Podcast · Tech & Science

Hands-On Apple (Video)

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

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 17 min
Latest: 24 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

24 Sep 2026 · 20 min

HOA 250: Create Your Own Wallet Passes

Tired of waiting for your favorite gym, library, or coffee shop to offer digital cards? With iOS 27, you can finally make your own custom Apple Wallet passes for any barcode or QR code, no third-party apps needed. Physical loyalty cards now easily added to Apple Wallet with iOS 27 "Create a Pass" feature lets users digitize any barcode or QR code Three wallet pass templates: Standard, Membership, and Event Apple Intelligence enables automatic code scanning on supported iPhones Passes can include color themes, icons, member info, and custom fields Sharing passes with family members now…

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Earlier episodes 19 most recent

S2 · E249 · 17 Sep 2026 · 21 min
HOA 249: Explaining Audio Intelligence
Apple Watch's new Audio Intelligence tools promise instant transcriptions and meeting summaries without keeping your recordings. But is the S11 chip's privacy tech strong enough to calm nerves on both sides of the conversation? Apple Watch Audio Intelligence: Four Features, One Secure Chip Sound Recognition and Shazam: Always-On Environmental Listening Live Rewind: 15-Second Instant Replay With Privacy Safeguards Siri Recap: Automated Meeting Summaries, Not Full Transcripts Privacy, Secure Exclave processing, and Cloud Summarization Explained Usage Limits, Age Restrictions, and Launch…
S2 · E248 · 10 Sep 2026 · 19 min
HOA 248: Options for Backing up Your iPhone
With new iPhones shipping and major iOS updates around the corner, now is the moment to protect your info. Mikah shows the overlooked features and essential steps that keep your data truly safe. You might be missing crucial areas and not even know it! iCloud Backup: how it works, what it includes, and limitations Key differences between synced data and backed-up data Backing up locally to Mac or PC: process and pros How to back up via Finder on macOS and Apple Devices app on Windows Managing and locating your iPhone backups on Mac and PC Importance and benefits of encrypting local backups…
S2 · E247 · 3 Sep 2026 · 24 min
HOA 247: The Apple TV App
The Apple TV app's constant renaming and feature shuffling have left users wondering where their watchlists vanished and what each oddly similar label actually means. Mikah Sargent untangles the confusion and reveals why your streaming experience might be missing more than you think. Identifying Watchlist and Continue Watching rows on iOS How to add, find, and remove shows from Watchlist and Continue Watching Syncing watch progress and lists across Apple devices Which streaming services and apps connect to Apple TV app Navigating Apple TV channels vs. third-party connected apps Missing…
S2 · E246 · 27 Aug 2026 · 21 min
HOA 246: Set-It-And-Forget-It Accessibility Upgrades
You're missing out if you haven't explored Apple's accessibility menu. Mikah spotlights simple tweaks that solve real problems for everyone, not just those who need them. These are features you can toggle once, and love forever! Reducing car sickness with Vehicle Motion Cues and customizable dots Flash for Alerts: flash notifications with LED or screen for incoming calls and texts Custom haptic vibrations for messages and contacts Built-in white noise machine: Background Sounds on iPhone, iPad, and Mac Music Haptics: feeling rhythms and beats through the Taptic Engine Host: Mikah Sargent…
S2 · E245 · 20 Aug 2026 · 11 min
HOA 245: Retrain Your Fingers for watchOS 27
Confused by the Apple Watch's shifting gestures and button functions? Mikah Sargent breaks down the new logic, revealing how a simple mantra can help you master your device's next overhaul. watchOS 27 overhauls Apple Watch button functions and navigation Breaking old muscle memory: changes to Digital Crown, side button, Siri Digital Crown press reveals new dynamic app switcher and app list Scrolling Digital Crown now brings up the Smart Stack of widgets Side button revamps: Control Center, Apple Pay, Emergency SOS/Power Dynamic app grid's recent and context-based app selection Updated Apple…
S2 · E244 · 13 Aug 2026 · 16 min
HOA 244: Live Text & Visual Look Up
Stop fumbling with serial numbers, plant names, or care tags. Discover quick, practical tricks to turn your iPhone's camera into a powerhouse for instant web answers and hassle-free text capture. Enabling Live Text and checking device and language compatibility Using Live Text in Photos, Camera, and Notes for text selection Tips for extracting phone numbers, emails, and addresses with Live Text Scanning serial numbers and copying image text across Apple devices Identifying plants, animals, landmarks, and more with Visual Lookup Visual Lookup for laundry symbols and car dashboard lights…
S2 · E243 · 6 Aug 2026 · 21 min
HOA 243: iPhone Display vs. Your Eyes
If you have kids using iPhones, Screen Distance might already be enforcing healthy habits without you knowing it. Find out how iOS screen features, like Bold Text and True Tone, are shaping digital wellness for your eyes and your family. Setting up and using Screen Distance on Face ID devices Night Shift: color temperature adjustments and sleep science skepticism True Tone vs. Night Shift: real-time white balance adaptation Additional display tweaks: Auto-Brightness, Reduce White Point, Larger Text Tracking outdoor time with Apple Watch's Time in Daylight Outdoor time as a proven method to…
S2 · E242 · 30 Jul 2026 · 15 min
HOA 242: Understanding Apple Upgrade
Apple just replaced its iPhone Upgrade Program with a device leasing model run by Klarna, and you might end up paying more for devices you never actually own. Find out what happens when your monthly payments end in this episode covering Apple Upgrade! Apple launches Apple Upgrade device lease, replacing iPhone Upgrade Program Klarna partnership explained: application, credit check, and payment limitations Lease requirements: activation, payments, trade-ins, and pickup rules Device condition, damage, and loss policies under Apple Upgrade Canceling early, returns, and keeping financed…
S2 · E241 · 23 Jul 2026 · 15 min
HOA 241: iOS Home Screen Customization
iOS 26 conveniently puts you in charge of your iPhone home screen with deep design tools hidden behind a single long press. Discover how Apple's new Liquid Glass and tinted themes finally let your wallpaper and icons reflect your style. Jiggle mode and edit tools enable deep icon appearance tweaks Exploring Light, Dark, Clear, and Tinted home screen styles Using tints and saturation sliders for unique color coordination Rearranging app icons to highlight wallpaper and key visuals Adding, editing, and customizing widgets on the home screen Hiding, deselecting, or deleting home screen pages…
S2 · E240 · 16 Jul 2026 · 26 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E239 · 9 Jul 2026 · 10 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E238 · 2 Jul 2026 · 13 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E237 · 25 Jun 2026 · 14 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E236 · 18 Jun 2026 · 12 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E235 · 11 Jun 2026 · 16 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E234 · 4 Jun 2026 · 19 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E233 · 28 May 2026 · 17 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E232 · 21 May 2026 · 32 min
HOA 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…
S2 · E231 · 14 May 2026 · 16 min
HOA 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…

About Hands-On Apple (Video)

Hands-On Apple (Video) is a English tech & science podcast from TWiT. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: TWiT
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 17 min
Latest episode: 24 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1502320530
Rights: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License - Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International -…

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