Emphatically Kind Requests

Customize your Finder icons for instant recognition, stretch your Apple Watch battery on long workouts with Low Power Mode, and jump months back in your Messages history with a single tap. You’ll also learn how to force macOS 27 to download from Terminal when Software Update won’t show it, and how to run separate Claude Desktop apps for work and home. Then your two geeks and a pilot tackle whether you can migrate to a new iPhone from an iOS beta, whether you need Mail.app running to feed Apple Intelligence, and the one Search setting that might be keeping Siri from your data. The big revelation is that you can now ask Siri why something failed, and she might actually tell you. No yelling required, though an emphatically kind request helps. You’ll get the best ways to connect to your Synology DiskStation without certificate warnings, and find out why Apple Watch battery service may get you a whole new watch, possibly with blood oxygen intact. Cool Stuff Found brings SetShot for tracking macOS settings changes, Marked QL for previewing Markdown in Quick Look, a folding case for iPhone Duo, and news that Apple will replace the Duo’s screen layer when the crease shows up. Press play, ask better questions, and Don’t Get Caught! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1163 for Monday, October 12th, 2026 October 12th: National Gumbo Day MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a MGG T-Shirt! The MGG Merch Store is Live! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Pilot Pete-QT-Customize macOS Finder icons 00:03:37 Jonathan-QT-Put your Apple Watch in Low Power Mode during extended workout sessions 00:06:00 PilotPete-QT-Getting to earlier messages quickly 00:09:14 NASANut-Try the Terminal if you can’t see macOS 27 in Software Update softwareupdate –list-full-installers softwareupdate –fetch-full-installer –full-installer-version 27.0.1 Dash for macOS 00:16:32 PorthosJon-QT-Run multiple Claude Desktop Apps for work/home For a second account I have it running `open -n -a “Claude” –args –user-data-dir=”$HOME/.claude-instances/work”` Sponsors 00:20:50 SPONSOR: CleanMyMac. Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use our code MACGEEK for 20% off at https://clnmy.com/MACGEEK 00:22:06 SPONSOR: Proton VPN. Unlike most VPNs, Proton is backed by strong European privacy laws, and, right now, Proton VPN is offering our listeners 70% off a two year plan when you go to https://ProtonVPN.com/MGG Your Questions Answered – feedback@macgeekgab.com 00:23:41 Terry-Can I migrate from a phone running an iOS beta? 00:27:48 Are Pete and Dave still getting iPhone Duo? 00:29:14 Barry-Should I be running Mail.app to take advantage of Apple Intelligence? hybridsearchd high CPU usage is often triggered by Smart Mailboxes using “Entire Message” criteria 00:35:21 Robb-DGC-Make sure Siri can see your apps’ data 00:37:22 Siri Can Answer Tech Support Questions About Your Mac Try asking “Why did that fail?” and it might just tell you! Sponsors 00:45:51 SPONSOR: Shopify. If you’re ready to stop putting off your business and start selling, sign up for your free trial and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/MGG 00:46:58 SPONSOR: Origin is endpoint AI observability. See what a trace looks like at https://originhq.com/macgeekgab MOAR Questions Answered and Tips shared – feedback@macgeekgab.com 00:48:13 NASANut-How do you connect to your DiskStations? MariusHosting.com 00:55:32 James-1161-Apple replaced our Apple Watches when we repaired our batteries 00:57:35 Martin-1161-Apple Watch warranty replacements might display O2 Cool Stuff Found 00:58:48 Andrew-CSF-SetShot to track macOS Settings Changes 01:01:59 Allison-CSF-Marked QL QuickLook plugin (in Setapp, too) Marked 3 01:05:47 Terry-CSF-Limitless iPhone Duo Case 01:10:12 Apple will replace Duo folding screen 01:12:23 MGG 1163 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 iOS app Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network