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

Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson
Mac Geek Gab — Your Questions Answered, Tips Shared, Troubleshooting Assistance
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Answers to your tech questions for your Apple devices and beyond. Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete come together weekly to answer your questions and discuss things of interest to Apple and Mac geeks, presenting them in ways that are both entertaining and informative for the average listener.

  1. Don’t Get Caught: iCloud, VPNs, and the Future of AI

    2D AGO

    Don’t Get Caught: iCloud, VPNs, and the Future of AI

    This week, you’re loaded with Quick Tips to streamline your Apple life. You’ll learn how to nest Notes folders, edit Siri Reminders from your Lock Screen, and why your iPhone needs to stay locked for Continuity Camera magic. Discover how to whip up Wi-Fi QR codes with ease, subscribe to ICS calendars instead of juggling downloads, and harness your Apple Watch’s crown like a pro. Adam and Dave help you stay ahead of Plex Pass price hikes and unlock unsigned apps in macOS 15 Sequoia. Just Don’t Get Caught by iCloud’s aggressive junk filter or Tailscale’s Terminal-only Lock requirement—they could trip you up. Your questions kept things rolling, from backing up iCloud Drive with Backblaze to finding the right VPN—whether it’s PIA, ExpressVPN, or Tailscale exit nodes. Photo Exifer tricks help you sync titles and captions in your iCloud Photo Library, and Cool Stuff Found delivers: pop your public IP into your menu bar, snag a MoFT Snap Flow Note for your iPhone, and hear why Claude Code tops the LLM game for developers. What’s that about the future of AI? Yeah, we’re going there. It’s national cocktail day, after all! Press play and enjoy. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1082 for Monday, March 24th, 2025 March 24th: National Cocktail Day Police Code 10-82 – Reserve Lodging MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Andrew-QT-You can put Notes folders into Subfolders 00:04:50 Todd-QT-Edit Siri Reminders Entries on Lock Screen 00:06:15 Josh-QT-IPhone needs to be locked for Continuity Camera to work 00:09:56 Terri-QT-Create WiFi QR Codes with the Passwords app 00:12:08 DLH-QT-Subscribe to ICS files in Calendar instead of Downloading them once 00:14:03 Bern-QT-Remember to use Apple Watch’s Crown 00:17:54 WillRun4Fun-QT-Plex Pass pricing increases coming in April 00:20:56 PorthosJon-QT-Run Unsigned Apps in macOS 15 Sequoia 00:23:11 SPONSOR: OWC’s Envoy Ultra The first and fastest Thunderbolt 5 portable SSD. Fanless, bus-powered, and over 6,000 MB/s. Don’t Get Caught 00:24:33 Russell-DGC-iCloud’s Junk Mail Filtering Keeps Messages from Forwarding 00:34:46 Ed-DGC-Tailscale Lock requires a Terminal-based device to work Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:38:32 Ron-1081-Does using iCloud Drive and BackBlaze cause problems? 00:40:31 Kirschen-Is there a monthly VPN I could sign up for? PIA VPN ExpressVPN Tailscale Exit Nodes 00:53:39 Charles-Sync Titles and Captions with iCloud Photo library Photo Exifer ResEdit Show Business 01:00:40 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment Cool Stuff Found 01:04:59 Russell-CSF-Public IP for your menu bar from Zenwheel 01:07:23 CSF-MoFT Snap...

    1h 29m
  2. Green Bubbles Strike Back: RCS vs. SMS Smackdown!

    MAR 17

    Green Bubbles Strike Back: RCS vs. SMS Smackdown!

    Tired of your hotel room feeling like a sterile box? Discover how to make it feel like home on the go! This week on Mac Geek Gab, Dave shares his travel tip for adding ambiance to hotel rooms using the JBL Pulse speaker. Learn how this lava lamp-like device can transform your temporary living space. The hosts also dive into the perils of double syncing folders to different cloud services, offering valuable advice to avoid potential data disasters. From calendar booking solutions to secure DNS options, the episode covers a range of tech topics. Explore the Nomatic Travel Pack, a versatile backpack that expands into a weekender bag. Plus, get the scoop on Quad 9, a privacy-focused DNS service. Don’t get caught with boring hotel rooms or syncing mishaps – tune in for these tips and more! Ready to upgrade your tech knowledge and travel game? Listen to this episode of Mac Geek Gab for a wealth of practical advice and cool stuff found! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1081 for Monday, March 17th, 2025 March 17th: Corned Beef & Cabbage Day Police Code 10-81 – Traffic stop initiated / Breathalyzer request MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Val-QT-Drop a file into ChatGPT with instructions to shrink it down 00:02:41 CSF-BACTrack 00:03:23 Eddy Cue and Ben Stiller @ SXSW 2025 Norton Utilities…The Pink Shirt Treatment 00:07:02 JanLandy-QT-Quickly access Crop on iPhone Photos 00:08:20 Adam-QT-Hide Screenshots in Photos 00:10:15 There’s also a “Hidden” Album in Apple Photos 00:11:08 Andrew-QT-Create a Smart List of Undated Reminders 00:12:09 Pilot Pete-QT-Instant Info about your Current WiFi 00:14:09 Dave-Check your WiFi details when you check-in to your hotel$ 00:17:58 n-Gene-QT-Enable Safari’s Debug Menu to Configure Specific Options OnyX 00:19:55 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:21:22 Bob-How to Be Sure a Drive is Ejected Before UnPlugging 00:26:55 Karl-1080-Logging in with Apple ID versus using Hide My Email 00:32:09 David in Texas-Mixed-RCS and SMS Cage Match: Platform Message Groups Keep Getting Duplicated 00:42:01 Fr. John-Restoring Mail’s Badges to Normalcy 00:44:30 Bill-Domain Registrar Advice? Hover Namecheap CloudFlare Domain Name Registrar 00:52:18 Brian-I got caught double-syncing! ChronoSync 00:55:47 SPONSOR: ScreenCastsONLINE. Each week, ScreenCastsONLINE publishes two Apple-related videos to its ever-expanding library of over 1,400 tutorials. Visit ScreenCastsONLINE.

    1h 17m
  3. Reminders That Actually Work, CarPlay Hacks, and Why Siri Hates You

    MAR 10

    Reminders That Actually Work, CarPlay Hacks, and Why Siri Hates You

    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 a href="https://au.lifehacker.

    1h 22m
  4. Cool Stuff Found: Monitors, Dash Cams, AI Tools & More!

    MAR 3

    Cool Stuff Found: Monitors, Dash Cams, AI Tools & More!

    This week’s Mac Geek Gab with Pilot Pete and Dave Hamilton is packed with Quick Tips and Cool Stuff Found to keep your tech life running smoothly. Discover hidden battery drains on your iPhone by sorting battery usage by time, then take ChatGPT customization to the next level—give it a full list of your installed apps for smarter suggestions! Want faster Terminal work? Just Cmd-Right-Click to paste selected text instantly. Always be tweaking, always be learning… and as always, Don’t Get Caught without the best tech tricks at your fingertips. Cool Stuff Found is on fire this week, from tools that supercharge your workflow to gear that levels up your setup. Rectangle Pro lets you save entire workspaces of apps and windows, while BetterDisplay gives you ultimate control over your virtual desktops. Need more? Planck SSD expands your iPhone storage, and the ShiftCam SnapGrip Pro transforms it into a photography powerhouse. For research, Perplexity LLM might just outshine ChatGPT. Oh, and if you want a killer backpack, the Portland Gear Cascade has you covered. Whether it’s monitors, media converters, or dash cams, MGG delivers—so geek out and grab what works for you! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1079 for Monday, March 3rd, 2025 March 3rd: National If Pets Had Thumbs Day Police Code 10-79 – Notify Coroner / Bomb threat MGG Monthly Giveaway – Unite 6 from BZG Apps! Quick Tips 00:00:01 QT-Sort iPhone battery usage by time and scroll down to find hidden consumers 00:05:38 Scott-QT-Give ChatGPT a list of your apps to help better craft solutions! sudo ls -R /Applications > ~/Desktop/Installed_Applications.txt 00:11:58 Customize ChatGPT’s Behavior 00:17:45 Google Notebook Podcast 00:19:53 Ventmore-QT-Quickly paste selected text in Terminal with Cmd-Right-Click 00:22:24 SPONSOR: ScreenCastsONLINE. Each week, ScreenCastsONLINE publishes two Apple-related videos to its ever-expanding library of over 1,400 tutorials. Visit ScreenCastsONLINE/mgg to get a lifetime 20% discount on your subscription. Cool Stuff Found 00:24:34 Dan-CSF-Rectangle Pro stores entire workspaces of apps and windows 00:25:55 Jim-CSF-BetterDisplay for Virtual Desktop and More 00:28:34 Kent-CSF-Planck SSD for iPhone 00:30:56 Pilot Pete=CSF-ShiftCam SnapGrip Pro 00:33:53 CSF-OhSnap SnapGrip Wallet 00:37:31 Dan-CSF-Aeon Timeline for creating gantt charts 00:38:55 Russ-CSF-Perplexity LLM is better than ChatGPT at research 00:43:31 DLH-CSF-Portland Gear Cascade Backpack 00:48:41 SPONSOR: Factor. Save time with Factor’s fresh, never-frozen meals, ready to heat and eat in just 2 minutes!

    1h 22m
  5. Siri, I Want My T Back!

    FEB 24

    Siri, I Want My T Back!

    Ever wished you could customize your iPhone’s lock screen with your name? This week’s Mac Geek Gab has you covered! Discover how to add your name or custom text to your iPhone’s lock screen using a clever Focus mode trick. Pete, Adam, and Dave dive into a variety of Quick Tips, including running multiple Terminal commands at once and exploring the powerful SIPS command for image processing. They also discuss the new iPhone 16e, weighing its pros and cons against its pricier siblings. The episode covers troubleshooting network share issues with Synology drives, debates the merits of Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, and shares insights on parental controls using Screen Time. Don’t miss the accidental Cool Stuff Found segment featuring YT-DLP, a versatile command-line tool for downloading videos. Remember, don’t get caught without these handy tech tips and tricks! Ready to geek out and learn at least five new things? Click play now and join the Mac Geek Gab crew for episode 1078! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1078 for Monday, February 24th, 2025 February 24th: National Tortilla Chip Day Police Code 10-78 – Need assistance / Send ambulance MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a copy of CCC Backup from Bombich Software! Special Promo: Factor is running a special this month at FactorMeals.com with promo code FACTORPODCAST. Quick Tips 00:00:01 Eliot-QT-Customize Bottom of Lock Screen iOS 00:04:00 Mark-QT-You can now manually select your Preferred Home Hub 00:06:01 Pilot Pete-QT-Run more than 1 Command at a time in Terminal sips – Scriptable Image Processing System 00:12:24 pbcopy – put the output into the clipboard Setapp 00:16:40 ADD Tod-1077-QT-Dock Shortcut for accessing AppleCare Status on Mac 00:17:55 Ahkeens-QT-Clean up your iCloud Storage every year 00:20:37 Andrew-QT-Use your Beats Pill 2 as a USB Speaker for your Mac 00:23:35 Geek Challenge: Sync Alexa To–Do List with iCloud (or anything that gets to BusyCal) 00:28:11 Matt-QT-Turn off icons in iOS Mail 00:29:39 Todd-QT-Swipe right (and left) in Reminders on Mac for quick(ie) options Don’t Get Caught 00:31:43 Dan-DGC-If You Migrate – Migrate ALL Devices! 00:34:11 John-DGC-Know what your Mail dock count means 00:34:54 You CAN get logs on iOS 00:38:17 Bart-DGC-Multiple account woes Sponsor 00:39:55 SPONSOR: OWC’s new Thunderbolt 5 hub is available and is compatible with Macs, PCs, and iPads Pro Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:41:42 New iPhone 16e vs. iPhone(s) 16 and Pro 00:47:47 Gary-Do you use or recommend Advanced Data Protection? Apple pulls data protection in UK

    1h 16m
  6. From Power Failures to Plex: Tech Tips Galore

    FEB 17

    From Power Failures to Plex: Tech Tips Galore

    This week’s Mac Geek Gab is packed with smart strategies to optimize your Apple gear and tech setup. Want to control which iPhone Pro lenses your camera uses? Dive into Fusion Camera settings. Keep your network alive longer by putting your router on a dedicated UPS. Apple Silicon’s insane battery life keeps you going, while a quick double-tap in Apple Mail lets you switch views like a pro. Got a travel routine? Packing a universal remote and an Apple TV can make your trips way smoother. Plus, Apple finally lets you migrate purchases to a new Apple ID—because it’s about time. Security and efficiency take center stage as Dave, Pete, and Adam explore Apple’s Activation Lock Request site, a free alternative to Keyboard Maestro, and a clever fix to stop your sister’s email from vanishing into the void. Find out why AA AirTag cases might not be the battery solution you’re looking for, and don’t get caught without AppleCare—check all your covered devices in one place. Whether it’s SharePlay, Plex Pass discounts, or leveling up your keyboard shortcuts, this episode is packed with smart, surprising, and satisfying solutions. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1077 for Monday, February 17th, 2025 February 17th: Analog to Digital TV Day Police Code 10-77 – Estimated Time of Arrival, Directing Traffic at a Fire MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a copy of CCC Backup from Bombich Software! Quick Tips 00:00:01 RandyWalker-Go into Settings > Camera > Fusion Camera to control which lenses your iPhone Pro uses 00:03:09 Keeping your router and network gear on a separate UPS to keep them running longer 00:05:27 Doctor Lee-Use Accessibility to Trigger iPad Shortcuts with Keyboard 00:08:36 The benefits of Apple Silicon battery life 00:12:53 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE. MOAR Quick Tips 00:14:09 Darrin-QT-Double Tap Apple Mail Categories QUICKLY solves Category -v- List View! 00:16:56 Bob-QT-1074-Put Feet on your Dock to keep it cool 00:18:11 Steve-Apple now allows purchases to be migrated to a new Apple ID About migrating Apple Account purchases between accounts 00:29:54 PorthosJon-QT-Apple’s Activation Lock Request web site 00:32:26 DJ MAC-QT-Bring an Apple TV with you when you travel Beryl AX SoundSource Don’t Get Caught 00:39:30 Andy-DGC-CSF-Elevation Labs AirTag Cases with AA Batts – Alkaline -v- Lithium 00:42:44 SPONSOR: Indochino. For all your 2025 plans, look your best in INDOCHINO. Visit Indochino.com and use code MGG to get 20% off any purchase of $499 or more. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:44:07 MACE-Why is all my sister’s mail being deleted? 00:49:05 Rob-How to see all your Apple Care device coverage Account.Apple.

    1h 22m
  7. From Garage Lights to Geeky Delights

    FEB 10

    From Garage Lights to Geeky Delights

    Are you tired of fumbling with your iPhone to undo actions? Discover a game-changing Quick Tip that will revolutionize your mobile experience! This episode of Mac Geek Gab is packed with time-saving hacks and tech insights. Learn how to undo on your iPhone without shaking, customize your Finder tabs, and supercharge your Apple Notes with ProNotes. The hosts dive into the world of AI-generated music and explore the potential of ChatGPT’s Canvas feature for collaborative work. Don’t get caught off guard by scam texts or emails! Dave, Adam, and Pete share valuable advice on staying safe online and discusses the latest developments in social media apps. Plus, get the scoop on innovative gadgets like motion-sensing garage lights and puzzle games that will challenge your problem-solving skills. Ready to elevate your tech game and stay ahead of the curve? Don’t get caught missing out on these essential tips and tricks. Click to listen now and join the Mac Geek Gab community! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1076 for Monday, February 10th, 2025 February 10th: National Clean Out Your Computer Day Police Code 10-76 – En route to location MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a copy of CCC Backup from Bombich Software! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Ventmore-QT-Use three-finger swipe (or tap) to undo on iPhone (and iPad) 00:02:17 Steve-QT-Say “Cancel” to shut Siri up! 00:04:37 Steve Hammond-QT-Use Option to set default app to open a file 00:06:12 Rod L-QT-Tailscale says to install the standalone version on macOS 00:08:50 PorthosJon-QT-Use pbcopy to send stuff directly from Terminal to Clipboard cat /etc/hosts | pbcopy 00:10:44 Alex-QT-Deselect Category view in iOS Mail 00:15:13 Ed-QT-1075-Select the tab with the same Shift+Command+\ again! 00:16:19 Porthos Jon-QT-1075-More Finder Window Management Tips Don’t Get Caught 00:20:41 Niceville Steve-DGC-Beware Texts that appear to be Apple wanting to change your password 00:25:09 Lucas-DGC-Don’t Accidentally Invite People to an Event! Show Business 00:26:35 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment 00:29:58 MGG Reviews 1/22/2025 00:30:32 MGG Reviews 12/20/24 00:30:59 MGG Reviews 12/25/2024 00:32:15 MGG Reviews 2025-01-02 Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:33:43 Uncle Jamie-Which 2.5Gb Switches should I get? UniFi Flex Mini 2.5G GoodTop 16-port Web Managed 2.5G Switch XikeStor 8-Port 2.5G Switch 00:39:30 TP-Link’s China Connection 00:43:10 Larry-How do I control what audio plays when my phone connects to my car...

    1h 20m
  8. Time To Get Past 300 Baud – Mac Geek Gab 1075

    FEB 4

    Time To Get Past 300 Baud – Mac Geek Gab 1075

    Are you tired of your smart home devices failing when your internet goes down? Don’t get caught unprepared! In this episode of Mac Geek Gab, Pete, Adam, and Dave dive into the world of home automation and network stability. They discuss strategies for keeping your smart home running smoothly, even when your internet connection fails. From setting up local control with Home Assistant to configuring DNS settings, you’ll learn valuable tips to maintain your smart home’s functionality. The episode also covers a range of other tech topics. Learn about updating AirPods firmware, managing battery life on MacBooks, and the ins and outs of AirTags. Plus, discover a Cool Stuff Found with the Remote app for controlling your Mac from your iPhone, and get a Quick Tip on using keyboard shortcuts in Finder tabs. Don’t Get Caught without these essential tech insights and more. Tune in to Mac Geek Gab episode 1075 and arm yourself with the knowledge to keep your smart home running smoothly, no matter what challenges arise. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1075 for Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 February 4th: National Stuffed Mushroom Day (also Facebook’s Birthday and National Hemp Day… coincidence? You decide!) Police Code 10-75 – Severe weather statement MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a copy of CCC Backup! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Bern-QT-Save Micro-Seconds on your iOS LogIn 00:03:01 Brian-QT-Display Finder Tabs with SHIFT + ⌘ + \  then type a letter for a bonus tip! 00:06:45 Craig-QT-Apple’s Official Instructions to Update AirPods Firmware 00:09:00 Bern-QT-Conversation Awareness Airpods Pro – Cool Use Case! 00:15:00 Alex-QT-Export Notes to RTFd by dragging in the exactly right way 00:18:00 Allison-1074-M3 MacBook Pro’s always-plugged-in battery ranges between 80%-76% Sponsors and Podcasts 00:19:22 SPONSOR: Factor. Save time with Factor’s fresh, never-frozen meals, ready to heat and eat in just 2 minutes! Head to FactorMeals.com/MGG50OFF with code MGG50OFF to get 50% off your first box. 00:20:55 PODCAST: Unmute Presents connects blind and sight-impaired individuals through engaging podcasts and live discussions. Together, they share knowledge, answer questions, and build a stronger community. Don’t Get Caught 00:22:05 Muneesh-DGC-AirPods Pro in the Shower – NOT recommended! Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:28:27 Joe-Q-independent Cellular Watch Plans Available? US-Mobile Standalone Plan for Apple Watch 00:31:15 Using Parental Controls on your Child’s iPhone 00:38:28 David-Car issues with AirTag followers and wireless CarPlay CarLinKit 5.0 Adapter 00:43:32 Mace-Q-Need to Reset an Airtag With a Dead Battery? Replacement AirTAG CR2032 Batteries a href="https://luggageworks.

    1h 22m
    4.8
    out of 5
    824 Ratings

    About

    Answers to your tech questions for your Apple devices and beyond. Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete come together weekly to answer your questions and discuss things of interest to Apple and Mac geeks, presenting them in ways that are both entertaining and informative for the average listener.

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