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Hands-On Apple (Audio)

Hands-On Apple (Audio)

By: TWiT
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About this listen

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. New episodes every Thursday.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License - Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Episodes
  • HOA 194: Apple TV Color Balance
    Aug 7 2025

    Mikah Sargent reveals a powerful but often overlooked calibration tool that automatically adjusts your TV's color balance for optimal picture quality. This step-by-step demonstration shows exactly how to access and use this game-changing feature that most Apple TV owners never know exists.

    •Accessing the Settings - Navigate to Settings > Video and Audio > Calibration > Color Balance

    •Prerequisites and Setup - Requires iPhone with Face ID, iOS 14.5 or later, and avoid vivid or dynamic picture modes during calibration

    •Step-by-Step Calibration Process - Detailed walkthrough of bringing iPhone close to TV, receiving notification, entering authentication code, and positioning phone against screen

    •Results and Implementation - Review of "original" vs "balanced" options and selecting the improved color profile for ongoing use

    •Limitations and Compatibility - Discussion of why this feature won't work with projector setups due to positioning constraints, but works with standard televisions

    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.

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    7 mins
  • HOA 193: Public Betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, & macOS Tahoe 26
    Jul 31 2025

    Ready to get your hands on Apple's latest software before everyone else? This episode covers the complete process of enrolling in Apple's public beta program, from signing up to providing valuable feedback that shapes the future of Apple's operating systems.

    • Getting Started with Beta Enrollment - Navigate to beta.apple.com and sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program using your Apple ID, including agreeing to the terms that remind you this is pre-release software
    • Device Enrollment Process - Choose "enroll your iOS device" and follow the streamlined process for iOS 16.4 or later, which no longer requires downloading special configuration profiles like earlier versions
    • Finding Beta Updates in Settings - Access the new "Beta Updates" option under General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, where you'll see iOS 26 Public Beta options (developer betas won't appear unless you're a registered developer)
    • The Importance of Feedback Assistant - Learn about the dedicated app Apple installs for beta testers to report bugs, capture diagnostic files, and submit screenshots of issues you encounter
    • Quick Diagnostic Capture Trick - Use the volume up, volume down, side button combination for 1-1.5 seconds to instantly capture diagnostic files when you encounter problems, complete with haptic feedback confirmation
    • Beta Support Across All Platforms - The same enrollment process works for iPadOS, tvOS (though slightly more complex), and macOS Tahoe, with each platform getting its own enrollment path
    • Exiting the Beta Program - Turn off beta updates in Settings to stop receiving new beta versions and automatically return to public releases, or completely leave the program through the beta.apple.com unenroll page

    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.

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    10 mins
  • HOA 192: Locking & Hiding Apps
    Jul 24 2025

    Mikah Sargent reveals the handy security features in iOS and iPadOS that let you lock and hide apps from prying eyes, whether you're lending your phone to a child or keeping sensitive information away from untrustworthy individuals.

    • App Locking vs. Hiding Overview - Mikah explains the key differences between locking apps (requires authentication but stays visible) and hiding apps (completely removes from home screen except in special hidden folder)
    • Important Limitations to Know - When apps are locked, their information won't appear in CarPlay, notifications, search results, or Siri suggestions, and the feature only works on the specific device where it's enabled
    • Family Sharing Restrictions - Children under 13 cannot lock or hide apps, while teens 13-17 can use the feature but parents can still see download history and Screen Time data
    • Apps That Cannot Be Locked - Built-in iOS apps like Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts, and Settings are off-limits for locking (Screen Time or Guided Access recommended instead)
    • Step-by-Step App Locking Demo - Live demonstration using the Home app, showing how to tap and hold an app icon, select "Require Face ID" from the quick actions menu, and authenticate to enable the lock
    • How to Unlock Apps - Simple process of tapping and holding the locked app icon, choosing "Don't Require Face ID," and entering your passcode to remove the protection
    • App Hiding Requirements - Only third-party apps downloaded from the App Store can be hidden; built-in iOS apps and default web browsers cannot be hidden
    • Complete App Hiding Walkthrough - Detailed demonstration using the Annotable app, showing the "Hide and Require Face ID" option and explaining that hidden apps won't send notifications or alerts
    • Accessing Hidden Apps - Two methods revealed: through Settings > Apps > Hidden Apps, or by going to App Library, scrolling to the Hidden folder at the bottom, and authenticating with Face ID

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
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