macOS · Personalization
Silence notifications during Focus modes
Create and schedule Focus modes such as Do Not Disturb, Work, or Personal that filter which notifications and apps can interrupt you.
How to open Focus & Do Not Disturb
- Open System Settings
- Select Focus in the sidebar
- Choose a built-in mode or add a custom one
- Configure allowed people, apps, and an optional schedule
What you should know
- Managed under System Settings → Focus
- Built-in modes include Do Not Disturb, Personal, Sleep, and Work
- Custom Focus modes can allow specific people and apps
- Focus status can sync across Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID
Why it matters
Focus modes reduce interruptions during deep work, meetings, or personal time by filtering notifications rather than requiring users to silence everything or dig through every app's settings individually. Because Focus can sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it gives a consistent do-not-disturb experience regardless of which device is active. Well-configured Focus modes strike a balance between staying reachable for urgent contacts and avoiding constant distraction.
Best practices
- Allow calls from starred contacts even during strict Focus modes
- Schedule Work and Sleep Focus modes to activate automatically
- Share Focus status so contacts know when you're unavailable
- Review allowed apps periodically as your notification needs change
Common problems and fixes
- Notifications still come through during Focus
- Check that the app isn't explicitly allowed in the active Focus mode's settings.
- Focus doesn't sync between Mac and iPhone
- Confirm 'Share across devices' is enabled in Focus settings on both devices.
- Focus turns on unexpectedly
- Check for an active schedule or Smart Activation trigger tied to a calendar event or location.
Tips and tricks
- Use Focus filters to hide unrelated Safari tabs or Calendar events while a mode is active
- Add a Focus toggle to Control Center for one-tap access
Frequently asked questions
Can I create a custom Focus mode?
Yes, tap the plus button in Focus settings to build a custom mode with its own allowed people and apps.
Does Focus block all notifications?
By default it silences most, but you can explicitly allow specific people and apps through.
Will people know I have Focus on?
Only if you enable Share Focus Status, which lets Messages notify senders you may not see their message right away.
Related settings
- Sound & NotificationsSound settings control input/output devices and alert volume, while Notifications & Focus let you decide which apps can interrupt you and when — including scheduled Focus modes like Work or Sleep.
- Menu Bar & Control CenterControl Center gives you quick access to frequently used settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Focus, and display brightness from a single menu bar icon. You can customize which controls appear in Control Center and which ones show directly in the menu bar for one-click access.
More Personalization guides for macOS
- Desktop & DockDesktop & Dock settings control the size, position, and behavior of the Dock, along with desktop options like Stage Manager, widgets, and how windows and Mission Control behave. It's the main place to make the Dock and desktop work the way you want.
- Wallpaper & Screen SaverWallpaper settings let you set the desktop picture — from Apple's built-in dynamic and aerial images to your own photos — and configure the screen saver that appears after your Mac sits idle. Recent macOS versions combine both into a single Wallpaper settings pane.
- Lock ScreenLock Screen settings control when your Mac requires a password after sleep or screen saver, how long it waits before locking, and what's shown at the login window — all central to protecting your Mac from casual tampering or unauthorized access.
- Appearance (Light, Dark & Auto)Choose whether macOS displays a light, dark, or automatically switching interface theme across the Dock, menu bar, Finder, and supported apps.
- Accent Color & Highlight ColorSet the accent color used for buttons, checkboxes, and links, and a separate highlight color used for selected text and list items.
- Stage ManagerEnable Stage Manager to automatically arrange open windows into a single focused workspace with recent windows shown as thumbnails along the side.