Open Settings > Focus and select an existing Focus such as Work, Personal, Sleep, or Do Not Disturb. Create a custom Focus when the activity needs different people, apps, appearance, or activation rules.
2
Configure people
Open People and decide whether the list represents allowed or silenced contacts. Review Calls From and repeated-call behavior so urgent calls are handled intentionally rather than accidentally blocked.
3
Configure apps
Open Apps and choose which apps are allowed or silenced. Enable Time Sensitive Notifications only when those alerts should override the normal filter; app availability and notification controls still apply.
4
Add a schedule or automation
Choose Add Schedule and set a time, location, app, or supported smart activation. Check overlapping Focus schedules because one Focus can replace another and make the final state appear unexpected.
5
Apply Focus filters and appearance
Add supported app or system filters only when useful, such as a calendar, mail account, or appearance setting. Verify what each filter changes before relying on it for privacy or work separation.
6
Review sharing behavior
Choose whether to share Focus status and whether Share Across Devices should synchronize the Focus to other Apple devices. Other people can see only that notifications are silenced, not the Focus name, when status sharing is supported.
7
Test and revise
Turn the Focus on from Control Center, request a test call or notification, and confirm allowed and silenced items behave as intended. Return to Settings > Focus to correct the smallest relevant rule.
If a Focus turns on unexpectedly, inspect every schedule, Smart Activation, app trigger, and Share Across Devices setting. If expected alerts remain silent, check both the Focus list and the app's own notification permission; changing only one layer may not restore delivery.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.
