Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

You dive into Mac Geek Gab 1126, kicking off with quick tips like batch renaming files in Finder using Craig’s method, then celebrating Lotus 1-2-3 Day with a wild tangent on competitive spreadsheeting and full-contact spreadsheet battles—think TCAS systems in airplanes morphing into “Car As A Service” dreams. More tips follow: three-finger pinch on Mac for quick zoom, pinch iPhone Safari screens for all tabs, time zone hacks for jet lag flyers, Fn key emoji picker, and disabling cellular data on cruise ships to avoid roaming nightmares. Don’t Get Caught hits hard with Michael’s Password Hell survival and Larry’s warning on that pesky Apple Search bug in Settings—hold off nuking your iPad. You tackle listener queries next, troubleshooting Bob’s Lightroom + Dropbox Trash Bin woes, hunting DLH’s missing CarPlay Maps pinch-to-zoom (maybe iOS 26?), verifying Eric’s MacUpdater safety, and fixing Sandy’s wonky Contacts app step-by-step. Packed with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton’s signature geeky banter, this episode drops January 26, 2026—grab it before tech glitches trip you up. Mac Geek Gab 1126January 26thLotus 1-2-3 DayMGG Monthly GiveawayThe MGG Merch Store is Live!Lotus 1-2-3 DayCompetitive SpreadsheetingTCAS System in airplanesShopifyShopify.com/MGGCopilot Moneyhttps://try.copilot.money/macgeekgabBBEditBitwardenAccess became UplockTidBits ArticleMGG 1126https://mgg.fm/1126MGG Monthly GiveawayCacheFlySo There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)The Debut Film PodcastBusiness Brain (for Entrepreneurs)Gig Gab (for Working Musicians)MGG Merch is Available!Mac Geek Gab YouTube PageMac Geek Gab Live CalendarThis Week’s MGG Premium ContributorsMGG Apple Podcasts Reviewsfeedback@macgeekgab.com224-888-GEEKActive MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes ListBackBeat Media Podcast Network

You start with Quick Tips that tighten up your daily Apple workflow fast. You learn how CarPlay scrubbing actually works while driving, how Siri can jump forward or back in precise time chunks, and why Apple’s vision for Siri, Gemini, and personal intelligence matters more than the hype suggests. You unlock practical wins like copying Voice Memos transcripts, using Continuity for clipboard magic across devices, mastering iPhone copy and paste gestures, and understanding when dragging photos quietly converts them to JPEGs. Along the way, you revisit Apple Newton roots, discover why tools like Yoink still matter, and pick up slick tricks for prepping images in Messages and pausing voice recordings mid-thought. Then you move into real-world problem solving. You figure out how to record a selfie video on iPhone while reading a script without breaking your flow, why Sign in With Apple is still worth using, and how to monitor drive health without guessing. You finally get clarity on weird Trash behavior, stop your mouse from waking your Mac, and understand why green bubble RCS and SMS sometimes fail on macOS. The episode wraps with a discussion about Apple Creator Studio tools like Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Compressor, MainStage, and premium content across Apple’s productivity apps. Listen to sharpen your instincts so when it counts, you Don’t Get Caught. Mac Geek Gab 1125January 19thBrew a Potion DayMGG Monthly GiveawayThe MGG Merch Store is Live!BusyCalMACGEEK10EeroEcammMacPawCCC BackupSiri, Gemini, and Personal IntelligenceiPhone Copy/Paste GesturesCopying/Pasting on the Apple NewtonYoinkTeleprompter for VideoTeleprompterTempoTempoMeals.com/MGG.Stamps.comstamps.comCleanMyMacclnmy.com/MACGEEKDisk DrillDriveDxTechtool Pro for repairing APFS volumesApple Creator StudioMGG 1125MGG Monthly GiveawayCacheFlySo There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)The Debut Film PodcastBusiness Brain (for Entrepreneurs)Gig Gab (for Working Musicians)MGG Merch is Available!Mac Geek Gab YouTube PageMac Geek Gab Live CalendarThis Week’s MGG Premium ContributorsMGG Apple Podcasts Reviewsfeedback@macgeekgab.com224-888-GEEKActive MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes ListBackBeat Media Podcast Network

You walk the CES 2026 floor with Pete and Dave and quickly realize this episode is about practical gear that earns its place in your life. You hear about clever headphones, smarter thermostats, compact travel tech, and simple photo organization that fixes real annoyances without overthinking them. The crew cuts through the hype, calling out what feels thoughtful versus what just looks flashy, so you can spot the difference between tools that solve problems and gadgets that will gather dust. Then things get broader and more futuristic without losing focus. You explore consumer health tech that is finally becoming accessible, modular controllers that rethink how you interact with devices, and open-ear audio that fits real-world use. Robots take over yards and floors, smart calendars and water sensors aim to reduce daily friction, and networking gear shrinks without giving up power. It is a fast tour of ideas that are close enough to touch, if not already shipping, with one consistent reminder guiding the whole conversation: stay curious, stay selective, and Don’t Get Caught chasing shiny things that do not actually improve your day. Mac Geek Gab 1124January 12thNational Curried Chicken DayMGG Monthly GiveawayThe MGG Merch Store is Live!BusyCalMACGEEK10EeroEcammMacPawCCC BackupTDM Twist HeadphonesEve ThermostatFotoStaxTargus Voyager EXPNOMATIC Travel PackEloquens Email AI AutoresponderAbbott LingoStelo by DexcomIsaac from PreEventY-Brush Halo,Actxa Core Smart RingCopilot Moneyhttps://try.copilot.money/macgeekgabShopifyShopify.com/MGGGustogusto.com/MGGModueShokz OpenFit Pro EarbudsYarbo M-SeriesSegway NavimowWorxLymowEureka E10 Evo PlusEureka Z50Roborock Saros RoverSkylight Calendar 2Droplet Smarthome Water Sensor from HydrificTP-Link BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Portable Travel Router TL-WR3602BECubicScreen.comMGG 1124MGG Monthly GiveawayCacheFlySo There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)The Debut Film PodcastBusiness Brain (for Entrepreneurs)Gig Gab (for Working Musicians)MGG Merch is Available!Mac Geek Gab YouTube PageMac Geek Gab Live CalendarThis Week’s MGG Premium ContributorsMGG Apple Podcasts Reviewsfeedback@macgeekgab.com224-888-GEEKActive MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes ListBackBeat Media Podcast NetworkThe Mac Geek Gab iPhone appMac Geek Gab on Mastodon Adam Christianson on MastodonDave Hamilton on MastodonPilot Pete on MastodonMona for Mastodon (for Mac, iPhone, iPad)Adam Christianson on X/Twitter

You kick off the year by tightening your Apple habits, starting with smart Quick Tips that actually stick. You build year-based music playlists for offline listening, flip on Airplane Mode when you’re out of service to save serious battery, and let the Health app handle reminders for meds and eye drops so nothing slips. You’re reminded of power-user staples like Cmd-Shift-5 for screenshots, learn how Google Sites can double as a surprisingly effective bookmark manager, and get clarity on when and how to disable VPNs properly, including on Apple TV for region-locked content. Along the way, you discover tools that reliably track Apple refurb inventory and dig into the oddly fascinating logic behind Safari’s tab close order. Then it’s time to not get caught. You hear why Time Machine now warns you when your backup drive is too small, why storing Notes “On My Device” can bite you later, and how increasing cloud storage often means increasing local storage, too. Listener questions keep things practical, from tracking a missing Apple TV remote to deciding when an iPad beats a laptop. A deep dive into strange Safari tab behavior brings it all home, followed by Cool Stuff Found that helps you update Macs more intelligently, evaluate startup risks, replicate Mac setups with Ansible, and even capture insights from podcasts using AI. It’s a fast, practical reset that helps you start the year sharper, safer, and a little more in control. Mac Geek Gab 1123January 5thNational Whipped Cream DayMGG Monthly GiveawayThe MGG Merch Store is Live!BusyCalMACGEEK10EeroEcammMacPawCCC BackupBusyCalMACGEEK101115Google SitesRefurb TrackerCCC BackupMacPaw1104OmniOutlinerEeroEcammLatestSwitchGlassMacPersistenceCheckerAnsibleuser preferences between MacsSnipD AI-powered Podcast appMGG 1123MGG Monthly GiveawayCacheFlySo There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)The Debut Film PodcastBusiness Brain (for Entrepreneurs)Gig Gab (for Working Musicians)MGG Merch is Available!Mac Geek Gab YouTube PageMac Geek Gab Live CalendarThis Week’s MGG Premium ContributorsMGG Apple Podcasts Reviewsfeedback@macgeekgab.com224-888-GEEKActive MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes ListBackBeat Media Podcast Network

You dive straight into practical macOS and workflow wins, starting with macOS 26’s new ability to record video by window and moving quickly into keeping your Homebrew setup clean, current, and fast. You learn how simple display resolution tweaks can hide the MacBook notch or eliminate it entirely, and why audio problems like AirPods mic failures often come down to overlooked system behavior. Along the way, you’re reminded to stay alert to sneaky gotchas like expiring Tailscale devices, VPNs that never fully disconnect, and cables that quietly become the weakest link. Don’t Get Caught assuming the obvious is working as expected. Then it’s on to listener questions that hit real-world pain points: avoiding international cell charges even when using an eSIM, understanding why not all MVNOs are equal, and keeping vacation photos manageable by killing duplicates before they pile up. You dig into OS version mismatches, whether AI actually helps tech support when used correctly, and why asking AI to explain the “why” matters. Cool Stuff Found rounds things out with tools for sleep and stress tracking, app update management, USB speed visibility, smarter System Settings navigation, notch-aware utilities, nostalgic screen savers, and shortcut mastery. It’s a fast-moving episode packed with ways to tighten your setup, reduce friction, and stay one step ahead. Happy new year, y’all! See you in 2026! (don’t worry, that’s next week, right on schedule!) Mac Geek Gab 1122December 29thStill Need To Do DayMGG Monthly GiveawayThe MGG Merch Store is Live!BusyCalMACGEEK10EeroEcammMacPawCCC BackupHomebrew11211121Say No To NotchCopilot Moneyhttps://try.copilot.money/macgeekgabGustogusto.com/MGGMGG RevieweSIMdbRemove duplicate photos and videos on MacAutoSleepHeart AnalyzerUpdatestMacUpdaterUSB Connection InformationMind Map of System SettingsAirNotch Pro DualFlying Toasters Screensaver is back!CheatSheetMGG 1122MGG Monthly GiveawayCacheFlySo There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)The Debut Film PodcastBusiness Brain (for Entrepreneurs)Gig Gab (for Working Musicians)MGG Merch is Available!Mac Geek Gab YouTube PageMac Geek Gab Live CalendarThis Week’s MGG Premium ContributorsMGG Apple Podcasts Reviewsfeedback@macgeekgab.com224-888-GEEKActive MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes ListBackBeat Media Podcast Network

You dig into the little things macOS quietly does for you, starting with the surprising truth about Clipboard History and why macOS 26 might feel slower than you’d expect. You explore ways to rein things in, from taming runaway apps to making better use of iPhone Mirroring and clever video capture tricks. Along the way, you’re reminded that old hardware still has value if you give it purpose, and that blind trust in AI troubleshooting can lead you astray faster than it helps. This is where staying curious beats staying complacent, and where “Don’t Get Caught” is more than a catchphrase. Then you move into the real-world problem solving that defines Mac Geek Gab: networking quirks that break expectations, WiFi settings that ignore reservations, and router updates that change the rules midstream. You also get clear, practical guidance on buying the right Mac, migrating only what you actually need, hunting down duplicate files, and reclaiming menu bar space from the notch. Even photo libraries get a reality check, helping you decide what truly needs to live inside Photos. It’s a fast-moving episode packed with answers you can use immediately, designed to keep your setup efficient, intentional, and frustration-free. Mac Geek Gab 1121December 22ndInternational Day of MathematicsMGG Monthly GiveawayThe MGG Merch Store is Live!MACGEEK10EeroEcammMacPawCCC BackupTurns out macOS keeps your Clipboard HistoryApp TamerDAKboard.comRulaBBEditGell-mann AmnesiaMGG ReviewsMGG Review-MGG ReviewCopilot Moneyhttps://try.copilot.money/macgeekgabRefurb.meMacPaw’s Gemini 2SetappFind Any File Scripts for Duplicate FindingMGG 1121MGG Monthly GiveawayCacheFlySo There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)The Debut Film PodcastBusiness Brain (for Entrepreneurs)Gig Gab (for Working Musicians)MGG Merch is Available!Mac Geek Gab YouTube PageMac Geek Gab Live CalendarThis Week’s MGG Premium ContributorsMGG Apple Podcasts Reviewsfeedback@macgeekgab.com224-888-GEEKActive MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes ListBackBeat Media Podcast Network

You jump straight into a rapid-fire run of Quick Tips that quietly level up how you use your devices every day. You learn how iOS 26 now shows charging time right on the lock screen, how to build polished collages in Pages or Canva without paying a dime, and how to finally extract and archive your full iMessage history using proper database tools instead of hacks. Along the way, you tweak haptics for better feedback, realize the iOS Stocks app works just fine on a Mac, and discover how a simple Command-Shift-2 move inside ChatGPT can instantly pull screenshots into your workflow. The throughline is efficiency without sloppiness, because convenience is great until it compromises control. Don’t Get Caught. Then things get deeper, and more fun. You wrestle with real-world troubleshooting, from intermittent freezing in Tahoe to why subjective sleep scores still matter if you want to manage what you monitor. Siri’s growing confusion about dates and times turns into a full-blown intercontinental misunderstanding, and the team breaks down the alphabet soup of 5G variants so you know what your phone is actually using. The final stretch becomes a live, unscripted tech support jam session, digging into creative AirTag placement, pasting clipboards as keystrokes, and reorganizing applications with surgical precision. It’s messy, methodical, and exactly how real problem-solving happens when the mics are on and the answers are not obvious. Mac Geek Gab 1120December 15thInternational Tea DayMGG Monthly GiveawayThe MGG Merch Store is Live!MACGEEK10EeroEcammMacPawCCC BackupCanvaDB Browser for SQLiteBase for SQLite 1118iMessage-Exporter1119Stocks App iOS QT Works on a Mac tooShottrOne year free Perplexity subscription if you have PayPalVS Code CoPilot ChatGPT integrationGoogle AntigravityUdacityUdacity.com/MGGCleanMyMacclnmy.com/MACGEEKTahoe, freezing from time to time1119That which is monitored is managedAura FramesAuraFrames.comMGGMGG 1120MGG Monthly GiveawayCacheFlySo There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)The Debut Film PodcastBusiness Brain (for Entrepreneurs)Gig Gab (for Working Musicians)MGG Merch is Available!Mac Geek Gab YouTube PageMac Geek Gab Live CalendarThis Week’s MGG Premium ContributorsMGG Apple Podcasts Reviewsfeedback@macgeekgab.com224-888-GEEKActive MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes ListBackBeat Media Podcast Network

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