Ever triggered a hidden Mac feature by accident? This week you’ll find out why a stray backtick fires up the Magnifier in macOS Preview, and how a single screenshot plus built-in OCR can lift text straight out of an image (even if that Wi-Fi password still refuses to cooperate). You’ll grab the trick for sharing your network as a scannable QR code from the Passwords app, learn why YouTube TV blocks video over screen sharing in Chrome while Safari sidesteps it, and untangle guest-mode quirks on Apple Vision Pro. From Touch ID suddenly demanding your password to a backup SSD that swears it’s still In Use, you’ll walk away with the Terminal commands and fixes to set things right.
Then you’ll map your next move off a MacBook Air, weighing an M4 Mac mini against an iMac and stalking the refurb store for the right deal. You’ll set HomeKit lights to fade in with sunrise, audit your Tailscale network for sloppy permissions, breathe easier with a tested air purifier, and give that retired iPad a whole second life. And when something mysteriously stops working, Don’t Get Caught burning two hours blaming software for what turns out to be a cable you quietly swapped out: check your cables first. Hit play, load up on tips, and head into your week a little geekier.
- 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1147 for Monday, June 22nd, 2026
- Quick Tips
- 00:00:01 Susan-QT-macOS Preview has a magnifier in Tools > Show Magnifier
- 00:03:53 Use the backtick to invoke Magnifier in Preview
- 00:06:15 Dave-QT-Take a picture or screenshot to OCR text within an image
- 00:11:32 YouTube TV doesn’t allow video when the screen is being shared…in Chrome
- …But Safari might let it (it certainly does with Fubo)
- 00:13:29 Screen Mirroring vs. Apple Vision Pro
- 00:15:21 QT-KiwiGraham-Passwords app allows you to show a QR code of current wifi network
- 00:17:31 Bill-1146-Why not use the Apple TV app’s download abilities?
- Sponsors
- 00:19:41 SPONSOR: Even Realities G2. Use promo code MGG at evenrealities.com to get 10% off Even Ring 1 and/or Even Clip when you add them to your Even G2 order.
- 00:21:49 SPONSOR: Scribe. Don’t get caught being the only person who knows how something works. For a limited time, book a demo at scribe.how/MGG and mention MGG for your first month of Scribe Capture free.
- 00:23:52 SPONSOR: NordLayer Browser. The business browser built for how modern work actually happens — giving IT the visibility and control to secure SaaS, stop phishing, and prevent data leaks right at the source.
- Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
- 00:24:54 Jim-Moving from a MacBook Air to…what next?
- 00:38:14 Joe-HomeKit Light That Fades In and Out
- 00:43:00 MACGEEKGAB to save $50 at Macstock
- 00:46:32 Richard Davis-Why does Touch ID tell me I need to type my password?
- 00:50:00 Todd-?-How to eject an SSD backup drive that’s mysteriously “In Use”
- sudo mdutil -i off “/Volumes/[Drive Name]”
- lsof | grep “[Drive Name]”
- Cool Stuff Found
- Don’t Get Caught
- 01:14:20 RollingTux-DGC-Cables are often the Culprit!
- 01:16:20 MGG 1147 Outtro
Dave Hamilton, a seasoned tech enthusiast, podcaster, and publisher, has dedicated the past three decades to aiding computer users globally. Known for his insightful advice and valuable product recommendations on the Mac Geek Gab podcast, Dave also enjoys an esteemed reputation as the founder of BackBeat Media, a network of fiercely independent publishers. His online publishing journey took off with The Mac Observer, an acclaimed Apple news site he co-founded in 1998 and led to its successful acquisition in 2021.
Beyond his tech-savvy persona, Dave embraces a vibrant life filled with music and family in the New Hampshire seacoast. He passionately performs with bands Bitter Pill and Fling, among other musical projects, creating a harmonic balance between his love for technology and music. Alongside his wife, Lisa, he raised their two children amidst this symphony of innovation, passion, and independent spirit, showcasing the power of embracing one's interests and using them to make a meaningful impact in the world.
