How to Create a Custom Focus Mode on iPhone

Apple has reinvented the Do Not Disturb mode on iPhone with iOS 15. The new Focus Mode is an upgraded version of the DND toggle in the Control Center, featuring dedicated profiles. iOS 15 also introduces customizable Focus profiles. To set up Focus Mode, follow these steps.

To create a custom Focus mode profile on iPhone, it’s important to understand the Focus mode in iOS 15.

What Is Focus Mode on iPhone

Focus Mode takes DND to the next level with custom profiles and settings. Apple has added default Focus profiles like DND, Personal, Sleep, Driving, and Work.

You can enable a Focus profile based on your preference and continue in a quiet environment.

The system disables notifications and pop-ups from specific apps and contacts. You can also design the homepage and place widgets for the Focus mode.

The default Focus profiles are fine. But what if you want to create a profile for Writing, Yoga, Running, and more?

You can create a custom profile for every situation. Customize the whole experience as you wish. The good news is, your profiles sync with iPad and Mac using the same Apple account.

To enable the Focus profile on iPhone, it will also turn on the toggle on the Mac and iPad (devices must be on the same Apple account with iCloud enabled). No manual input is required. Let’s set up a custom Focus profile for Writing to use when drafting articles.

How to Create Focus Profile on iPhone

In the example below, we will create a Focus mode for Writing. Customize the options based on your preference. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open Control Centre on your iPhone. Users with a physical home button can swipe up from the bottom. iPhone X and above can swipe down from the upper right corner.

Step 2: Tap on Focus to open current profiles to choose from.

Step 3: Tap on the + icon at the bottom and iOS 15 will offer you the option to select more profiles or create a custom one.

Step 4: Select Custom. Give it a relevant name and choose a theme. Select an icon and hit Next.

Step 5: From the following screen, choose the people you want notifications from when this Focus is on.

By default, it will offer suggestions based on your past interactions. You can add or remove suggested ones. One can also select Favorites from the Allow Calls From menu.

Step 6: Add people to the list and tap Allow x People at the bottom.

Step 7: Choose the apps for notifications when this Focus is on. Add relevant apps to the list and proceed.

Step 8: iOS will ask you to allow Time-Sensitive notifications. This enables apps to deliver important notifications immediately, even with a Focus turned on. We recommend enabling this option. Your custom Focus is now ready. Hit Done at the bottom for further customization options.

Create Custom Home Screen and Lock Screen for a Focus Mode

iOS lets you choose which Home Screen pages to display when the Focus mode is activated. To configure this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Navigate to the Focus menu and choose the desired Focus profile to customize.

Step 3: Go to Options > Home Screen and select Custom Pages.

Step 4: Select the Page you want to showcase in Focus mode, then hit Done.

From now on, iOS will only display the selected Home Screen page during Focus.

You can also choose to dim the Lock Screen when Focus is enabled.

You can automate Focus mode based on time. For example, users can enable Sleep Focus mode at 11 PM and disable it at 6 AM.

One can even enable Focus mode based on Location or App. For instance, you can automatically enable the Work Focus profile when you reach the office. Or you can set the system to turn on Focus profile when you open a specific app.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on the iPhone.

Step 2: Go to the Focus menu and select the Focus profile you want to automate.

Step 3: Add Schedule or Automation.

Step 4: From the New Automation menu, define the Focus mode to turn on based on Time, Location, or App.

Let’s say your working hours range from 10 AM to 6 PM. You can automatically enable/disable the Focus profile during that timeframe.

Going to church frequently? Use the Location option to turn on DND Focus mode when you arrive at that location. The possibilities are endless. Apple is not backing down on customization options.

How to Delete Focus Profile on iPhone

At any point, you can delete custom Focus profiles from the iPhone. If you no longer need or want to simplify your options, remove unnecessary Focus profiles from the phone.

Step 1: Reveal the Control Centre on the iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on Focus to open the current Focus modes.

Step 3: Tap the three-dot menu beside the Focus profile you want to delete.

Step 4: Go to Settings. Step 5: Open the Focus mode settings. Step 6: Delete Focus at the bottom and confirm.

iCloud removes the Focus profile from all connected devices.

Stay Focused

Focus Mode is one of the best add-ons in the iOS 15 update. Apple has implemented it with flexibility, cross-device sync, and customization options. It works seamlessly in a true Apple fashion. The automation options are also useful. We can’t wait to see how Apple takes it further with upcoming OS updates. Next up: Are you still getting calls when DND is on? Read the post below to learn why it’s happening and how to fix it.