Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

Mesh Networks, iCloud Bandwidth Fixes, and Must-Know Mac Tips

Apr 20, 2026

Troubleshooting mesh networking with T‑Mobile and navigating double NAT and port forwarding. Tricks for pausing iCloud downloads and using TripMode when bandwidth is tight. Quick wins like Homebrew + topgrade for updates, generating QR codes from the clipboard, and remounting network shares from Finder Sidebar. Security heads-up about an Apple Pay transit flaw and Backblaze excluding iCloud Drive.

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ADVICE

Use Homebrew And Topgrade For Reliable Updates

Use Homebrew and tools like Updatist to manage macOS command-line and third‑party app updates reliably.
Dave and Adam recommended brew install/upgrade workflows and highlighted topgrade (brew install topgrade) to update many package types at once.

ADVICE

Pause Bulky iCloud Downloads Using TripMode

To stop large iCloud Drive downloads on a Mac, block iCloud network access with TripMode or disable Desktop & Documents syncing instead of rebooting.
The hosts showed turning off Desktop & Documents or using TripMode prevents ongoing iCloud downloads that otherwise resume after restart.

ADVICE

Fix Plex Remote Access With Settings And Port Checks

If Plex remote access stops working, check Server > Remote Access in Plex settings and verify port forwarding and the server’s LAN IP or let Plex manage the connection.
Pilot Pete and Dave advised toggling Allow Remote Access, checking the green/red connection indicators, and adding manual port forwards or using Plex’s built‑in tunneling.

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Mesh Networks, iCloud Bandwidth Fixes, and Must-Know Mac Tips – Mac Geek Gab 1138 episode image

This week on Mac Geek Gab 1138, Pilot Pete, Adam, and Dave tackle your burning questions and deliver the tips that keep your tech humming. You’ll learn how to properly delete images from your iPhone, sort out mesh networking headaches with T-Mobile, and decide whether Updatest and HomeBrew belong in your app-updating toolkit (spoiler: brew install topgrade is a game-changer). Struggling with limited bandwidth? TripMode lets you pause iCloud downloads on demand. Plus, the crew digs into why Plex Remote Access suddenly quit working and how Claude Code can help you recompile apps on the fly.

The quick tips are stacked this week: skip the remount dance by using Finder Sidebar for network shares, generate QR codes straight from your clipboard, and tap Show Highlights in Notes to track edits. Listener Dave’s keyboard shortcut (Left-Control + Left-Command + Right-Shift…and then power) will save your Mac from accidental restarts while cleaning the keyboard, and a Synology power supply swap might save your wallet. Don’t Get Caught slipping on the latest Apple Pay hack that drains accounts from locked iPhones, or blindsided by Backblaze now excluding iCloud Drive from backups. Round it out with tickIQ for tracking your mechanical watches, and you’ve got another solid episode in the books.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1138 for Monday, April 20th, 2026
- April 20th: National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day
- MGG Monthly Giveaway – Enter to win a Plex Pass for a Year
- Congrats to March’s SoundSource winners: Ian, Robert, and Jeff
- The MGG Merch Store is Live!
Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
- 00:03:42 Gary-How do I delete images from my iPhone?
- 00:09:05 Jim-Which Mesh setup will work with my home and TMobile?
- 00:21:20 Ian-Is Updatest (and HomeBrew) good for updating apps?
- 00:23:35 Using Claude Code to recompile apps
  - brew upgrade
  - brew install topgrade
- 00:29:05 GW-How to Pause an iCloud Download when bandwidth is limited?
  - TripMode
- 00:38:02 Dr. Brad-Why did Plex Remote Access stop working
  - Plex Support Forum – for Plex Media Server
Sponsors
- 00:45:22 SPONSOR: CarGurus. Meet CarGurus Discover, a new search feature where you can look for vehicles based on the way you think—using your own words. No more being boxed in by filters. Check it out at https://cargurus.com/
- 00:46:41 SPONSOR: OneSkin. Born from over a decade of longevity research, OneSkin’s OS-01 Peptide is proven to target the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code MGG at https://www.oneskin.co/MGG #oneskinpod #ad
- 00:48:19 SPONSOR: Shopify. In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/MGG
Quick Tips
- 00:00:01 Jeff-QT-Instead of remounting network shares, just use the Finder Sidebar
- 00:49:56 Peter-QT-Shortcut to create a QR Code from Clipboard Contents.
- 00:51:51 QT-Show Highlights in Notes.app to see who edited the Note and when
- 00:54:09 Dave-Use Left-Control, Left-Command, + Right-Shift to keep your Mac from accidentally restarting
  - KeyboardCleanTool
- 00:57:50 JP-QT-Synology Power Supply May Be Cheaper Repair Option
Don’t Get Caught
- 01:02:05 DGC-Can you steal $$ from a locked iPhone?
  - This Apple Pay Hack Can Drain Your Account Without Unlocking Your iPhone
- 01:11:03 Paul-DGC-Backblaze now excludes iCloud Drive
Cool Stuff Found
- 01:14:13 DLH-CSF-tickIQ to measure and track your mechanical watches
01:18:26 MGG 1138 Outtro
- MGG Monthly Giveaway
- Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
- Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
- The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast!
- Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
- MGG Merch is Available!
- Mac Geek Gab iOS app
- Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
- Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
- This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
- MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
- feedback@macgeekgab.com
- 224-888-GEEK
- Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
- BackBeat Media Podcast Network