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 Importance of the Kind Column: Rosetta Support and Apple Silicon Transition
• Using Memory Tab and Pressure Graph to Gauge RAM Health
• Sorting by Memory to Find Leaky or Misbehaving Apps
• Energy Tab Insights: Finding Battery-Draining and Power-Hungry Apps
• Disk Tab: Diagnosing Read/Write Issues and Competing Background Tasks
• Network Tab: Tracking Data-Heavy Apps and Monitoring for Security
• Live Dock Icon Graphs for CPU, Network, and Disk Usage
• How to Force Quit or Inspect Troubled Processes in Activity Monitor
• Homework: Add Activity Monitor to Dock and Monitor Rosetta Apps Before Support Ends

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

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Sponsor:

• outsystems.com/twit

TextEdit has quietly been on your Mac for years, but most users overlook its power as the fastest way to capture, clean up, and organize daily notes. See why switching your workflow to this "basic" app might be the biggest upgrade you make this year.

• Rich text versus plain text explained and compared
• Setting TextEdit defaults for efficient daily use
• Benefits of plain text: notes, code, and stripping formatting
• Practical TextEdit workflows for editing and organizing notes
• Key TextEdit settings for customization and accessibility
• Spellcheck, grammar, and formatting options demystified
• Detailed walkthrough of Find, Replace, and regex search
• Using version history and document recovery in TextEdit
• Speech tool for proofreading and accessibility highlighted
• When (and when not) to use TextEdit versus other apps
• Integrating TextEdit into 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 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:

• outsystems.com/twit

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 for easy access
• Playlist flow and song order improvements with AI
• Age, subscription, and device requirements

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

Sign in with Apple feels effortless, but is that convenience worth putting all your digital eggs in one basket? Get the practical advice you need to balance seamless logins with long-term account access.

• How Sign In With Apple works across devices and platforms
• Demonstrating account creation and login using Hide My Email
• Managing, editing, and removing Sign In With Apple logins
• Risks of account loss if Apple ID becomes unavailable
• Tips for safely using Sign In With Apple for critical accounts
• Benefits and limitations of federated logins like Apple, Google, Facebook
• Key privacy advantages: no tracking, Hide My Email, and two-factor authentication
• Recommended management routines and account recovery precautions

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.

Focus modes on your Apple devices can be transformative, but they're also plagued by clunky settings and sync headaches. Mikah Sargent gets real about the practical benefits, dealbreakers, and smart workarounds.

• Why most users ignore or misuse Focus modes
• Building a useful "Work" focus mode step-by-step
• Setting up allowed contacts, apps, and focus filters for work
• Automating work focus mode with schedules and location triggers
• Customizing visuals and widgets for work focus on Mac, iPhone, and iPad
• Creating a "Wind Down" focus for evening transitions
• Limiting urgency, contacts, and app notifications during Wind Down
• Adjusting visuals and automations for a restful device experience
• Designing a "Weekend" focus to reduce work-related interruptions
• Silencing work contacts and apps; surfacing personal calendars and profiles
• Scheduling weekend focus mode for Fridays through Sundays
• Honest breakdown: Focus sync glitches, app limitations, confusing notification behavior, and abuse of "time sensitive" alerts

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

Most users barely scratch the surface of Apple's Focus presets and triggers. Find out how customizing these settings can turn your device into a smart assistant that truly gets your day-to-day routine. These overlooked Focus features can let you shape your own digital boundaries.

• Differences Between Focus Modes and Classic Do Not Disturb
• Overview of Built-In Focus Presets and Customization Options
• Manual Activation and Scheduling of Focus Modes on Devices
• Focus Automation: Timed, Location-Based, App-Based, and Smart Activation
• Controlling Who and What Gets Through During a Focus
• Allow Lists vs Block Lists for Contacts and Apps
• Creating a Custom "Heads Down" Focus Mode Step-by-Step
• Deep Work Focus: Customizing Allowed Notifications and Triggers
• Homework Challenge: Set Up and Live With a Focus Mode

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

Find out how Apple's Focus filters quietly transform your entire digital environment, switching not just alerts but the apps, screens, and even info you see the moment you switch context. Mikah Sargent shows how to turn your Apple setup into a tailored workday powerhouse or a distraction-free oasis with just a tap.

• Customizing app content and behavior with focus filters
• Built-in focus filters for Mail, Calendar, Messages, Safari, and system settings
• Third-party apps and the slow adoption of focus filter support
• Lock screen and home screen pairing with focus modes
• Crafting lock screens for work, mindfulness, and other custom focus modes
• Environmental and contextual device changes triggered by focus modes
• Combining notification rules, filters, and screen pairing for a unified experience
• Real-world work and personal scenarios made easier with focus modes
• Hands-on homework: setting up focus filters, screen pairings, and Safari tab groups

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.

Is Apple's Passwords app a true contender for your digital life, or does it fall short for tech-savvy households? Find out how it stacks up against premium managers and where it still leaves power users wanting more.

• How shared password groups work in the Passwords app
• Step-by-step walkthrough: creating and managing shared groups
• Apple Passwords sharing vs. third-party apps like 1Password, Bitwarden (TWiT sponsor)
• Wi-Fi password management and sharing via QR codes
• Passwords app limitations: organization, secure notes, file storage, platform support
• Migration challenges from other password managers
• Travel needs and sensitive data: third-party travel mode vs. Passwords app
• Who should use Apple's Passwords app and who needs more advanced tools
• Hybrid approaches: combining Apple Passwords with third-party managers

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