Hands-On Apple (Video)

By TWiT

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... more

· Technology

4.8

5050 ratings

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FAQs about Hands-On Apple (Video):

How many episodes does Hands-On Apple (Video) have?

The podcast currently has 186 episodes available.

Hands-On Apple (Video) episodes:

May 21, 2026HOA 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
...more
33min
May 14, 2026HOA 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
...more
17min
May 07, 2026HOA 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
...more
31min
April 30, 2026HOA 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.
...more
18min
April 23, 2026HOA 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
...more
29min
April 16, 2026HOA 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.
...more
23min
April 09, 2026HOA 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
...more
22min
April 02, 2026HOA 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.
...more
20min
March 26, 2026HOA 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
...more
17min
March 19, 2026HOA 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
...more
17min

FAQs about Hands-On Apple (Video):

How many episodes does Hands-On Apple (Video) have?

The podcast currently has 186 episodes available.

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