Apple created a dedicated phone app for macOS Tahoe, standing apart from FaceTime and bringing live voicemail transcripts, call screening, and real-time translation to your Mac.

• Initial setup steps for using the new Phone app
• Key settings and features: ringtones, call routing, and permissions
• Hold Assist notifies when support hold time ends
• Live Voicemail previews and real-time screening for incoming calls
• Options for silencing and filtering unknown callers
• Calling experience: dialing, FaceTime audio/video, and call options
• In-call features: adding people, call recording, and live transcription
• On-call live translation with language downloads and beta limitations
• Managing call history, favorites, filtering, and blocked numbers

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.

iOS 26 just dropped, and Hands-On Apple reveals the surprising new features you'll notice first, such as custom message backgrounds and built-in polls that change how you chat with friends. Get the scoop on the subtle details and settings that will likely impact how you use your phone every day.

• Messages app gets refreshed info page and easier contact editing
• Custom conversation backgrounds debut in Messages with photos and colors
• Built-in polling feature launches for group decision-making in Messages
• New message filtering, unknown sender screening, and notification controls explained
• Conversation backgrounds, photo visibility, and contact photo options in Messages settings

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.

Apple just dropped the iPhone 17 lineup and Mikah Sargent walks you through a smart pre-order setup that could be the difference between snagging your dream device on day one or missing out. Find out the exact steps and tips to avoid the dreaded "sold out" message.

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.

Stop letting duplicate photos clog your Mac. Find out how the merging utility in Apple Photos can help you reclaim storage and sanity with just a few clicks. Mikah Sargent reveals the surprisingly powerful deduplication tool already built into macOS and what it gets right.

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.

Think your iPhone 16's Camera Control is just another button? Mikah Sargent breaks down its secret shortcuts and customizable tricks that could change how you quickly snap photos in a pinch!

• Step-by-step walkthrough of camera control actions and gestures
• Deep dive into camera control's adjustable photo and video settings
• Using camera control for quick app launches and photo captures
• Switching between supported camera apps with camera control
• Customizing activation methods and accidental launch prevention
• Exploring camera control's accessibility and pressure sensitivity settings
• Integrating camera control features into your everyday 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 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.

Don't let misbehaving Apple features derail your workflow. This episode explains the settings, strategies, and overlooked requirements that separate smooth users from the frustrated.

• Common Universal Control issues: disconnects, lag, and connection failures
• Universal Control requirements: hardware, Apple ID, iCloud, and keychain
• Network setup tips for reliable Universal Control across devices
• Fixing Universal Control with iCloud sign-out, restarts, and patience
• Advanced Universal Control troubleshooting: deleting preference files and toggling settings
• Resolving conflicts with display options, Stage Manager, Sidecar, and internet sharing
• How to use USB connection to kickstart Universal Control
• iPhone mirroring basics: behind-the-scenes tech and requirements
• Fixing iPhone mirroring: ensure device compatibility, settings, and proximity
• Step-by-step network troubleshooting for iPhone mirroring failures
• Force quitting and resetting iPhone mirroring and device access
• Diagnosing persistent issues with console logs and error messages
• Mesh network quirks and system requirement confusion as common culprits

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.

Is your Mac taking forever to start up? Mikah Sargent reveals the hidden culprits slowing down your macOS boot times and walks through proven solutions to get your machine running like new again.

• Login Items Management - How to identify and remove unnecessary apps that automatically launch at startup using System Settings - General - Login Items and Extensions
• Terminal Commands for Advanced Users - Using "launchctl list" to view all startup processes and "launchctl remove" to eliminate problematic items from the command line
• Hidden Launch Agents and Daemons - Navigating to /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons through Finder to manually remove stubborn startup services
• Spotlight Re-indexing Fix - Using Terminal command "sudo mdutil -E /" to rebuild corrupted Spotlight indexes that can cause system hangups
• Cache Clearing Strategy - Removing cached files from ~/Library/Caches and /Library/Caches to free up system resources
• Visual Effects Optimization - Disabling animations, transparency effects, and the genie effect in Accessibility settings to reduce graphics processing load
• Stage Manager Performance - Why turning off Stage Manager can help improve startup times on older Macs

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.

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.