Hands-On Apple (Audio)

By TWiTTechnology

Hands-On Apple (Audio) episodes

May 07HOA 230: TextEdit on macOS
TextEdit has quietly been on your Mac for years, but most users overlook its power as the fastest way to capture, clean up, and organize daily notes. See why switching your workflow to this "basic" app might be the biggest upgrade you make this year.
Rich text versus plain text explained and compared

Setting TextEdit defaults for efficient daily use

Benefits of plain text: notes, code, and stripping formatting

Practical TextEdit workflows for editing and organizing notes

Key TextEdit settings for customization and accessibility

Spellcheck, grammar, and formatting options demystified

Detailed walkthrough of Find, Replace, and regex search

Using version history and document recovery in TextEdit

Speech tool for proofreading and accessibility highlighted

When (and when not) to use TextEdit versus other apps

Integrating TextEdit into workflow

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
31 min
April 30HOA 229: Sign in with Apple: Pros & Cons
Sign in with Apple feels effortless, but is that convenience worth putting all your digital eggs in one basket? Get the practical advice you need to balance seamless logins with long-term account access.
How Sign In With Apple works across devices and platforms

Demonstrating account creation and login using Hide My Email

Managing, editing, and removing Sign In With Apple logins

Risks of account loss if Apple ID becomes unavailable

Tips for safely using Sign In With Apple for critical accounts

Benefits and limitations of federated logins like Apple, Google, Facebook

Key privacy advantages: no tracking, Hide My Email, and two-factor authentication

Recommended management routines and account recovery precautions

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.
18 min
April 23HOA 228: Focus Modes Pt. 3
Focus modes on your Apple devices can be transformative, but they're also plagued by clunky settings and sync headaches. Mikah Sargent gets real about the practical benefits, dealbreakers, and smart workarounds.
Why most users ignore or misuse Focus modes

Building a useful "Work" focus mode step-by-step

Setting up allowed contacts, apps, and focus filters for work

Automating work focus mode with schedules and location triggers

Customizing visuals and widgets for work focus on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Creating a "Wind Down" focus for evening transitions

Limiting urgency, contacts, and app notifications during Wind Down

Adjusting visuals and automations for a restful device experience

Designing a "Weekend" focus to reduce work-related interruptions

Silencing work contacts and apps; surfacing personal calendars and profiles

Scheduling weekend focus mode for Fridays through Sundays

Honest breakdown: Focus sync glitches, app limitations, confusing notification behavior, and abuse of "time sensitive" alerts

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
29 min
April 16HOA 227: Focus Modes Pt. 2
Find out how Apple's Focus filters quietly transform your entire digital environment, switching not just alerts but the apps, screens, and even info you see the moment you switch context. Mikah Sargent shows how to turn your Apple setup into a tailored workday powerhouse or a distraction-free oasis with just a tap.
Customizing app content and behavior with focus filters

Built-in focus filters for Mail, Calendar, Messages, Safari, and system settings

Third-party apps and the slow adoption of focus filter support

Lock screen and home screen pairing with focus modes

Crafting lock screens for work, mindfulness, and other custom focus modes

Environmental and contextual device changes triggered by focus modes

Combining notification rules, filters, and screen pairing for a unified experience

Real-world work and personal scenarios made easier with focus modes

Hands-on homework: setting up focus filters, screen pairings, and Safari tab groups

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.
23 min
April 09HOA 226: Focus Modes Pt. 1
Most users barely scratch the surface of Apple's Focus presets and triggers. Find out how customizing these settings can turn your device into a smart assistant that truly gets your day-to-day routine. These overlooked Focus features can let you shape your own digital boundaries.
Differences Between Focus Modes and Classic Do Not Disturb

Overview of Built-In Focus Presets and Customization Options

Manual Activation and Scheduling of Focus Modes on Devices

Focus Automation: Timed, Location-Based, App-Based, and Smart Activation

Controlling Who and What Gets Through During a Focus

Allow Lists vs Block Lists for Contacts and Apps

Creating a Custom "Heads Down" Focus Mode Step-by-Step

Deep Work Focus: Customizing Allowed Notifications and Triggers

Homework Challenge: Set Up and Live With a Focus Mode

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
22 min
April 02HOA 225: Wrangling Auto-Correct
Tired of autocorrect sabotaging your texts? This episode shows how small changes like persistent rejection and custom text replacements can actually make Apple's keyboard work for you.
Why auto-correct fails and how Apple devices handle corrections

Auto-correct's evolution with iOS 17 and transformer language models

How auto-correct learns and why personalized dictionaries matter

Key steps to retrain auto-correct for smarter suggestions

Resetting your keyboard dictionary: the nuclear option explained

iOS and macOS keyboard settings: making auto-correct work for you

Auto-correct's pain points: bilingual typing, jargon, and missing features

Text replacement: the ultimate hack for tricky words and shortcuts

Top text replacement use cases for emails, addresses, and custom phrases

Practical tips to tame auto-correct and improve your typing flow

Missing features Apple still hasn't addressed in auto-correct

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.
20 min
March 26HOA 224: Passwords App: Shared Groups & Limitations
Is Apple's Passwords app a true contender for your digital life, or does it fall short for tech-savvy households? Find out how it stacks up against premium managers and where it still leaves power users wanting more.
How shared password groups work in the Passwords app

Step-by-step walkthrough: creating and managing shared groups

Apple Passwords sharing vs. third-party apps like 1Password, Bitwarden (TWiT sponsor)

Wi-Fi password management and sharing via QR codes

Passwords app limitations: organization, secure notes, file storage, platform support

Migration challenges from other password managers

Travel needs and sensitive data: third-party travel mode vs. Passwords app

Who should use Apple's Passwords app and who needs more advanced tools

Hybrid approaches: combining Apple Passwords with third-party managers

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
March 19HOA 223: Level Up Your Passwords Security
What if logging in didn't mean juggling passwords and SMS codes? This episode demonstrates how Apple's Passwords app could make passkeys your new security upgrade and what may help protect your digital life.
Understanding and setting up two-factor authentication codes in Passwords

How to scan and autofill TOTP codes on macOS and iOS

Best practices for migrating 2FA codes from other authenticator apps

Passkeys setup, security benefits, and workflow

Passkey vs. password: what to expect when logging in

Apple security recommendations: flagged, reused, weak, and leaked passwords

Prioritizing which flagged passwords to fix first

Homework: add verification codes, create a passkey, and fix at-risk accounts

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
17 min
March 12HOA 222: Meet the Passwords App
Apple's standalone Passwords app gives Keychain a proper home! Ready to clean up your secure digital life? This episode walks you through using Apple's Passwords app to spot weak logins, organize old accounts, and take control of your online security with tools already built into your devices.
Quick history: Keychain to iCloud Keychain to Passwords app

How to access the Passwords app on iPadOS, iOS, and macOS

Passwords app interface tour: categories, search, and shared groups

What autofill and notifications options you can enable in Passwords

Exploring the main categories: All, Passkeys, Codes, Wi-Fi, Security, Deleted

Viewing, editing, and sharing individual logins in the Passwords app

Manually adding, updating, or deleting passwords and usernames

Using search and sort to find and organize your saved logins

How autofill password suggestions work in Safari and system settings

Tweaking autofill and 3rd-party password manager integration

Homework: review and clean up your Passwords app before next episode

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
21 min
March 05HOA 221: Privacy & Security Settings
Ready for an iPhone security audit? This episode is your personal walkthrough to reclaiming control, explaining not just what each privacy setting does but why changing them actually matters. Discover how hidden iOS settings let you outsmart sneaky trackers that follow you across apps, home networks, and even your own calendar.
App permissions: location, tracking, calendars, contacts, health, photos

Restricting calendar and photo access for better privacy

App access to files, folders, focus modes, and health data

Managing smart home and Apple Music permissions

Third-party browser passkeys and selective photo sharing

Apps controlling reminders and using Apple Wallet features

Peripheral and Bluetooth permissions to limit device profiling

Camera, microphone, and local network access by apps

Motion, fitness, and nearby device tracking permissions

Research and sensor data sharing for studies and health

Speech recognition and journaling suggestions using device activity

Viewing and managing blocked contacts and sharing via Safety Check

Safety Check's emergency resets and granular access control

Sensitive content warnings for nudity in photos or videos

Sharing analytics with Apple and app developers (opt-in controls)

Reviewing app transparency logs and network activity reports

Accessory connection permissions and security update automation

Stolen Device Protection and Lockdown Mode explained

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
29 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.