
Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
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!
Latest episodes

Jun 19, 2023 • 1h 23min
Unexpected Ripple Effects
Hey there, fellow tech enthusiast! Dave and Pete kicked things off by discussing some neat ideas to keep you organized. They talked about the power of creating a dedicated Notes folder, where you can jot down important information or even take pictures of where you’ve placed items. It’s like having a digital memory to rely on when you need it most!
If you’re an iPhone user, you’re in for a treat. The dynamic duo shared some handy messaging tips that will make your life easier. They talked about merging contact threads to keep your conversations streamlined and avoid any confusion. Plus, they highlighted the importance of not setting a default voice number to prevent any hiccups with sending and receiving texts. It’s all about ensuring smooth communication in the digital realm.
But it doesn’t stop there! Dave and Pete also emphasized the ripple effects of our tech decisions. They encouraged listeners to leverage keyboard shortcuts and custom menu shortcuts to supercharge their workflow. And for those drowning in emails (we’ve all been there), they offered some fantastic advice on navigating and managing them efficiently. Trust me, you’ll be thanking them when your inbox feels less overwhelming!
When it comes to troubleshooting Apple devices, these geeks have got you covered. They discussed practical solutions like restarting your Mac and even reinstalling the operating system if necessary. It’s all about keeping your tech running smoothly and avoiding unnecessary headaches.
But hold on, the conversation didn’t stop at tech alone! Dave and Pete shared their wisdom on other intriguing topics, such as online security. They highlighted the importance of using VPNs like PIA (Private Internet Access) to safeguard your online privacy. And hey, did you ever think you’d hear them talking about harmony and theory classes for singing? These guys surprise us every time! They also dove into battery management tips for Mac laptops, helping you get the most out of your device’s power.
And brace yourself for one last gem: the Ultimate Vocal Remover. It’s an open-source audio editing software that can isolate vocals and preserve reverb, perfect for karaoke lovers or those looking to learn harmony parts. It’s amazing what you can do with technology these days!
So, MGG family, we encourage you to press play on the latest episode of Mac Geek Gab. Dave and Pilot Pete will undoubtedly deliver a wealth of knowledge, and you’re guaranteed to learn at least five new things that will make your tech life more awesome. Happy listening…and Don’t Get Caught!
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 987 for Monday, June 19th, 2023
PCUnix-QT-Create a “Where did I put it?” folder in Notes
The MGG Discord Server is Live!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:03:35 Robb-QT-Merge Contacts to Retain History
00:10:33 Neal-QT-Click the PDF icon in Mac Print dialog to Save as PDF (2nd half)
MacSparky says – Create keyboard shortcut
Option-Semicolon gets you Ellipses…
00:14:58 Larry-QT-Verizon did a “network sync” to fix SMS issues
00:18:47 You Can Share Your iPhone/iPad Directly in Zoom
00:20:45 Dimming Your Screen…and Getting It Back
00:25:46 Rod L-QT-Enable Voice Isolation when calling from iPhone
Vacuum Pack bags for travel
00:29:05 Saurabh-QT-Add Command-key to jump to top or bottom of Mac Mail lists
Option arrow to jump to different emails in a thread
00:34:27 Pensacola Craig-QT-Option-Click the Apple Logo for System Information report
00:35:20 Louis-986–iFramix Pricing Correction: US$39
Sponsors
00:36:38 SPONSOR: Private Internet Access VPN – Save 82% off your VPN service PLUS four free months with a two-year plan at PIAVPN.com/mgg.
00:38:15 SPONSOR: Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today. Try Kolide Today at Kolide.com/MGG
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:39:34 Paul creating Calendar Events on iPhone without errors
00:43:49 Steve-Keeping Network Drives Mounted
Keyboard Maestro
AutoMounter
00:46:58 Jim-Setting a Timer on iCloud Keychain’s Password Unlock
00:48:40 Gary iMessage Crashing in Ventura – Ventura Messages Quit(s) Unexpectedly
OnyX
00:54:52 Saurabh-How to Make Phone Calls Without a SIM?
Skype to Phone Calls
MySudo
Google Voice
Cool Stuff Found
01:00:41 CSF-Smartish Cable Wrangler (and “Bigger”) and Crown Joule
01:03:26 Aron-CSF-Ultimate Vocal Remover for splitting vocals from instruments
“Botched Amalgamations” by FLING
01:13:43 Neal-CSF-Eufy SmartTrack Card for FindMy in your Wallet
01:14:58 Joe-CSF-AlDente for Enhanced Battery Management (a revisit to 859, where the same Joe originally CSFed this!)
Mac Geek Gab 987 Outré
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feedback@macgeekgab.com
224-888-GEEK
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Jun 12, 2023 • 1h 17min
Just Use Your Nose
In this episode, your two favorite geeks share some incredible quick tips, cool stuff found, and answer burning questions from the Mac geek community. So, fasten your seatbelts and join us as we dive into the world of Mac tips and tricks. Remember, as Dave and Pilot Pete always say, “Don’t Get Caught” without the latest knowledge!
Quick Tips
The show kicked off with an array of quick tips to supercharge your Mac experience. Here are some highlights:
Hold iPhone Shutter for Quick Video, Slide Right to Lock Video Recording – Jeff revealed a time-saving tip for iPhone users. By holding the shutter button, you can instantly start recording a video. Sliding right locks the video recording, ensuring you don’t accidentally stop capturing those precious moments.
Trigger-then-drag iPhone Volume Gauge to Fine-Tune – James shared a nifty trick to fine-tune your iPhone volume. After triggering the volume control, simply drag your finger up or down on the gauge for precise adjustments.
macOS Ventura’s Image Capture includes OCR to PDF – Bill enlightened the audience about a powerful feature in macOS Ventura’s Image Capture. It allows you to convert images to searchable PDFs using OCR (optical character recognition) technology. Say goodbye to manual data entry!
Tapback from Notification Center – JamCycler showcased a time-saving gem for iPhone users. Now you can quickly send Tapbacks, those expressive little reactions, directly from the Notification Center.
Function-key equivalents for Home and End Keys – Bill shared a useful tip for keyboard warriors. You can replicate the functionality of the Home and End keys on a Mac keyboard using function-key equivalents.
Use Creation Dates to Help Find Related Materials – Josh unveiled a clever way to organize your digital clutter. By leveraging creation dates, you can easily locate related files and materials, streamlining your workflow.
Immediately Delete Unwanted Screen Recording on iPhone – JamCycler empowered iPhone users with a quick tip to reclaim storage space. Now, you can instantly delete unwanted screen recordings, ensuring your device stays clutter-free.
Cool Stuff Found
Dave and Pete never disappoint when it comes to unearthing the coolest stuff for Mac enthusiasts. Here are some of their exciting finds:
iOS 17 Public Beta App Compatibility Chart – Adrian shared a valuable resource for those eager to explore the upcoming iOS 17 beta. The iOS 17 Public Beta App Compatibility Chart helps you ensure your favorite apps will run smoothly on the new operating system.
Thermacell LIV Mosquito Prevention System – Stay bite-free this summer with the Thermacell LIV Mosquito Prevention System, shared by CSFR. It’s a must-have gadget for outdoor enthusiasts.
Play to Track Your “Watch Later” Lists – David introduced “Play,” a fantastic tool for organizing your “Watch Later” lists across various platforms. Never miss out on your favorite content again.
Number Shield for Pattern-Based Call-Blocking – Lee brought attention to Number Shield, a powerful call-blocking solution based on patterns. Say goodbye to unwanted calls and spam with this handy app.
Keyboard Clean Tool Free! – Pete shared a cool free tool, Keyboard Clean, perfect for keeping your Mac’s keyboard tidy and grime-free. Remember, a clean keyboard is a happy keyboard!
Notion Boost Browser Extension – Ral605 uncovered the Notion Boost browser extension, a handy add-on that enhances your productivity within Notion, the popular note-taking and task management app.
Shottr: Better Screen Capture Tool! – CSFR highlighted Shottr, a fantastic screen capture tool that elevates your screenshot game to the next level. Say goodbye to clunky and limited screenshot options!
Conclusion
That wraps up the highlights from Mac Geek Gab 986. Dave Hamilton and Pilot Pete share invaluable quick tips, cool discoveries, and expert insights to take your Mac experience to new heights. Remember to subscribe to future episodes for more exciting updates and cutting-edge tech advice. Until then, keep exploring, learning, and as Dave and Pete say, “Don’t Get Caught” without the latest Mac geekery!
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 986 for Monday, June 12th, 2023
The MGG Discord Server is Live!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Jeff-QT-Hold iPhone Shutter for Quick Video, Slide Right to Lock Video Recording
00:03:38 James-QT-Trigger-then-drag iPhone Volume Gauge to Fine-Tune
00:05:43 Bill-QT-macOS Ventura’s Image Capture includes OCR to PDF
00:06:47 JamCycler-QT-Tapback from Notification Center
00:08:30 Bill-QT-Function-key equivalents for Home and End Keys
MacBook Keys for the Home & End keys found on Apple Extended Keyboard:
Home: Fn + Left arrow
End: Fn + Right arrow
Excel (For Apple Extended Keyboard and for MacBook keyboard)
Home or Fn + Left arrow: Move to 1st column of current row
Control + Home or Control + Fn + Left arrow: Move to top left cell of the sheet
Control + End or Fn + Control + Right arrow: Move to the last cell in use on the sheet
00:10:15 Josh-QT-Use Creation Dates to Help Find Related Materials
00:14:11 Zulu Time…And Where It Comes From!
00:16:51 JamCycler-QT-Immediately Delete Unwanted Screen Recording on iPhone
00:18:54 Barry’s Midwest Mac Barbecue
00:20:47 PCUnix-984–iCloud Auto-removes Junk Mail after 30 days
Quick-Hit Cool Stuff Found
00:24:02 Adrian-CSF-iOS 17 Public Beta App Compatibility Chart
RoaringApp Compatibility Table
00:29:05 CSFR-Thermacell LIV Mosquito Prevention System
Sponsors
00:30:56 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac X is an all-in-one utility that can help all of us in the Mac Geek Gab community keep our Macs clean and safe. Get 5% off CleanMyMac X today (and for two weeks only!) at MacPaw.app/macgeekgab.
00:32:14 SPONSOR: Notion Projects includes new, powerful ways to manage projects and leverage the power of their built-in AI features, too. For a limited time, try Notion Projects for free when by visiting Notion.com/MacGeekGab.
00:33:53 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!
00:35:03 PCUnix-985-What’s the difference between Safari Profiles and Tab Groups?
Cool Stuff Found
00:39:39 David-CSF-Play to track your “Watch Later” lists
00:41:52 Lee-CSF-Number Shield for Pattern-Based Call-Blocking
00:44:56 CSF-Pete-Keyboard Clean Tool Free! (Patrick in MGG 940)
00:47:37 ral605-CSF-Notion Boost browser extension
00:48:35 CSFR-972–Shottr Better Screen Capture Tool! (porthosjon in 972)
00:51:56 Ben-CSF-Claquette to Create and Capture Videos and GIFs (also Permute!)
00:52:49 AndrewWoodward-CSF-Screenflick for Screen Captures with Video and System Audio
00:53:58 Jeepster8675309-CSF-Turbo Boost Switcher Pro‘s AutoMode for Controlling Fan Noise
00:56:07 ral605-CSF-KABCON Tablet Stand for traveling with Portable Monitors
00:57:59 Dom Bettinelli-CSF-Anker EverFrost Powered Cooler
01:00:02 BlockTek-CSF-iFramix to bring old iPads back to life as the guts for your frame
01:02:52 Downloading Messages from The Cloud
01:05:33 PorthosJon-CSF-SlackGPT for using ChatGPT inside of Slack
Jetpack for WordPress includes AI
01:07:29 ral605-CSF-ChatGPT Shared Links. (here’s one for this episode of MGG)
01:09:28 CSF-AirCard from Rolling Square
01:10:47 Mac Geek Gab 986 Outtro
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MGG Merch is Available!
Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
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feedback@macgeekgab.com
224-888-GEEK
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Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Jun 6, 2023 • 1h 14min
We Truly Live in a World of Wonder
Jeff Gamet joins Pilot Pete and Dave Hamilton to talk about Apple’s WWDC announcements including the new 15″ MacBook Air, the Apple Silicon Mac Pro, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma and, of course, Apple’s new spatial computing headset: The Apple Vision Pro.
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 985 for later-in-the-day on Monday, June 5th, 2023
Apple’s WWDC23 Keynote: We Truly Live In a World Of Wonder
00:03:05 New Macs
MacBook Air 15” – $1299+
Compare with other MacBooks Air
Mac Studio with M2 Max & Ultra – $1699+
Apple Silicon Mac Pro – $6999+
00:13:22 macOS Sonoma
Safari Profiles and Web Apps
Share Passwords and Passkeys with a group using iCloud Keychain
Sherlocked!
Video Conferences Presenter Overlays
Desktop Widgets (again!)
00:26:27 Apple Vision Pro: spatial computing headset – $3499 (announced)
00:40:45 iOS 17
Messages Search Filters
00:43:06 Where was AI?
There’s no more Ted Lasso
00:52:05 More iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10
Contact Cards
Live Voicemail
Journal app
StandBy
Use iPhone to Locate Apple TV Remote
Mental Health Tracking/InsightsInteractive Widgets
Multiple Timers
01:03:00 What else wasn’t mentioned in the keynote?
01:11:28 Mac Geek Gab 985 Outtro <https://mgg.fm/985>
Find Jeff Gamet on Mastodon and Instagram; MacVoices Live, In Touch With iOS, The Big Show & The Mac Show, The Context Machine
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Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
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
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Jun 5, 2023 • 1h 20min
Sit On Your Hands
In this episode Dave Hamilton and Pilot Pete bring you a treasure trove of quick tips, insights, cool stuff found, troubleshooting mistakes, and expert advice. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a mind-blowing Apple journey. As we always say, “Don’t Get Caught” without the latest tech knowledge!
Quick Tips for the Savvy Mac User:
Disable “Ask Before Running” on Personal Automation Shortcuts (QT-Disable “Ask Before Running” on Personal Automation Shortcuts): Learn how to streamline your workflow and eliminate unnecessary prompts.
Use Shortcuts to Re-engage Your iPhone Alarm (Chicago Tom-QT-Use Shortcuts to Re-engage your iPhone alarm): Discover how to make sure your alarm wakes you up when you need it most.
Unleashing the Power of Shortcuts
In this segment, PorthosJon shares an insightful tip (983-Use Shortcuts to Replace Leading Spaces before Punctuation) that will save you time and effort when working with text.
Furthermore, Gary reveals eight fixes for unejectable drives on your Mac (QT-8 Fixes for unejectable drives on your Mac), ensuring a smooth experience when handling external storage devices.
CeeDub559 discusses mobile data usage tracking and resetting (981-Mobile Data Usage Tracking and Resetting), allowing you to manage your data consumption effectively.
Quick-Hit Cool Stuff Found:
Plex ATMOS on Apple TV with Infuse (Zack-CSF-968-Use Infuse to get Plex ATMOS on Apple TV): Elevate your audio experience by integrating Plex and Infuse.
Explore the Dimensions of Many Items with Dimensions.com (Pensacola Craig-CSF-Dimensions.com Shows Dimensions of Many Items): Get accurate measurements for various objects with just a few clicks.
Download iCloud Photo Library with Docker-iCloudPD (stevehammond-CSF-Use Docker-iCloudPD to Download iCloud Photo Library): Simplify the process of downloading your iCloud Photo Library using Docker-iCloudPD.
Bruce presents SystemName (CSF-983-SystemName for Changing/Managing Your Mac’s Network Name), an essential tool for managing your Mac’s network name effortlessly.
Mistakes We ALL Make: Troubleshooting and Supporting with Assumptions
Pilot Pete shares his exciting experience with his new Mac, offering insights and recommendations for fellow Mac enthusiasts.
Dave and Pilot Pete discuss common mistakes when troubleshooting and supporting computer-related issues. Remember, it’s crucial not to assume knowledge when providing assistance. Sit on your hands and listen carefully before jumping to conclusions!
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
Barry seeks guidance on auto-deleting iCloud junk mail, and the hosts suggest SmallCubed Mailsuite as a helpful tool.
Mark raises the issue of Mac restarts due to problems and receives advice on using TechTool Pro and resetting NVRAM and SMC.
KYEngineer inquires about porting a landline to an iPhone, and the hosts recommend using a T-Mobile SIM and for a seamless transition to Google Voice if that’s your preference.
Rob clarifies the proper use of the “umount” command when removing drives from /Volumes.
Drewski seeks assistance with MDS-related CPU usage, and the hosts shed light on the meaning of MDS (metadata server).
Cool Stuff Found: Additional Discoveries
Discover how to migrate from Twitter to Mastodon using Fedifinder and explore the benefits of Mona and Ivory as clients. Also, learn how Topiary helps you prune inactive followings.
Don’t forget to join Mac Geek Gab on Mastodon and follow hosts Dave Hamilton and Pilot Pete for more exciting Mac content!
Conclusion
In this captivating episode of Mac Geek Gab, Dave Hamilton and Pilot Pete have covered a wide range of topics, including quick tips, cool stuff found, troubleshooting mistakes, and expert advice. They’ve shared valuable insights to help you unleash the full potential of your Mac and avoid common pitfalls. Remember, “Don’t Get Caught” without this essential Apple knowledge!
Tune in to Mac Geek Gab for your regular dose of Mac goodness and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of technology.
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 984 for Monday, June 5th, 2023
The MGG Discord Server is Live!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 QT-Disable “Ask Before Running” on Personal Automation Shortcuts
00:02:43 Chicago Tom-QT-Use Shortcuts to Re-engage your iPhone alarm
Mac OS Ken
00:10:29 PorthosJon-983–Use Shortcuts to Replace Leading Spaces before Punctuation
00:14:35 Gary-QT-8 Fixes for unejectable drives on your Mac
00:15:27 CeeDub559-981-Mobile Data Usage Tracking and Resetting
Sponsors
00:18:05 SPONSOR: Zocdoc, the easiest way to find a great doctor and instantly book an appointment. Sign up for FREE at Zocdoc.com/MGG and download the app today.
00:19:41 SPONSOR: Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today. Try Kolide Today at Kolide.com/MGG
00:20:50 PODCAST: The Jordan Harbinger Show. Jordan is a master interviewer, obsessed about audio quality, and focused on producing a great show that we think you’re going to love.
Quick-Hit Cool Stuff Found
00:21:51 Zack-CSF-968-Use Infuse to get Plex ATMOS on Apple TV
00:23:47 Pensacola Craig-CSF-Dimensions.com Shows Dimensions of Many Items
00:25:03 stevehammond-CSF-Use Docker-iCloudPD to Download iCloud Photo Library…instructions for Synology
00:27:06 What is Docker?
Here We Are In This Rabbit Hole
00:30:48 Bruce-CSF-983–SystemName for Changing/Managing Your Mac’s Network Name
00:31:55 Pete’s New Mac
Mistakes we ALL make: Troubleshooting/Supporting while assuming knowledge
Sit On Your Hands
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:39:31 Barry-Auto-Deleting iCloud Junk Mail
SmallCubed Mailsuite
00:43:42 Mark “Mac Restarts Because of a Problem” – vague but true!
Oraculous
TechTool Pro
Reset NVRAM on Mac
Reset SMC on Mac
00:49:24 KYEngineer-Porting my Landline to iPhone (or elsewhere)
T-Mobile SIM
Obi200
Maybe no Definitely
00:53:55 Rob-983-umount DOES properly remove from /Volumes
00:55:37 Drewski MDS Gone Wild – Pegging CPU
What does MDS stand for related to spotlight? (metadata server)
Cool Stuff Found
01:02:39 Using Fedifinder to migrate from Twitter to Mastodon. And Mona and Ivory as Clients! And Topiary to prune inactive followings…
Mac Geek Gab on Mastodon
Dave on Mastodon
Pilot Pete on Mastodon
01:12:32 CSF-Audio Hijack 4.2 adds Speech Denoise, Parametric EQ, and FIR filter… and download free IR files from Waves
Krisp
Auphonic
01:17:25 Mac Geek Gab 984 Outro
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Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
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
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

May 29, 2023 • 1h 17min
Mail Doesn’t Get The Hint
Welcome back, Mac Geeks! In this episode of Mac Geek Gab, your go-to podcast for all things Mac, our hosts Dave Hamilton, John F. Braun, and Pilot Pete dive deep into the digital waters of Apple’s ecosystem, covering everything from Quick Tips to solving your burning questions. So, strap in and Don’t Get Caught in the whirlwind of tech unaware!
Quick Tips to Streamline Your Apple Experience
After our usual friendly banter, we kick off the show with a series of Quick Tips that can completely transform the way you interact with your Mac and other Apple devices:
Press-and-hold on your iPhone to prioritize an app update. No more waiting for that crucial app to finally update!
Learn how to set default scrolling options on your Mac, thanks to listener Bill. This will certainly smooth your navigation experience.
Patrick shares a handy tip on using multiple search/filter terms in Mail. Don’t let your inbox overwhelm you!
Avoiding Hidden Dangers: Keeping Your AirPods Safe
It’s crucial to remember that hiding your AirPods inside RFID protected places isn’t the best idea. Why? Tune in at 00:16:17 to find out!
Making the Most of Your Apple Watch and iPhone
We delve into how you can run multiple timers on your Apple Watch and discuss the peculiar fact that the iPhone can’t do this just yet. PCUnix shares a nifty trick to force your iPhone to unlock your Watch, while Scott enlightens us with a shortcut to allow or disallow unknown callers using Siri. We also explore the latest features introduced in iOS 16.5 and macOS 13.4, such as Siri commands for screen recordings and a solution to the slow Bluetooth issue.
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared
The most rewarding part of hosting Mac Geek Gab is answering your questions and sharing your tips. In this episode, we tackle several intriguing topics:
Michael’s query about receiving notifications on both his Phone and Watch.
Nick’s question about replacing leading spaces before punctuation. We delve into the utility of Rocket Typist and TextExpander in this context.
HarveyH’s uncertainty about changing a drive’s name in Finder.
InfamousJohnnyB’s issue about unmounting specific volumes for specific users.
And Gordon’s struggle with the Fontbook App when attempting to make collections.
Cool Stuff Found: Enhance Your Mac Life
We wrap up the episode with some of the coolest finds, including a smart plug power strip compatible with HomeKit and Alexa, an Aura Frame for displaying and sharing photos, and Ventura’s AUSoundIsolation Plugin to magically remove background noise.
In the end, though Mail Doesn’t Get The Hint, you can stay ahead of the curve with Mac Geek Gab, ensuring you Don’t Get Caught unprepared in this rapidly evolving tech world. So, tune in to this episode and elevate your Apple ecosystem experience today!
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 983 for Monday, May 29th, 2023
The MGG Discord Server is Live!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
00:02:45 MGG Evolves!
Twitterific
MacStock Conference
Quick Tips
00:00:01 QT-Press-and-hold on iPhone to Prioritize Download for App Updates, too
00:08:40 Bill-QT-982-Setting Default Scrolling Options on the Mac
00:10:24 Patrick-QT-Use Multiple Search/Filter Terms in Mail
Mail Doesn’t Get The Hint
Find Any File
00:16:17 jkerns-QT-Don’t Hide Your AirPods Inside RFID Protected Places
00:22:13 QT-Run Multiple Timers on Apple Watch, but not iPhone
00:23:35 PCUnix-QT-Launch Watch app to Force iPhone to Unlock Watch
00:24:40 Scott QT – Shortcut to Allow / Disallow unknown callers with Siri
Verizon Call Filter
00:27:01 QT-iOS 16.5 adds Siri commands for screen recordings
00:27:38 QT-macOS 13.4 Solves Slow Bluetooth Issue
Sponsors
00:28:12 SPONSOR: Shady Rays. What’s better than getting one pair of Shady Rays and not worrying if you break or lose them? Getting two! Go to ShadyRays.com/mgg and use code mgg and for a limited time, when you buy one pair of Shady Rays, you’ll get a second pair FREE.
00:30:11 SPONSOR: Notion. With whatever you’re working on, Notion AI lets you skip to the good part. Save time and write faster by letting Notion AI handle the brainstorm and first draft. For a limited time, try Notion AI for free when by visiting Notion.com/MacGeekGab.
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:32:13 Michael-Notifications on Both Phone and Watch?
Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Prominent
00:39:12 Using ChatGPT to write Ad Scripts!
00:40:34 Nick – Replace Leading Spaces Before Punctuation
Rocket Typist
TextExpander
Setapp
00:45:17 HarveyH-How to Change Drive’s name in Finder?
umount unix command
00:48:51 Ventura: Sharing > Local Host Name
00:53:59 InfamousJohnnyB-How to Unmount Specific Volumes for Specific Users?
00:56:48 Gordon – Fontbook App – not able to make collections
[home] > Library > FontCollections
Cool Stuff Found
01:01:38 PorthosJon-CSF-Meross Smart Plug Power Strip for HomeKit, Alexa, More
01:03:40 Patrick-CSF Aura Frame for Displaying and Sharing Photos
Skylight Frame
01:07:07 CSF-AUSoundIsolation Plugin to remove background noise
SoundSource
iZotope RX Voice De-Noise
01:15:22 Mac Geek Gab 983 Outtro
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
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
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

May 22, 2023 • 1h 28min
Navigating Hotel Notes-ifornia
In this episode, hosts Dave Hamilton, John F. Braun, and Pilot Pete kicked off with listener Dan’s quick tip on how to select groups of photos on iPhone rapidly. Dan discovered that swiping from left to right, starting from the first desired photo and scrolling downwards without lifting your finger, allows you to select multiple photos in subsequent rows. This efficient method helps you add numerous photos to a shared album swiftly.
As always, the hosts continued to share their cool finds and answer listener queries. They emphasized the magic of the ‘Option’ key in Finder that can unfold all ‘Get Info’ details. When you’re looking at the Get Info screen and all the triangles are twisted closed, hold down the Option key while opening one of them; they will all open simultaneously. This also applies when you’re in the Finder itself. Option clicking can either twist them all open or closed at once.
In addition, the Option key can be utilized in several other handy ways. For instance, holding down the option key and clicking the keyboard brightness key opens up the monitor system preference. Similarly, if you option click the volume up or down button on your keyboard, it will open up the sound system preference.
The hosts were particularly impressed by a feature they discovered this week. When using a scroll bar, instead of trying to grab and drag the little handle, you can option click anywhere in that scroll bar, and it will jump the scroll point to that point. This feature can be a game-changer when navigating through long documents or web pages, making scrolling a breeze.
In this episode, Pilot Pete brought an intriguing eSIM tip to the table. One of the listeners, Joao, shared his experience about buying an eSIM in China, which helped him bypass most VPN restrictions. This came handy while traveling, as it solved the Regional Data issue.
Add to this some fantastic discussion about Passkeys as well as your questions answered, and it’s action-packed!
Stay tuned for more insightful tips, tricks, and tech tidbits in the upcoming episodes. Don’t forget to sign up here to get shownotes delivered to your inbox every week. Remember, “Don’t Get Caught” without the latest tech wisdom from your favorite Mac geeks!
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 982 for Monday, May 22nd, 2023
The MGG Discord Server is Live!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Dan-QT-Quickly Selecting Groups of Photos on iPhone
00:03:37 QT-Use the Option key in Finder to Unfold all Get Info details
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
00:07:29 Joao QT bought eSim in China to get by most VPN restrictions -> Follow Up Regional Data is Cheaper!
eSIMdb
PokeFi
00:09:58 Managing Cellular Data
00:13:10 Apple Human Interface Guidelines Binders
00:14:40 Sacha-QT-980-Tell ChatGPT Which Language to Use
00:16:20 CSF-ChatGPT’s Plugins are now in Beta for many paid users
Sponsors
00:21:57 SPONSOR: Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today. Try Kolide Today at Kolide.com/MGG
00:23:11 SPONSOR: Shady Rays. What’s better than getting one pair of Shady Rays and not worrying if you break or lose them? Getting two! Go to ShadyRays.com/mgg and use code mgg and for a limited time, when you buy one pair of Shady Rays, you’ll get a second pair FREE.
00:24:44 ChatGPT AI Usage
Navigating Through Hotel Notesifornia
Cool Stuff Found
00:27:44 Greg-CSF Map Redirect for Map Links and Opener to make iPhone links open in apps of your choosing
00:29:35 Ben-CSF-Unlox.it (formerly MacID) to unlock Mac with Trackpad tap, face, and more
00:30:31 Tom-CSF-981–Exporter to Export from Notes Attachments
00:33:13 ral605-CSF-Anker 525 Charging Station with 2 USB-C, 2-USB-A and 3 AC outlets
00:38:46 David Kloempken-CSF-CoverageMap.com – A Community-Sourced Cell Coverage/Speed Map (submit your own…if you dare!) Or use OpenSignal.
T-Mobile 5G For The Home
Starlink Roam for RVs
00:47:18 CSF-Viable and Liviable for virtualizing macOS and Linux from Howard Oakley
Sponsors
00:48:29 SPONSOR: Hello Fresh. Skip trips to the grocery store and count on HelloFresh to make home cooking easy, fun, and affordable. Visit HelloFresh.com/MGG16 and use code MGG16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping.
00:50:10 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.
Passkeys
00:51:17 Allison-Passkeys (Currently) Require iCloud Keychain
Paul Conaway-1Password will support passkeys in the version coming June 6th
00:54:55 Kyle-980-Passkey Cross-Device Cross-Platform
Meet Passkeys at WWDC
00:56:32 Todd-Passcode Security Reminder
Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Change Passcode > Passcode Options
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
01:04:18 Gary-Low Battery Alert on iPhone
01:09:28 Jeff-GC-Q How to Make an iPhone Email Signature with an Image -> Follow Up It Remains a Challenge
01:13:48 Bill-Choosing a Thunderbolt Dock
OWC Thunderbolt Dock
Caldigit Thunderbolt Station 4
01:24:20 Mac Geek Gab 982 Outtro
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
Birds Aren’t Real
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
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

May 15, 2023 • 1h 19min
Strong and Wrong on the 5:15
Welcome to another exciting episode of Mac Geek Gab, hosted by Dave Hamilton, John F. Braun, and Pilot Pete. In this episode, we’ll explore a variety of quick tips to enhance your Mac experience, discuss popular notetaking apps, and share some cool stuff we found. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of Mac Geekery. And remember, Don’t Get Caught!
Quick Tips
1. Yufasa-QT: Double-Click Window Edge/Corner to Expand
If you want to quickly expand a window on your Mac, simply double-click on its edge or corner. This time-saving tip allows you to maximize your workspace efficiently.
2. Jim-QT: Create Smart Albums for Each Year’s Unfiled Photos
Managing your photo library can be a daunting task. Jim suggests creating smart albums for unfiled photos each year. This way, you can easily organize and locate your precious memories without any hassle.
3. Notetaking Apps:
When it comes to capturing and organizing your thoughts, there’s no shortage of options. Our hosts discuss some of the top notetaking apps available:
– Obsidian: A powerful app for creating interconnected notes, perfect for those who enjoy a more structured approach to notetaking.
– Microsoft OneNote: A versatile app that syncs across devices, making it easy to access your notes anywhere, anytime.
– Apple Notes: A native app that seamlessly integrates with your Apple devices, offering a simple and intuitive notetaking experience.
– Evernote: A feature-rich app with advanced organizational tools, ideal for users who need to manage extensive note collections.
4. Martin-QT: Long Press Control Center To Connect BT & WiFi Without Going into Settings
Martin shares a handy tip to quickly connect to Bluetooth devices and Wi-Fi networks by long-pressing the Control Center on your Mac. This shortcut saves you time and eliminates the need to navigate through settings menus.
During a tangent about scripting deleted notes, our hosts emphasize the importance of data backup and recovery. Remember, accidents happen, so it’s crucial to have a backup system in place to protect your valuable information. As we always say, “Don’t Get Caught” without a backup!
Listener Questions Answered:
1. Jens24: Changing Drive Icons and Viewing the Clipboard
Jens24 seeks advice on customizing drive icons and accessing the clipboard on a Mac. Our hosts share their insights and provide helpful solutions to make these tasks a breeze.
2. Joe: Photos Consuming Cellular Data While Traveling
Joe wonders why his photos are consuming cellular data while he’s traveling. Our experts explain the concept of “Current Period” in cellular data settings on the iPhone and offer tips to manage data usage effectively.
3. Fernando: What is Recovered Messages in Mail?
Fernando seeks clarification about the “Recovered Messages” feature in the Mail app. Our hosts shed light on this useful feature, which helps recover deleted or lost emails effortlessly.
4. Create a Shortcut to Set Low Data Mode
If you want to enable low data mode on your Mac quickly, our hosts guide you through creating a shortcut that simplifies the process. Save data and streamline your browsing experience with this nifty tip.
5. Jon: Use Command-Line to Rebuild Spotlight in Ventura
Jon provides instructions about rebuilding Spotlight in Ventura using the command-line instead of OnyX.
Cool Stuff Found:
In the world of tech, there’s always something new and exciting to discover. Our hosts present some cool stuff they found:
– Sonos Era 300 with Dolby Atmos: Get ready to elevate your audio experience with the Sonos Era 300, featuring Dolby Atmos technology. This speaker delivers immersive sound with precise object-based audio, making you feel like you’re right in the middle of the music.
– Scosche PowerVolt Travel30: Stay powered up on the go with the Scosche PowerVolt Travel30. Its foldable plug design makes it ideal for travel, ensuring you can stay connected wherever you are, in the car or in the hotel. Don’t get caught with a dead battery—grab the Scosche PowerVolt Travel30 and keep your devices juiced up.
– Velatoy All-In-One Travel Plug Adapter: Traveling internationally? The Velatoy All-In-One Travel Plug Adapter has got you covered. This innovative adapter features a compact design with built-in plugs that support over 150 countries. With multiple USB ports and a universal AC socket, you can charge your devices hassle-free in any corner of the world. Don’t let incompatible outlets slow you down—pack the Velatoy All-In-One Travel Plug Adapter and stay connected wherever your adventures take you.
– Catlink Robot Litter Box: For all the cat owners out there, the Catlink Robot Litter Box is a must-have gadget. This intelligent litter box automates the cleaning process, saving you time and effort. With its advanced self-cleaning mechanism, odor control system, and spacious design, your furry friend will have a comfortable and hygienic restroom experience. Say goodbye to manual scooping and hello to a cleaner litter box with the Catlink Robot Litter Box. And remember, “Don’t Get Caught” with a messy litter box!
Conclusion:
In this episode of Mac Geek Gab, we explored a range of quick tips, discussed popular notetaking apps, and shared some cool tech finds. From time-saving shortcuts to efficient organization techniques, we hope these insights enhance your Mac experience. Remember to back up your data, manage your cellular data wisely, and take advantage of the fantastic tools and gadgets we discovered. Until next time, keep geeking out and remember, “Don’t Get Caught” without your Mac Geek Gab knowledge!
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 981 for Monday, May 15th, 2023
The MGG Discord Server is Live!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Yufasa-QT-Double-Click Window Edge/Corner to Expand
00:02:49 Jim-QT Create Smart Albums for Each Year’s Unfiled Photos
00:07:34 Notetaking Apps
Obsidian
Microsoft OneNote
Apple Notes
Evernote
00:10:10 Martin QT Long Press Control Center To Connect BT & WiFi Without Going into Settings
00:11:53 Tangent: Scripting Deletes
00:13:36 Tim-QT-Command-I in Safari Emails the Current Page
00:14:59 Linear Time is just a construct for feeble human brains!
00:15:49 Thad-QT-980-Only One Active eSim Allowed before iPhone 13
Mint Mobile – Pete’s Referral Link: http://fbuy.me/sGbrA
00:24:12 Larry-QT-Mark Zuckerberg Warns Not To Screenshot Your Facebook Chats
00:26:59 Patrick-Describing the Current State of AI Chatbots
Sponsors
00:30:55 SPONSOR: Private Internet Access VPN – Save 82% off your VPN service PLUS four free months with a two-year plan at PIAVPN.com/mgg.
00:32:25 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.
00:33:51 PODCAST: Techmeme Ride Home is like TLDR as a service. Listen to the one show that everyone in Silicon Valley listens to. Find Techmeme Ride Home wherever you find your podcasts.
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:35:04 Jens24-Changing Drive Icons and Viewing the Clipboard
00:41:57 Joe-Photos Consuming Cellular Data While Traveling
What Does “Current Period” Mean in Cellular Data Settings on iPhone
00:48:06 Fernando-What is Recovered Messages in Mail?
00:51:39 Create a Shortcut to Set Low Data Mode
00:52:48 Jon-Use Command-Line (not OnyX) to rebuild Spotlight in Ventura (at least):
sudo mdutil -i off -a
sudo mdutil -E -a
sudo mdutil -i on -a
00:55:55 Monterey Is Great
Cool Stuff Found
01:02:54 CSF-Sonos Era 300 with Dolby Atmos
01:09:08 CSF-Scosche PowerVolt Travel30
01:12:11 CSF-Velatoy All-In-One Travel Plug Adapter
01:13:03 CSF-Catlink Robot Litter Box (40% less than Litter Robot!)
Tideline House
01:18:00 Mac Geek Gab 981 Outtro
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
Birds Aren’t Real
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
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

May 8, 2023 • 1h 21min
Your Text is Human Written
Are you a Mac user looking to keep up with the latest tech tips and tricks? Then you don’t want to miss Mac Geek Gab 980! In this episode, hosts Pilot Pete, John F. Braun, and Dave Hamilton share their expertise and knowledge on a range of topics, from Apple Maps Favorites to setting up a passkey for your Google Account, and more. Let’s dive in and explore the key takeaways from this episode!
Quick Tips: Apple Maps Favorites and Adium’s Option-Up/Down
The episode kicks off with Donna’s quick tip on using Apple Maps Favorites to save your favorite locations for easy access. This is a great feature to take advantage of, especially if you frequently visit the same places. Later in the episode, Ben shares a quick tip on how Messages will allow you to use Adium’s Option-Up/Down to scroll through previous messages on Mac. As Dave points out, “Your Fingers Will Remember!” This is a great way to quickly navigate through your message history without having to use the mouse.
SaneBox: Organize Your Inbox and Get More Email
If you’re like most people, your email inbox is probably overflowing with messages. That’s where SaneBox comes in. In this episode, the hosts discuss how this handy tool can help you organize your inbox and get more email. SaneBox uses algorithms to automatically filter out unimportant messages, leaving you with only the most important ones. This can save you time and help you stay focused on what’s really important.
Setting Up a Passkey for Your Google Account
In today’s world, online security is more important than ever. That’s why it’s important to use strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts. In this episode, Ricky shares a quick tip on setting up a passkey for your Google Account. This is a secure and easy-to-use system that can help keep your Google Account safe from hackers.
Emacs vs. vi: The Eternal Debate
For many Mac users, the debate between Emacs and vi is an age-old one. In this episode, the hosts share their thoughts on these two popular text editors. While Emacs is known for its powerful features and ability to handle large files, vi is more lightweight and can be faster to use. As Dave shares, “Emacs = Eight Megs And Continuously Swapping!”
Cool Stuff Found: Apple Password Manager Shortcut, BLEUnlock, and More!
As always, Mac Geek Gab 980 features a range of cool stuff found by the hosts and listeners alike. In this episode, Dave shares a cool shortcut for accessing Apple’s password manager, Martin talks about BLEUnlock, a tool for unlocking your Mac using your iPhone, and John F. Braun introduces the GPT-4 and ChatGPT detector by ZeroGPT, which can detect OpenAI text. Or can it? Pilot Pete also shares his thoughts on the eufy doorbell and chime.
In Conclusion
Mac Geek Gab 980 is packed with valuable tips, tricks, and tools for Mac users. From organizing your inbox with SaneBox to setting up a passkey for your Google Account, there’s something for everyone in this episode. So if you’re looking to stay up-to-date with the latest in Mac tech, be sure to give this episode a listen!
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 980 for Monday, May 8th, 2023
Quick Tips
00:00:01 Donna-QT-Apple Maps Favorites
00:02:49 I Want More Email, and I Think You Do, Too
SaneBox
00:12:55 Ask ChatGPT For a List of Things It Fixed
Sponsors
00:15:44 SPONSOR: Zocdoc, the easiest way to find a great doctor and instantly book an appointment. Sign up for FREE at Zocdoc.com/MGG and download the app today.
00:17:03 SPONSOR: Notion. With whatever you’re working on, Notion AI lets you skip to the good part. Save time and write faster by letting Notion AI handle the brainstorm and first draft. For a limited time, try Notion AI for free when by visiting Notion.com/MacGeekGab.
More Quick Tips
00:18:28 Ricky-Setup a Passkey for your Google Account
SQRL
00:29:16 Ben-QT-Use Adium’s Option-Up/Down to scroll through previous Messages on Mac
Your Fingers Will Remember!
Emacs vs. vi
Emacs = “Eight Megs And Continuously Swapping”
00:36:37 Paul-QT-979-Make Sure to Reset Your Cellular Data
00:38:05 Nick-QT-AirPods Reset Tip for One-Ear Noise Canceling
QT-Add Hearing to Control Center to Better to Control AirPods Pro
Sponsors
00:40:46 SPONSOR: Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today. Try Kolide Today at Kolide.com/MGG
00:41:52 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.
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:42:53 Kurt-How to Reset Photos’ People/Faces Database?
00:46:35 Archive Your Email to Your Synology Mail Server
00:52:26 Scott-DAS or NAS for Apple Music Storage (make sure to use “Apple Music” instead of “iTunes”)
Cool Stuff Found
00:59:44 Dave-CSF-Apple Password Manager Shortcut/Icon from… Apple?
01:01:09 Martin-CSF-BLEUnlock to Unlock Your Mac
01:03:59 John F. Braun-GPT-4 And ChatGPT detector by ZeroGPT: detect OpenAI text
01:09:52 Pilot Pete eufy doorbell + chime
01:15:12 Mac Geek Gab 980 Outtro
Sonos Roam
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
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
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
You’re downloading today’s show from CacheFly’s network
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

25 snips
May 1, 2023 • 1h 12min
Hidden Files, Address Bar Navigation, and HomeKit Cameras
In this episode of Mac Geek Gab, Pilot Pete, John F. Braun, and Dave Hamilton start with some Quick Tips shared by the audience. Bruce, Erik, Ben, and Wayne share the tip of using Cmd-Shift-Period for showing hidden/invisible files in Finder. Scott shares a better way of navigating messages on Mac, while Henry provides more Safari address bar navigation tips. The group also discusses changing Twitter 2FA to a one-time password if you lose text message 2FA support and logging your router’s MAC address if you’re on fiber.
The show then moves on to answering listeners’ questions and sharing tips. Jedd asks why Apple Maps became a data hog, and the group discusses the merits of using private networks for iOT devices. Robert suggests using Tailscale as your inbound/outbound VPN, and the group talks about the recently improved Tailscale Free Plan. Craig shares an issue with HomeKit cameras regularly going offline and how HomeBridge can help. John’s Apple Watch stopped unlocking one of his Macs, while Mike’s Apple Watch and phone are on different carriers. Finally, Curt wonders if Apple stopped warning users about macOS memory usage.
The show concludes with some Cool Stuff Found. Your three favorite geeks shares the Juice-Jack Defender Plug, a portable charger battery for Apple Watch, and a TerraMaster TNAS F4-423 that costs $499 on Amazon.
If you’re looking for quick tips, answers to your tech questions, or just some cool stuff to check out, Mac Geek Gab 979 has it all. Tune in and join the conversation!
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 979 for Monday, May 1st, 2023
Bruce (and Erik, Ben, Wayne)-QT-978-Cmd-Shift-Period for Showing Hidden/Invisible Files in Finder
The MGG Discord Server is Live!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:02:20 Scott-QT-978-Better Keys for Navigating Messages on Mac
00:04:05 Henry-QT-978-More Safari Address Bar Navigation Tips
00:05:10 QT-Change Twitter 2FA to a One-Time Password if you Lose Text Message 2FA support
00:06:42 QT-Log Your Router’s MAC Address if You’re On Fiber
Sponsor
00:14:02 SPONSOR: Kolide – Kolide ensures only secure devices can access your cloud apps. It’s Zero Trust tailor-made for Okta. Book a demo today. Try Kolide Today at Kolide.com/MGG
00:15:19 PODCAST: Techmeme Ride Home is like TLDR as a service. Listen to the one show that everyone in Silicon Valley listens to. Find Techmeme Ride Home wherever you find your podcasts.
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:16:34 Jedd-Why Did Apple Maps Become a Data Hog?
Sirius XM App
00:23:39 Robert-976-Use Tailscale As your Inbound/Outbound VPN, too (and Jonathan and Mike)
Tailscale Free Plan Gets Better!
00:34:43 Craig-HomeKit Cameras Regularly Going Offline
HomeBridge
A Lengthy discussion of the merits of employing homekit, private networks for your iOT devices, and more
00:48:58 John-Apple Watch Stopped Unlocking One of My Macs
00:53:28 Mike-Apple Watch and Phone on Different Carriers
00:58:11 Curt-Did Apple Stop Warning Us About macOS Memory Usage?
Cool Stuff Found
01:01:17 CSF-Juice-Jack Defender Plug
01:04:20 Portable Charger Battery for Apple Watch (and one without a battery)
01:06:31 TerraMaster TNAS F4-423 ($499 on Amazon)
01:10:12 Mac Geek Gab 979 Outtro
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
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
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
You’re downloading today’s show from CacheFly’s network
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

Apr 24, 2023 • 1h 17min
Heisenbugs Are Expected Behavior
Welcome back, Mac Geek Gab listeners! In episode 978, our hosts Dave Hamilton, John F. Braun, and Pilot Pete dive into a wide range of Mac tips, tricks, and troubleshooting. This episode is packed with valuable advice for Mac users, covering topics from setting a shared screenshots folder to managing your Mac’s battery life.
Setting a Shared Screenshots Folder and OnyX for Mac
At the start of the episode, the hosts discuss how to set up a shared screenshots folder for all your Macs, a handy tip for keeping your images organized. They also touch on OnyX for Mac, a versatile utility for optimizing and maintaining your macOS system.
Quick Tips
The quick tips continue, with Steve sharing how to back tap your iPhone for shortcuts, DJ Mac explaining how to use Control + Tab in Messages on Mac, and Gary providing an update on solving Apple Watch unlock issues. Ben and Bav offer useful Safari and Mac App Store tips to improve your browsing and download experiences.
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
In this section, our hosts tackle several listener questions:
Raymond asks about Apple TV buffering and spinning beach balls. The hosts discuss Speedtest for Apple TV and compare Wi-Fi versus Ethernet.
Phil wonders how to manage his Mac’s battery life, and the hosts offer helpful advice.
Steve shares an unlikely solution for his MacBook Pro M1 running out of disk space. You’ll want to hear this!
Jess asks about Siri reading emails aloud, leading to a discussion about accessibility solutions.
Deborah wants to know how to archive email, and the hosts suggest MailSteward and share Dave’s Gmail Archive Deletion Search Criteria.
Jürgen shares how he used iperf to solve his Mac to Synology speed issue, with the hosts offering insights on the topic.
Heisenbugs and Restoring Wi-Fi Passwords
As the episode wraps up, the hosts chat about Heisenbugs and the quirks of expected behavior. Finally, Alex shares a brilliant tip on how to restore Wi-Fi passwords after resetting network settings, and the hosts dissect this long-standing problem for Apple users.
Don’t miss this episode of Mac Geek Gab, packed with tips, tricks, and expert advice to help you get the most out of your Mac experience. Press play on episode 978 and join Dave Hamilton, John F. Braun, and Pilot Pete for a fun and informative discussion.
Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff mentioned:
00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 978 for Monday, April 24th, 2023
00:00:01 QT-Set a Shared Screenshots Folder For All Your Macs
OnyX for Mac
You Outsmarted yourself
The MGG Discord Server is Live!
The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Quick Tips
00:03:10 Steve-QT-Back Tap Your iPhone for Shortcuts and More
00:05:15 DJ Mac-QT-Use Control + Tab in Messages on Mac to jump to next message!
00:08:12 Gary-QT-Update Your Devices to Solve Apple Watch Unlock Issues
00:10:33 Ben-QT-Swipe iPhone Safari Address Bar For Tab Browser
00:11:40 Bav-QT-Hover over Mac App Store Download Progress for Realtime Speed
Sponsors
00:12:46 SPONSOR: Shady Rays. What’s better than getting one pair of Shady Rays and not worrying if you break or lose them? Getting two! Go to ShadyRays.com/mgg and use code mgg and for a limited time, when you buy one pair of Shady Rays, you’ll get a second pair FREE.
00:14:23 SPONSOR: Private Internet Access VPN – Save 82% off your VPN service PLUS four free months with a two-year plan at PIAVPN.com/mgg.
00:15:53 SPONSOR: Honey, the FREE shopping tool that scours the internet for promo codes and applies the best one it finds to your cart.
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
00:17:19 Raymond-Apple TV Buffering and Spinning Beach Ball
Speedtest for Apple TV
Channels DVR vs. NBC and TVE
00:26:41 Phil-How Should I Manage My Mac’s Battery?
00:33:02 Steve-Solving MacBook Pro M1 Running Out of Disk Space
CCleaner
00:38:12 Comfort Noise
Hush
00:39:39 Jess Siri Reading eMail Aloud – Accessibility Solution
00:44:42 Deborah-Archiving Email
MailSteward
Dave’s Gmail Archive Deletion Search Criteria
First: Settings > Conversation View > OFF
THEN, the search criteria template: before:2018/01/01 -label:[imap]-archive -in:inbox -in:sent -in:draft has:nouserlabels
00:53:57 Jürgen-Using iperf to Solve the Mac to Synology Speed Issue
Heisenbugs are Expected Behavior!
01:04:33 Alex-How to Restore Wi-Fi Passwords After Resetting Network Settings
01:14:33 Mac Geek Gab 978 Outtro
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
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
The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app
Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
BackBeat Media Podcast Network
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