Hands-On Apple (Audio)

By TWiTTechnology

Hands-On Apple (Audio) episodes

September 24HOA 250: Create Your Own Wallet Passes
Tired of waiting for your favorite gym, library, or coffee shop to offer digital cards? With iOS 27, you can finally make your own custom Apple Wallet passes for any barcode or QR code, no third-party apps needed.
Physical loyalty cards now easily added to Apple Wallet with iOS 27

"Create a Pass" feature lets users digitize any barcode or QR code

Three wallet pass templates: Standard, Membership, and Event

Apple Intelligence enables automatic code scanning on supported iPhones

Passes can include color themes, icons, member info, and custom fields

Sharing passes with family members now possible

Using wallet passes on iPhone and Apple Watch at checkout

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsors:
trustedtech.team/twit
threatlocker.com/twit
21 min
September 17HOA 249: Explaining Audio Intelligence
Apple Watch's new Audio Intelligence tools promise instant transcriptions and meeting summaries without keeping your recordings. But is the S11 chip's privacy tech strong enough to calm nerves on both sides of the conversation?
Apple Watch Audio Intelligence: Four Features, One Secure Chip

Sound Recognition and Shazam: Always-On Environmental Listening

Live Rewind: 15-Second Instant Replay With Privacy Safeguards

Siri Recap: Automated Meeting Summaries, Not Full Transcripts

Privacy, Secure Exclave processing, and Cloud Summarization Explained

Usage Limits, Age Restrictions, and Launch Timeline for Features

Transparency and Social Impacts of New Tools

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsor:
trustedtech.team/twit
21 min
September 10HOA 248: Options for Backing up Your iPhone
With new iPhones shipping and major iOS updates around the corner, now is the moment to protect your info. Mikah shows the overlooked features and essential steps that keep your data truly safe. You might be missing crucial areas and not even know it!
iCloud Backup: how it works, what it includes, and limitations

Key differences between synced data and backed-up data

Backing up locally to Mac or PC: process and pros

How to back up via Finder on macOS and Apple Devices app on Windows

Managing and locating your iPhone backups on Mac and PC

Importance and benefits of encrypting local backups

Using 3rd-party backup tools like iMazing for flexibility

Wi-Fi scheduled snapshots, storage locations, and restore caveats

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
19 min
September 03HOA 247: The Apple TV App
The Apple TV app's constant renaming and feature shuffling have left users wondering where their watchlists vanished and what each oddly similar label actually means. Mikah Sargent untangles the confusion and reveals why your streaming experience might be missing more than you think.
Identifying Watchlist and Continue Watching rows on iOS

How to add, find, and remove shows from Watchlist and Continue Watching

Syncing watch progress and lists across Apple devices

Which streaming services and apps connect to Apple TV app

Navigating Apple TV channels vs. third-party connected apps

Missing Netflix and YouTube integrations and why some services don't appear

Managing app subscriptions, billing confusion, and multi-device login strategy

Essential Apple TV settings: autoplay, recommendations, and sports scores

Controlling play history, privacy, and clearing recommendations

Adjusting streaming and download quality for bandwidth and data usage

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsors:
outsystems.com/twit
joindeleteme.com/twit-biz
25 min
August 27HOA 246: Set-It-And-Forget-It Accessibility Upgrades
You're missing out if you haven't explored Apple's accessibility menu. Mikah spotlights simple tweaks that solve real problems for everyone, not just those who need them. These are features you can toggle once, and love forever!
Reducing car sickness with Vehicle Motion Cues and customizable dots

Flash for Alerts: flash notifications with LED or screen for incoming calls and texts

Custom haptic vibrations for messages and contacts

Built-in white noise machine: Background Sounds on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Music Haptics: feeling rhythms and beats through the Taptic Engine

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsor:
threatlocker.com/twit
21 min
August 20HOA 245: Retrain Your Fingers for watchOS 27
Confused by the Apple Watch's shifting gestures and button functions? Mikah Sargent breaks down the new logic, revealing how a simple mantra can help you master your device's next overhaul.
watchOS 27 overhauls Apple Watch button functions and navigation

Breaking old muscle memory: changes to Digital Crown, side button, Siri

Digital Crown press reveals new dynamic app switcher and app list

Scrolling Digital Crown now brings up the Smart Stack of widgets

Side button revamps: Control Center, Apple Pay, Emergency SOS/Power

Dynamic app grid's recent and context-based app selection

Updated Apple Watch gestures: double tap, single tap, wrist flick for navigation

Quick mantra: press for apps, turn for widgets, side for control, hold for Siri

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
12 min
August 13HOA 244: Live Text & Visual Look Up
Stop fumbling with serial numbers, plant names, or care tags. Discover quick, practical tricks to turn your iPhone's camera into a powerhouse for instant web answers and hassle-free text capture.
Enabling Live Text and checking device and language compatibility

Using Live Text in Photos, Camera, and Notes for text selection

Tips for extracting phone numbers, emails, and addresses with Live Text

Scanning serial numbers and copying image text across Apple devices

Identifying plants, animals, landmarks, and more with Visual Lookup

Visual Lookup for laundry symbols and car dashboard lights

Troubleshooting fussy features

Best practices for clear OCR and uncluttered frames

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
16 min
August 06HOA 243: iPhone Display vs. Your Eyes
If you have kids using iPhones, Screen Distance might already be enforcing healthy habits without you knowing it. Find out how iOS screen features, like Bold Text and True Tone, are shaping digital wellness for your eyes and your family.
Setting up and using Screen Distance on Face ID devices

Night Shift: color temperature adjustments and sleep science skepticism

True Tone vs. Night Shift: real-time white balance adaptation

Additional display tweaks: Auto-Brightness, Reduce White Point, Larger Text

Tracking outdoor time with Apple Watch's Time in Daylight

Outdoor time as a proven method to reduce myopia risk

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
21 min
July 30HOA 242: Understanding Apple Upgrade
Apple just replaced its iPhone Upgrade Program with a device leasing model run by Klarna, and you might end up paying more for devices you never actually own. Find out what happens when your monthly payments end in this episode covering Apple Upgrade!
Apple launches Apple Upgrade device lease, replacing iPhone Upgrade Program

Klarna partnership explained: application, credit check, and payment limitations

Lease requirements: activation, payments, trade-ins, and pickup rules

Device condition, damage, and loss policies under Apple Upgrade

Canceling early, returns, and keeping financed accessories

End-of-term options: upgrade, return, or buy device outright

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
Sponsor:
threatlocker.com/twit
15 min
July 23HOA 241: iOS Home Screen Customization
iOS 26 conveniently puts you in charge of your iPhone home screen with deep design tools hidden behind a single long press. Discover how Apple's new Liquid Glass and tinted themes finally let your wallpaper and icons reflect your style.
Jiggle mode and edit tools enable deep icon appearance tweaks

Exploring Light, Dark, Clear, and Tinted home screen styles

Using tints and saturation sliders for unique color coordination

Rearranging app icons to highlight wallpaper and key visuals

Adding, editing, and customizing widgets on the home screen

Hiding, deselecting, or deleting home screen pages safely

Removing unused home screen apps without uninstalling them

Switching between app icons and widgets for streamlined access

Face ID and privacy tweaks for individual apps on the home screen

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
16 min

About Hands-On Apple (Audio)

From the publisher's feed

Hands-On Apple explores and explains the Mac — and beyond! From clever Terminal commands to little-known iOS settings, Mikah Sargent shares all the best tips and tricks for your Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch. You'll get all the details on Apple's apps and the best apps in the App Store, you'll learn about awesome accessories for your Apple devices, and you'll explore updates to Apple's operating systems — including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Hands-On Apple is your one-stop shop for Apple know-how.

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