Hands-On Apple (Audio)

By TWiTTechnology

Hands-On Apple (Audio) episodes

December 04, 2025HOA 210: App Store Settings on iOS
Ever wonder why apps suddenly disappear from your iPhone, just when you need them most? This episode reveals the iOS feature quietly sweeping your unused apps off your device and shows you how to take control.
How to find and adjust App Store app settings in iOS

Reviewing app permissions and privacy controls in App Store settings

Managing automatic app downloads, updates, and in-app content

Using cellular data for app downloads: controls and limits

How to handle in-app ratings, reviews, and update prompts

Offload Unused Apps explained: storage, data, and user experience

Personalized recommendations and privacy management in App Store settings

Resetting your App Store identifier for 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 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
November 20, 2025HOA 209: Understanding Sounds & Haptics
Ever wondered why your iPhone's sound isn't as loud as you expect, or your AirPods seem capped? Mikah Sargent uncovers the hidden settings that could be hindering your listening experience.
Managing silent mode and status bar indicators on newer iPhones

Switching audio input sources, including iPhone mic and AirPods

Fine-tuning ringtone and alert volume controls for less disruption

"Change with buttons" explained: separation of media and alert volumes

Customizing haptic feedback and vibration settings for notifications

Setting default sounds for ringtones, texts, voicemail, and mail alerts

Keyboard feedback: toggling typing sounds and haptics preference

Differences between iPhone and iPad haptics (limitations on iPad)

Controlling speaker volume limits and effects on media playback

Understanding "Reduce Loud Sounds" to avoid abrupt audio spikes

Headphone safety: adjusting reduced loud audio upper limit for AirPods

Headphone usage notifications & protecting hearing over seven days

Managing USB audio accessory settings and privacy tracking

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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
November 13, 2025HOA 208: Eye Tracking on iPhone
Control your iPhone just by looking at it. Mikah Sargent dives into the eye-tracking (and head tracking) feature on iOS, showing how it contributes to accessibility and reimagines device interaction.
How to set up and use iOS eye tracking controls

Eye tracking customization: smoothing, snap to item, dwell control, and more

Eye tracking training process and device positioning tips

Accuracy challenges and retraining

Head tracking as an alternative: facial gestures trigger iOS actions

Head tracking menu navigation with expressions

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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
November 06, 2025HOA 207: Ultimate Menu Bar Control
Mac users, forget juggling third-party apps! Apple's macOS Tahoe finally gives you real control over your menu bar and Control Center. Check out how this long-awaited update could change the way you work every day.
Exploring new default transparent menu bar background visuals

Adjusting menu bar visibility and hiding options in System Settings

Toggling menu bar background effects for better personalization

Managing recent documents, apps, and servers through menu bar settings

Adding, removing, and arranging controls in menu bar and Control Center

Detailed walkthrough of menu bar settings like WiFi, Bluetooth, battery, Focus, and display

Granular app icon management—allow or deny permission to show in menu bar

Rearranging menu bar icons using command+drag

Quick reset options and comprehensive clock display tweaks for the menu bar

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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.
14 min
October 30, 2025HOA 206: Testing Hearing Health With Just iPhone & AirPods Pro
See how AirPods Pro team up with your iPhone to run a personal hearing test and tailor audio just for you. Get a firsthand look at a health tool you may not realize is sitting in your pocket.
Step-by-step guide to starting hearing test and prepping devices

Real-time noise detection and environment checks during test setup

Fit adjustment guidance and sound tests for optimal AirPod positioning

Tone pulses and interactive hearing assessment via iOS Health integration

Saving and reviewing audiogram results in Health app after test completion

AirPods tuning and hearing assistance recommendations based on test results

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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.
9 min
October 23, 2025HOA 205: Take Actions in macOS Tahoe With Spotlight
This episode demonstrates how Spotlight's new "actions" feature quietly transforms your workflow, adapting to the app you're using and what you copy, delivering shortcuts you never knew you needed. Discover how to create lightning-fast quick keys in Spotlight, letting you instantly send emails, print documents, or launch commands in your favorite apps.
Spotlight actions get personal—suggestions adapt to your app usage

Third-party apps feed custom actions into Spotlight

Actions adapt to your current app like Photos & Notes

Context-aware Spotlight pulls menu bar commands and clipboard data

Quick Keys for Spotlight actions let you set up fast shortcuts

Real-world examples: creating shortcuts for email, Finder, and printer tasks

Spotlight actions connect workflows—print PDFs and automate simple actions

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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.
13 min
October 16, 2025HOA 204: Browsing With Spotlight in macOS Tahoe
If you think Spotlight is just for searching, think again. Discover how its revamped browsing modes and new smart actions can change the way you interact with your Mac! Instantly access apps, files, actions, and even your clipboard history, all with a few keyboard shortcuts.
Navigating Spotlight Search using menu, keyboard, and mouse shortcuts

Categorized app browsing and launching, including iPhone mirroring integration

File browsing in Spotlight with intelligent suggestions and advanced filtering

Viewing files in grid or list mode, with previews and usage-based organization

Accessing and customizing Spotlight Actions, with hundreds of shortcut possibilities

Clipboard history now searchable and actionable within Spotlight, supports files and text

Privacy controls for Clipboard search and management of sensitive data in Spotlight

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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.
13 min
October 09, 2025HOA 203: Creating Genmoji on Mac
Apple's Genmoji just got smarter, letting you combine emojis, add custom descriptions, and totally personalize your reactions on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Find out how this playful AI tweak might just change the way you text.
Apple Genmoji gets updated with new customization features

Demonstrating Genmoji creation and emoji combination in Messages app

Exploring uses of text descriptions to enhance Genmoji results

Mixing emoji and text for unique, personalized Genmoji

Adjusting Genmoji hairstyle and facial hair using Photos library people

Customizing Genmoji with expressive moods and emotions

Genmoji creativity yields odd and surprising results

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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
October 02, 2025HOA 202: Spotlight Supercharged in macOS Tahoe
Spotlight is getting a serious upgrade in macOS Tahoe, surfacing your files, windows, and even cloud content with smarter, faster results. Allow Mikah to walk you through the surprising shortcuts and hidden tricks that will change how you find everything on your Mac.
Quick access to Spotlight via keyboard or menu bar

Recentering Spotlight Search bar with control-click shortcut

Enhanced search rankings based on personal use and relevance

Refined filtering by app, file type, provider, or folder

Spotlight displays results from open windows and browser tabs

Cloud storage integration expands search to Dropbox, Google Drive

Website search shortcuts for popular sites like Amazon and YouTube

Direct questions and smart queries supported with Siri and ChatGPT

Spotlight suggests actions and deeper settings directly from search

Performance quirks and indexing delays still present in Spotlight

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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.
13 min
September 25, 2025HOA 201: Meet the New macOS Phone App
Apple created a dedicated phone app for macOS Tahoe, standing apart from FaceTime and bringing live voicemail transcripts, call screening, and real-time translation to your Mac.
Initial setup steps for using the new Phone app

Key settings and features: ringtones, call routing, and permissions

Hold Assist notifies when support hold time ends

Live Voicemail previews and real-time screening for incoming calls

Options for silencing and filtering unknown callers

Calling experience: dialing, FaceTime audio/video, and call options

In-call features: adding people, call recording, and live transcription

On-call live translation with language downloads and beta limitations

Managing call history, favorites, filtering, and blocked numbers

Host: Mikah Sargent

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

Want access to the ad-free 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

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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