

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 20min
CarPlay Widgets, eSIM Swaps, Photo Preservation & AI Assisted Living
Explore a treasure trove of Quick Tips for maximizing your Apple devices, including enabling CarPlay widgets and capturing full-res video screenshots. Discover innovative tools like StockTrackr for Apple Store inventory and GoodSync for effortless backups. Learn how eSIM swapping works and tackle e-waste concerns while delving into AI's future impacts on assisted living. Uncover effective strategies for preserving family photos with smart backups and planning for legacy access. Practical hacks to save you time, money, and sanity abound!

4 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 21min
Don’t Mess With The Sacred Timeline
Discover practical tips for personalizing iOS 26 Messages and automating iPhone restarts. Learn how to navigate hidden savings on AppleTV+ and manage your cables creatively. Delve into the nuances of running Apple betas and find the best backup options for your internet. Uncover insightful gear recommendations, including travel comfort items and durable charging solutions. Plus, get valuable advice on prepping your iPhone for trade-in and efficiently managing file systems on iCloud. Stay informed and ready with these essential tech hacks!

Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 25min
Apple Keynote Reactions: Always On for Everyone!
You dive right into the Apple event fallout with Pilot Pete, Adam, and Dave weighing their wish lists against reality. The iPhone 17 shines with its blistering 3000-nit display, always-on ProMotion, liquid-cooling in the Pro models, and a storage bump to 256GB minimum. The real curveball? The iPhone Air. Sleek, light, and maybe a proof-of-concept for what comes next, it’s got you asking if this is Apple’s new MacBook Air moment. Should you upgrade from your 16 Pro? The geeks debate it all while reminding you: Don’t Get Caught without considering who Apple is really building these devices for.
You also get the lowdown on AppleOS 26 releases. The crew breaks down when to hit update on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, with practical advice on what to install day one and what to hold back, especially if you rely on finicky menu bar apps. Then it’s AirPods Pro 3 with better fit, bass, and active earplug performance, Apple Watch 11 and Ultra 3 with expanded always-on features, and a sneak peek at what Apple didn’t announce: Macs, displays, maybe even a revamped Apple TV. The conversation closes with the big reveal: who’s ordering what and who’s sitting this one out.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1106 for Wednesday, September 10th, 2025
September 10th: National Anti-Junk Light Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and U7 Pro XG
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Thank you, Todd Cochrane
00:04:26 What do we each think we’re ordering?
Adam: Nothing
Pete: AirPods Pro 3, iPhone Air (for xmas?)
Dave: AirPods Pro 3, no iPhone (right?).
00:09:41 New iPhones
iPhone 17
New Display with ProMotion and Always-On with 3000 Nits
New Front-Facing Cameras
256GB storage minimum
MacTracker
00:19:30 iPhone Pro/Pro Max
It’s Liquid-Cooled with a Vapor Chamber
00:26:33 iPhone Air (no number!)
Will it throttle?
It sure is sexy!
Who is it for? feedback@macgeekgab.com
Is this a proof of concept like the MacBook Air? Paving the way for future generations of iPhone Air?
00:36:10 Scott-Is it worth Upgrading from a 16 Pro to a 17 Pro?
Sponsors:
00:38:52 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Get six months of the team plan for startups for FREE at Coda.io/mgg.
00:40:13 SPONSOR: Fireflies AI. Fireflies is the number one AI teammate that transcribes, summarizes, and analyzes your conversations so you can get the most out of every meeting. Get 2 months free at Fireflies.ai/mgg.
00:41:30 PODCAST: The 5 AM Miracle. Every Monday morning, The 5 AM Miracle is here to help you dominate your day before breakfast, create powerful lifelong habits, and tackle your grandest goals with extraordinary energy.
00:42:35 When Should I Upgrade to [x]OS 26?
All new AppleOS 26 updates come out on Monday, September 15th.
iOS 26: Adam & Dave: Release Day
macOS 26: Dave: Release Day (but watch your third-party menu bar items and hardware), Pete: Wait a week
Bartender for macOS
iPadOS 26: Casual use, release day. Daily use, wait a month.
watchOS 26: Release Day
tvOS 26: Release Day
00:52:17 There’s a reason studio and front of house engineers delay a LONG time before you update your macOS
00:53:43 New copy/paste gestures with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26
00:54:39 New AirPods Pro 3
New silicone/foam fusion tips (better seal and fit)
Better active noise canceling
Better bass response
Better Active Earplug performance
01:01:31 Note: Live Translation comes to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 and later
01:05:38 New Apple Watches
Always On for Everyone
Series 6 and later gets Sleep Score
Apple Watch 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch SE 3
01:11:51 What didn’t they announce? Is there an October event brewing?
Apple TV (does that morph into a home control center?)
MacBooks / Macs-in-general
New Displays?
01:14:42 Buried…Final Cut Camera 2.0
01:18:35 What are we each actually ordering?
Adam: Still nothing
Pete: AirPods Pro 3
Dave: Joined team Adam – Nothing!
01:23:38 MGG 1106 Outtro
MGG Monthly Giveaway
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast!
Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
MGG Merch is Available!
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
feedback@macgeekgab.com
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Sep 1, 2025 • 1h 28min
Your Computer May Decide For You
This week’s Mac Geek Gab is packed with quick tips and clever workarounds you can actually use. You’ll learn how to silence your partner’s alarm with Siri, calm down watchOS 26’s Liquid Glass by reducing transparency, and keep your AirPods secure with Croakies or a magnetic strap. You’ll even pick up tricks like delaying Low Power Mode automation, grabbing CarPlay screen captures, and—yes—using your nose to turn off your Apple Watch alarm. Along the way, the crew reminds you: don’t get caught making common mistakes like letting Wi-Fi calling charges sneak up on you or letting toxic content hijack your online focus.
From cool gear like LG’s Ultrafine 4K monitor to smart app swaps like Notion over Notes, you’ll discover fresh tools to boost productivity. Listener questions spark sharp advice, too—whether it’s saving corrupted data volumes, choosing the right budget Mac mini, or bringing an old scanner back to life. And as Apple Intelligence hype builds, the takeaway is clear: we’re not there yet. Stay sharp, stay curious, and don’t get caught missing the hacks that make your tech work smarter for you.
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1105 for Monday, September 1st, 2025
September 1st: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and U7 Pro XG
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Rick-QT-Ask Siri to turn off your partner’s alarm
00:06:07 QT-Tame Liquid Glass by using Accessibility – Reduce Transparency
00:10:15 Mike-QT-Use Croakies to retain the AirPods
AirPods Magnetic Lanyard and Strap
00:17:15 QT-Add a delay to the automatic Low Power Mode Shortcut
A Mango-Shaped Space
00:23:10 Mr. Ed-QT-CarPlay Screen Capture
00:24:21 Turn off your Watch alarm with your nose
Don’t Get Caught
00:25:32 Paul-DGC-1103-WiFi Calling might cost you
00:27:24 Mint Mobile – T-Mobile Home Internet for $35/month
00:29:56 Apple TV+ Pricing Increase
00:34:04 Don’t Get Caught engaging with incendiary content online
Tips on tuning social feed and news algorithms to your advantage
Sponsors
00:38:17 SPONSOR: Strawberry.me. Own Your Future. Discover what’s possible with a professional coach by your side. Visit Strawberry.me/MGG or use code MGG to claim your $50 credit today.
00:39:44 SPONSOR: Quince. Elevate your closet, get free shipping, and 365 day returns at Quince.com/MGG.
00:41:11 SPONSOR: Private Internet Access VPN – Save 82% off your VPN service PLUS four free months with a two-year plan at PIAVPN.com/mgg.
Cool Stuff Found
00:42:58 Jerry-CSF-LG 27-inch Ultrafine 4K UHD is the best bang for the buck
00:47:28 Bram-CSF-1104-Use Notion instead of Notes
00:48:17 Donald-I Vibe-Coded California State Landmarks app
GitHub CoPilot (into VSCode)
Show Business
00:56:46 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment
Fountain.fm
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
01:00:38 Ron-My Data Volume is Corrupted…what should I do?
01:05:38 Paul-1104-Is Restart the same as TOTO?
01:08:04 Dan-Mac-Mini 16Gb/256Gb <$500 worth it?
Apple Intelligence: Are We There Yet? No, kids, we’re not there yet.
01:13:04 Rob-What do I do when my MFC won’t scan anymore?
VueScan
01:23:47 MGG 1105 Outtro
MGG Monthly Giveaway
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast!
Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
MGG Merch is Available!
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
feedback@macgeekgab.com
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

4 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 1h 21min
Don't Forget TOTO!
Learn how to use hyphens for strike-through in Messages, schedule a Mac restart, and even tell Siri or Alexa to run one-time automations. Master plus-addressing in iCloud Mail for cleaner inboxes and privacy with Hide My Email, and keep Safari’s tab bar neat by ditching Favorite Icons. And of course, Don’t Forget TOTO—Turn it Off, Turn it On again—to solve more problems than you think. Don’t Get Caught missing these fixes, including ways to recover from a too-dim iPhone screen or undo accidental changes in Notes.
Then it’s a flood of Cool Stuff Found: from an AI-built Coffee Finder app to the Scosche PBJ2000 jump starter, US Mobile’s pick-your-network option, and ViewSonic’s 27” 5K Thunderbolt display. Discover tools like vFlat for clean scans, WATTBOX for remote gear reboots, and GL-iNET’s Brume VPN appliance. Add in Braxley Bands for Apple Watch, EVapo-Rust for metal cleanup, and Treedix’s USB Cable Tester, and you’ve got an arsenal of gear to make your life easier. This episode is packed with shortcuts, hidden features, and gadgets you didn’t know you needed. Press play and enjoy, folks!
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1104 for Monday, August 25th, 2025
August 25th: National Banana Split Day
MGG Monthly Giveaway – Default Folder
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Ben-QT-Use hyphens to create strike-through text on iPhone Messages
00:03:33 Robert-QT-Don’t forget to try the restart
Don’t Forget TOTO! (Turn it Off and Turn it On)
Schedule a Restart Of Your Mac
00:06:54 QT – Tell A-Lady or S-Lady to do something at a set time
00:10:30 Where does it store those one-time automations
00:12:40 Scott-QT-Use plus-addressing for your iCloud email (and also iCloud’s Hide My Email)
RFC for email plus-addressing
Duck.com/email
00:20:46 SteveHammond-QT-Disable Favorite Icons to clean up Safari’s tab bar
Sponsors
00:22:31 SPONSOR: Function Health gives you access to the kind of data most people never see—and the insights to actually take action. Visit www.functionhealth.com/MGG. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership.
00:24:00 SPONSOR: Webroot. Get 50% off Webroot Total Protection or Webroot Essentials when you go Webroot.com/MGG.
00:25:27 SPONSOR: Constant Contact makes marketing easier and more effective for small businesses like yours. Try Constant Contact free for 30 days at ConstantContact.com
Don’t Get Caught
00:26:40 Stephen-DGC-You can’t delete custom-created Stations in Apple Music
00:29:59 Ed-DGC-Don’t turn your iPhone brightness all the way down…and some fixes if you do!
Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap
00:32:37 David-DGC-Apple Notes doesn’t have a undo revisions
Cool Stuff Found
00:39:47 Brian8944-Stephen Robles Coffee Finder app that he built with ChatGPT-5
PayFinders’ Brian Roemmele on Maccast
00:43:43 Ben-CSF-HomeCare for Troubleshooting HomeKit
00:45:00 CSF-Scosche PBJ2000 Portable Car Battery Jump Starter (Scosche PBJ2000 @ Walmart)
Sponsors
00:50:24 SPONSOR: OWC’s Thunderbolt 5 Dock It’s now shipping and it’s built for serious connectivity!
00:51:39 SPONSOR: Fireflies AI. Fireflies is the number one AI teammate that transcribes, summarizes, and analyzes your conversations so you can get the most out of every meeting. Get 2 months free at Fireflies.ai/mgg.
MOAR Cool Stuff Found
00:53:08 PorthosJon-CSF-US Mobile lets you choose your own network for your mobile
00:55:45 CSF-ViewSonic VP2788-5K 27” 5K Thunderbolt Display
01:03:15 John-CSF-vFlat Scanner takes page roll and fingers out of scans
01:05:05 Dan-CSF-WATTBOX to remotely reboot equipment from anywhere
OvrC.com
01:07:42 n-Ben-CSF-Braxley Bands for Apple Watch
01:11:14 CSF-EVapo-Rust rust remover
01:13:26 Rich-CSF-GL-iNET Brume VPN Network Appliance
01:15:42 Andrew-CSF-Treedix USB Cable Tester
01:18:07 Quick follow-up on the Eufy E15
01:19:29 MGG 1104 Outtro
MGG Monthly Giveaway
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast!
Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
MGG Merch is Available!
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
feedback@macgeekgab.com
224-888-GEEK
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

4 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 1h 25min
Hey ChatGPT: Are You Sure?
Discover quick tips to transform screenshots into PDFs and improve your document scanning skills. Learn why most Macs can't handle 20Gbps USB and get the lowdown on better CarPlay cables. Dive into the battle between Apple Music and Spotify, exploring playlist strengths and audio quality. Troubleshoot blank email previews and keep your U.S. number while abroad. Plus, uncover strategies to negotiate lower mobile and ISP bills, ensuring your Apple devices run smoothly!

4 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 19min
Mirrors are Wi-Fi's Mortal Enemy
Ever wondered if mirrors can mess with your Wi-Fi? You're not alone! Discover how reflective surfaces sabotage signals and strategies to counteract it. Learn clever tips for managing Apple Watch unlocks to avoid accidental calls and ways to clear your iPhone's keyboard dictionary easily. Need help with your Dock on multiple monitors? An AppleScript has got you covered! Plus, explore the world of data-blocking gadgets, enhanced password management, and how to troubleshoot pesky AirPlay issues—all while answering listener questions!

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 24min
Life’s Too Short to Deal With Bad Cables
Discover clever ways to color-code and organize your USB and Thunderbolt cables for hassle-free access. Get savvy tips on using ChatGPT for voice responses and automating Time Machine backups. Learn to determine USB-C cable speeds and how to avoid unwanted pocket calls. Find out about useful apps like Dory for easy app switching and VueScan for reviving old scanners. Plus, explore practical advice on traveling with tech, optimizing your Mac experience, and cleaning up cloud clutter. Stay sharp and efficient in your digital life!

7 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 24min
It’s All About Learning How To Fish
Discover clever tips like creating folders in Finder with a simple drag. Learn about a new affordable AppleCare plan that could save you money while managing multiple devices. Uncover how to use AirPods Pro as makeshift earplugs and scan large documents with ease. Listen in as they tackle iMac crashing issues and password management strategies for families. Plus, explore the idea of repurposing old tech for educational purposes. It’s a treasure trove of practical advice and humorous insights for Apple enthusiasts!

7 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 1h 16min
Stump The Geeks Live from Macstock 2025
Live from Macstock 2025, tech enthusiasts face off in a lively Q&A. Discover how to enable iPhone Mirroring for notifications and troubleshoot pesky Dock issues. The hosts tackle everything from Drobo debates to strange Apple Maps problems, all in real-time. Tips for multi-monitor setups and VPNs keep the crowd engaged. Unscripted, with laughs and tech dilemmas from the audience, this session is a treasure trove of quick fixes and community bonding. Plus, enjoy a toast to favorite wines amidst the tech chatter!