How to set up focus modes on your iPhone

Apple added focus modes for its iPhone and iPad lineup with its iOS 15, and they have been a game changer ever since. In fact, they’re tailored to ensure they meet the needs of almost every kind of user today. However, if you’re new to the ecosystem, getting your way around the working of this feature may seem complicated.

And we don’t blame you if the initial few times end up confusing you. Keeping that in mind, we’re here to walk you through the process and ensure you’re ‘focusing’ on what’s important in less than no time. Here’s a focus modes 101 for you, along with how to set up each one of them. Read on to know more:

What are focus modes on your iPhone?

We know the struggle of finally setting aside time to work but finding all possible apps bombarding us with notifications while we’re at it. And, let’s face it, it isn’t always the app to blame. As humans, we’re wired to function differently from one another. So, if you’re setting aside time to focus in the night but find yourself distracted by app notifications from your friends, Apple has focus modes to keep you in tune with your tasks without having to silence or switch off your device.

You can find focus modes in your control centre, but they may seem a little challenging at first. A simple tap can switch them on, but there are multiple ways you can tweak their settings. Here’s everything you need to know about them.

Setting up your focus modes

Apart from accessing them through your control centre, you can focus in your settings menu. On tapping it, you will find a list of focus modes you can choose from; these include Do Not Disturb, Sleep, Personal, and Work. Selecting each one of them can take you to customising them individually; however, we’ll get to them later. You will also find a toggle button to switch on if you want to replicate them across all devices (in this case, your Apple Watch or iPad).

Do Not Disturb: As the name suggests, this mode allows you to keep every notification silenced as long as this mode is switched on. On tapping it, you will find an option to customise it with apps and people who are allowed to contact you while your iPhone is set to Do Not Disturb. For everyone and everything else, your device will be unreachable. You even have the option of allowing people to reach you in case they call you multiple times and also if you want to see your silenced notification on the home screen. 

ALSO READ: 5 ways to boost your iPhone’s productivity

Once you’re done adding these basics, you can set a schedule for your focus mode. Adding this will automatically turn them on and off at the scheduled time without you having to remember and switch them on manually. You can even choose a custom wallpaper, watch face and theme if you wish for your chosen focus mode. Lastly, you can use a focus filter to choose how each of your apps will behave when your iPhone is on Do Not Disturb. It is best to keep in mind that your contacts trying to reach you will either meet a busy tone or have an engaged dial tone if you have this focus mode on. 

Sleep: While most functions of other focus modes remain the same, Sleep is another popular mode that most people opt for themselves. Sleep, like Do Not Disturb, silences notifications and only allows certain contacts to connect with you during that time. It gives you a wind-down time before you sleep and gives you an option to set the alarm at your wake-up time. Unlike Do Not Disturb, you can also set this focus mode through the Health app on your iOS devices. 

Work: Likewise, you have another option of setting up a Work focus that lets you customise apps and notifications from your friends during your work hours. However, apart from letting you access the usual functions, this focus has a smart activation feature that accesses your location and device usage to turn this mode on for you. 

While the key functions for your focus modes remain the same, you still have the option to customise your schedule, allow apps or people and even turn on filters for yourself when required. It is crucial to keep in mind that most focus modes if used incorrectly, can cause you to miss out on urgent calls and important notifications. It is best to use them cautiously and explore settings first before switching them on for yourself.