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Hands-On Tech (Audio)

TWiT
Apple
Apple Vision Pro
Apple Watch
Iphone
Icloud
Windows 11
Linux
Iphone 16 Pro Max
Google Photos
Technology
Siri
Multi-Factor Authentication
Macos
Windows 10
Gmail
Usb-C
Iphone 17 Pro Max
Android Auto
Apple Silicon
Windows

Welcome to Hands-On Tech, where host Mikah Sargent turns tech troubles into tech triumphs. Each episode zooms in on a specific theme, unpacking listener questions with expert analysis and easy-to-follow advice. From decoding the latest gadgets to simplifying everyday tech, Mikah's got you covered. Submit your tech queries through email at HOT@twit.tv or via TWiT's social media. You might hear your... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes242Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Latest Episodes

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Denise's question about whether her smart TV is tracking what she watches and how to stop it.

Send in your questions for Mikah to hot@twit.tv, and he'll answer them in a future episode!

Host: Mikah Sa... more

In this episode of Hands-On Tech, Mikah answers Doug's question about why identical-looking USB-C cables can have wildly different charging and data speeds, and how to tell them apart.

Send in your questions for Mikah to hot@twit.tv, and he'll answe... more

On this episode of Hands-On Tech, Marcus asks Mikah whether Matter and Thread are the real solution to smart home ecosystem lock-in, or just more marketing hype.

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv... more

On Hands-On Tech, Eleanor asks Mikah how to transition away from her long-standing ISP email address without losing access to the important accounts tied to it.

Don't forget to send in your questions for Mikah to answer during the show! hot@twit.tv more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Host

Mikah Sargent
Host of Hands-On Tech, focused on turning tech troubles into practical, repeatable solutions.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • Leo was far FAR left but decent on tech

    New guy hides his far left-ness BUT gets the tech wrong. 5 minutes of ads even mid sentence to push nonsense unread by the host ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    boyfromthedwarf9
    United Statesa year ago
  • Ads With A Little Tech Talk

    Just listened to the latest episode. At least half of it was ads plus the obligatory plug for Club TWIT. I don’t blame Mikah but the format is awful and way too short with way too many ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MichaelHarmon
    United Statesa year ago
  • Not good since the format change

    This used to be my go-to podcast for weekly tech news - it had a good mix of news, “live” troubleshooting, and interesting tech topics. New format is too troubleshooting focused. I used to be excited about what I would discover in the next episode…now, I look at the show notes before I play it. I have skipped a lot of these episodes in the recent months.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NHW1055
    United Statesa year ago
  • Not a subscriber

    Some good information but making everything subscriber after a certain amount of time is lame.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    sometimesbeard
    United Statesa year ago
  • Not hands on

    The new format without Leo and call- ins just doesn’t have an exciting listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CNS1978
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The depth and clarity of explanations are commonly praised, though some listeners miss earlier formats or personalities.
Listeners value practical, step-by-step guidance and real-world setup tips.
Ads and sponsorships are frequently noted in feedback, with mixed reactions to format changes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#136
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#219
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#224
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#38
Indonesia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#66
Philippines/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#150
Finland/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

HOT 273: ISP Email - Switch Email Providers Safely
Q: What should I do first when migrating away from an ISP email address?
Start with creating a mailbox you own, set up forwarding to the new address, and use the old account to import existing mail and contacts, then update recovery options and important accounts in priority order.
HOT 274: Smart Home Recommendations - Matter & Thread Explained
Q: Marcus, from Columbus, Ohio, asks how to shop for Matter and Thread without getting burned and whether they're just marketing terms.
Mikah explains that Matter and Thread are real technologies with practical benefits, especially local control and reduced vendor lock-in, but cautions that you should look for border routers, check packaging for Matter over Thread versus Matter over Wi-Fi, and verify cloud requirements to avoid forced internet dependence.
HOT 269: Windows Home Server - Reviving an Old Windows Home Server
Q: I've got a question from David: with an old Windows Home Server, is there a good use for it as a backup or something now that fiber Internet is available?
The host explains that WHS itself should not be brought back online due to lack of security updates, and recommends repurposing the hardware by wiping the OS and installing a maintained NAS OS like TrueNAS, OMV, or Unraid, which can function as a local backup target and media server while keeping data protected.
HOT 270: Troubleshooting External Storage - Optimizing Your External Drive's Performance
Q: How should external drives be formatted for best performance across platforms and what cables should be used? Should a Thunderbolt drive be purchased?
Format drives to the appropriate file system for the main platform in use (APFS for Mac-only setups, exFAT for cross-platform use), use high-quality cables (prefer Thunderbolt-certified cables) to maximize speed, and consider Thunderbolt 4/5 drives for higher throughput; upgrading to a Thunderbolt drive can yield speeds approaching internal SSDs, especially with NVMe inside an enclosure.
HOT 272: Robocalls - Stopping Robocallers
Q: Big Jim asks how to handle robocalls and text spam, especially across iPhone and Android, without becoming overwhelmed by blocking one number at a time.
Mikah explains that mass blocking is ineffective due to spoofing; instead, enable device and carrier-level filtering (Screen Unknown Callers / spam filtering on iPhone, and similar protections on Android), use carrier services like Active Armor or Call Filter, and avoid engaging with unknown numbers to stop signals that keep scammers active. He also advises reporting spam to carriers and authorities to help shut down abuse.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Hands-On Tech

What is Hands-On Tech about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Hands-On Tech focuses on practical tech guidance, with episodes built around listener questions and hands-on demonstrations. Topics regularly cover hardware networking, operating system tips, software utilities, and troubleshooting workflows, always with clear, actionable steps. A standout aspect is the emphasis on local control, practical setups, and realistic trade-offs (e.g., wired access points vs. mesh, managing new apps and platforms, and cross-device workflows). The format often includes step-by-step instructions, gear recommendations, and troubleshooting when things go wrong, making it especially useful for tech-savvy listeners who want tangible results. The show tends to blend clean, friendly delivery with in-depth nerdy detail, wh... more

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How many listeners does Hands-On Tech get?

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How many subscribers and views does Hands-On Tech have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Hands-On Tech has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Hands-On Tech?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hands-On Tech:

1. iOS Today (Audio)
2. Rich On Tech
3. This Week in Tech (Audio)
4. MacBreak Weekly (Audio)
5. Tech News Weekly (Audio)

How many episodes of Hands-On Tech are there?

Hands-On Tech launched 21 years ago and published 242 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Hands-On Tech?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Hands-On Tech?

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What guests have appeared on Hands-On Tech?

Recent guests on Hands-On Tech include:

1. Chris Marquardt
2. Scott Wilkinson
3. Dick DeBartolo
4. Sam Abuelsamid
5. Anthony Henderson
6. Father Robert Ballecer
7. Johnny Jet
8. Rod Pyle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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