Hands-On Apple (Audio)

By TWiTTechnology

Hands-On Apple (Audio) episodes

July 16HOA 240: Feedback in the Apple Public Beta Program
Ready to install the iOS 27 public beta? Skip common mistakes and learn Mikah's straightforward method for filing some reports that may actually get results.
Back up devices and expectations for public beta testers

Step-by-step guide to enrolling in Apple's public beta program

Understanding your role and responsibilities as a beta tester

The importance of submitting clear, actionable feedback to Apple

How to use the Feedback app and provide diagnostic data

Attaching screenshots and recordings to feedback for clarity

When to refile persistent bugs and avoid reporting third-party app issues

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:
blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT
27 min
July 09HOA 239: Photographic Styles
Ever wish your iPhone could capture your photos with a look that actually feels like you? Learn how Apple's photographic styles hand you control over color, tone, and even skin tones, with no generic filters required.
Differences in photographic styles between older and newer iPhones

How to set up and select photographic styles in iOS settings

Exploring and customizing style presets like amber, gold, and rose gold

Using the control pad to fine-tune tone, color, and intensity

Adjusting or resetting styles, plus limitations on older versus newer devices

Saving and editing photo styles after capture on latest iPhones

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:
blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT
11 min
July 02HOA 238: Using Back Tap on iPhone
Transform your iPhone interaction with a neat double-tap feature that most users have never noticed in the settings menu. Find out how to program the back of your phone for quick actions like taking a screenshot, launching your favorite app, or automating nighttime routines.
Finding and enabling Back Tap in Accessibility settings

Double tap and triple tap back actions explained

How Back Tap uses sensors, not physical buttons

Assigning system, accessibility, and device actions to Back Tap

Using Back Tap to trigger shortcuts for custom automations

Practical uses and avoiding accidental activations

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:
blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT
13 min
June 25HOA 237: StandBy Mode
Your iPhone can quietly transform into a customizable bedside clock, calendar, and smart photo frame with just a simple orientation tweak. Discover how StandBy mode reveals features you probably didn't know your device had.
StandBy requirements: charging, landscape mode, and settings toggle

Always-on display boosts StandBy, but older iPhones work too

Configure StandBy's display options, night mode, and motion to wake

Explore StandBy's three main views: widgets, photos, clocks

Customizing widget stacks, adding photos, and picking clock styles

Now Playing and live activity controls integrate with StandBy

Night mode tips for lower brightness and red-tinted display

MagSafe enables location-based StandBy view preferences

StandBy integrates with Sleep Focus for smarter nighttime use

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
14 min
June 18HOA 236: macOS Stickies
Are you overlooking a classic built into every Mac? Mikah Sargent challenges you to give Stickies a week and find out if it deserves a permanent spot on your desktop.
Fast, frictionless note taking without accounts or setup

Formatting features: fonts, colors, graphics, and text enhancements

Color-coded Stickies for easy organization and quick reference

Advanced options: floating notes, translucency, keyboard shortcuts

Stickies' limitations: local-only, no device syncing or security features

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:
Melissa.com/twit
13 min
June 11HOA 235: Translate App
Your iPhone has a powerful translation toolkit built right in, ready to tackle menus, emails, and street signs (in over 20 languages) without any extra apps or subscriptions. Discover how to get the most out of features you might not even know exist, from real-time conversation mode to camera translations.
Supported languages and translation options overview

Translating and pronouncing text, saving phrases for quick access

Utilizing conversation mode for real-time bilingual communication

Switching between side-by-side and face-to-face translation views

Activating auto-translate and automatic language detection features

Live camera translation for menus, signs, and printed text

Translating photos and system-wide text using the context menu

Translation capabilities in Safari for web pages

Downloading offline language packs for travel or privacy

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.
17 min
June 04HOA 234: Changing Your Default Search Engine
Tired of Google's AI overviews? This episode breaks down your actual options for search alternatives on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, including tips most Apple fans have never tried. See just how easy it is to reclaim your Safari searches with an alternative engine and take back control on your Apple devices.
How to change Safari's search engine on iPhone

Limitations: can't remove Google everywhere, only in Safari

Search engine options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia explained

Private browsing: set different search engines for privacy

Tuning search suggestions and privacy settings in Safari

Changing your default browser for wider search control

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:
joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT
20 min
May 28HOA 233: Apple Watch Customization
Most Apple Watch users never bother to customize the screen they check dozens of times a day. This episode shows how a quick face makeover can actually streamline your routines and keep you focused.
Customizing Apple Watch faces using the Watch app on iPhone

How to switch and organize Apple Watch faces

Restoring swipe-to-switch watch face option in settings

Editing and reordering watch faces in the Watch app

Complications turn watch faces from decorative to functional

Building a rotation of faces for different activities or moods

Syncing watch faces to Focus Modes for dynamic switching

Sharing custom watch faces with friends

New watch faces in watchOS 26

Smart Stack as a complement to complications on Apple Watch

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
17 min
May 21HOA 232: Activity Monitor
Learn why Activity Monitor is the macOS tool experienced users trust first to diagnose hidden memory drains, runaway CPU usage, and behind-the-scenes energy hogs. Mastering a single built-in tool can put real-time answers and expert-level control right at your fingertips.
Quick Access Methods: Spotlight, Finder, and Utilities Folder

Five Main Tabs: CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, and Network Explained

Sorting and Identifying Resource-Heavy Processes in CPU Tab

Understanding Percent CPU, Multi-Core Macs, and High Usage Scenarios

Spotting and Managing Frozen or Runaway Apps via Activity Monitor

The Importance of the Kind Column: Rosetta Support and Apple Silicon Transition

Using Memory Tab and Pressure Graph to Gauge RAM Health

Sorting by Memory to Find Leaky or Misbehaving Apps

Energy Tab Insights: Finding Battery-Draining and Power-Hungry Apps

Disk Tab: Diagnosing Read/Write Issues and Competing Background Tasks

Network Tab: Tracking Data-Heavy Apps and Monitoring for Security

Live Dock Icon Graphs for CPU, Network, and Disk Usage

How to Force Quit or Inspect Troubled Processes in Activity Monitor

Homework: Add Activity Monitor to Dock and Monitor Rosetta Apps Before Support Ends

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:
outsystems.com/twit
33 min
May 14HOA 231: Using Playlist Playground
Apple Music's Playlist Playground does more than just pick songs; it curates playlists that actually flow together, tailored to your mood or activity. Mikah shows how to craft and customize dynamic playlists with minimal effort.
How Playlist Playground differs from classic playlist and Siri options

Step-by-step demo: Creating playlists with plain language prompts

Editing and customizing AI-generated playlists, adjusting song choices

Adding, removing, and refreshing songs within Playlist Playground

Changing playlist artwork and privacy sharing options

Organizing Playlist Playground creations for easy access

Playlist flow and song order improvements with AI

Age, subscription, and device requirements

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:
Melissa.com/twit
17 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.

You can join Club TWiT for $10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $5 per month.