How to Use Focus Mode on iPhone (2025 Guide)

Introduction

Do you often get distracted by notifications while working, sleeping, or spending time with loved ones? If so, Apple’s Focus Mode in iOS 18 is the productivity feature you didn’t know you needed. Introduced with iOS 15 and enhanced in later updates, Focus Mode allows users to personalize their notification experience based on their current activity—whether it’s work, sleep, driving, or even reading.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything about using Focus Mode on your iPhone—from setting it up to customizing automations—so you can take control of your time and attention.

What is Focus Mode on iPhone?

Focus Mode is Apple’s advanced version of Do Not Disturb. It lets you create specific profiles (called “Focuses”) that control which apps and people can send you notifications during particular times or activities.

Each Focus can:

• Silence unwanted notifications.
• Allow specific apps and contacts.
• Automatically activate based on time, location, or app usage.
• Customize Home and Lock Screen appearances.

Focus Modes are perfect for:

• Improving productivity at work.
• Ensuring uninterrupted sleep.
• Creating distraction-free personal time.
• Managing screen time effectively.

Why Use Focus Mode?

Here’s why Focus Mode is more powerful than simply silencing your iPhone:

• ✅ Customization: Different profiles for different life situations.
• ✅ Automation: Focuses can turn on automatically.
• ✅ Improved Mental Health: Reduces digital fatigue by minimizing distractions.
• ✅ Cross-Device Syncing: Focus settings sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

How to Access Focus Mode

To access Focus Mode:

1. Go to Settings > Focus
2. Or, swipe down from the top-right of the screen to open Control Center, then tap Focus.

Default Focus Modes

iOS comes with several prebuilt Focus modes you can activate or customize:

1. Do Not Disturb: Silences all notifications.
2. Sleep: Helps wind down before bed and minimizes disruptions.
3. Work: Allows only work-related notifications.
4. Personal: Helps disconnect from work.
5. Driving: Blocks notifications while you’re behind the wheel.
6. Fitness, Reading, Mindfulness, Gaming: Added in newer versions of iOS.

How to Set Up Focus Mode on iPhone

Let’s walk through how to set up a new Focus from scratch.

Step 1: Open Focus Settings

• Go to Settings > Focus
• Tap the + button to add a new Focus

Step 2: Choose a Focus Type

Choose from:

• A suggested focus (like Work, Fitness, Gaming, etc.)
• Or tap Custom to create your own

Step 3: Name and Icon

• Give your Focus a name
• Choose a color and icon for easy identification

Step 4: Choose Allowed People

• Tap People > Allow Notifications From
• Add specific contacts you want to receive calls or messages from

Step 5: Choose Allowed Apps

• Tap Apps > Allow Notifications From
• Select apps that are essential during this Focus

Step 6: Customize Lock and Home Screens

• Tap Customize Screens
• Choose or create a Home Screen to show during this Focus
• Dim Lock Screen or hide notification badges

Step 7: Add Focus Filters

• Filters can limit content in apps like Mail, Calendar, and Safari
• Example: Only see work emails during Work Focus

Step 8: Set Automation Rules

• Tap Add Schedule or Automation
• Choose:
  • Time: Turn on at 9 AM, off at 5 PM
  • Location: Auto-activate at your office
  • App: Turn on Focus when opening a specific app

How to Use Focus Mode from Control Center

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Tap Focus.
3. Select the Focus you want to activate.
4. Long-press a Focus to access more options:
   • Turn on for 1 hour
   • Until this evening
   • Until I leave this location

How to Edit or Delete a Focus

1. Go to Settings > Focus
2. Tap on the Focus you want to edit
3. Make any changes
4. Scroll down and tap Delete Focus if you want to remove it

How to Share Focus Status

When Focus is enabled, you can let others know you’re unavailable.

• Go to Settings > Focus
• Tap on a Focus
• Select Focus Status
• Toggle Share Focus Status ON

This shows a small message in apps like Messages letting others know you’ve silenced notifications.

Focus Filters: Advanced Use Case

Focus Filters are powerful for work-life balance. You can:

• Show only work calendars during Work Focus
• Filter Safari tabs to only show work or research-related sites
• Limit Mail to only your work email inbox

To set up:

1. Go to Settings > Focus > [Your Focus]
2. Tap Add Filter
3. Select an app and choose what content to show

Focus Across Apple Devices

One of Focus Mode’s best features is cross-device syncing. If you turn on Focus on your iPhone, it automatically applies to your iPad and Mac (if using the same Apple ID).

To enable/disable:

• Go to Settings > Focus
• Toggle Share Across Devices

Tips to Get the Most Out of Focus Mode

Here are some power-user tips to fully leverage Focus Mode:

• 🧠 Use Widgets: Customize your Home Screen with widgets relevant to your Focus (e.g., Calendar, Reminders).
• ⏱️ Schedule Focus: Automate sleep, work, and fitness schedules so you never forget to activate them.
• 📵 Use Driving Focus with CarPlay: It helps you stay safe by reducing distractions while driving.
• 🧘 Use Mindfulness Focus for meditation: Sync with Health or meditation apps for a quiet zone.
• 🛑 Silence Notifications from Specific Apps Only: Instead of full Do Not Disturb, fine-tune what gets through.

Common Problems and Fixes

Notifications Still Coming Through?

• Double-check allowed apps/people in the Focus settings
• Make sure the Focus is active
• Check if Urgent notifications are allowed

Focus Not Syncing Across Devices?

• Ensure you’re signed in to the same Apple ID on all devices
• Enable Share Across Devices

Driving Focus Turns on Automatically?

• Go to Settings > Focus > Driving
• Tap While Driving > Choose Manually

Final Thoughts

Focus Mode on iPhone is a powerful tool that allows you to take charge of your digital wellbeing. Whether you’re working, relaxing, sleeping, or simply trying to reduce your screen time, Focus Mode helps you stay in control.

With features like scheduled automation, app filtering, custom Home Screens, and shared status, Focus Mode is more than just a Do Not Disturb upgrade—it’s a personalized environment designed to match your lifestyle.

👉 Looking for more ways to protect your digital life? Check out our guide on How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram.

FAQs

Can I have multiple Focus Modes active at once?

No, you can only enable one Focus at a time, but each Focus can be highly customized.

Will I miss emergency calls or messages?

No, you can allow emergency contacts to bypass Focus or allow repeated calls to come through.

Does Focus Mode affect alarms?

No. Alarms will still sound even when Focus is enabled.