Please explain “Focus” to me

[Alameda]

I used to have my phone automatically go to Do Not Disturb from 10pm to 6am. This was especially useful when traveling abroad.

But I cannot understand the new Focus Modes. Can someone please explain them? I’d sure appreciate it! For instance, how do I have No Focus?

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Isn't that self-explanatory if you look at the settings for "Focus"?

 

[Idun098TZZ]

Hi,
It's very useful when you're trying to "Focus" on something, it allows you to block out any distracting apps. The feature helps to set notification, call, and message filters, as well as an auto-reply to others when you are unavailable. You can customize and get some interesting automatization as well.
Cheers

 

[MisterSavage]

So a friend of mine who is a nurse has a work focus. When he's at work he has only one home screen that contains medical/work apps. He says's it's super handy to have them front and center and he doesn't have to have apps he shouldn't be using at work sending him notifications at work. Some people have tried to portray Focus modes as only for people with no self control but that's not the case at all.

 

[Alameda]

Isn't that self-explanatory if you look at the settings for "Focus"?

If I understood it, I wouldn’t ask, and then I wouldn’t need to read your snarky comment.

 

[Alameda]

It's very useful when you're trying to "Focus" on something, it allows you to block out any distracting apps. The feature helps to set notification, call, and message filters, as well as an auto-reply to others when you are unavailable. You can customize and get some interesting automatization as well.
Cheers

What’s the mode of I don’t want any focus? Like I want my phone to ring?

 

[Abazigal]

I find that focus mode is quite useful for people who like having multiple different homescreens, but dislike swiping through them.

For example, on my ipad, I have a focus mode for when I am in class teaching. When activated, DnD means I don’t get interrupted by incoming notifications, and I am presented with a custom homescreen with the apps that I use for teaching (while also hiding all my other homescreens). I also use shortcuts to get in and out of this focus mode.

Pretty convenient.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

If I understood it, I wouldn’t ask, and then I wouldn’t need to read your snarky comment.

If you select a Focus, like "Personal" for example, you see different options with descriptions on what these options do. That doesn't give you any ideas?
And the mode, if you don't want any Focus, is just not have any Focus turned on.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Set up a Focus on iPhone

Set up a Focus on iPhone to help you concentrate by reducing distractions.

support.apple.com

How to use Focus mode in iOS 15

iOS 15 introduces a new Focus mode — here's how to use it to reduce distractions

www.tomsguide.com

17 Best Tips to Use and Customize Focus Modes on iPhone - TechWiser

Curious about the new Focus mode on iPhone? Check out the best tips and tricks to use Focus mode on iOS.

techwiser.com

 

[pianostar9]

I used to have my phone automatically go to Do Not Disturb from 10pm to 6am.

You can actually still set it up that way in iOS 15 according to Apple's support page.

All you have to do is tap Do Not Disturb in the Focus settings and use the "Add Schedule" button to configure a time.

 

[Night Spring]

Focus is just Do Not Disturb, but now it's customizable. You can keep a DND Focus that works just as DND before, and then you can create other Focuses, such as Work, Personal, Studying, etc. For each Focus, you can pick and chose which notifications are allowed. So while you are at work, you might want to allow notifications from your colleagues but no notifications from your friends, and vice versa for your personal hours.

 

[EmotionalSnow]

What’s the mode of I don’t want any focus? Like I want my phone to ring?

When no focus mode is active, your phone will behave like it did in previous iOS versions when Do Not Disturb was off. So, to ensure that your phone will ring just turn off the active focus mode (and make sure the mute switch on the side of your phone is in the right position).

 

[Alameda]

When no focus mode is active, your phone will behave like it did in previous iOS versions when Do Not Disturb was off. So, to ensure that your phone will ring just turn off the active focus mode (and make sure the mute switch on the side of your phone is in the right position).

Thank you. Now I see. The part that was confusing me is that it still said “Focus,” and for some reason, my friends were telling me that my text messages were returning “Not receiving notifications” responses from my phone.

 

[44267547]

Focus is just Do Not Disturb, but now it's customizable. You can keep a DND Focus that works just as DND before, and then you can create other Focuses, such as Work, Personal, Studying, etc. For each Focus, you can pick and chose which notifications are allowed. So while you are at work, you might want to allow notifications from your colleagues but no notifications from your friends, and vice versa for your personal hours.

Nice summary. I didn’t think of it like that, that ‘Focus’ is very similar to ‘do not disturb’, but I like that it’s more customizable.

 

[NoBoMac]

and for some reason, my friends were telling me that my text messages were returning “Not receiving notifications” responses from my phone.

That's an option on Focus, Focus Status. When a Focus is turned on and this option is turned on, other's will get an FYI that you are in a Focus mode. Go into your DnD Focus and toggle that option off if it's an issue.

 

[NoBoMac]

You can customize and get some interesting automatization as well.

Some people have tried to portray Focus modes as only for people with no self control but that's not the case at all.

I also use shortcuts to get in and out of this focus mode.

All of these. And ditto.

For example, Automations/Shortcuts: I use Focuses for changing my Watch face. A Workout Focus that has a location set for my gym and sole purpose is to change the watch face. Pull up to the gym and watch face gets set to my workout watch face and Workout gets turned off. Start workout via Watch, Fitness turns on. When Fitness Focus turns off, watch face flips back to my normal watch face. Some other Focuses have other locations defined, with similar triggers: arrive at place, change face to something else, and when Focus turns off, flip back to other face.

(I like the Focus way vs location based Automations as Focus does not require action by me vs location Automation needs me to tap "Ok" to have it execute)

EDIT: looks like 15.2 no longer requires response to run a location based Automation, so another viable option, more options for auto-magic.

 

[Tiskers]

I came here searching for info on FOCUS too, because I just don't fully understand it either (although the info here is helping, thank you!)

I thought I was getting a handle on it, and right now just want to have it OFF... but I'm not getting message notifications on my watch, or on my phone, so I'm still confused. I think I boogered something up somewhere in settings, trying too hard. Can anyone advise?

I feel a bit like an idiot here, but I'm definitely having a mental block!

 

[Night Spring]

I came here searching for info on FOCUS too, because I just don't fully understand it either (although the info here is helping, thank you!)

I thought I was getting a handle on it, and right now just want to have it OFF... but I'm not getting message notifications on my watch, or on my phone, so I'm still confused. I think I boogered something up somewhere in settings, trying too hard. Can anyone advise?

I feel a bit like an idiot here, but I'm definitely having a mental block!

What about just deleting all focuses, and starting over?

Also, when you say you aren't getting notifications, do you mean you tried having someone text you, email you, etc, while you are watching your phone/watch waiting for the notification, or you simply haven't gotten any notifications in a while?

 

[Tiskers]

What about just deleting all focuses, and starting over?

Also, when you say you aren't getting notifications, do you mean you tried having someone text you, email you, etc, while you are watching your phone/watch waiting for the notification, or you simply haven't gotten any notifications in a while?

Thank you NS for the reply.

I may just have to delete all focuses and start over... though I'm trying to work through it without that!

Regarding notifications, I was sitting with my MBP and message notifications were coming through there as usual. But no message notifications came on my phone or watch, though as far as I can tell, Focus was not turned on. But when I'd go to messages on my phone, the messages were there.

 

[Night Spring]

Thank you NS for the reply.

I may just have to delete all focuses and start over... though I'm trying to work through it without that!

Regarding notifications, I was sitting with my MBP and message notifications were coming through there as usual. But no message notifications came on my phone or watch, though as far as I can tell, Focus was not turned on. But when I'd go to messages on my phone, the messages were there.

Is your Mac on Monterey? If so, shouldn't Focus Mode carry over to your Mac too?

 

[Bazza1]

It replaces what we used to use - Individual Choice, Willpower and Multi-tasking.
Does it make us more 'efficient' or simply more stupid - which we largely need no help with.

 

[MisterSavage]

Tell us you didn't read the whole thread without telling us you didn't read the whole thread.