Mac Geek Gab — Your Questions Answered, Tips Shared, Troubleshooting Assistance

You’ll walk away from this episode armed with rapid‑fire Quick Tips that shave precious seconds off your day: shuffle your iOS wallpaper for fresh vibes automatically, sling “>>” in Notes to summon recent docs, and force‑sync iCloud Photos when lag strikes. Dial down cellular burnout with Low Data Mode—yes, Mint Mobile’s “unlimited” finally lives up to its name—and tap dual‑language keyboards to spell‑check like a polyglot. Kill those “Paste from Other Apps” nags, drag Finder’s sidebar sections exactly where you want them, at least until you have to embrace Schrödinger’s Desktop zen: Let Go, Let Apple. Then you dive deeper. Teach your Apple TV Remote new gestures, diagnose that muffled HDMI‑ARC audio before it ruins movie night, and verify printer drivers so crummy pages don’t get you fired. Garmin tools favor macOS, but confirm app permissions so rogue software doesn’t hijack your devices—Thunderbird’s indexing quirks included. Add Touch ID to any Mac mini with a Magic Keyboard or BLEUnlock, tame a cramped 256 GB laptop with Hazel’s smart folders, and squeeze every drop from your ink cartridges with savvy resets and reliable third‑party refills. Don’t Get Caught without these hacks in your toolkit. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1086 for Monday, April 21st, 2025 April 21st: Big Word Day (also World Creativity and Innovation Day) Police Code 10-86 – Officer on-duty MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a CleanMyMac Membership! Quick Tips 00:00:01 QT-Changing iOS Wallpaper to “Shuffle” Photos 00:03:22 Andrew-QT-Type >> in Notes to link to recent notes 00:05:01 Ben-QT-Force Sync to iCloud Photos 00:08:00 Low Data Mode in iOS Cellular Mint Mobile unlimited is (now) truly unlimited? 00:14:28 RG-QT-Use two-language keyboards to check spelling and get recommendations in multiple languages 00:18:02 n-Lucas-QT-Eliminate “Paste from Other Apps” notifications on iPhone 00:19:14 QT-MacOS Finder Expand, Collapse & Drag Sidebar Location Categories to Desired position Let Go and Let Apple LITFA Schrödinger’s Desktop 00:24:18 ChatGPT writes our sponsor scripts 00:27:57 Dan DXZDB-QT-Teaching your Apple TV Remote new Tricks 00:30:15 Pilot Pete-Using HDMI-ARC results in crappy sound occasionally…what is it? Don’t Get Caught 00:34:47 KYEngineer-DGC-Make sure your printer drivers are correct 00:37:42 Garmin’s software prefers Macs? 00:39:40 Todd-DGC-Follow Up – Do Apps need Access to Devices? 00:44:55 DGC-Thunderbird May Not Be Indexing Your Mail 00:51:12 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! 00:52:55 Russell-How can I add touch ID to my Mac mini? Magic Keyboard with Touch ID BLEUnlock 00:58:30 Gary-Efficient Way to Manage 256Gb Laptop Storage? Hazel 01:06:02 Gary-Should I reset the ink/toner cartridges that I have? Michael DJ-1084-Use InkJetSuperstore.com for third-party ink and toner cartridges Check Amazon.com for InkJet Cartridges Show Business 01:10:10 MGG Review-rgAdg17 from the UK 01:11:23 MGG Review-DudemanLA – 2025-04-10 01:12:15 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment 01:17:18 MGG 1086 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway – CleanMyMac 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

Discover how to transform your car's Source button into a play/pause controller! Dive into practical AI hacks, like using custom GPTs for organizing user manuals. Explore the importance of password hygiene and learn the best strategies for tech upgrades. Plus, get the lowdown on must-have travel batteries, including safety tips for flying. If you're seeking alternatives for budgeting apps, they’ve got that covered too. Tune in for a treasure trove of tips to elevate your tech game!

You picked the right episode to level up your tech game. This week on Mac Geek Gab, you’ll pick up smart Quick Tips like telling your homeowners’ insurance about your smart devices for potential savings, using UK plugs on US airplanes for reliable power, and mastering note navigation on macOS with Command-Return. You’ll even learn how to trigger gestures with your voice and why bringing an Apple TV on vacation might just change your life. Thinking about a new MacBook Air? Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete, and Adam Christianson dig into performance insights, memory needs, and options like Luna Display for second screens. Always plan ahead—Don’t Get Caught without the right tools. Troubleshooting? We’ve got you. Fix grayed-out Mail send buttons, navigate quirks from macOS 15.4 updates, and avoid wasting money on third-party toner. Get pro tips on black-and-white printing, keeping MakeMKV functional, and how to protect your color ink. The gang also tackles questions like whether your browser really needs LAN access, optimizing AirPods battery settings, and improving iPhone-scan photo quality. Wrap it all up with killer Cool Stuff Found like the INIU Qi2 charger and Lutron Caseta shades. Stay tuned, stay geeky, and stay safe out there. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1084 for Monday, April 7th, 2025 April 7th: Metric System Day Police Code 10-84 – Advise ETA – In Metric Form Today! MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a CleanMyMac Membership! Swatch Internet Time The MGG Merch Store is Live! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Lisa-QT-Tell your homeowners’ insurance company about your smart home devices 00:04:51 Dan-QT-Use UK Plugs on airplanes to avoid power socket fallout 00:09:27 Ben-QT-Notes: Change focus between list and editor Command+Return Command+Option+F 00:12:54 Andrew-QT-Create gestures that you can trigger with your voice 00:15:21 Ian-QT (and thanks) for bringing an Apple TV on vacation 00:17:22 Mike-QT-Get plenty of memory with your M4 MacBook 00:19:50 John-Considering options for a new MacBook Air Dave’s Discord Thread about CPU Usage Target Display Mode Luna Display 00:35:56 SPONSOR: ScreenCastsONLINE. Each week, ScreenCastsONLINE publishes two Apple-related videos to its ever-expanding library of over 1,400 tutorials. Visit ScreenCastsONLINE/mgg to try it FREE for 7 DAYS, then get a lifetime 20% discount on your subscription. Don’t Get Caught 00:37:51 Allan-DGC-Mail Send Button turns Gray and Won’t Send 00:39:54 Dominic-DGC-1083-macOS 15.4 (temporarily) breaks MakeMKV MakeMKV Downloads 00:42:19 Larry-DGC-Check ACTUAL toner (and ink) levels before changing cartridges. QT-When printing black-and-white on a color printer, set your print driver to black-and-white (to save your color cartridges) QT-Beware third-party toner Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:50:13 Does my browser need access to devices on my local network? Amnesia to prevent (some) macOS 15’s monthly notifications 00:57:51 Give LLMs as much information as you can with your requests 01:00:39 Kent-Adjusting the size of iPhone-scanned photos 01:06:53 Pogo Kelly – Battery Optimization for AirPods? Cool Stuff Found 01:13:19 DLH-CSF-INIU 10k Qi2 15W/30W charger with cable strap 01:15:15 CSF Lutron Caseta Shades – CES 01:20:42 MGG 1084 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway – CleanMyMac 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  

You’re not really celebrating World Backup Day unless you’ve got Time Machine humming, Backblaze backing, and Synology syncing. In this week’s Mac Geek Gab, you, Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton dig deep into layered backup strategies with tools like Arq, Hazel, and iDrive e2—plus the always-timely reminder to check your backups. Then it’s on to Quick Tips: did you know iPhone timers can start or stop audio playback? Or that you can quickly reload Safari without blockers? You’ll even learn how naming your AirTags strategically makes Find My a breeze. Security’s in the spotlight, too. Make your password manager ironclad, freeze your credit at the big three bureaus, and finally unravel the mystery of the Creedence Cryptex. Got Mac quirks? Learn how to stop macOS windows from auto-resizing and find the best media tools for ripping Blu-Rays. Cool Stuff Found includes gadgets like the FeatherSnap bird feeder cam, Warp.dev for AI terminal magic, HazeOver to tame your desktop, and the punchy 1More Sonoflow cans. Tune in, geek out, and most importantly… Don’t Get Caught. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1083 for Monday, March 31st, 2025 March 31st: World Backup Day Police Code 10-83 – Work/school crossing detail MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! 00:03:46 March 31st: World Backup Day Time Machine Backblaze iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents Synology Drive (sync, with versioning) CCC Backup Hazel Arq Backup iDrive e2 Monthly reminder to “Check Backups” Quick Tips 00:00:01 Perry-QT-iPhone timers can stop AND start audio playing 00:25:59 Carsten-QT-Number your AirTags and just name them in the Find My app 00:28:09 Bill-QT-Reload Safari without Blockers 1Blocker 00:34:20 Carsten-QT-Make your password manager even more secure 00:43:15 Freeze your accounts at credit bureaus (it’s free!) Equifax Trans Union Experian Show Business 00:46:01 MGG Reviews MGG Review-SimonLock MGG Review-rn_doug 00:48:54 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:50:46 David-Creedence Cryptex-What is this? 00:56:14 Joe-How do I stop windows from enlarging when I drag them in macOS 15? 00:58:01 Mac-Media and Optical Drive Recommendations-A Few Things MakeMKV to Rip Blu-Rays on Your Mac Cool Stuff Found 01:06:08 CSF-FeatherSnap BirdFeeder with Camera 01:09:17 Rob in STL-CSF-Warp.dev, an AI-powered Terminal 01:11:50 n-Tony-CSF-HazeOver to dim inactive windows on your Mac 01:13:25 CSF-1More Sonoflow HQ51 Over-Ear Headphones 01:16:35 MGG 1083 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! 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

Discover quick tips to enhance your Apple experience, like organizing Notes folders and using Siri reminders from the Lock Screen. Dive into managing Plex subscriptions and navigate recent security challenges with macOS updates. Learn about reliable storage solutions and how to handle iCloud email frustrations. Explore VPN options tailored for travelers and the intriguing future of AI, emphasizing responsible use alongside human creativity. Plus, get insights on innovative tech products that boost everyday productivity!

Transform boring hotel rooms into cozy spaces with savvy travel tips! Discover the power of the JBL Pulse speaker for adding ambiance on the go. Get insights into the risks of double syncing folders with cloud services to avoid data calamities. The hosts also tackle the messiness of group messaging with RCS and SMS, offering solutions for common tech frustrations. From domain registrars to safe external drive ejection practices, this episode is packed with tools to elevate both your tech know-how and travel experiences!

SXSW is in full swing, and Dave is multitasking like a pro—grabbing his SXXpress passes mid-recording while keeping the geeky goodness rolling. Quick Tips flood in, from clicking your scroll wheel to copy text in Terminal to checking CPU usage per Safari tab in Activity Monitor. Need hands-free Siri? Just activate her from your steering wheel. Speaking of hands-free, snagging a wireless CarPlay screen for just $45 sounds like a no-brainer. Adam even took ChatGPT for a spin, using it to summarize scenes in a play he’s doing. You’ll even find your three favorite geeks diving into smarter ways to manage reminders with tags, projects, Kanbans, and location-based alerts. And don’t forget to test your UPS quarterly—Carsten’s got his EcoFlow power station pulling double duty. Apple dropped some fresh gear, and Ken Case describes how he’s using his Vision Pro daily. The M4 MacBook Air, new Mac Studio, and M3 iPad Air made waves, but let’s not ignore the everyday wins—like OpenIn giving you control over mailto links and Thunderbird’s (somewhat broken) indexing. Security gets its moment with a deep dive into “Sign In With Apple” and why padding your passwords matters. Oh, and if you’ve ever raged at Siri for not appending text to an existing note, Adam’s got you covered. Whether it’s tech, tricks, or troubleshooting, one thing’s for sure: Don’t Get Caught! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1080 for Monday, March 10th, 2025 March 10th: Fill Our Staplers Day Police Code 10-80 – Pursuit in progress MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! Special Promo: HelloFresh is running a 50% off special this month at HelloFresh.com with promo code HELLOFRESHPODCAST. Special Promo: Factor is running a special this month at FactorMeals.com with promo code FACTORPODCAST. MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a copy of CCC Backup from Bombich Software! 00:03:26 SXSW This week, and today Dave needs to get SXXpress passes during the MGG recording. Fun! Eddy Cue & Ben Stiller talk Severance (and more) @ SXSW Quick Tips 00:00:01 Nick-QT-Click your scroll wheel to copy text in Terminal 00:04:58 Crampy-QT-Activate Siri from your steering wheel 00:06:06 Activity Monitor will show you CPU per Safari webpage usage 00:07:29 Siri Ignores you when she’s face down CarLinKit Adapter Wireless Aftermarket CarPlay Screen (only $45 today) 00:11:20 Adam used ChatGPT! 00:15:25 Andrew-QT-Tips to Make Reminders Even More Useful Previously-used Alternatives: OneNote, Evernote, Trello, ToDoist, Goodlinks Save Bookmarks Projects (with Kanban boards) Groups Tags Repeating Setting Location Shopping List Siri 00:20:41 Mark R-QT-Test your UPSes Quarterly 00:22:22 Carsten-CSF-EcoFlow Power Stations as UPSes Jackery makes Adam’s 00:26:57 SPONSOR: Rogue Amoeba Software makes some of the best Mac Audio software on the planet, and we couldn’t produce MGG this way without it! Just visit MacAudio.com/MGG and use code GEEKGAB to save 20% on anything they make. Download free trials, then buy online to receive the discounted price. New Apple Stuff 00:29:03 Ken Case-How I use my Apple Vision Pro every day 00:32:33 New M4 MacBook Air 00:39:46 New Mac Studio 00:41:06 New M3 iPad Air 00:46:29 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! 00:47:52 Andy-Offer a Choice of Clients to Intercept mailto links OpenIn 00:51:22 DGC-Thunderbird Mail’s indexing is broken on the Mac 00:54:57 David-Scheduling Meetings with Multiple Calendars (here’s ChatGPT’s thoughts) 01:00:17 GW-Is Sign In With Apple safe? 01:07:35 Using padding on your passwords 01:10:04 David-Any Way to Auto Alphabetically Sort Apple Mail (GC?) BASIC Line numbers by tens 01:14:03 No Mail Client Is Perfect 01:15:44 Adam-How do I get Siri to add text to an existing note on iOS? 01:20:03 MGG 1080 Outtro MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! 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

Dive into the latest tech tips, like sorting iPhone battery usage by time to spot hidden drains. Learn how to customize ChatGPT for smarter suggestions based on your apps. Explore innovative gadgets like the ShiftCam SnapGrip Pro for enhanced smartphone photography and the Oregon Gear Cascade Backpack with its thoughtful design. Plus, discover the benefits of the Nextbase Pico 2 Dash Cam for added security on the road. From window management tools to top monitor setups, it's all about maximizing your tech experience!

Learn how to customize your iPhone’s lock screen with your name using a Focus mode trick. Discover tips on running multiple Terminal commands and using the powerful SIPS command for image processing. The hosts weigh the iPhone 16e's features against its pricier models while discussing advanced iCloud security measures. Troubleshooting Synology network share issues gets a thoughtful exploration, alongside clever parenting tech tips. Plus, uncover the potential motivations behind hacking in a dynamic tech landscape!

This discussion is filled with tech tips to enhance your Apple experience. Learn how to customize camera lens settings on your iPhone Pro for stunning shots. Discover how to keep your network alive during power outages with a UPS. Hear about migrating purchases between Apple IDs and don’t miss the quick shortcuts to make your workflow smoother. Tips for traveling with tech, troubleshooting email issues, and navigating hotel streaming constraints are covered. Plus, explore the intriguing world of Plex for personal media management!