How to Turn on Do Not Disturb on iPhone In 3 Steps, With Photos

Key Points

• Do Not Disturb on iPhone is a valuable feature that helps you filter out unwanted calls, texts, and alerts during designated moments of downtime.
• It can be used for sleep, work, and entertainment purposes, allowing you to have an undisturbed night’s sleep, stay focused during work or important meetings, and keep your phone quiet during entertainment events.
• To turn on Do Not Disturb on iPhone, open Control Center, tap and hold the Focus button, choose Do Not Disturb, and select the desired duration.

Did you know your iPhone has a special feature that silences all notifications and calls and even keeps your screen from lighting up? It’s called Do Not Disturb, and it’s one of several Focus modes on your iOS device. From its many convenient uses to its long list of customizations, you should consider taking advantage of Do Not Disturb on iPhone. Allow us to explain some key uses for the mode and walk you through how to turn the feature on and off.

Why Turn on Do Not Disturb on iPhone?

Do Not Disturb on the iPhone is one of the most valuable features on iOS today. The Focus mode helps you take control of your device’s notifications, allowing you to filter out any unwanted calls, texts, or alerts during designated moments of downtime. Let’s talk about a few instances where Do Not Disturb might come in handy. From sleeping to working to entertaining, here are three common reasons to turn on Do Not Disturb mode.

Sleep

One of the most practical uses of Do Not Disturb mode is ensuring an undisturbed night’s sleep. Activate Do Not Disturb on your iPhone before heading to bed, and you can sleep peacefully without being woken up by any incoming calls or messages. Of course, you can always customize the feature to allow certain contacts through in case of an emergency.

Work

Do Not Disturb on the iPhone also comes in handy when you’re trying to be productive. Whether you’re working on the job, studying for an exam, or seated in an important meeting, you can switch on Do Not Disturb and stay focused the entire time. As an added bonus, you can also allow people trying to reach you via text to send their message with urgency and break through the Do Not Disturb barrier.

Entertainment

Nobody wants to be that person with their ringtone blasting full volume in the middle of a production. Whether you’re watching a movie, attending a play, or enjoying a live concert, Do Not Disturb can help you keep your phone quiet during any big entertainment event. Apple Watch users also have their own Do Not Disturb mode for these instances, dubbed Theater Mode.

How to Turn on Do Not Disturb on iPhone

Now that you understand the purpose and the benefit of Do Not Disturb on the iPhone, let’s explain how to turn on the mode in the first place. In a few quick steps, you’ll be enjoying the benefits of a silent, notification-free phone. This process will work for both iPhones and iPads alike. You can also access Do Not Disturb and other Focus tools from the Control Center on your Mac. Here’s how it’s done.

Step One: Open Control Center

First, open Control Center by swiping your finger down on the top right corner of your iPhone screen. Below the Orientation Lock and Screen Mirror buttons, you should see a button labeled Focus.

Step Two: Tap and Hold Focus

Next, press and hold the Focus button identified above. This will reveal several different Focus modes that come pre-installed on your iPhone. The one we want, Do Not Disturb, is at the top of the list. Tap the three dots to reveal more options.

Step Three: Turn on Do Not Disturb

Last, choose if you want to activate Do Not Disturb on your iPhone for one hour, until the evening, or for a custom duration (to be determined by tapping Settings). Make your selection, then return to Control Center. You can toggle Do Not Disturb on or off by tapping the button with the purple crescent.

Customize Do Not Disturb Settings

The iPhone comes equipped with various Focus modes beyond Do Not Disturb. These modes allow for customizations, permitting you to tailor your device’s notifications to match your specific needs and activities — day or night. Whether you’re working, relaxing, or even sleeping, these modes help you avoid distractions so you can stay in the zone.

We already know the purpose of Do Not Disturb, but what about the other Focus modes? After Do Not Disturb comes “Personal” Focus mode. This mode lets you prioritize certain notifications from selected friends and family while silencing the less important ones from those not on the list. There’s also “Work” Focus mode, which lets you allow notifications only from specific work contacts and productivity apps relevant to your field. Last is “Sleep” Focus mode, which automatically enables “Do Not Disturb” and dims the screen during your specific sleeping hours.

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll notice an option to create a New Focus. Tap this, and you’ll see a pop-up menu appear on the screen. It gives you a variety of presets — from Driving to Fitness to Gaming and so on — and allows you to customize your specific needs from there. Choose the time frame you want to use the mode as well as the apps and contacts you want to allow to reach you when activated. It’s an incredibly valuable tool when used to your advantage.

Summary Table

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