Hands-On Apple (Audio)

Hosted by TWiT

Technology

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

10 recent

August 20, 202611 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 Watch gestures: double tap, single tap, wrist flick for navigation Quick mantra: press for apps, turn for widgets, side for control, hold for Siri 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 .

August 13, 202615 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 Troubleshooting fussy features Best practices for clear OCR and uncluttered frames 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 .

August 6, 202620 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 reduce myopia risk 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 .

July 30, 202614 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 accessories End-of-term options: upgrade, return, or buy device outright 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

July 23, 202615 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 safely Removing unused home screen apps without uninstalling them Switching between app icons and widgets for streamlined access Face ID and privacy tweaks for individual apps on the home screen 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 .

July 16, 202626 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 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: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

July 9, 202610 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 capture on latest iPhones 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: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

July 2, 202612 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 activations 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: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

June 25, 202613 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 with StandBy Night mode tips for lower brightness and red-tinted display MagSafe enables location-based StandBy view preferences StandBy integrates with Sleep Focus for smarter nighttime use 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

June 18, 202612 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 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