Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

Doing The AirPods Dance

5 snips

Jul 14, 2025

Discover quick tips for enhancing your Apple experience! Learn how to fix flaky Apple TV Wi-Fi and make AirPods fit better by flipping them. Uncover the secret behind renaming email flags for better organization and explore custom routes in Apple Maps. Plus, get advice on navigating the world of USB-C cables and boosting display brightness for optimal productivity. With engaging listener questions, you'll find out how to streamline your digital life and avoid common tech pitfalls while exploring exciting tools and apps.

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ADVICE

Use Modifier Keys For Hot Corners

Hold a modifier key when configuring macOS Hot Corners to prevent accidental triggers.
Configure the modifier by holding the desired key while selecting the hot corner in System Settings.

ADVICE

Rename Mail Flags For Context

Right-click a flag in Mail's left sidebar and choose Rename Mailbox to label flags meaningfully.
Use custom flag names like "Urgent" or "Meeting" to organize flagged messages visually.

ADVICE

Flip AirPods For A Better Fit

Flip AirPods Pro upside down in your ear to tuck the tip into the cartilage fold and lock them in place.
Expect improved retention and noise cancellation but loss of direct stem touch-volume control.

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Doing The AirPods Dance — Mac Geek Gab 1098 episode image

You’re swimming in Quick Tips this week on Mac Geek Gab 1098! You’ll learn how to fix flaky Apple TV Wi-Fi, make your AirPods fit better (hint: flip ’em), and finally tame Hot Corners with a smart modifier key. Discover the secret to custom routes in Apple Maps on iOS 18 and why renaming flags in Mail might be the power move you didn’t know you needed. Oh—and don’t forget: July 14th is National Tape Measure Day, so measure twice before you trigger that accidental corner action.

Then it’s your questions answered, from routers with nerdy flexibility to iCloud alias issues and Apple Music migration woes. We dive into why not all USB-C cables are created equal—seriously, Don’t Get Caught with the wrong one—and help you vet display brightness before buying. Plus, Cool Stuff Found brings Raspberry Pi Time Machine backups, Copilot Money, and Setapp’s killer image tools. Always be learning, always be tweaking—just don’t get stuck with bad cables.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1098 for Monday, July 14th, 2025
- July 14th: National Tape Measure Day
- Police Code 10-98 – Assignment Completed…or…JailBreak! (why can’t both be true?)
- MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable
Quick Tips
- 00:00:01 Jim-QT-Add a modifier key to hot corners to keep from accidentally triggering them
- 00:02:12 Chicago Tom-QT-Renaming Flags in Apple Mail
- 00:04:54 rnDoug-QT-Flip your AirPods upside down to resolve fit issues
- 00:08:36 MySpoonIsTooBig & ChicagoTom-QT-Possible fixes for flaky Apple TV Wi-Fi connections
- 00:10:32 Chicago Tom-QT-Apple Maps lets you do custom routes in iOS 18, too…kinda
Sponsors
- 00:13:33 SPONSOR: K12 can help your child start reaching their full potential in life now – and give you the support you need to get them there! Go to K12.com/MGG today to find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you and enroll now
- 00:15:04 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Get six months of the team plan for startups for FREE at Coda.io/mgg.
- 00:16:21 SPONSOR: Constant Contact makes marketing easier and more effective for small businesses like yours. Try Constant Contact free for 30 days at ConstantContact.com
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
- 00:17:54 Michael-Should I consolidate Dropbox into iCloud to save $$?
  - Mint Mobile (it’ll cut your “big three” cell phone bill in half)
- 00:25:28 Eddie-I need a good, standalone router with some nerdy flexibility
  - Synology WRX560
  - GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000)
  - UniFi Cloud Gateway Max (doesn’t have Wi-Fi, so you’d need to add that)
- 00:30:28 Ian-Why can’t I receive to my new iCloud aliases?
  - Check out NosillaCast
- 00:34:02 Michael-New iPhone and watch craziness
Sponsors
- 00:41:29 SPONSOR: Function Health gives you access to the kind of data most people never see—and the insights to actually take action. Visit www.functionhealth.com/MGG. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership.
- 00:42:53 SPONSOR: OpenPhone is the #1 business phone system that streamlines and scales your customer communications. Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/MGG
Don’t Get Caught
- 00:44:22 Paul-DGC-Some inexpensive USB-C cables aren’t equal on both sides
  - Mac Geek Gab 996 (“What’s the Difference Between USB4 vs. Thunderbolt (3/4) Cables?” starts at 47:50)
- 00:51:06 Bob-DGC-You can’t migrate accounts that ever had Apple Music profiles
- 00:54:25 RusselG-DGC-Check your nits before you buy a display
  - DisplayBuddy
Cool Stuff Found
- 01:00:30 Joel-CSF-1096–Use Raspberry Pi for Time Machine backups
- 01:02:51 Cory-CSF-Copilot Money
- Using Apple Card (and Apple Savings) as one’s primary card
- 01:07:52 JanLandy-CSF-Clop to auto optimize images, video, PDFs (also in Setapp)
  - Permute
  - Downie
  - yt-dlp from the Terminal
Show Business
- 01:12:15 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment
01:16:44 MGG 1098 Outtro
- MGG Monthly Giveaway – Victrola Turntable
- Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
- Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
- The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast!
- Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
- MGG Merch is Available!
- Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
- Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
- This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
- MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
- feedback@macgeekgab.com
- 224-888-GEEK
- Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
- BackBeat Media Podcast Network