Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

Kick off Mac Geek Gab 1162 with a stack of quick tips. You’ll stop your iPhone’s Camera Control from firing on every accidental squeeze, flip the Mac app switcher into reverse without lifting a finger, and ask Safari to describe an extension and build it for you. You’ll snooze your alarm with S-Lady and get (a little) relief from macOS 27’s hybridsearchd CPU hog. You’ll also borrow a brilliant Shortcuts automation that swaps eSIMs the moment your plane leaves the gate. Then you’ll add your kids’ vital details to your own Medical ID, bring back every closed tab with Command-Shift-T, share contacts despite Apple’s Family Sharing limits, and learn why a quarterly check of your firewall, privacy, and notification settings keeps you from getting blindsided. Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton also dig into the iPhone 18 Pro color controversy to find out whether it’s chromations, aberrations, or just a sheen.

Then your questions get answered. You’ll fix macOS 27 Golden Gate headaches like broken login items, a Hazel that’s gone on strike, and a Spotlight index that needs a fresh start. You’ll turn your Apple Health data into a readable report your doctor can actually use, and you’ll learn how to make your AirPods Pro work as real hearing protection at your next concert. Finally, you’ll find the best path to building Shortcuts, whether that’s a trusted field guide or letting AI write one for you. Press play, tune up your settings, and whatever you do, Don’t Get Caught!

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1162 for Monday, October 5th, 2026

October 5th: National Do Something Nice Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a MGG T-Shirt!

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

MGG Monthly Giveaway

Quick Tips

00:00:01 Todd-QT-Set Double Click to open the camera app

Nomad Traditional Leather Case

00:06:26 Paul-QT-Cmd+Shift+Back-Tick AppSwitch in Right to Left Direction

00:09:13 Stephen-QT-Hey Safari, Describe an Extension

Produce four sliders to adjust the brightness (50-200%), contrast (50-200%), saturation (0-200%) and hue of all images. Label sliders  B, C, S, H. Include a minimize button labelled -. Put the panel half way up the window. Include a reset  button to return values to 100, 100, 100 and 0. Minimise after 10 seconds since last use. Reduce empty space in panel. When minimized only show standard brightness and contrast icons (black and white versions) side-by-side. Tap on those to restore panel. Save the values.

00:12:22 macOS 27 (developer beta 2) begins to resolve hybridsearchd high CPU usage

00:13:21 Adam-QT-Hey S-Lady, Snooze!

00:16:21 Kevin-QT-Shortcuts to Travel By – Switching eSim Networks seamlessly!

Sponsors

00:20:18 SPONSOR: Eleven Labs: ElevenAgents can help build experiences that your customers will actually love. If you handle customer interactions, you can start with a demo at elevenlabs.io/MGG

00:22:06 SPONSOR: Hims is changing men’s healthcare by providing convenient, quality care, 100% online. Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/MGG.

MOAR Quick Tips

00:23:34 Marcelo-QT-Add your children’s details to your own iPhone’s Medical ID

00:26:22 Jeff-QT-Cmd+Shift+T to reopen multiple closed browser tabs

History > Reopen Last Closed [Window|Tab]

00:28:25 Andrew-QT-Check and confirm your presumed system settings

00:32:32 Managing Notifications Settings

00:37:05 SarasotaSteve-QT-Sharing Contacts in spite of Apple Restrictions

00:40:50 iPhone 18 Pro Color Controversy

Sponsors

00:46:43 SPONSOR: Origin is endpoint AI observability. See what a trace looks like at https://originhq.com/macgeekgab

00:48:02 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/MGG

Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

00:49:20 Jeremy-GoldenGate Woes Call for Help

sudo mdutil -a -E

Bartender for macOS 27

00:58:23 Michael-How to Share iOS Health App Data with Medical Professionals?

Vitalina app

01:04:37 Rob-Airpods Pro Hearing Protection Provided?

01:13:05 Mark-?-Best method to build a shortcut?

MacSparky’s Shortcuts Field Guide

01:19:55 MGG 1162 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

Kick off Mac Geek Gab 1161 with a round of Quick Tips: flip through browser tabs with Command-Shift-[ and ], kill your iPhone flashlight with one tap, and learn iOS 27’s new swipe-down layout, where notifications, Siri, and Control Center each get their own corner. You’ll also bring CarPlay widgets back into your life, compare the apps on all your Macs with one Terminal command (and a little AI help), and find the Identity Documents collection hiding in iOS 27 Photos.

Then Don’t Get Caught by SIM protection blocking your new iPhone setup, a watch battery “replacement” that quietly swaps your Apple Watch and takes blood oxygen readings with it, or a GPS-only Apple Watch that can’t call for help when you need it most.

Next, your two geeks and a pilot figure out why iCloud Drive won’t keep your files local, share how they juggle iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Synology Drive, and help a caregiver limit an iPhone’s outgoing calls to a trusted few. You’ll get the right way to speed test your internet from your router, a fix for Siri AI that won’t leave, and an update on hybridsearchd eating your Mac’s CPU in macOS 27.

Stick around for Cool Stuff Found, where Adam finally ends years of naked-iPhone with a screen protector (and a dose of shame) that goes on perfectly every time. Press play and get your answers before your gear gets you!

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1161 for Monday, September 28th, 2026

September 28th: National Family Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SuperDuper! 4

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

Quick Tips

00:00:01 Todd-QT-1160-use Command-Shift-[ to switch between browser tabs

00:04:45 Martin-QT-Turn off the Flashlight with a quick tap of the icon

00:07:37 Dr. Dream-QT-iOS 27 Swipe Down has a third option now

00:08:47 Andrew-QT-Use CarPlay Widgets again in iOS 27

00:13:08 Andrew-QT-Compare apps on all your Macs

ls /Applications > ~/Desktop/apps-list.txt

00:17:51 Manhattan Glen-QT-iOS 27 Photos has Identity Documents

00:21:50 Genius Scan to scan things

Sponsors

00:23:38 SPONSOR: Hostinger. Hostinger builds your vision step by step. Create your website today. Go to https://Hostinger.com/MGG and use code MGG for 10% off now

00:25:01 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software at https://barebones.com … now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.

Don’t Get Caught

00:26:14 Bill-DGC-Disable SIM Lock/Protection before transferring to your new iPhone

00:28:27 Brian-1159-Replacing the battery might replace your Apple Watch…and lose features

00:34:42 Doug-DGC-Carefully Consider a GPS-only Apple Watch

Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

00:35:47 Joe-Why is iCloud Drive not syncing down all of my files?

Cirrus & Bailiff from Eclectic Light

Dropbox

OneDrive

Google Drive

Synology Drive

Resilio Sync

00:45:38 HiFiGMan-How do I limit outgoing calls to only certain people?

Sponsors

00:55:52 SPONSOR: Origin is endpoint AI observability. See what a trace looks like at https://originhq.com/macgeekgab

00:57:18 SPONSOR: Private Internet Access VPN – Save 82% off your VPN service PLUS four free months with a two-year plan at https://PIAVPN.com/mgg.

Follow-Ups

00:58:40 Andrew-1160-Use your router’s speed test app

Netgear Orbi

Eero

UniFi Cloud Gateway Max

01:01:19 Larry-Siri AI hangs around too long

01:04:50 More about hybridsearchd CPU usage in macOS 27

Cool Stuff Found

01:10:00 ATC-CSF- Spigen GLAS.tR EZ Fit – Screen protector

AILUN iPhone Screen Protectors

01:21:18 MGG 1161 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

You’ll learn how to ask S-Lady to find a family member through Find My so you don’t have to call them, and why Command-Backtick (one key up from Tab) cycles windows inside a single app while Command-1, 2, 3 hops tabs in Safari, Chrome, Comet, and even Mail. You’ll follow Dave down the iPhone system data rabbit hole, where 59GB of mystery storage led to a full wipe, a genuinely useful “keep eSIMs and erase data” option, and then 52GB creeping right back three days later. You’ll turn an always-on Mac mini into an AirPlay music server you drive from the Remote app, so the party keeps playing after you make a beer run. You’ll discover that Terminal’s Secure Keyboard Entry checkbox is why your TextExpander and Rocket Typist snippets quit firing. And you’ll hear the cheapest Wi-Fi fix in history: delete the speed test app. Plus, AI as a genealogy research partner: the kind that surfaces buried leads you verify yourself.

Don’t Get Caught after a macOS update wondering why Hazel stopped filing your bank statements: the rules were fine, but Spotlight’s index was in a bad state, so rebuild it with OnyX or Terminal and reboot. You’ll get real numbers on the Apple Upgrade Program: zero percent APR, financed through Klarna, three mandatory choices at the end of your term, and a “good condition” clause nobody defines. You’ll learn the Apple Watch Ultra 4’s screen really is bigger than Series 12’s, and that a 99-cent app called O2 Buddy puts blood oxygen back on your wrist. Then you’ll rethink family contact cards using smart lists built on a keyword in the Notes field, and hear why Contacts is the one thing Dave has ever lost to sync. Watch where new contacts get saved, or you’ll be staring at a text thinking…old contact, who dis? Closing it out: why Siri still wants a data connection for requests that should never leave your phone.

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1160 for Monday, September 21st, 2026

September 21st: Wife Appreciation Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SuperDuper! 4

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

Quick Tips

00:00:01 Si-QT-Find my person with S lady

00:03:05 Dennis-QT-Cmd+` to Change Windows Cmd+[n] (n=number) to change tabs within an App

00:06:31 DLH-Keep your sims and erase the data

00:12:47 JW Blat-Using your Mac as an AirPlay music server

00:15:43 Pilot Pete-QT-Kill Secure Input Quickly if Terminal is Open

TextExpander

Rocket Typist

00:18:15 QT-Fix your WiFi by deleting the SpeedTest app

00:25:50 Russ-QT-Using A/I As a Genealogy Research Assistant

MGG Reviews at https://macgeekgab.com/reviews

00:32:33 VirtualStash-MGG Review-Best podcast out there

Don’t Get Caught

00:33:45 Pilot Pete-DGC-After a macOS update Spotlight Index was in a Bad State

OnyX

Or one way from Terminal:

sudo mdutil -a -i off

sudo rm -rf /System/Volumes/Data/.Spotlight-V100 /.Spotlight-V100

sudo mdutil -a -i on

Sponsors

00:36:49  SPONSOR: Shopify. If you’re ready to stop putting off your business and start selling, sign up for your free trial and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/MGG

00:38:06 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/MGG

Apple Event Errata and Updates

00:39:16 Tom-Feedback / Question: Apple Upgrade Program Pricing Structure

00:51:48 Tim A-The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a bigger screen than the Apple Watch 12

00:54:24 Bob-CSF-O2 Buddy brings Data On Your Watch Anyway!

00:56:26 What did your geeks order?

Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

01:00:16 David-What’s the best way to manage Family Contact Cards in Contacts?

01:08:40 DJ Val-Why does Siri need a data connection for offline requests

01:16:28 MGG 1160 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

Apple’s September 2026 keynote is in the books, and Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton are here to help you figure out what’s actually worth your money. You kick things off with the big question: what are your three favorite geeks gonna buy? They then dig into the reasons, starting with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: battery life, new health sensors, Live Rewind, Siri Recap, and an Audio Intelligence feature that really should’ve been called Audible Intelligence. Then it’s on to the star of the show, the iPhone Duo, where you get the real story on its price, how much storage you actually need, and that crease. And, oh yeah, MagSafe.

From there, you’ll size up the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and find out why Siri AI may be what finally pushes you to upgrade your hardware, and how iCloud+ quietly turned into an AI paywall. Before you sign up for Apple Upgrade, you’ll learn that the fine print calls it a lease. Then you get the lowdown on AirPods 5 and whether AppleCare One Family at $49.99 a month makes sense for your household.

By the end, you’ll know whether all this talk changed anyone’s shopping list, and whether it should change yours. Don’t Get Caught overpaying for your next upgrade!

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1159 for Monday, September 14th, 2026

September 14th: National Cream Filled Donut Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SuperDuper! 4

00:05:08 What are you gonna buy?

Pete: AppleCare One Family, iPhone Duo

Adam: iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12

Dave: iPhone Duo, Maybe an Apple Watch?

00:07:06 Apple Watch Series 12 / Ultra 4

Battery Life

New Health Sensors

Audio Intelligence (really should be Audible Intelligence)

Live Rewind

Siri Recap

00:18:07 Legal implications of tech that is always recording

00:20:38 Pete’s thoughts on the Apple Watch Battery Life

S11 Chip

Bee app for listening

00:25:49 Cellular on Apple Watch

US Mobile uses it

Mint Mobile can’t

Sponsors

00:30:03 SPONSOR: Proton VPN. Unlike most VPNs, Proton is backed by strong European privacy laws, and, right now, Proton VPN is offering our listeners 70% off a two year plan when you go to https://ProtonVPN.com/MGG

00:31:08 SPONSOR: Hims is changing men’s healthcare by providing convenient, quality care, 100% online. Start your free online visit today at https://Hims.com/MGG.

00:32:21 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off at https://clnmy.com/MACGEEK

00:33:42 iPhone Duo

Linus Tech on iPhone Duo

Marques Brown on iPhone Duo

The price of the iPhone Duo

Storage on an iPhone Duo

00:55:02 iPhone Duo has a crease

00:58:59 iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max

01:04:24 Siri AI is the reason for a hardware upgrade

iCloud+ quietly became an AI paywall

01:10:23 “Apple Upgrade” is a lease

01:13:53 AirPods 5

01:18:50 AppleCare One Family

$49.99/mo for the Family Plan

01:29:58 Did this discussion change what you’re gonna buy?

01:31:46 MGG 1159 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

Start Mac Geek Gab 1158 with Quick Tips you’ll actually use: trigger your iPhone’s camera from your Apple Watch, pull a full-quality photo out of any video in iOS 27, and find out why hybridsearchd is quietly eating your CPU in macOS Golden Gate. You’ll also get the right way to set up Homebrew on a brand-new Mac, meet mackup for keeping your settings in sync across every Mac you own, and watch Siri AI turn a business card into a contact without you typing a thing.

Then your two favorite geeks and pilot dig into your questions: how much RAM is actually enough, how iOS call screening and spam filtering really behave, which outdoor cameras earn their keep, and how to reconnect to that remote NAS that keeps ghosting you. You’ll finally learn whether you can delete someone from a group text, get the early word on Sonos 27, and settle the great “how do we even say Siri AI?” debate in a lightning round that lands on S.A.I., S-Lady, Papaya, and — maybe — S-Bot. Press play, get the answers before your gear gets you, and whatever you do, Don’t Get Caught!

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1158 for Monday, September 7th, 2026 – https://mgg.fm/1158

September 7th: National Beer Lovers Day

MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a license to SuperDuper! 4

The MGG Merch Store is Live!

Quick Tips

00:00:01 Todd-QT-Use your Apple Watch Camera Remote

00:03:40 Pilot Pete-QT-Save Video Still as Full Quality Photo iOS 27

00:06:10 hybridsearchd in macOS Golden Gate using CPU

00:10:15 Pensacola Craig-Nuke & Dave: using Homebrew on a new Mac

00:11:40 mackup to copy your settings and keep them in sync between your Macs

00:12:40 Dom Bettinelli-Create a new contact from business card with Siri AI

MGG Reviews at https://macgeekgab.com/review

00:15:07 iGuy1984-MGG Review-Fantastic

00:18:22 TaiPai59-MGG Review-Great show!!

Sponsors

00:19:28 SPONSOR: Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll when you start at https://gusto.com/MGG

00:20:43 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

Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com

00:22:00 Dan-How much RAM is enough?

00:38:10 Mark-Call Screening options and behavior in iOS

Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Filtering > Spam

00:45:50 Mike-Which outdoor cameras do you use?

Eufy Security Cameras

Thermacell LIV

00:56:29 Peer Timo-How can I re-connect to my remote NAS?

01:04:15 Ericka-Can you delete someone from a group text?

01:11:57 Sonos 27mcp in Early Access

How to Say Siri AI – The Lightning Round

01:16:33 Bill-1157-Maybe it’s just SAI

01:17:25 Dan-I think S-Lady is the right answer!

01:19:00 Simon-1157–Maybe Just Notch out The Siri Frequencies?

01:20:26 Ben-1157-Papaya!

01:21:09 Adam-1157-Another way to say Siri

01:22:47 Shree AI?

…or maybe it’s S-Bot!

01:23:44 MGG 1158 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