors:
BusyCal (with code MACGEEK10)!
Eero
Ecamm for Zoom integration
MacPaw
CCC Backup
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Chris-QT-CarPlay lets you scrub while driving
00:04:01 QT-Use Siri to skip forwards and backwards in specific time increments
00:06:18 The future of Siri, Gemini, and Personal Intelligence
00:14:33 QT-See and copy transcripts from Voice Memos
00:15:44 QT-Continuity works for Clipboard Too
00:18:21 iPhone Copy/Paste Gestures
00:21:55 Doug-QT-Dragging photos on iPhone converts them to JPEG
Copying/Pasting on the Apple Newton
Yoink
00:27:01 Jeff-QT-Dragging an image into Messages preps it to send
00:28:15 Pete-QT-Pause Voice Recording on iOS
00:29:54 How do I record a selfie video on my iPhone while being able to read a script?
Teleprompter for Video for iPhone
Also Teleprompter is free with in app purchases
00:34:43 GW-QT-Don’t forget about Sign in With Apple
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Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:43:12 Andy-What should I use to monitor drive health?
Disk Drill
DriveDx
Techtool Pro for repairing APFS volumes
00:48:52 Gary-Why Sometime Trash? Why Sometimes NO Trash?
00:59:37 Andrew-How can I keep my mouse from waking up my Mac?
01:03:25 Caleb-Why can’t I send green bubble RCS/SMS messages from my Mac?
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Podcast reviews
Read Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting podcast reviews
Sleepycbr 2026/04/15
Best podcast
Look forward to every show. I spend a lot of time driving listening to various Apple Podcasts. This is by far my favorite. I love not getting caught. ...
StillRiverEditions 2026/02/25
Makes the Apple universe fun, as it should be.
Sharing their knowledge, check. Learning together, check. Keeping it fun, check. Waiter, check please!
digger4 2026/02/23
Excellent show
Very helpful tips and discussions.
HappyCamper81 2026/02/17
It’s What You Learn After You Know it All
The gentlemen of Mac Geek Gab (and Pilot Pete, too) fully embrace the advice of John Wooden: “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” ...
Manhattan Glen 2026/02/16
Great Show
In the early days of podcasting — when there were very few shows focused on Apple Macs and, later, other Apple products — there were pioneers like Ada...
michaefs 2026/02/04
A great podcast
Dave and pilot Pete are funny, smart, and always willing to help, and they added Adam Christianson from MacCast fame. The trio is very good together. ...
gdub718 2026/01/25
A PhD in troubleshooting.
From software tips to troubleshooting strategies to extreme network nerdy, they guys cover it all. I’ve been listening for over then years and there h...
apv9 2025/12/29
Absolutely Essential Listening for Apple Users!
MacGeek Gab is, quite simply, in a league of its own. This trio has been helping Mac and iOS users for many years, and their depth of knowledge across...
bobcleaver 2025/12/17
Mac geek gab
Thank you guys for the always excellent info you provide. The format works well and allows for a vast range of topics and info. The recent episode’s...
Scotty Southard 2025/12/15
OUTSTANDING MAC TIPS, NEW STUFF FOUND AND GREAT KNOWLEDGE
I’ve been listening to the Mac Geek Gab podcast for 20 years, and it remains one of the most valuable and reliable tech resources available. The tips ...
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