Don’t Mess With The Sacred Timeline

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

This week’s Mac Geek Gab kicks off with quick tips you’ll actually use: from setting custom backgrounds in iOS 26 Messages to automating iPhone restarts with Shortcuts, spotting hidden savings on AppleTV+, and even using freezer bags to tame cable chaos. You’ll also learn the power of politeness, how Adaptive Power Mode can stretch your battery, why Spotlight Cmd-1 is your new macOS shortcut, and how to scroll CarPlay garages with a simple swipe. The crew dives into running Apple betas—developer vs. public—and the gotcha lurking in Apple’s (relatively) new cloud sync rules. Don’t Get Caught moving your home folder or syncing Dropbox without knowing the risks.

Then it’s all about gear and listener wisdom. Discover stress-relief spirals and right-angle cables that save your chargers, a sleeper hold travel pillow that kills the head-bobble, and eero’s signal upgrades coming in 2026. Adam shares how his Jackery solar generator kept him connected, plus the team breaks down backup internet options. Questions cover the smart way to prep your iPhone before trade-in, managing iMessage when moving to Android, and choosing a mesh system that won’t break the bank. From tri-band Deco deals to stubborn deleted files, you’ll walk away with practical fixes and clever finds ready to put to use today.

• 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1107 for Monday, September 15th, 2025
  • September 15th: National Online Learning Day
  • MGG Monthly Giveaway – UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and U7 Pro XG
  • The MGG Merch Store is Live!
• Quick Tips
  • 00:00:01 Frank-QT-iOS 26-Set background images in Messages
  • 00:04:24 Todd-QT-AppleTV+ still only $99/year! (Savings $56.88)
  • 00:07:46 Ben-1104-You can (semi-)Automate an iPhone Restart with Shortcuts
  • 00:09:05 Jim in Alaska-QT-Use Quart or Gallon Freezer Ziplocks to store cables
  • 00:11:13 Be polite…it costs nothing, and can buy you so much!
  • 00:15:55 Running Apple operating system betas
    • 00:16:58 QT-iOS 26 Adaptive Power Mode
    • 00:18:24 QT-macOS 26 Spotlight Cmd-1 to see Applications
    • 00:19:31 Developer betas vs. Public betas
  • 00:20:53 Lucas-QT-You can swipe up and down in CarPlay to scroll through garages
    • Meross HomeKit Garage Door Opener
• Don’t Get Caught
  • 00:23:36 Robert-DGC-Apple is forcing cloud sync providers to use the internal drive
  • Dropbox External drive support with Apple’s File Provider
  • Move your macOS home folder to an external drive
• Sponsors
  • 00:27:31 SPONSOR: OpenCase. Designed for MagSafe accessories. The result is more secure, thinner, lighter, optimizes charging and more. Code MGG saves you 10%.
  • 00:29:15 SPONSOR: Insta360 GO Ultra. About the size of an Oreo and does 4K @ 60fps! To bag a free Sticky Tabs with your Insta360 GO Ultra purchase use code “MGG” at store.insta360.com.
  • 00:30:50 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code MACGEEK for 20% off at clnmy.com/macgeekgab
• 00:32:10 If Adam were going to use a case…OpenCase would be the case he used!
  • (But he will instead remain naked and not afraid!).
• 00:34:59 Adam’s Monitor Update
• Cool Stuff Found
  • 00:38:55 n-Bob-CSF-iPhone Charging Cable Stress Relief spirals
    • Anker Right Angle USB-C Cable
  • 00:43:32 Avoid head-bobble with airplane Head Strap with Eye Mask for Sleep
    • Sleeper Hold Travel Pillow
  • 00:47:06 CSF-eero Signal coming in 2026
  • 00:48:40 Using a backup internet connection?
  • 00:49:27 Adam used his Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh)
• Show Business
  • 00:52:07 TallEarthling-MGG Review 8/28/2025
  • 00:52:52 EarthSaver-MGG Review
• Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
  • 00:54:37 Will-Things to Consider when buying a new iPhone
    • Mint Mobile (Pete and Dave use for themselves and their families!)
    • What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad
    • If moving from iPhone to Android, Deregister iMessage
  • 01:03:21 Jim from metro Detroit-What’s the best affordable wireless mesh?
    • TP-Link Deco Wireless Mesh
    • Deco XE75 Tri-Band 3-pack for $220 (at the moment we built these shownotes)
  • 01:11:51 Terry-Why do deleted files keep reappearing after reboot?
• 01:19:08 MGG 1107 Outtro
  • MGG Monthly Giveaway
  • Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
  • Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
  • The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast!
  • Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
  • MGG Merch is Available!
  • Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
  • Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
  • This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
  • MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
  • [email protected]
  • 224-888-GEEK
  • Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
  • BackBeat Media Podcast Network