Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

Hold Option while you drag a window edge and your Mac resizes around its center, and that’s just the start of what the Option key unlocks, from hidden Wi-Fi diagnostics to extra Bluetooth details in your menu bar. You’ll also learn how to update every Apple TV in the house straight from the Home app, why toggling Cellular Data revived an iPhone after iOS 27.2 when a reboot didn’t, what Reset Network Settings really costs you, and how a few well-named Notes give Siri’s new personal context something worth remembering. Plus the gang compares how they’re actually using AI right now, from Claude skills to coding agents that review each other’s work, then runs through Apple’s big week: the touchscreen MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR display, the M6 MacBook Pro and iMac, and an OLED iPad mini.

Then it’s your questions: find a medication reminder that bends around shift work (and count what vibe coding your own costs you in time), make Apple Mail always put attachments at the end, have your iPhone read your daily affirmations aloud with one simple Shortcut, and reach your NAS securely with Tailscale Serve or Cloudflare Tunnels instead of opening ports. And before you trust your left-behind alerts, open each AirTag in Find My and check its exceptions list, because Find My may have quietly added places you never picked. Don’t Get Caught!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1166 for Monday, November 2nd, 2026

• November 2nd: All Souls Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway

Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Option-drag a window edge to resize around its center (Chris)
• 00:03:28 Update your Apple TV’s tvOS from the Home app (Rich W)
• 00:05:09 Option-click your Wi-Fi menu (and everything else)
• 00:07:53 Toggle Cellular Data to bring back service after iOS 27.2 (Doug)
• 00:09:56 Beware Reset Network Settings
• 00:12:48 Use Notes as persistent memories for Siri AI (Robb)
• 00:17:26 Toggle Siri’s ChatGPT extension and give it its own voice
• 00:19:36 How are you using AI today? (Andy)
• Sponsors

• 00:31:10 SPONSOR: Stio. Ski season’s almost here. Gear up now, the way the locals do. Go to https://stio.com/macgeekgab for 20% off your order.
• 00:32:41 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/MGG.

New Apple Stuff

• 00:34:03 Apple’s big week of announcements
• 00:35:33 The new touchscreen MacBook Pro

• MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display
• New M6 MacBook Pro
• Apple adds more AI features to Creator Studio

• 00:43:47 New M6 iMac
• 00:44:51 OLED iPad mini…and more!

Your Questions Answered

• 00:47:23 What’s the best app to remind me to take medication? (Colin)
• 00:53:48 Beware the time sink of vibe coding
• 00:55:13 Due app for customizable due dates
• 00:57:19 How do I make Mac Mail insert attachments at the end by default? (David)
• 00:59:54 How can my iPhone read my daily affirmations to me in its own voice? (Roy)
• 01:03:27 Use Tailscale Serve or Cloudflare Tunnels to reach your NAS securely (Scott, following up on MGG 1164)
• 01:10:09 Why is Adam’s Facebook not showing him the time?

Don’t Get Caught

• 01:14:41 Check your AirTags’ left-behind exceptions in Find My (Andrew)
• 01:19:42 MGG 1166 Outro

• 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Kick off Mac Geek Gab 1165 with a stack of Quick Tips: find the four new options hiding in iOS 27’s jiggly-icon mode, see how Messages remembers where you were when you jump back through a thread, and control which direction Photos moves after you delete a shot. You’ll keep a stubborn printer visible just by leaving Print Center open, play your favorite podcasts through your Mac with iPhone Mirroring, and turn StandBy into a desk-side HomePod remote.

Then it’s AI time: update the model on your scheduled agents before they quietly run on last year’s brains, get Siri AI’s full answers on iPhone and Mac, and size up Instinct, Muse, Dots, and Grok Bot as Apple’s assistant falls behind (again). You’ll also learn about the API credits hiding in Claude Max plans and a double-click trick that snaps any window to full size, with a Siri swear jar to keep the tips honest.

Then your two geeks and a pilot answer your questions. Find out why your Mac’s scheduled shutdown never fires and which apps fix it without Terminal, run the flashlight test that tells you whether a dying display is worth saving, and pick the right webcam for your Zoom calls, from Insta360 and Obsbot to the Continuity Camera already in your pocket. Finally, tackle the macOS 27 Finder change that grabs your file extension along with the file name, plus the keyboard workaround that brings your muscle memory back. Press play, get your answers, and whatever you do, Don’t Get Caught!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1165 for Monday, October 26th, 2026

• October 26th: National Pumpkin Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a MGG T-Shirt!
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!

Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 iOS 27 adds four new options to jiggly-icon mode (Dr. Martin)
• 00:03:44 The iPhone Duo order experience
• 00:08:26 Jumping back in Messages remembers where you were (NASANut, following up on MGG 1163)
• 00:11:27 Choose which way Photos moves after you delete a photo (Daymon)
• 00:13:03 Leave Print Center open to keep pesky printers available (Michael)

• VueScan

• Sponsors

• 00:20:09 SPONSOR: Stio. Ski season’s almost here. Gear up now, the way the locals do. Go to https://stio.com/macgeekgab for 20% off your order.
• 00:21:46 SPONSOR: Hims is changing men’s healthcare by providing convenient, quality care, 100% online. Start your free online visit today at https://hims.com/MGG.

More Quick Tips

• 00:24:12 Listen to podcasts on your Mac by mirroring your iPhone (Henry)

• Belkin Continuity Camera Mount
• NightStand Mode == StandBy

• 00:27:19 Update the model on your scheduled agents
• 00:30:30 See Siri AI’s complete responses on iPhone and macOS (Bill)
• 00:35:12 Instinct and Muse vs. Siri AI

• And Dots and Grok Bot

• 00:43:37 Claude API credits on Max plans
• 00:44:47 Quickly expand the window you’re working in (Bruce)
• 00:46:34 Start a Siri Swear Jar (Mark)
• Sponsors

• 00:47:45 SPONSOR: Origin is endpoint AI observability. See what a trace looks like at https://originhq.com/macgeekgab
• 00:49:06 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software at https://barebones.com/ … now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.

Your Questions Answered

• 00:50:19 Why won’t my Mac shut down automatically? (Karl)

• To schedule a daily shutdown at 11 PM and wake or power on at 6 AM:

sudo pmset repeat shutdown MTWRFSU 23:00:00 wakeorpoweron MTWRFSU 06:00:00

• To see the current schedule:

pmset -g sched

• Prefer an app? BAM

• 01:00:12 My monitor is failing. Should I repair it? (Mike)

• Which 5K monitor for my Mac? (MGG 1136)

• 01:04:39 Which webcam should I get for Zoom calls? (John)

• Insta360 Link 2 Pro
• Insta360 Link 2C – $150
• Obsbot Meet Flip
• Continuity Camera

• 01:12:20 Did macOS 27 change how Finder selects file names? (Todd)
• 01:15:59 MGG 1165 Outro

• 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Mac Geek Gab 1164 is all about Cool Stuff Made, the apps you built and sent in, starting with Tap2Click, which finally gives your Magic Mouse a quiet tap-to-click. You’ll hear why rough-draft coding with AI is changing who gets to build Mac software, and how Dave’s own Ottograph fixed per-alias signatures in Apple Mail in a single evening. Then Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton show you BAM for auto-quitting idle Mac apps and scheduling shutdowns, HEVCut for shrinking iPhone videos to reclaim storage, and WatchBlocks, a full sandbox survival game that runs on your Apple Watch.

Next, Apple’s Welcome Home lineup gets the once-over: the new HomeView smart display with Siri AI and multi-user support, the HomePod mini 2, the new Apple TV 4K with far-field mics and AV1 decoding, and the Apple Home Collection built with LG and Schneider. You’ll find out who should upgrade and who should stay put.

Then the listener-built apps keep coming. Sundrop turns your photo library into a time-lapse of your kids growing up, Odie logs your mileage automatically for tax time, and MailRules sorts your inbox with rules you write in plain English. Discrity shows you which apps are using your Mac’s camera and microphone, NotchPop turns your MacBook notch into a dashboard, and Faro helps you pick tonight’s movie. You’ll also get MailKeys for Gmail shortcuts in Apple Mail, Driftlog for a self-building travel map, LidKeeper for finishing jobs after you close the lid, Floodtide as a Mac Updater replacement before that database goes dark, and ThreadSaver for backing up your Messages. Press play to find your next favorite indie app, and whatever you do, Don’t Get Caught!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1164 for Monday, October 19th, 2026

• October 19th: National New Friends Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a MGG T-Shirt!
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!

• Cool Stuff Made

• 00:00:01 Michael-CSM-Tap2Click adds tap-to-click for Magic Mouse
• 00:03:37 CSM-Ottograph
• 00:04:37 Rough Draft Coding has taken on new life
• 00:12:08 JT-CSM-BAM to close apps you’re not using
• 00:15:04 Alejandro-CSM-HEVCut shrinks videos and photos on iPhone
• 00:17:31 CSM-WatchBlocks-An Apple Watch game

• Sponsors

• 00:20:56 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/MGG
• 00:22:20 SPONSOR: Hostinger. Hostinger builds your vision step by step. Create your website today. Go to https://hostinger.com/mgg and use code MGG for 10% off now

• 00:23:45 Welcome Home, Apple!

• 00:28:09 New Apple HomeView Smart Speaker with Screen and Siri AI
• 00:38:31 Apple HomePod mini 2 with Siri AI, better Sound
• 00:43:49 New Apple TV 4K with Siri AI
• 00:57:23 Apple Home Collection with LG and Schneider

• MOAR CSM

• 00:59:36 Ben-CSM-Sundrop photos to show your kids growing up
• 01:01:30 @n-Taylor-CSM-Odie, an automatic iPhone car mileage tracker
• 01:03:00 Tilak-CSM-MailRules to sort your inbox with plain English rules
• 01:04:45 Jiaming-CSM-Discrity shows which apps are using your Mac’s camera and microphone
• 01:06:08 Tejas-CSM-NotchPop to enhance your MacBook’s notch
• 01:07:50 Phil-CSM-Faro helps you decide what movie to watch
• 01:09:10 Jason-CSM-MailKeys to add Gmail shortcuts to Apple Mail
• 01:10:23 Aki-CSM-Driftlog, a self-populating travel map for your iPhone
• 01:12:28 Saif-CSF-LidKeeper to let your Mac finish it’s jobs after you close the lid
• 01:14:22 Raffi-CSM-Floodtide for updating your Mac’s apps
• 01:17:23 Donald-CSM-ThreadSaver for backing up Messages

• 01:19:22 MGG 1164 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Customize your Finder icons for instant recognition, stretch your Apple Watch battery on long workouts with Low Power Mode, and jump months back in your Messages history with a single tap. You’ll also learn how to force macOS 27 to download from Terminal when Software Update won’t show it, and how to run separate Claude Desktop apps for work and home. Then your two geeks and a pilot tackle whether you can migrate to a new iPhone from an iOS beta, whether you need Mail.app running to feed Apple Intelligence, and the one Search setting that might be keeping Siri from your data.

The big revelation is that you can now ask Siri why something failed, and she might actually tell you. No yelling required, though an emphatically kind request helps. You’ll get the best ways to connect to your Synology DiskStation without certificate warnings, and find out why Apple Watch battery service may get you a whole new watch, possibly with blood oxygen intact. Cool Stuff Found brings SetShot for tracking macOS settings changes, Marked QL for previewing Markdown in Quick Look, a folding case for iPhone Duo, and news that Apple will replace the Duo’s screen layer when the crease shows up. Press play, ask better questions, and Don’t Get Caught!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1163 for Monday, October 12th, 2026

• October 12th: National Gumbo Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a MGG T-Shirt!
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Pilot Pete-QT-Customize macOS Finder icons
• 00:03:37 Jonathan-QT-Put your Apple Watch in Low Power Mode during extended workout sessions
• 00:06:00 PilotPete-QT-Getting to earlier messages quickly
• 00:09:14 NASANut-Try the Terminal if you can’t see macOS 27 in Software Update

• softwareupdate –list-full-installers
• softwareupdate –fetch-full-installer –full-installer-version 27.0.1
• Dash for macOS

• 00:16:32 PorthosJon-QT-Run multiple Claude Desktop Apps for work/home

• For a second account I have it running `open -n -a “Claude” –args –user-data-dir=”$HOME/.claude-instances/work”`

• Sponsors

• 00:20:50 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off at https://clnmy.com/MACGEEK
• 00:22:06 SPONSOR: Proton VPN. Unlike most VPNs, Proton is backed by strong European privacy laws, and, right now, Proton VPN is offering our listeners 70% off a two year plan when you go to https://protonvpn.com/MGG

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:23:41 Terry-Can I migrate from a phone running an iOS beta?
• 00:27:48 Are Pete and Dave still getting iPhone Duo?
• 00:29:14 Barry-Should I be running Mail.app to take advantage of Apple Intelligence?

• hybridsearchd high CPU usage is often triggered by Smart Mailboxes using “Entire Message” criteria

• 00:35:21 Robb-DGC-Make sure Siri can see your apps’ data
• 00:37:22 Siri Can Answer Tech Support Questions About Your Mac

• Try asking “Why did that fail?” and it might just tell you!

• Sponsors

• 00:45:51 SPONSOR: Shopify. If you’re ready to stop putting off your business and start selling, sign up for your free trial and start selling today at http://shopify.com/MGG
• 00:46:58 SPONSOR: Origin is endpoint AI observability. See what a trace looks like at https://originhq.com/macgeekgab

• MOAR Questions Answered and Tips shared – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:48:13 NASANut-How do you connect to your DiskStations?

• http://mariushosting.com/

• 00:55:32 James-1161-Apple replaced our Apple Watches when we repaired our batteries
• 00:57:35 Martin-1161-Apple Watch warranty replacements might display O2

• Cool Stuff Found

• 00:58:48 Andrew-CSF-SetShot to track macOS Settings Changes
• 01:01:59 Allison-CSF-Marked QL QuickLook plugin (in Setapp, too)

• Marked 3

• 01:05:47 Terry-CSF-Limitless iPhone Duo Case
• 01:10:12 Apple will replace Duo folding screen

• 01:12:23 MGG 1163 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Kick off Mac Geek Gab 1162 with a stack of quick tips. You’ll stop your iPhone’s Camera Control from firing on every accidental squeeze, flip the Mac app switcher into reverse without lifting a finger, and ask Safari to describe an extension and build it for you. You’ll snooze your alarm with S-Lady and get (a little) relief from macOS 27’s hybridsearchd CPU hog. You’ll also borrow a brilliant Shortcuts automation that swaps eSIMs the moment your plane leaves the gate. Then you’ll add your kids’ vital details to your own Medical ID, bring back every closed tab with Command-Shift-T, share contacts despite Apple’s Family Sharing limits, and learn why a quarterly check of your firewall, privacy, and notification settings keeps you from getting blindsided. Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton also dig into the iPhone 18 Pro color controversy to find out whether it’s chromations, aberrations, or just a sheen.

Then your questions get answered. You’ll fix macOS 27 Golden Gate headaches like broken login items, a Hazel that’s gone on strike, and a Spotlight index that needs a fresh start. You’ll turn your Apple Health data into a readable report your doctor can actually use, and you’ll learn how to make your AirPods Pro work as real hearing protection at your next concert. Finally, you’ll find the best path to building Shortcuts, whether that’s a trusted field guide or letting AI write one for you. Press play, tune up your settings, and whatever you do, Don’t Get Caught!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1162 for Monday, October 5th, 2026

• October 5th: National Do Something Nice Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a MGG T-Shirt!
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!
• MGG Monthly Giveaway

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Todd-QT-Set Double Click to open the camera app

• Nomad Traditional Leather Case

• 00:06:26 Paul-QT-Cmd+Shift+Back-Tick AppSwitch in Right to Left Direction
• 00:09:13 Stephen-QT-Hey Safari, Describe an Extension

• Produce four sliders to adjust the brightness (50-200%), contrast (50-200%), saturation (0-200%) and hue of all images. Label sliders B, C, S, H. Include a minimize button labelled -. Put the panel half way up the window. Include a reset button to return values to 100, 100, 100 and 0. Minimise after 10 seconds since last use. Reduce empty space in panel. When minimized only show standard brightness and contrast icons (black and white versions) side-by-side. Tap on those to restore panel. Save the values.

• 00:12:22 macOS 27 (developer beta 2) begins to resolve hybridsearchd high CPU usage
• 00:13:21 Adam-QT-Hey S-Lady, Snooze!
• 00:16:21 Kevin-QT-Shortcuts to Travel By – Switching eSim Networks seamlessly!

• Sponsors

• 00:20:18 SPONSOR:Eleven Labs: ElevenAgents can help build experiences that your customers will actually love. If you handle customer interactions, you can start with a demo athttps://elevenlabs.io/MGG
• 00:22:06 SPONSOR:Hims is changing men’s healthcare by providing convenient, quality care, 100% online. Start your free online visit today athttps://hims.com/MGG.

• MOAR Quick Tips

• 00:23:34 Marcelo-QT-Add your children’s details to your own iPhone’s Medical ID
• 00:26:22 Jeff-QT-Cmd+Shift+T to reopen multiple closed browser tabs

• History > Reopen Last Closed [Window|Tab]

• 00:28:25 Andrew-QT-Check and confirm your presumed system settings
• 00:32:32 Managing Notifications Settings
• 00:37:05 SarasotaSteve-QT-Sharing Contacts in spite of Apple Restrictions
• 00:40:50 iPhone 18 Pro Color Controversy

• Sponsors

• 00:46:43 SPONSOR:Origin is endpoint AI observability. See what a trace looks like athttps://originhq.com/macgeekgab
• 00:48:02 SPONSOR:Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start athttps://gusto.com/MGG

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:49:20 Jeremy-GoldenGate Woes Call for Help

• sudo mdutil -a -E
• Bartender for macOS 27

• 00:58:23 Michael-How to Share iOS Health App Data with Medical Professionals?

• Vitalina app

• 01:04:37 Rob-Airpods Pro Hearing Protection Provided?
• 01:13:05 Mark-?-Best method to build a shortcut?

• MacSparky’s Shortcuts Field Guide

• 01:19:55 MGG 1162 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Kick off Mac Geek Gab 1161 with a round of Quick Tips: flip through browser tabs with Command-Shift-[ and ], kill your iPhone flashlight with one tap, and learn iOS 27’s new swipe-down layout, where notifications, Siri, and Control Center each get their own corner. You’ll also bring CarPlay widgets back into your life, compare the apps on all your Macs with one Terminal command (and a little AI help), and find the Identity Documents collection hiding in iOS 27 Photos.

Then Don’t Get Caught by SIM protection blocking your new iPhone setup, a watch battery “replacement” that quietly swaps your Apple Watch and takes blood oxygen readings with it, or a GPS-only Apple Watch that can’t call for help when you need it most.

Next, your two geeks and a pilot figure out why iCloud Drive won’t keep your files local, share how they juggle iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Synology Drive, and help a caregiver limit an iPhone’s outgoing calls to a trusted few. You’ll get the right way to speed test your internet from your router, a fix for Siri AI that won’t leave, and an update on hybridsearchd eating your Mac’s CPU in macOS 27.

Stick around for Cool Stuff Found, where Adam finally ends years of naked-iPhone with a screen protector (and a dose of shame) that goes on perfectly every time. Press play and get your answers before your gear gets you!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1161 for Monday, September 28th, 2026

• September 28th: National Family Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SuperDuper! 4
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Todd-QT-1160-use Command-Shift-[ to switch between browser tabs
• 00:04:45 Martin-QT-Turn off the Flashlight with a quick tap of the icon
• 00:07:37 Dr. Dream-QT-iOS 27 Swipe Down has a third option now
• 00:08:47 Andrew-QT-Use CarPlay Widgets again in iOS 27
• 00:13:08 Andrew-QT-Compare apps on all your Macs

• ls /Applications > ~/Desktop/apps-list.txt

• 00:17:51 Manhattan Glen-QT-iOS 27 Photos has Identity Documents
• 00:21:50 Genius Scan to scan things

• Sponsors

• 00:23:38 SPONSOR: Hostinger. Hostinger builds your vision step by step. Create your website today. Go to https://hostinger.com/mgg and use code MGG for 10% off now
• 00:25:01 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software at https://barebones.com/ … now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.

• Don’t Get Caught

• 00:26:14 Bill-DGC-Disable SIM Lock/Protection before transferring to your new iPhone
• 00:28:27 Brian-1159-Replacing the battery might replace your Apple Watch…and lose features
• 00:34:42 Doug-DGC-Carefully Consider a GPS-only Apple Watch

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:35:47 Joe-Why is iCloud Drive not syncing down all of my files?

• Cirrus & Bailiff from Eclectic Light
• Dropbox
• OneDrive
• Google Drive
• Synology Drive
• Resilio Sync

• 00:45:38 HiFiGMan-How do I limit outgoing calls to only certain people?

• Sponsors

• 00:55:52 SPONSOR: Origin is endpoint AI observability. See what a trace looks like at https://originhq.com/macgeekgab
• 00:57:18 SPONSOR: Private Internet Access VPN – Save 82% off your VPN service PLUS four free months with a two-year plan at https://piavpn.com/mgg.

• Follow-Ups

• 00:58:40 Andrew-1160-Use your router’s speed test app

• Netgear Orbi
• Eero
• UniFi Cloud Gateway Max

• 01:01:19 Larry-Siri AI hangs around too long
• 01:04:50 More about hybridsearchd CPU usage in macOS 27

• Cool Stuff Found

• 01:10:00 ATC-CSF- Spigen GLAS.tR EZ Fit – Screen protector

• AILUN iPhone Screen Protectors

• 01:21:18 MGG 1161 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You’ll learn how to ask S-Lady to find a family member through Find My so you don’t have to call them, and why Command-Backtick (one key up from Tab) cycles windows inside a single app while Command-1, 2, 3 hops tabs in Safari, Chrome, Comet, and even Mail. You’ll follow Dave down the iPhone system data rabbit hole, where 59GB of mystery storage led to a full wipe, a genuinely useful “keep eSIMs and erase data” option, and then 52GB creeping right back three days later. You’ll turn an always-on Mac mini into an AirPlay music server you drive from the Remote app, so the party keeps playing after you make a beer run. You’ll discover that Terminal’s Secure Keyboard Entry checkbox is why your TextExpander and Rocket Typist snippets quit firing. And you’ll hear the cheapest Wi-Fi fix in history: delete the speed test app. Plus, AI as a genealogy research partner: the kind that surfaces buried leads you verify yourself.

Don’t Get Caught after a macOS update wondering why Hazel stopped filing your bank statements: the rules were fine, but Spotlight’s index was in a bad state, so rebuild it with OnyX or Terminal and reboot. You’ll get real numbers on the Apple Upgrade Program: zero percent APR, financed through Klarna, three mandatory choices at the end of your term, and a “good condition” clause nobody defines. You’ll learn the Apple Watch Ultra 4’s screen really is bigger than Series 12’s, and that a 99-cent app called O2 Buddy puts blood oxygen back on your wrist. Then you’ll rethink family contact cards using smart lists built on a keyword in the Notes field, and hear why Contacts is the one thing Dave has ever lost to sync. Watch where new contacts get saved, or you’ll be staring at a text thinking…old contact, who dis? Closing it out: why Siri still wants a data connection for requests that should never leave your phone.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1160 for Monday, September 21st, 2026

• September 21st: Wife Appreciation Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SuperDuper! 4
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Si-QT-Find my person with S lady
• 00:03:05 Dennis-QT-Cmd+` to Change Windows Cmd+[n] (n=number) to change tabs within an App
• 00:06:31 DLH-Keep your sims and erase the data
• 00:12:47 JW Blat-Using your Mac as an AirPlay music server
• 00:15:43 Pilot Pete-QT-Kill Secure Input Quickly if Terminal is Open

• TextExpander
• Rocket Typist

• 00:18:15 QT-Fix your WiFi by deleting the SpeedTest app
• 00:25:50 Russ-QT-Using A/I As a Genealogy Research Assistant

• MGG Reviews athttps://macgeekgab.com/reviews

• 00:32:33 VirtualStash-MGG Review-Best podcast out there

• Don’t Get Caught

• 00:33:45 Pilot Pete-DGC-After a macOS update Spotlight Index was in a Bad State

• OnyX
• Or one way from Terminal:

• sudo mdutil -a -i off
• sudo rm -rf /System/Volumes/Data/.Spotlight-V100 /.Spotlight-V100
• sudo mdutil -a -i on

• Sponsors

• 00:36:49 SPONSOR:Shopify. If you’re ready to stop putting off your business and start selling, sign up for your free trial and start selling today athttp://shopify.com/MGG
• 00:38:06 SPONSOR:Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start athttps://gusto.com/MGG

• Apple Event Errata and Updates

• 00:39:16 Tom-Feedback / Question: Apple Upgrade Program Pricing Structure
• 00:51:48 Tim A-The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a bigger screen than the Apple Watch 12
• 00:54:24 Bob-CSF-O2 Buddy brings Data On Your Watch Anyway!
• 00:56:26 What did your geeks order?

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 01:00:16 David-What’s the best way to manage Family Contact Cards in Contacts?
• 01:08:40 DJ Val-Why does Siri need a data connection for offline requests

• 01:16:28 MGG 1160 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Apple’s September 2026 keynote is in the books, and Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton are here to help you figure out what’s actually worth your money. You kick things off with the big question: what are your three favorite geeks gonna buy? They then dig into the reasons, starting with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: battery life, new health sensors, Live Rewind, Siri Recap, and an Audio Intelligence feature that really should’ve been called Audible Intelligence. Then it’s on to the star of the show, the iPhone Duo, where you get the real story on its price, how much storage you actually need, and that crease. And, oh yeah, MagSafe.

From there, you’ll size up the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and find out why Siri AI may be what finally pushes you to upgrade your hardware, and how iCloud+ quietly turned into an AI paywall. Before you sign up for Apple Upgrade, you’ll learn that the fine print calls it a lease. Then you get the lowdown on AirPods 5 and whether AppleCare One Family at $49.99 a month makes sense for your household.

By the end, you’ll know whether all this talk changed anyone’s shopping list, and whether it should change yours. Don’t Get Caught overpaying for your next upgrade!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1159 for Monday, September 14th, 2026

• September 14th: National Cream Filled Donut Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SuperDuper! 4

• 00:05:08 What are you gonna buy?

• Pete: AppleCare One Family, iPhone Duo
• Adam: iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12
• Dave: iPhone Duo, Maybe an Apple Watch?

• 00:07:06 Apple Watch Series 12 / Ultra 4

• Battery Life
• New Health Sensors
• Audio Intelligence (really should be Audible Intelligence)
• Live Rewind
• Siri Recap

• 00:18:07 Legal implications of tech that is always recording
• 00:20:38 Pete’s thoughts on the Apple Watch Battery Life

• S11 Chip
• Bee app for listening

• 00:25:49 Cellular on Apple Watch

• US Mobile uses it
• Mint Mobile can’t

• Sponsors

• 00:30:03 SPONSOR:Proton VPN. Unlike most VPNs, Proton is backed by strong European privacy laws, and, right now, Proton VPN is offering our listeners 70% off a two year plan when you go tohttps://protonvpn.com/MGG
• 00:31:08 SPONSOR:Hims is changing men’s healthcare by providing convenient, quality care, 100% online. Start your free online visit today athttps://hims.com/MGG.
• 00:32:21 SPONSOR:CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off athttps://clnmy.com/MACGEEK

• 00:33:42 iPhone Duo

• Linus Tech on iPhone Duo
• Marques Brown on iPhone Duo
• The price of the iPhone Duo
• Storage on an iPhone Duo

• 00:55:02 iPhone Duo has a crease
• 00:58:59 iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max
• 01:04:24 Siri AI is the reason for a hardware upgrade

• iCloud+ quietly became an AI paywall

• 01:10:23 “Apple Upgrade” is a lease
• 01:13:53 AirPods 5
• 01:18:50 AppleCare One Family

• $49.99/mo for the Family Plan

• 01:29:58 Did this discussion change what you’re gonna buy?
• 01:31:46 MGG 1159 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Start Mac Geek Gab 1158 with Quick Tips you’ll actually use: trigger your iPhone’s camera from your Apple Watch, pull a full-quality photo out of any video in iOS 27, and find out why hybridsearchd is quietly eating your CPU in macOS Golden Gate. You’ll also get the right way to set up Homebrew on a brand-new Mac, meet mackup for keeping your settings in sync across every Mac you own, and watch Siri AI turn a business card into a contact without you typing a thing.

Then your two favorite geeks and pilot dig into your questions: how much RAM is actually enough, how iOS call screening and spam filtering really behave, which outdoor cameras earn their keep, and how to reconnect to that remote NAS that keeps ghosting you. You’ll finally learn whether you can delete someone from a group text, get the early word on Sonos 27, and settle the great “how do we even say Siri AI?” debate in a lightning round that lands on S.A.I., S-Lady, Papaya, and — maybe — S-Bot. Press play, get the answers before your gear gets you, and whatever you do, Don’t Get Caught!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1158 for Monday, September 7th, 2026 – https://mgg.fm/1158

• September 7th: National Beer Lovers Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SuperDuper! 4
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Todd-QT-Use your Apple Watch Camera Remote
• 00:03:40 Pilot Pete-QT-Save Video Still as Full Quality Photo iOS 27
• 00:06:10 hybridsearchd in macOS Golden Gate using CPU
• 00:10:15 Pensacola Craig-Nuke & Dave: using Homebrew on a new Mac
• 00:11:40 mackup to copy your settings and keep them in sync between your Macs
• 00:12:40 Dom Bettinelli-Create a new contact from business card with Siri AI

• MGG Reviews at https://macgeekgab.com/review

• 00:15:07 iGuy1984-MGG Review-Fantastic
• 00:18:22 TaiPai59-MGG Review-Great show!!

• Sponsors

• 00:19:28 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/MGG
• 00:20:43 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

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:22:00 Dan-How much RAM is enough?
• 00:38:10 Mark-Call Screening options and behavior in iOS

• Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Filtering > Spam

• 00:45:50 Mike-Which outdoor cameras do you use?

• Eufy Security Cameras
• Thermacell LIV

• 00:56:29 Peer Timo-How can I re-connect to my remote NAS?
• 01:04:15 Ericka-Can you delete someone from a group text?
• 01:11:57 Sonos 27mcp in Early Access

• How to Say Siri AI – The Lightning Round

• 01:16:33 Bill-1157-Maybe it’s just SAI
• 01:17:25 Dan-I think S-Lady is the right answer!
• 01:19:00 Simon-1157–Maybe Just Notch out The Siri Frequencies?
• 01:20:26 Ben-1157-Papaya!
• 01:21:09 Adam-1157-Another way to say Siri
• 01:22:47 Shree AI?
• …or maybe it’s S-Bot!

• 01:23:44 MGG 1158 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Kick off Mac Geek Gab 1157 with a rapid-fire round of Quick Tips: find the new Siri option hiding in your Camera app, tame Archive Utility’s settings to streamline your workflow, and turn your scanner and printer into a DIY copier over FTP. You’ll also learn where macOS quietly stashes your FileVault recovery key (hint: check Passwords) and how to wrangle your files so AI can actually help you, including a listener who let AI sort an entire TV library and another who put Claude Cowork to work as his personal Mac updater.

Then it’s time for Apple’s big hardware drop: the M6 and M5 Ultra arrive in a new Mac mini and Mac Studio, with 2.5-gig Ethernet as the buried lede. Your two geeks and a pilot break down what’s worth your money, tackle Apple’s storage pricing problem with Thunderbolt and USB alternatives that won’t drain your wallet, and answer whether you can move your home folder to an external drive to dodge Apple’s SSD tax (spoiler: you can, and maybe it’s time we start endorsing this?). Stick around for Cool Stuff Found: a robot mower that behaves even without fences, a smarter way to peek inside archives, and a slick DMG utility. Press play, get your answers before your gear gets you… and whatever you do, Don’t Get Caught!

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1157 for Monday, August 31st, 2026

• August 31st: World Distance Learning Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Yoink, Screenfloat, Transloader, or DeskMat from Eternal Storms
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Pilot Pete-QT-New “Siri” option in Camera
• 00:02:43 Allan-QT-Use Archive Utility’s Settings to streamline your workflow – From Stephen Robles
• 00:05:21 Jim-QT-Connect your scanner and printer via FTP to make a copier

• Also scan to USB for speed

• 00:08:26 KiwiGraham-QT-FileVault Recovery Key is in Passwords
• 00:13:10 Beware the stump grinders

• Call Before You Dig

• 00:14:05 Eric-CarPlay brings on an ##infinite Siri Loop
• 00:19:02 Tux-QT-Managing Files for use with Siri AI
• 00:22:01 Michael-AI Helped me sort my TV Episodes

• Build Me a Handoff Prompt

• 00:26:21 Ottograph is coming!
• 00:32:00 Steve-QT-1156-Using Claude CoWork to Play Mac Updater

• Sponsors

• 00:35:34 SPONSOR: Helix Sleep makes premium mattresses and bedding that are customized to fit your personal needs, and conveniently shipped to your door. Go to https://helixsleep.com/MGG for 27% Off Sitewide.
• 00:37:14 SPONSOR: Proton VPN. Unlike most VPNs, Proton is backed by strong European privacy laws, and, right now, Proton VPN is offering our listeners 70% off a two year plan when you go to https://protonvpn.com/MGG
• 00:38:38 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:39:46 New M6, M5Ultra

• New Mac mini M6 and M5 Pro
• New Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra
• Ian-All with 2.5GB Ethernet as standard!

• 00:48:12 Pensacola Craig-Apple has a pricing problem

• Thunderbolt Drives

• SABRENT Rocket XTRM 5 2GB (TB5) – $400
• SABRENT Rocket Nano XTRAM (TB3) – $340

• USB 10G drives

• SANDISK 2TB – $290
• Lexar 2TB – $270

• 00:56:51 Josh-Can I move my home folder to an external drive to save on storage costs with a new computer?

• Cool Stuff Found

• 01:05:38 PIlot Pete-CSF-Worx Landroid WR320.1 Robot Mower

• Works with no fences between you and neighbor

• 01:13:35 ATCCSF-BetterZip Quick Look Generator and Extension
• 01:16:18 rndoug-csf-EasyDMGapp (also courtesy of Stephen Robles)

• 01:17:48 MGG 1157 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Ever fire off a text that never actually sent? You’ll learn how to clear those stale unsent iMessages out of the More menu, move your Dock between displays using nothing but your cursor, and set exactly how long you share your location with iOS 27 (anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 days), plus a quiet hide that doesn’t tip the other person off. You’ll also grab videos out of Messages with a simple click-and-drag, and build a TextExpander snippet that pastes as plain text into those maddening web forms that block Command-V in the name of “security.”

Then it’s your questions. Why does the Passwords app crawl on one Mac while syncing fine on everything else? And how do you safely peek inside its SQLite database without breaking it? You’ll find out how to get your Recents folder to actually reflect recent, what’s really happening when an app disables TextExpander expansion, where to turn now that MacUpdater’s databases have gone stale, and what your options are when OneNote crashes on launch and holds years of research hostage. Stick around for all three of us on long-term storage: Synology, cloud archives, and the two-layer approach that keeps your irreplaceable stuff off-site. Adam’s the cautionary tale: a migration he was sure he’d finished, a Drobo powered off for a year, and files that aren’t where he swore he put them. Don’t get caught assuming your backup ran. Go check.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1156 for Monday, August 24th, 2026

• August 24th: National Waffle Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Yoink, Screenfloat, Transloader, or DeskMat from Eternal Storms

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Clifton-QT-Delete Stale Unsent Messages
• 00:05:08 Jim-QT-Move the Dock between displays with your mouse

• Disable Click on Desktop to Expose

• 00:10:00 Pete-Customize Location Sharing in iOS 27
• 00:13:54 Aron-QT-1149-Save iMessage Videos with Click-and-drag
• 00:14:32 Bruce-QT-1148-Setup TextExpander Snippets for Pasting as Text

• Sponsors

• 00:19:13 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/MGG
• 00:20:47 SPONSOR: Hims is changing men’s healthcare by providing convenient, quality care, 100% online. Start your free online visit today at https://hims.com/MGG.

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:22:29 Bruce-Troubleshooting a slow passwords database

• Base to open sqlite database
• SQLite Browser

• 00:35:03 Jim-How do I get my Recents folder to behave?
• 00:42:35 Harvey-How to deal with TextExpander stopping expansion
• 00:48:44 Eric-MacUpdater replacement options?

• Updatest
• CleanMyMac’s Application Updater

• 00:56:25 Heidi-How can I get OneNote to stop crashing without losing all my data?

• Obsidian

• 01:06:02 Roy-What are your long-term storage plans?

• Cloud Backups – BackBlaze, iDrive E2, iCloud
• Local Storage – Drobo (RIP), Synology (Adam has DS423+)
• Hyper Backup and Arq Backup
• New SuperDuper 4

• 01:20:30 MGG 1156 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Command+Comma jumps you straight into any well-coded Mac app’s settings, no menu-hunting required, and Option+Return reveals the formula in any Numbers cell (Command+Return puts the result back). If your cross-platform Logitech keyboard has its Command and Option keys backwards, hold Fn+Shift+O for three seconds to flip the firmware into Mac mode — Fn+Shift+P sends it back to PC. While you’re at it, download the PDF manual for every new piece of gear today and stash it in Books so it syncs everywhere, because that manual won’t be on the manufacturer’s site three years from now. You’ll also hear why Siri AI in the iOS 27 betas is genuinely iterative: you can follow up, edit, and append without starting over. Plus the best quick tip anyone’s sent in: go listen to the old episodes.

Then you’re into your questions. Skipping Tahoe on your way to Golden Gate? You pay the re-indexing tax either way, so make the one jump instead of two. You’ll get the cable-bag answer (mesh zipper pouches you can see through, plus a slim organizer case that slides in next to your laptop), the 4K travel monitor that earns its space, and how one listener had Claude Cowork build an exhaustive Mac migration checklist.

You’ll hear why consolidating into a single password manager makes your next nuke-and-pave dramatically less painful, and whether an app that vets every link before you click it could actually exist, because knowing where a link really goes is how you Don’t Get Caught. Plus: build and sideload your own single-use iOS apps for free with your Xcode personal team (AltStore and Sideloadly make it stick), why Messages keeps splitting your family group thread and what actually works, and a long-overdue robot mower update covering stereo vision versus LiDAR, all-wheel drive, and what your yard size really costs you.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1155 for Monday, August 17th, 2026

• August 17th: Black Cat Appreciation Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Yoink, Screenfloat, Transloader, or DeskMat from Eternal Storms
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Christopher-QT-Command+Comma gets to App Settings NOW!
• 00:03:50 Wayne-QT-1151-Option+Return in Numbers shows Formula for current cell
• 00:05:21 Jimmy-QT-Use Fn+O to switch a Logitech Keyboard into Mac mode

• Bonus Quick Tip: System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts… > Modifier
• Bonus Bonus QT: Download PDFs of your user manuals and save them in Books (which syncs!)

• 00:11:26 Paul-Siri AI is transformative and iterative, even with local apps
• 00:15:16 Pilot Pete-If you’re on the iOS 27 Betas: Settings > Siri > Try Siri AI Beta
• 00:21:47 Joe-QT-The Best Quick Tip Ever…Listen to old episodes!

• Sponsors

• 00:24:09 SPONSOR:Helix Sleep makes premium mattresses and bedding that are customized to fit your personal needs, and conveniently shipped to your door. Go tohttps://helixsleep.com/MGG for 27% Off Sitewide.
• 00:25:50 SPONSOR:Shopify. If you’re ready to stop putting off your business and start selling, sign up for your free trial and start selling today athttp://shopify.com/MGG

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:27:18 Harvey-Long Jump to Golden Gate or Tahoe First?
• 00:30:48 Rod-Which cable organizer bags do you use?

• Mesh Zipper Pouches
• Cable organizer travel case
• ViewSonic VX1655-4K

• 00:40:15 Alexander-Using Claude Cowork to build a Mac migration checklist
• 00:42:58 Patrick-QT-1154-Using a password manager makes Nuke-and-Pave simpler
• 00:48:14 Clif-What about an app that checks every link I click?
• 00:53:57 Joe-Can I create my own single-use iOS apps without paying for a developer account?
• 00:58:59 Kim-Why Messages is Splitting Groups and What to do about it?

• Cool Stuff Found

• 01:05:48 ATC-Altstore or Sideloadly

• AltStore
• Sideloadly

• 01:09:24 Robot Mowers Revisited

• eufy Robot Mower e15 – $1,199.99
• Segway Navimow i215 LiDAR Robot Mower – $1,599
• Mammotion LUBA mini 2 AWD – $1,799.00
• Navimow X4 Robotic Lawn Mower – $2,499.00

• 01:24:26 MGG 1155 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You’ll start with a travel charger that swallows 200-plus countries into one brick, then find out that macOS Tahoe 26.6 is quietly rebuilding your Spotlight index to get ready for macOS 27…and hear the theory on why Apple wants that churn finished before you upgrade. You’ll get talked into finally looking at Raycast (with a nostalgia lap through Quicksilver, LaunchBar, and Alfred), meet Brett Terpstra’s TerminalWidget as the GeekTool replacement you’ve been waiting a decade for, and learn how Paperless-ngx in Docker can run your entire paperless workflow off a Mac or a Synology. There’s Type Switch for anyone living in two keyboard layouts, LibraryThing for the book hoarders, Nixbook for putting an operating system with guardrails on an old Mac, wallet tracker cards that double as digital business cards, and Tailscale Grants so the family you added to your tailnet can’t go wandering your whole network. You’ll also stop fighting the Sonos app and just AirPlay to your speakers, and pick up the Siri fix that ends the “did you mean” death spiral: answer “the first one,” not by repeating yourself.

Then it gets real. You’ll sit in on the question every geek eventually faces: Migration Assistant or nuke and pave? You’ll hear why a half-fresh install is the worst of both worlds, how keeping the old machine alive on your network turns a scary afternoon into a safe one, and where to log in and reclaim those third-party licenses when you hit your device limit. You’ll learn what those “free credit monitoring after a breach” offers are actually worth, why freezing your credit at all three bureaus costs nothing by law no matter how hard they upsell you, and the surprise bonus that a credit lock also blocks buy-now-pay-later signups. And when your Synology Assistant app goes Intel-only, finds.synology.com finds your NAS from the browser. Five new things, minimum, so whatever this week throws at you, don’t get caught.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1154 for Monday, August 10th, 2026

• August 10th: National Spoil Your Dog Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Yoink, Screenfloat, Transloader, or DeskMat from Eternal Storms

• Cool Stuff Found

• 00:00:01 John-CSF-Anker Nano Travel Plug Adapter for over 200 Countries
• 00:02:27 Hey there, Pilot Pete!
• 00:03:28 Allen-CSF-Raycast is the best app launcher, and it’s free!

• Alfred
• QuickSilver

• 00:07:11 macOS Tahoe 26.6 optimizes the Spotlight index to prepare for macOS 27
• 00:12:26 Jessi-CSF-TerminalWidget to replace GeekTool
• 00:14:58 Max-CSM-Type Switch for people who regularly type in more than one language
• 00:16:15 Paul-CSF-Paperless-NGX runs in a docker container
• 00:18:43 Mike-CSF-Pause Take9
• 00:19:57 Also…beware of recurring in-app purchases from scammy apps.
• 00:22:58 KingKelson-CSF-1130-LibraryThing for organizing books (and Kevin, too)

• 00:23:53 Don’t sleep on Sonos with AirPlay

• 00:28:02 Does Siri on HomePod get smarter with Apple Intelligence?
• 00:30:22 You can tell Siri AI “the first one” or “the third one” when it gives you an audible list of options for its (potential) translation of your commands
• 00:33:33 Siri AI is still misgendering people despite the update to their Contact record
• 00:35:42 Joel-CSF-Ridge Wallet Tracker Card

• Rolling Square AirCard

• 00:38:44 CSF-TOS 7.0 for TNAS— Full Native AI NAS OS (leveraging OpenClaw)
• 00:44:36 WillRun4Fun-CSF-Nixbook for putting linux on older Macs
• 00:47:04 Jonathan-Tailscale Grants allows you to control what your family can do

• Sponsor

• 00:50:13 SPONSOR:CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off athttps://clnmy.com/MACGEEKhttps://clnmy.com/MACGEEK

• Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

• 00:52:29 Mark-Nuke and Pave vs. Partial Migration?
• 01:06:46 Andy-Should I take the credit monitoring service offers?

• PIlot Pete says: freeze your credit bureau accounts

• TransUnion Freeze
• Equifax Freeze
• Experian Freeze

• 01:13:21 Joe-How do I find my Synology server?
• 01:17:40 MacPaw and Liquid AI bring On-Device AI to Millions of Mac Users
• 01:18:48 iNET App for local scanning

• 01:19:47 MGG 1154 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Your quick tips run deep this week. Learn why snapping a throwaway photo is the fastest route to every picture you’ve ever taken at that spot, then rediscover Libby for free ebooks and audiobooks from your public library. You’ll find the hidden Attachments Browser in Notes (Command-3) that filters your notes by scans, documents, maps, and websites — plus a reminder that tagging still beats foldering. Drag the items in the Messages plus menu into the order you actually use them, right-click your Activity Monitor column headers to surface the data you’re missing, and open two windows on the same Excel or FileMaker document so building formulas stops feeling like guesswork. Scott explains why he left Mint Mobile for US Mobile and put his two lines on two different networks, and Ron shows you how VoiceOver can read the date the moment your iPhone wakes. Don’t Get Caught assuming your QR scans are saved: the Code Scanner app throws away your link history when you close it, so use the Camera app or tap through to Safari.

Then things get interesting. Dave walks through migrating to a new M4 mini without Migration Assistant, using Homebrew casks to reinstall apps cleanly instead of dragging years of cruft along. Adam reports from the iOS 27 public beta where the new Siri is finally delivering — except it keeps misgendering his kids based on their first names, and the fix might live in your contact records. Paul shares first impressions of the Golden Gate beta, and Ron’s question sparks a real conversation about whether a VPN or iCloud Private Relay deserves the spot on your device (spoiler: they don’t play nicely together). You’ll get honest advice on whether to buy the next iPhone or wait, plus clarity on encrypted drives, exFAT, and why moving to APFS is the safer bet: back up first, because you will lose data. Cool Stuff Found closes it out with Nib for fully on-device transcription and apfel, which gives you command-line access to the LLM already sitting on your Mac.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1153 for Monday, August 3rd, 2026

• August 3rd: Big Forehead Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Yoink, Screenfloat, Transloader, or DeskMat from Eternal Storms
• The MGG Merch Store is Live!
• MGG Monthly Giveaway

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Todd-QT-1150-Take a Photo to easily find past photos at the same location
• 00:05:13 Deborah-QT-1148-Don’t forget about Libby for free book rentals

• Dungeon Crawler Carl

• 00:09:10 Adam-QT-Notes, View > Show Attachments Browser for a filtered look at your Notes data

• And also don’t forget about #tagging your notes

• 00:11:48 Managing notes and tags and lists and reminders
• 00:14:54 Ron-QT-Rearrange iPhone Messages + menu
• 00:17:22 Ben-QT-1149-Right-Click Activity Monitor Headers to add columns
• 00:19:25 Todd-QT-Use Multiple Windows for the same document in Excel, FileMaker, and more
• 00:21:35 Scott-QT-1151-The reason I switched from Mint Mobile to US Mobile
• 00:25:09 Ron-QT-Setup your iPhone and iPad to read the date upon wake
• 00:26:19 Todd-DGC-1152-Code Scanner app doesn’t save link history

• Sponsors

• 00:29:00 SPONSOR:OneSkin. Born from over a decade of longevity research, OneSkin’s OS-01 Peptide is proven to target the visible signs of aging. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MGG athttps://www.oneskin.co/MGG #oneskinpod #ad
• 00:30:30 SPONSOR:Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start athttps://gusto.com/MGG
• 00:31:55 SPONSOR:Hims is changing men’s healthcare by providing convenient, quality care, 100% online. Start your free online visit today at https://hims.com/MacGeekGab.

• Migrating without Migration Assistant

• 00:33:15 Dave-Migrating to a new M4 Mini: The benefits of installing your apps with homebrew

• Updatest

• Beta Thoughts

• 00:36:54 ATC-On the Public iOS 27 beta…with an issue?

• Siri AI is beginning to live up to (at least some of!) the hype
• Except (at least in the public beta) Siri keeps misgendering people based upon their first names

• 00:50:27 Paul-Initial thoughts on the Golden Gate beta
• 00:55:26 iOS 27 Liquid Glass Enhancements

• Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

• 00:56:39 Ron-Should I use A VPN or Apple’s iCloud Private Relay?

• http://piavpn.com/MGG

• 01:05:39 Wi-Fi incompatible with iCloud Private Relay
• 01:07:17 James-Seeking Advice and Opinions for Upcoming iPhone Upgrade
• 01:15:43 Galen-?-Clarification on HFS+ Encryption Support Dropping in 2027

• Lexar 2TB Armor 700 SSD

• Cool Stuff Found

• 01:20:55 Yuki-CSM-Nib – transcribe audio locally on your Mac
• 01:23:16 Todd-CSF-apfel uses your Mac’s free, local LLM

• 01:26:38 MGG 1153 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Your Quick Tip arsenal gets a serious upgrade this week: use the Live Text button to make scanning QR codes easier, resurrect Apple Mail’s Predicted Mailbox when it mysteriously grays out, and run softwareupdate –history in Terminal to see every macOS update your Mac has ever installed. You’ll also hear how one listener’s Shortcuts automation fixes AirPods auto-play, why BBEdit is your secret weapon for editing Excel formulas and tailing log files, and how Safari’s Show Reader option strips the junk from cluttered pages — plus a bonus riff on the real trade-offs between convenience, privacy, and the content you actually want. And yes, Siri AI in the iOS 27 betas is finally impressing people, with real-world examples to prove it.

Then Dave Hamilton and Adam Christianson dig into your questions: why Safari drops website connections (and how ping helps you diagnose it), whether those archive drives sitting in your drawer need regular care (spoiler: don’t get caught trusting a single backup you never spin up), and the smartest path for migrating your custom email domain from Google Workspace to iCloud. You’ll also get the scoop on replacing the aging Paperless app before Rosetta vanishes with macOS 28, and a challenge worth taking: get your AI out of the chat window and into doing actual work for you. Press play, take notes, and Don’t Get Caught.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1152 for Monday, July 27th, 2026

• July 27th: Gary Gygax Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Mole

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Todd-QT-Use the Live Text button to make QR codes easier
• 00:06:43 Steve-QT-Using Apple Mail’s Predicted Mailbox
• Bonus QT: Connect your inbox to your favorite LLM (via an MCP Connector?) and ask it “please tell me the ten most important emails requiring my action today.”
• 00:09:55 Stephen-Some of Siri AI’s improvements in the iOS 27 betas
• 00:17:54 Mike-QT-1151-Solve AirPods auto-play issues with Shortcuts
• 00:19:15 Craig-QT-Use ‘softwareupdate –history’ to see every macOS update your Mac’s ever done.

• Adam’s Safe Download Version for XProtect

• 00:22:41 Mike-QT-You can still buy StyleWriter II cartridges at Staples!
• 00:24:11 Todd-QT-1151-Edit Excel Formulas in BBEdit
• 00:25:47 Kiwi Graham-QT-View log tails with BBEdit
• 00:29:01 Andy-QT-Use Safari’s “Show Reader” option to force reader view

• And a bonus conversation about the balance between convenience, privacy, and the entertainment we want

• Sponsors

• 00:38:18 SPONSOR:Private Internet Access VPN – Save 83% off your VPN service PLUS four free months with a two-year plan athttps://piavpn.com/mgg.
• 00:39:32 SPONSOR:Decagon. Ready to transform your customer support? Decagon helps companies create personalized, concierge-style customer experiences with AI agents across chat, email, voice, and SMS. Go tohttps://decagon.ai/MGG to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.
• 00:40:59 SPONSOR:BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. https://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/

• Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

• 00:42:17 David-Why does Safari drop website connections?

• ping -t 5 website.com

• 00:51:44 Using location to help deliver content
• 00:54:15 GW-Do I need to care for my archive drives?
• 01:02:30 Jonathan-How do I migrate my email domain from GSuite to iCloud?
• 01:09:45 Kim-Which Paperless replacement and migration path are you using?

• macOS loses Rosetta in 2027 with macOS 28
• softwareupdate –install-rosetta

• 01:16:03 Get out of Chat with your AI

• 01:18:51 MGG 1152 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Fresh off Macstock, you get the full debrief on this year’s gathering before diving into a stacked round of Quick Tips. You’ll learn how to disable Summarize Notification Previews to stop needless battery churn, clear every unread Apple Watch notification in one shot, and weigh whether it’s finally time to move to macOS Tahoe. There’s a heads-up that Mac minis and Mac Studios are back in Apple’s Refurbished Store, a slick Control-Tilde trick to reveal formulas in Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice, the case for a USB-only cable when you’re heading into DFU recovery mode, and clever moves like stretching a Kindle book loan with an old iPad, building reusable packing-list templates, and scheduling an automatic weekly reboot to keep your Macs running clean.

Then you tackle your questions: setting the default audio app on your iPhone, when prepaid mobile data might be the smarter play (and when it’s not!), and a big Don’t Get Caught warning that macOS 28 is dropping support for encrypted HFS+ drives, so decrypt or reformat those external volumes before you upgrade next year. You’ll also hear how Claude Code can become your new macOS troubleshooting partner, including some honest thoughts on leaning on AI to fix your machine.

Cool Stuff Found rounds it out with UDM14 for Google results minus the AI summaries, Backdrop for live macOS wallpaper, Clock Rings for tracking time in decimal, and a cheap camera lens cover that works across your MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. As always, come learn at least five new things.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1151 for Monday, July 20th, 2026

• July 20th: National Fortune Cookie Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Mole

• 00:02:00 Macstock Debrief

• Some new-for-the-first-time attendees

• David Pogue
• Ken Case
• Ken Ray
• Paul Conaway

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 DLH-QT-Disable Summarize Notification Previews to save battery churn
• 00:06:16 Pilot Pete-QT How to clear all your unread Apple Watch notifications
• 00:08:34 Is it time to update to Tahoe?
• 00:09:25 Mac minis and Mac Studios available again in Apple’s Refurb Store
• 00:12:31 Companies safeguarding your data
• 00:16:46 Marina-QT-Control-Tilde shows the formulas in Excel (and Google Sheets, and LibreOffice, but not Numbers)
• 00:20:03 Tony-QT-Use a USB-only cable for DFU Recovery Mode
• 00:21:49 Harvey-QT-Use your old iPad to extend your Kindle Book loan period
• 00:24:40 Todd-QT-1150-Create Packing List Templates and Sections
• 00:27:50 Don-QT-Schedule a weekly reboot for your Macs

• sudo pmset repeat restart U 05:00:00

• (“U” means sUnday)

• 00:33:40 Pilot Pete-QT-Green light Means the Camera is On

• Sponsors

• 00:36:56 SPONSOR:Coveron. One scam can cost you everything – use code “macgeekgab” for up to 76% off athttps://coveron.com/macgeekgab to safeguard your identity.
• 00:38:10 SPONSOR:Shopify. If you’re ready to stop putting off your business and start selling, sign up for your free trial and start selling today athttp://shopify.com/MGG

• Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

• 00:39:33 Dave-How can I set the default audio app on my iPhone?
• 00:45:30 Doug-Why go prepaid for mobile data?

• US Mobile (allows network flexibility)
• Get $25 to join America’s Super Carrier, plus get 30 days free when you transfer your number!

• 00:53:10 Gary-DGC-macOS 28 to drop support for encrypted HFS+ drives
• 00:58:10 Dave-QT-Use Claude Code for macOS troubleshooting
• 01:03:57 Some thoughts on Troubleshooting with AI

• Cool Stuff Found

• 01:05:35 Mike-CSF-UDM14 to get Google results sans AI summaries
• 01:09:34 Javier-CSF-1128–Backdrop – Live MacOS Wallpaper
• 01:11:34 -n-Eric-CSM-Clock Rings to track time in decimal
• 01:15:39 Pilot Pete-CSF-Camera Lens Cover Macbook, iPad, iPhone

• 01:18:48 MGG 1151 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

This week on Mac Geek Gab 1150, Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton pack an Embrace Your Geekness Day episode with Quick Tips you’ll put to work immediately. You’ll learn how to schedule birthday messages so you never miss one, silence those pesky automatic Shortcuts notifications, and give Apple Intelligence the context it needs to actually help. From automating Theater Mode the moment CarPlay connects, to using your iPhone to check for ticks, to texting “Marco” so your lost iPhone sings until you find it, these are the tips that keep you sharp. You’ll also dig into searching Safari history to retrace your steps, building Smart Folders to hunt down space-hogging files, and using Photos’ Map utility to surface shots from wherever you are.

Then it’s your questions, answered. You’ll find out how to identify and clear runaway RAM, where Messages in the Cloud actually lives, and how to reclaim iCloud storage with tools like PowerPhotos and Gemini 2. You’ll get the real story on Time Machine drives and Spotlight, plus how to speed up sluggish Notes syncing. In Cool Stuff Found, the crew serves up Catchin’ Sync, the OBSBOT Tiny 3 webcam, Hyperspace for reclaiming space with file clones, and imessage-exporter to back up your texts. It’s an hour-plus of geek gold, and if you tune in every week, you Don’t Get Caught missing the fix you needed.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1150 for Monday, July 13th, 2026

• July 13th: Embrace Your Geekness Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Mole

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Jim-QT-Schedule Sending of Birthday Messages
• 00:04:16 JT Ray-QT-Disable automatic Shortcuts notifications
• 00:06:33 QT-Apple Intelligence and its context
• 00:09:26 Todd-Automate Theater Mode when CarPlay is enabled
• 00:10:44 Troy-QT-Use your iPhone to check for ticks
• 00:12:49 Larry-QT-Text Marco to your lose iPhone and have it play a song until you find it
• 00:18:31 Andy-QT-Search Safari’s History to find places you’ve visited
• 00:20:12 KiwiGraham-QT-Setup Smart Folders to find large files
• 00:23:38 Greg-QT-Use Photos > Utilities > Map to find photos in your current location (and elsewhere)

• Sponsors

• 00:26:42 SPONSOR:Helix Sleep makes premium mattresses and bedding that are customized to fit your personal needs, and conveniently shipped to your door. Go tohttps://helixsleep.com/MGG for 27% Off Sitewide.
• 00:27:50 SPONSOR:CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off athttps://clnmy.com/MACGEEK
• 00:29:02 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 athttps://www.oneskin.co/MGG #oneskinpod #ad

• Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

• 00:30:31 Bill-1148-How do you identify and clear up RAM usage?

• iStat Menus
• Marco Arment’s Quitter

• 00:39:23 Gary-1149-Where can I see Messages In The Cloud?
• 00:44:17 Roy-How can I clean up my iCloud storage?

• PowerPhotos
• Gemini 2, the duplicate finder (and “similar finder”)

• 00:53:25 Bill-1148-Turns out you can’t exclude Time Machine drives from Spotlight
• 00:56:51 Henry-1148-Speeding Up Notes Syncing

• Cool Stuff Found

• 01:01:20 Andy-1149-CSF-Catchin’ Sync
• 01:02:15 Andy-CSF-Obsbot Tiny3 Webcam
• 01:08:53 Harvey-CSF-Hyperspace to use file clones to save space
• 01:11:44 Chris-CSF-1149–imessage-exporter to export your iMessages

• 01:17:42 MGG 1150 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

You learn at least five new things every episode, and this one stacks them fast. Roll your Apple Watch crown instead of tapping it to keep Sleep mode from searing your eyes, then hit Command-Shift-F in the Finder to jump straight to Recents when a saved file vanishes into the void. When a listener asks how to archive iMessages, you’ll meet iMazing, Shottr’s scrolling screenshots, privacy.apple.com, and a public-key-encryption rabbit hole that explains why even Apple can’t hand your texts back. You’ll also learn to Control-click the Printers list to reset the entire CUPS printing system, and to check every app’s Rosetta versus Apple Silicon status before sluggish performance quietly fools you, because Rosetta survives macOS 27 but finally bows out in fall 2027, so audit those Intel holdouts now.

Then the questions roll in. You’ll troubleshoot a PDF that downloads on one Mac but stalls on another (think DNS blocks, CDN handoffs, stale session cookies, and a fast browser swap), wrestle Apple TV lip-sync into line by killing soundbar processing and matching frame rates, and chase a self-dimming iPad back to its ambient-light sensor and screen protector.

Cool Stuff Found delivers a Beelink dock that sidesteps Apple’s storage surcharges and Pixette for reviving an ancient iPad as a photo frame. And when refurb Mac minis sell out in two hours and Apple nudges prices up overnight? Don’t Get Caught letting hope prevail like Dave did, grab it the moment you see it, because that cart won’t hold it for you.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1149 for Monday, July 6th, 2026

• July 6th: National Air Traffic Control Day
• 00:02:47 A quick video from Dave’s daughter’s wedding
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to Mole

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Jan Landy-QT-Roll Your Apple Watch crown in Sleep Mode to go easy on your eyes
• 00:06:36 Claire-QT-To Find something you just added, Command-Shift-F in Finder for your Recents list
• 00:11:02 GW-I wish Apple had a way to archive Messages

• iMazing
• (and formerly PhoneView)
• Remember http://privacy.apple.com/

• 00:19:09 Message in iCloud and Public Key Encryption

• Shottr’s scrolling screenshots

• 00:23:33 WillRun4Fun-QT-Control-click in Printers list to Reset Printing System

• Enable CUPS web page on your Mac

• Visit https://localhost:631/printers/
• If that fails, open Terminal and run “cupsctl WebInterface=yes” to enable it

• 00:26:14 TheDaveAbides-QT-Check your apps’ Rosetta/Apple Silicon status
• 00:35:28 Andrew-QT-Buy your refurbs immediately…don’t just leave in your cart

• Refurb Tracker
• RefurbMe
• AppTamer

• Sponsors

• 00:40:49 SPONSOR:Keeper. Right now, Keeper is offering our listeners 60% off personal and family plans athttps://keepersecurity.com/MGG. This offer is only for podcast listeners!
• 00:42:10 SPONSOR:Even Realities G2. Use promo code MGG athttp://evenrealities.com/ to get 10% off Even Ring 1 and/or Even Clip when you add them to your Even G2 order.
• 00:43:48 SPONSOR:Decagon. Ready to transform your customer support? Decagon helps companies create personalized, concierge-style customer experiences with AI agents across chat, email, voice, and SMS. Go tohttps://decagon.ai/MGG to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.

• Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

• 00:45:16 Mike-Why can I download a pdf on ONE computer, but not another?
• 00:53:01 David-How do I resolve Apple TV lip sync issues?

• YouTube A/V sync videos
• AWOL 2500 Projector
• Sonos Soundbars

• 01:04:52 Larry-iPad Dims When I don’t want it to

• Cool Stuff Found

• 01:12:44 Mike-CSF-Belkin Beelink Mac mini storage dock (and others like it)
• 01:14:24 Greg-CSF-1147-Pixette for displaying photos on an old iPad

• 01:16:55 MGG 1149 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Mac Geek Gab 1148 hands you a fresh stack of Quick Tips you’ll actually use. You’ll find out how Mark recovered every one of his accidentally deleted iMessages with Control-Command-4 (or the Recently Deleted view), undo a botched Finder rename with a casual Command-Z, and automate Theater Mode on your Apple Watch so it goes dim and quiet at night without Sleep Focus. You’ll pick up several ways to email a Safari webpage or just its link, learn to strip out distracting page clutter before you share, and finally understand why Apple Music can hijack your Mac’s default speaker output. Then you’ll hear why speakers deserve real thought before you buy a Mac mini, how to coax a stubborn Time Machine disk into ejecting cleanly, and a low-tech trick for AirTags too slippery to grip at battery-change time.

When Doug’s M4 Pro MacBook Pro started beach balling and pausing apps from low memory, you’ll get the full playbook for clawing back storage, from spotting the culprits in your menu bar to pruning Downloads and clearing out bloated Messages and Apple media. You’ll walk through Adam’s step-by-step approach to slimming down iMessage storage, learn how to stop copying and pasting invisible white-on-white text that haunts Contacts and email, and speed up a sluggish macOS Contacts app with a clean iCloud re-sync. Keep these moves in your back pocket and don’t get caught with a full drive and a spinning beach ball.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1148 for Monday, June 29th, 2026

• June 29th: National Bacon Burnt End Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SaneBox

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Mark-QT-You can recover recently deleted iMessages ^Cmd-4 (not 5)
• 00:03:45 Scott-QT-Cmd-Z works to undo Finder Renames, too!
• 00:05:06 Larry-QT-Automate Theater Mode on Apple Watch
• 00:06:36 Hans-QT-Email a Safari Webpage to Someone
• 00:08:17 Russ-QT-Apple Music can override the Mac’s default speaker output

• Volumio

• 00:11:42 Adam-QT-More on Cmd-I (and Cmd-Shift-I) in Safari to mail a webpage (or the link)

• Likely based upon the web page’s print.css
• Also File – Export as PDF

• 00:17:39 Safari – Hide Distracting Items

• The (no-longer-actively-developed) Printliminator

• 00:21:33 Doug-QT-Think about speakers when buying a Mac mini

• Insta360 Link 2 Pro

• 00:28:02 Bill-QT-Try Jettison, Mole, and more to eject resistant volumes
• 00:30:36 Dom-QT-Use tape or thimbles for slippery AirTags

• Sponsors

• 00:32:06 SPONSOR:Coveron. One scam can cost you everything. Tools reduce risk, Coveron reduces loss. Use code “macgeekgab” for up to 76% off athttps://coveron.com/macgeekgab
• 00:33:55 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 athttps://www.oneskin.co/MGG #oneskinpod #ad
• 00:35:22 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!

• 00:36:49 Doug-Beach balling apps made me realize I ran out of storage…what do I do?

• iStat Menus to see free disk space in my menubar
• How to free up space on your Mac
• Run mole…regularly!
• Hazel to keep your downloads folder pruned
• Run CleanMyMac – Space Lens, especially
• Clear out your Apple media
• Manage your Email attachments
• Clean out Messages
• CCleaner
• Clean up local snapshots

• 00:50:51 Adam’s process for cleaning up iMessage storage use
• 00:56:21 Steven-How can I avoid pasting white text on a white background on my iPhone?
• 01:02:55 Mark-Speed up macOS Contacts with an iCloud re-sync

• ~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook/Sources//AddressBook-v22.abcddb

• Cool Stuff Found

• 01:13:18 Adam-CSF-Dungeon Crawler Carl

• 01:18:36 MGG 1148 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Ever triggered a hidden Mac feature by accident? This week you’ll find out why a stray backtick fires up the Magnifier in macOS Preview, and how a single screenshot plus built-in OCR can lift text straight out of an image (even if that Wi-Fi password still refuses to cooperate). You’ll grab the trick for sharing your network as a scannable QR code from the Passwords app, learn why YouTube TV blocks video over screen sharing in Chrome while Safari sidesteps it, and untangle guest-mode quirks on Apple Vision Pro. From Touch ID suddenly demanding your password to a backup SSD that swears it’s still In Use, you’ll walk away with the Terminal commands and fixes to set things right.

Then you’ll map your next move off a MacBook Air, weighing an M4 Mac mini against an iMac and stalking the refurb store for the right deal. You’ll set HomeKit lights to fade in with sunrise, audit your Tailscale network for sloppy permissions, breathe easier with a tested air purifier, and give that retired iPad a whole second life. And when something mysteriously stops working, Don’t Get Caught burning two hours blaming software for what turns out to be a cable you quietly swapped out: check your cables first. Hit play, load up on tips, and head into your week a little geekier.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1147 for Monday, June 22nd, 2026

• 00:03:35 June 22nd: National Onion Ring Day
• MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SaneBox

• Quick Tips

• 00:00:01 Susan-QT-macOS Preview has a magnifier in Tools > Show Magnifier
• 00:03:53 Use the backtick to invoke Magnifier in Preview
• 00:06:15 Dave-QT-Take a picture or screenshot to OCR text within an image
• 00:11:32 YouTube TV doesn’t allow video when the screen is being shared…in Chrome

• …But Safari might let it (it certainly does with Fubo)

• 00:13:29 Screen Mirroring vs. Apple Vision Pro
• 00:15:21 QT-KiwiGraham-Passwords app allows you to show a QR code of current wifi network
• 00:17:31 Bill-1146-Why not use the Apple TV app’s download abilities?

• Sponsors

• 00:19:41 SPONSOR:Even Realities G2. Use promo code MGG athttp://evenrealities.com/ to get 10% off Even Ring 1 and/or Even Clip when you add them to your Even G2 order.
• 00:21:49 SPONSOR:Scribe. Don’t get caught being the only person who knows how something works. For a limited time, book a demo athttps://scribe.how/MGG and mention MGG for your first month of Scribe Capture free.
• 00:23:52 SPONSOR:NordLayer Browser. The business browser built for how modern work actually happens — giving IT the visibility and control to secure SaaS, stop phishing, and prevent data leaks right at the source.

• Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!

• 00:24:54 Jim-Moving from a MacBook Air to…what next?

• Set alerts for refurbs at RefurbMe

• 00:38:14 Joe-HomeKit Light That Fades In and Out

• Philips Hue Lights
• Philips Hue Bridge to use HomeKit
• LIFX Bulbs

• 00:43:00 MACGEEKGAB to save $50 at Macstock
• 00:46:32 Richard Davis-Why does Touch ID tell me I need to type my password?

• If Touch ID isn’t working on your Mac

• 00:50:00 Todd-?-How to eject an SSD backup drive that’s mysteriously “In Use”

• sudo mdutil -i off “/Volumes/[Drive Name]”
• lsof | grep “[Drive Name]”

• Cool Stuff Found

• 00:58:52 CSF-Matt from Midlothian-Quip, the clipboard manager, has Capture Text from Screen as a feature
• 00:59:39 CSF-Winix 5510 Air Purifier
• 01:02:44 Alexander-CSM-Reevio takes stills and turns them into morphed videos

• Examples of Adam, Dave, and Pete

• 01:07:49 Kent-CSF-DAKBoard–1121-Use for an Old iPad – No Coding Required
• 01:09:26 Steve-CSF-iFramix – A Frame for your old iPad!
• 01:11:38 Johannes-CSF-Super Productivity – Free!
• 01:13:04 Arvy-CSF-Tailsnitch does a security audit on your Tailscale Tailnet

• Don’t Get Caught

• 01:14:20 RollingTux-DGC-Cables are often the Culprit!

• 01:16:20 MGG 1147 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
• feedback@macgeekgab.com
• 224-888-GEEK
• Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
• BackBeat Media Podcast Network