How to Set Up Focus Mode on Your iPhone

The iPhone is an incredible device, though it can be a troubling distraction when it comes time to focus. I often need some peace and quiet when I’m working on an article, but as someone who writes about cell phones and tech, I can’t simply turn my phone off and buckle down. I literally need my phone to complete my work, though I also need to tune out its many bells and whistles that can get me sidetracked. Luckily, Apple has a solution embedded in iOS: Focus Mode.

Focus Mode allows you to disable certain notifications, apps, and abilities for extended periods of time, including during sleep and work. Rather than simply powering down, Focus Mode allows you to use it productively, free of distractions.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to create a custom Focus, the differences between the many Focus Mode types, and how to turn Focus Mode on and off. Read on to learn more.

Setting up Focus Mode

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Setting up Focus Mode isn’t complicated, but it is multi-faceted. First, you’ll need to create a Focus. After that, you’ll need to customize its settings.

Create a Focus on iPhone

Before you turn Focus Mode on or off, you’ll need to set a specific Focus for use:

1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap Focus.



3. Choose from one of the Focus types on the page or add an additional one by tapping (+) in the top right corner.

A default Focus blocks all notifications from people and apps. It can be turned on whenever you want to use it. You can also customize a Focus, which allows you to schedule it for a certain time, filter important phone calls, and more.

Focus Mode types

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Focus Mode is a setting that comes in many different forms, with each Focus Mode type doing something unique. Let’s take a look at each of the preset Focus Modes available for use.

Do Not Disturb

Do Not Disturb is the original and most basic Focus type. In short, it blocks distractions while you’re at work, at dinner, or doing anything that requires your absolute attention. You can customize the contacts and apps you’d like to silence or permit, as well as set a schedule for the Focus’ duration.

Driving Focus

Like the more general Do Not Disturb, the Driving Focus allows you to filter and block messages from certain contacts. Driving also allows you to set auto-reply messages so your contacts know you’re not ignoring them.

The most impressive feature of the Driving Focus is that you can enable it to turn on automatically when you start driving. I always connect my iPhone to my car’s CarPlay whenever I’m driving, so I’ve set the Driving Focus to activate alongside CarPlay, preventing me from possibly forgetting to turn the Focus on myself.

Fitness Focus

Like the other Focus Modes, the Fitness Focus allows you to set a schedule and filter and block messages from certain contacts and apps. That’s especially helpful for a workout—it’s important to focus on the task at hand when you’re in the middle of a deadlift!

If you sport an Apple Watch and have it enabled to track your movement, then you can set the Fitness Focus to begin anytime you start a workout. Simply tap Workout, then Turn On Automatically.

Gaming Focus

The Gaming Focus also allows you to set a schedule and customize permissions for contacts and apps. In addition, you can have the Focus automatically kick in whenever you connect a wireless controller to your iPhone. To do that, tap Wireless Controller, then Turn On Automatically.

Mindfulness Focus

Like the other Focus types, the Mindfulness Focus also allows you to set a schedule and customize permissions for contacts and apps. If you use Apple’s Mindfulness app, you can enable the Mindfulness Focus to begin whenever you start a session by tapping Mindfulness, then Turn On Automatically.

Personal Focus

The Personal Focus is almost identical to Do Not Disturb. The only difference is the ability to enable Smart Activation, which turns the Personal Focus on automatically when you’re using apps associated with it or when you’re in places where you usually enable this Focus Mode.

If you’d like to enable Smart Activation, you can tap on Smart Activation, then toggle the Smart Activation switch on.

Reading Focus

The Reading Focus is nearly identical to the Personal Focus, with the ability to set a schedule and customize permissions. It also allows for Smart Activation, allowing you to trigger your Reading Focus whenever you open Apple’s Books app. To do that, tap Smart Activation, then toggle the Smart Activation switch on.

Sleep Focus

The Sleep Focus also allows you to customize permissions for contacts and apps. If you want to set a schedule, it’ll link to Apple’s Health app, where you’ll be able to set up a holistic sleep schedule, including reminders for winding down and hitting the hay. If you want to do that, scroll down to Schedule and tap Set Up Sleep in Health.

Work Focus

Like the other Focus types, the Work Focus also allows you to set a schedule, customize permissions for contacts and apps, and enable Smart Activation, which automatically turns the app on when you use work-related apps or arrive at your office. If you’d like to do that, tap Smart Activation, then toggle the Smart Activation switch on.

Customize Focus Mode

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Each Focus Mode type has its own settings, though you’ll quickly find that most are nearly identical. Here’s how to customize each different kind of Focus.

Silence all contacts

If you want to use Focus Mode to avoid distractions from certain contacts, tap People > Silence Notifications From. Tap Add People to add those contacts to your Focus’ block list.

Silence contacts with specific exceptions

If you want to use Focus Mode to avoid distractions from all contacts except for a few VIPs, tap People > Allow Notifications From. Tap Add People to add those contacts to your Focus’ list of exceptions.

Silence all apps

If you want to use Focus Mode to avoid distractions from certain apps, tap Apps > Silence Notifications From > Add Apps to add those apps to your Focus’ block list.

Silence apps with specific exceptions

If you want to use Focus Mode to avoid distractions from all apps except for a few (like those you use for work), tap Allow Notifications From. Tap Add Apps to add those apps to your Focus mode’s list of exceptions.

Set a Focus schedule

If you want to set a schedule for your Focus, tap Add Schedule. Schedules can be set by Time, Location, or App. Personally, I find the Time option to be the most helpful; I don’t like enabling my location and I am often using Focus Mode to get away from my phone rather than use it more intently.

How to turn on Focus Mode

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Now that you’ve set up Focus Mode, you can put it to use. Here’s how to turn on Focus Mode:

1. Go to your Home screen.
2. Pull down on the upper right-hand corner of your screen to open Control Center.



3. Tap Focus.



4. Tap the Focus you’d like to turn on.



5. If you want to change the settings to a Focus for this particular instance, tap on the ellipsis icon (...) to open basic schedule changes. If you need to make more in-depth changes, tap Settings to open the full settings for that Focus.

How to turn off Focus Mode

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If you want to turn off Focus Mode before your Focus is scheduled to end, you can do so with just a few taps. Here’s how:

1. Go to your Home screen.
2. Pull down on the upper right-hand corner of your screen to open Control Center.



3. Tap Focus.



4. Tap the Focus that’s currently on to turn it off.

How do I get my iPhone out of Do Not Disturb mode?

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Getting your iPhone out of Do Not Disturb mode is no different from turning off Focus Mode. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your Home screen.
2. Pull down on the upper right-hand corner of your screen to open Control Center.



3. Tap Do Not Disturb.



4. Tap the larger Do Not Disturb button, which will turn from white to black. That means it’s off.