Minecraft
Blocks, builds and adventures
Building, exploring and messing about with chat. A community server for the Phantom Seekers is on the way.
> kia ora, I'm Byte
REALPhantomByte
Lost in the code. Found in the game.
Part-time streamer from Aotearoa New Zealand. I play Minecraft and Roblox, and I run a tech news show about Windows and Apple. This channel is a safe space for every Phantom Seeker.
01010010 01010000 01000010
/streams
What I stream
Games when I want to play, tech news when there's something new to talk about. Follow on Twitch or Kick to get a ping when I go live.
Roblox · ER:LC
On patrol in Liberty County
Calls, pursuits and plenty of chaos in Emergency Response: Liberty County. One of my favourite games right now.
Roblox · SCP
Containment breach
Keycards, lockdowns and running from things that should stay locked up. I'm a little obsessed.
Tech news show
Windows and Apple updates
I'm a big tech nerd. I go through what's new, what got fixed, and whether you should update, live with chat.
Read Byte-Sized News →
/news
Byte-Sized News
The news from my tech show, in a few bites. Missed the stream? Catch up here.
Edition #2A scam landed in my own inbox this week, plus the last ever update for Windows 11 24H2.
Scam alertMicrosoft
That "family group" invite is a scam
- A fake Temu voucher advert is going around as a Microsoft Family Safety invite. I got one myself.
- The email is really from Microsoft, from familysafety@microsoft.com. That's what makes it so sneaky.
- The trick: a scammer makes a Microsoft account and types the advert as their name. Microsoft's own system then emails it to you.
- If you tap Accept, that stranger becomes an Organizer in a family group with you. Organizers can set screen time limits, review your activity, block sites, see your searches in Edge, and see your spending.
- Never type a web address from one of these. There's no link to click, so they want you to type it in yourself.
What should you do?Delete it. Don't tap Accept, and check account.microsoft.com/family for groups you don't know.
Sources: TechCrunch · Microsoft: family roles
Windows13 Oct
Patch Tuesday: 4 handy new bits
- The October security update starts rolling out on 13 October, and it installs by itself.
- New: apps can always open maximised (Settings › Accessibility › Visual Effects).
- New: the Copilot key can be turned into Right Ctrl or the menu key (Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Keyboard).
- File Explorer now previews PDFs on its own, and remembers which Home sections you had open.
- It's for 26H2, 25H2 and 24H2, and it's the same update on all three.
Should you update?Yes, let it install.
Sources: Windows Central
Windows24H2
Last call: 24H2 stops getting updates
- 13 October is the very last security update for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro.
- After that, no more security fixes. That's risky to stay on.
- Check which one you're on: Settings › System › About.
- Moving to 25H2 or 26H2 is a small download if you're up to date.
Should you update?Yes, move to 25H2 or 26H2 this week.
Sources: Windows Central
Older editions
Edition #1The biggest Windows, Apple and NVIDIA news, in a few bites.
Windows26H2
Windows 11 26H2 is here
- It started rolling out on 29 September.
- It's a tiny download (about 174 KB) if your PC is on 24H2 or 25H2 and up to date. It just switches on features that are already there.
- There's not much new, but your PC gets updates for longer: Home and Pro until October 2028.
- Get it: Settings › Windows Update › Check for updates.
Should you update?Yes, when it shows up.
Sources: Windows Latest · PCWorld
Windows24H2
24H2 stops getting updates on 13 October
- Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro get their last security update on 13 October.
- After that there are no more security fixes, which is risky.
- Not sure which one you have? Settings › System › About.
Should you update?Yes, move to 25H2 or 26H2 now.
Sources: Eleven Forum
AppleiOS 27
iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate are out
- Out since 14 September for every iPhone that ran iOS 26 (iPhone 11 and newer).
- The new Siri AI needs an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. It's free for now.
- Liquid Glass gets a slider, from clear to tinted.
- macOS Golden Gate needs a Mac with Apple silicon.
Should you update?Yes, it has settled in.
Apple27.0.1
iOS 27.0.1 fixes Face ID
- Out on 28 September.
- Fixes Face ID problems and surprise restarts on the iPhone 18 Pro.
- Fixes a freeze when Notification Center and Control Center opened at the same time.
- Coming next: iOS 27.2 is in beta, with a new Health app.
Should you update?Yes, especially on an iPhone 18 Pro.
Sources: MacRumors · MacRumors: 27.2 beta
NVIDIA617.42
Last Game Ready drivers for Windows 10
- NVIDIA's last Windows 10 Game Ready driver comes out this month.
- From November, new drivers need Windows 11.
- Windows 10 still gets security driver fixes every 3 months until October 2029.
- The newest driver, 617.42, is ready for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Should you update?Yes. And if you game on Windows 10, plan your move to Windows 11.
/community
A safe space for every Phantom Seeker. Come as you are, and take a break from everything for a while.Read the Seeker Promise →
- Play togetherHop in the game with me in Minecraft or Roblox.
- ChatSay kia ora in chat and come hang out.
- Voice chatHang out in the Discord voice channels.
- Join the DiscordStay in touch between streams.
- Just chillLurk, listen and escape from life for a bit. That counts too.
/promise
The Seeker Promise
This is how we treat each other here: in chat, in the Discord, in game and in voice.
- Be kind.Treat everyone like a friend, even when you disagree.
- No hate. Ever.No racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism or bullying.
- Everyone is welcome.New or old, chatter or lurker. Lurking counts too.
- Keep it private.Never share anyone's personal info, and keep yours safe too.
- Respect “no”.If someone doesn't want to talk about something, let it go.
- Leave drama at the door.This is a place to take a break from it.
- Look out for each other.If someone is struggling, be kind and tell a mod.
- Listen to the mods.They keep this place safe. If they ask you to stop, please stop.
Having a hard time? You're not alone.
We care about you, but we're not counsellors. These people are trained to help:
- Need to talk?Call or text 1737Free, any time
- Youthline0800 376 633or text 234
- Lifeline0800 543 354or text 4357
- Emergency111Police, fire or ambulance
Outside New Zealand? Find a helpline near you at findahelpline.com.
/name
What's in a name
Real
Honestly? Just random. It sounded right.
Phantom
Ghostly things are my favourite thing. That's where the Phantom Seekers get their name.
Byte
As in a computer byte: 8 bits. RPB in bytes is 01010010 01010000 01000010. And the tiniest bit? That's Bit 👻
/bit
Meet Bit
A byte is made of 8 bits. Bit is the tiniest one, so this little ghost is Byte's tiny sidekick.
- Lives inByte's PC, and on your screen during streams.
- LovesHide and seek, saying boo, and big purple moons.
- Scared ofThe Blue Screen of Death.
- Favourite snackCookies. The computer kind, too.
🔍 Catch Bit on stream!
Bit hides on the screen now and then. Be the first to type
!catch to win a point. Golden Bit is worth 3! ✨
/wallpapers
Free wallpapers
Phantom wallpapers for your PC, Mac and phone. They're free for every Seeker. Pick one and choose your screen.
Ghost edition
Cute ghosts, calm colours.
Dark edition
Made to match the RealPhantomByte logo: purple paint, chains and crowns.
PC 3840×2160 (4K, fits any 16:9 screen) · Mac 3840×2400 · Phone 1290×2796
/merch
Merch is coming 👀
Phantom Seekers gear is in the works. Follow on Twitch or Kick, or join the Discord, to hear about it first.
status: in the works
PHANTOM SEEKERS
COMING SOON
/links
Find me
Twitchtwitch.tv/realphantombyte
KKickkick.com/officialphantombyte
YouTube@OfficialPhantomByte
Discorddiscord.gg/8Db6s4xnMG
TikToktiktok.com/@realphantombyte
All my linkslinktr.ee/officialphantombyte
Want to support the stream?Tips are always optional. Lurking and chatting count just as much 💜
Open the tip jar