Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

This week on Mac Geek Gab, you, Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton dive headfirst into a whirlwind of Quick Tips and real-world Apple wisdom. You’ll learn how to clean up those pesky “recovered” Messages folders, fine-tune your Apple TV profiles, and even adjust the contentious “Liquid Glass” effect on your devices. Apple might be making the iPhone feel more Android-like, but you’ll still stay one step ahead with tips like checking your Apple Watch battery health directly from your wrist, tightening up that Mac menu bar spacing, and using ChatGPT safely in CarPlay (just remember to ask it, “Are you sure?”). From mastering sleep tracking apps to making Mail behave across devices, you’ll find out exactly how to fix what’s bugging you—and how to keep your tech life running smooth. Then it’s on to your questions and Cool Stuff Found, where the crew reveals clever AirTag hiding spots, bookmark-organizing tricks, and gift-worthy gear like LED light strips and power inverters for your car. Whether you’re fine-tuning your sleep cycle or supercharging your workflow with Obsidian, there’s always a shortcut, hack, or hidden feature to uncover. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and—most importantly—you’ll make sure you Don’t Get Caught by the next digital dilemma. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1115 for Monday, November 10th, 2025 November 10th: Marine Corps Birthday (and World Science Day!) MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your own OpenCase! The MGG Merch Store is Live! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Joe-QT-Stocks App – Find Delta of Stock Price for any two points in time! 00:03:44 Dave-QT-26.1 Lets You Adjust Liquid Glass on iOS, macOS…but not watchOS. Here’s a workaround. 00:06:21 Apple has Android-ized the iPhone Palm Treo 650 00:09:24 Pilot Pete-QT-Delete “recovered” Messages Folders to clean up and gain (a little) space 00:12:34 Harvey-QT-Setting Default Apple TV Profiles (and Bill, too!) 00:14:26 Andrew-QT-Check your Apple Watch battery health…only on your Watch Withings Sleep Pad from MGG 1114 00:17:36 Heart rate discussion 00:18:56 Bill-QT-Adjusting the white space in menu bar! 00:20:10 ChatGPT widget in CarPlay 00:23:41 But ChatGPT lies sometimes: ask it “Are you sure?” Sponsors 00:25:04 SPONSOR: Zapier – Zapier is the easiest way to automate your tasks. Transform how you work with Zapier and AI. Get started for free today by visiting Zapier.com/macgeekgab 00:26:34 SPONSOR: PAKA makes performance apparel from sustainable alpaca fiber, softer than cashmere, warmer than wool. To grab your PAKA hoodie and free pair of alpaca crew socks, head to PAKAapparel.com/MGG and use code MGG. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:28:47 Bob-Fixing Non-Syncing Mailboxes 00:35:28 Raptor-Why does Mail on my iPhone default to Trash and my wife’s is Archive? Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts > [account name] > Account Settings > Advanced and then under “Move Discarded Messages Into” you can choose “Deleted Mailbox” or “Archive Mailbox”. 00:39:58 James-Are there any devices or apps that wake you during light sleep? Beautyrest Sleep Tracker AutoSleep Sleep Cycle app 00:47:54 CSF: Ringconn gen 2 air Sponsors 00:44:57 SPONSOR: Superhuman. Get AI that works where you work. Unlock your Superhuman potential. Learn more at Superhuman.com/PODCAST 00:46:19 SPONSOR: Shopify. For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/MGG and upgrade your selling today! MOAR Questions Answered 00:49:26 Steve-How do I organize my Safari Bookmarks? Obsidian 00:58:27 John-What is the Mail icon that appears near the trash can in my Dock? System Settings > Desktop & Dock > “Minimize windows into application icon” 01:01:55 Roy-Where are some good AirTag locations in my car? Gift Guide 01:05:06 Dave-GG-Cync LED Strip 01:07:52 Pilot Pete-GG-Pro Chaser Vehicle Power Inverter Car Jump Starter Cool Stuff Found 01:13:23 Dan-CSF-1114–Trakt for Apple TV will help you know what to watch next 01:17:12 MGG 1115 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

In Mac Geek Gab 1114, you’ll uncover a ton of real-world Apple wisdom — from mastering Apple TV’s hidden control center to supercharging your Mac keyboard shortcuts. Learn how to re-enable Low Data Mode on your new iPhone, control-click your way into Terminal, and even get an alphabetical list from your Dock. Then, dive into listener-shared “Don’t Get Caught” moments like why people don’t always receive your calendar invites, CarPlay’s uncertain future at GM, and AirTag stealth hacks. And don’t miss the Cool Stuff Found segment, packed with geek-approved tools like Hidden Bar, OVMS for your car, and the Withings Sleep Pad. It’s all here — tips, tricks, and the occasional gotcha — so you can stay ahead of your tech. Don’t Get Caught. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1114 for Monday, November 3rd, 2025 November 3rd: Give Someone a Dollar Day MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your own OpenCase! The MGG Merch Store is Live! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Tom-QT-Apple TV Control Center by Pressing and Holding TV button 00:03:23 Apple tvOS 26 adds profiles to every startup 00:06:50 Sharp TVs use TiVo interface now 00:09:30 Thoughts on TV interfaces JustWatch TV Time 00:14:52 QT-Re-enable Low Data Mode on your new iPhone 00:17:01 Bill-QT-1113-Control-Click to Open in Terminal 00:18:12 Gene-QT-Toggle Between Function and Standard Keys Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts… > Services > Shortcuts > Toggle Function Keys WordService CalcService Settings > Keyboard > Services > Text 00:20:22 Bill-QT-1113-Right click on Settings in Dock to get Alphabetical Listing Sponsors 00:22:25 SPONSOR: NordLayer. Get an exclusive offer: up to 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with coupon code: macgeekgab-28. Try it risk-free—14-day money-back guarantee. 00:23:55 SPONSOR: Shopify. For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/MGG and upgrade your selling today! Don’t Get Caught 00:25:33 Scott-DGC-Invitations to iCloud-calendar events are only sent to iCloud accounts 00:31:26 Mark UK-DGC-Be aware of which port is the DFU port on your Mac 00:34:54 Terry-DGC-GM will be dropping CarPlay (and Android Auto) from Future Vehicles 00:38:30 Chris-DGC-Hide your AirTags in your car 00:40:58 KiwiGraham-DGC-Copy as Pathname doesn’t escape the special characters 00:41:40 DGC-Shortcuts “Match” Fails in macOS 26 until recreated Sponsors 00:45:05 SPONSOR: AG1. Head to DrinkAG1.com/MGG to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe. 00:46:43 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at gusto.com/MGG Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:48:23 John-Which AirPods should I get for my wife…and where? AirPods 4 Check Refurbished AirPods But they’re less expensive at Amazon for the AirPods Pro 2 Comply Tips for AirPods Pro 00:56:42 Kirit-Tahoe vs. the Third Party Utilities Cool Stuff Found 01:02:50 Scott-CSF-1112–Hidden Bar for managing your menu bar 01:04:55 Chris from Malta-1111–OVMS OBD Adapter for your Car 01:06:22 Terry-CSF-AAA Auto Club app adds CarPlay features GasBuddy 01:10:10 DLH-CSF-Withings Sleep Pad 01:12:32 Scott-CSF-1112–prettyJSON for Safari makes JSON look…prettier! 01:13:37 Bryan-1112-Logitech Brio 500 with Show Mode for your on-desk whiteboard Gift Guide 01:15:00 Adam-GG-10-Year Battery Adhesive Mount for AirTag TagVault – AirTag Security Mount 01:18:50 MGG 1114 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

Discover quick tips for macOS, from alphabetized settings to efficient Spotlight searches. Learn how Apple and Google Maps enhance navigation with smart intersection awareness. Explore accessibility features, like eye control and full voice navigation on iOS and macOS. Get answers to listener questions about fixing calendar sync issues and managing Mail quirks. Plus, check out intriguing gear picks, including a handy vacuum and a smart door lock, all wrapped in a humorous story about polka on a flatbed!

Dive into a world of tech tips and tricks! Learn how to set call-back reminders and connect keyboards to your iOS devices. Discover why Numbers could be your Excel replacement and how to share spreadsheets with non-Mac users. Uncover new features in macOS Tahoe, like automatic encryption and SSH unlock. Improve your Zoom audio with smart EQ tools and find out about affordable tech gifts. Plus, get insights on upgrading to the latest Apple products and handling annoying bugs. Get ready to level up your tech game!

You’ll come out smarter — and maybe even safer — after this week’s Mac Geek Gab with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, Dave Hamilton, and a triumphant return from John F. Braun. From unlocking hidden gems in iOS 26’s Health app and securing your Mint Mobile account with Number Lock to setting up ChatGPT Tasks like it’s your own personal Knowledge Navigator, you’ll pick up tricks to stay ahead. Printer drivers got you down? John’s got fixes. Want to finally make your Apple TV remote work right or unlock secret iOS 18 controls? Done. And yes, migrating to Apple Silicon? Don’t Get Caught without Go64. For the gearheads, you’ll find Cool Stuff Found like the FIXD car scanner (a modern Automatic replacement), QuickLook folder previews, AirBattery to track your mouse’s juice, and Parachute Backup to wrangle your iCloud data. Got a Brother printer? Scan straight to USB — no computer needed. Oh, and HomePods as stereo TV speakers? Surprisingly great even though you’re skipping the center channel. With AirTags, shortcuts, OBD2 adapters, and even blood oxygen data hacks, this episode’s got something for every geek in your galaxy. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1111 for Monday, October 13th, 2025 October 13th: National Train Your Brain Day (and also National No Bra Day) MGG Monthly Giveaway – Your license to PowerPhotos! The MGG Merch Store is Live! Quick Tips 00:00:01 n-Bryan-QT-Tap Search Magnifying glass in iOS 26 Health to get to the menu of categories 00:04:50 JFB-QT-Check your printer drivers if you have paper selection issues Canon iX6820 Large Paper Printer 00:08:04 Uncle Jamie-QT-Enable Mint Mobile’s Number Lock to prevent SIM-swapping 00:10:42 QT-Setup ChatGPT Tasks to stay on top of your projects It’s like the Knowledge Navigator *could* have been 00:15:41 Tell us how you’re using AI at feedback@macgeekgab.com 00:17:48 X/Twitter client will let you summarize with Grok 00:20:37 JFB-QT-If your Apple TV remote is being finicky, try un-pairing and re-pairing it 00:23:17 Ben-QT-1110-iOS 18 added remote control 00:25:45 Robert-QT-Create a Shortcut to Toggle Liquid Glass Effects Sponsors 00:27:53 SPONSOR: Zapier – Zapier is the easiest way to automate your tasks. Transform how you work with Zapier and AI. Get started for free today by visiting Zapier.com/macgeekgab 00:29:36 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/MacGeekGab On the subject of trade-ins 00:30:59 JFB-2018 i7 Mac mini trade-in with Apple went smoothly “I’m no prevaricator” 00:35:11 If migrating from Intel to Apple Silicon, check Go64 00:39:53 Bill-QT-In-person Apple Trade-Ins are More Reliable 00:40:57 Bill-QT-1109-Apple’s Trade-ins hold value for me 00:42:20 Do you put a case or a screen protector on your watch Do HomePods work as TV sound? 00:43:50 Andy-1110-Stereo Speakers can work for TV 00:49:09 n-Blake-1110-I Switched from a Center Channel to 2 HomePods and love it! Cool Stuff Found 00:49:49 JFB-CSF-FIXD Car Scanner Kinda like the old Automatic OBD2 adapter 00:54:39 Fist shake for Mercedes! 00:56:23 JFB-QT-Put an AirTag in your car Just don’t let it fall into the suckwich! 00:58:00 Check OBD Fusion for open source OBD-software 00:59:36 Tony-CSF-Folder Quick Look BetterZip’s QuickLook Extension 01:03:17 Avraham-CSF-AirBattery shows your Mouse’s battery level 01:05:27 Another fist shake for Mercedes – No battery warning for FOB 01:08:18 Terry-CSF-O2 Buddy: Blood Oxygen brings Blood Oxygen data back to Apple Watch 01:13:20 Tom-CSF-Parachute Backup for iCloud 01:15:14 JFB-CSF-Brother DCP-L2550GW Brother HL-L2460DW Quick Tip: Scan directly to USB on your printer 01:19:40 MGG 1111 Outtro Find JohnFBraun on X! 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

Join the hosts as they unveil clever tips like disabling annoying app returns during workouts and speeding up iPhone transfers using a wired connection. Discover how to create printed photo books with cool third-party tools and save iPhone pics directly to SD cards. They also cover macOS 26’s new Markdown features in Notes and dive into Spotify’s lossless audio addition. Plus, learn about remote access tools to help family and laugh along with quirky features from Carrot Weather. No personality shaming here, just practical tech wisdom!

The hosts dive into the excitement of buying new iPhones while discussing optimal ways to sell old devices. Quick tips cover everything from setting a default calling app to utilizing Amazon's free photo storage. They explore the quirks of iCloud sync and troubleshoot issues like stubborn RCS messages. Listeners learn how to avoid roaming charges and the peculiarities of Apple’s clear case. Plus, there’s a fun twist on using AI for recipe creation and meal planning!

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!

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!

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