Do Not Disturb on iPhone: How to Turn It On, Off & Customize

Do Not Disturb (DND) on iPhone is a Focus mode that silences calls, alerts, and notifications, helping you avoid interruptions. When enabled, you’ll see a crescent moon icon in the status bar or Lock Screen indicating that Do Not Disturb is active. This comprehensive guide will show you where to find Do Not Disturb on iPhone, how to turn it on or off, set it up and schedule it, and explain the difference between Do Not Disturb and Silent mode. We’ll also cover use cases and benefits, troubleshooting tips if notifications still get through, and an FAQ section answering common questions. Plus, discover how a distraction-blocking app like Refocus can complement Do Not Disturb to keep you focused.

(Updated for iPhone 11 through iPhone 16, iOS 17 / 18 – ensuring you get the latest tips!)

What Is Do Not Disturb on iPhone?

Do Not Disturb is a feature that completely silences incoming calls and notifications on your iPhone. Unlike simply flipping the silent switch (which only mutes sounds), Do Not Disturb will prevent your screen from lighting up, vibrating, or making noise for calls, texts, and app alerts. Notifications are essentially paused – they won’t pop up or distract you until you turn DND off (with certain exceptions for emergencies or allowed contacts). Apple rolled this feature into the Focus settings starting in iOS 15, making it part of a suite of modes designed to help you concentrate.

When DND is enabled, a crescent moon icon appears on the top of your screen, and all non-allowed notifications are silenced. You can still check silenced notifications later in the Notification Center; they’re not lost, just hidden until you’re ready. (Critical alerts like emergency warnings may still break through by design, so you won’t miss urgent information.) Overall, Do Not Disturb on iPhone is your go-to setting for uninterrupted focus or peace and quiet.

Where to Find Do Not Disturb on iPhone

Finding Do Not Disturb on your iPhone is easy, but it may be labeled under Focus depending on your iOS version:

• Control Center: The fastest way to access Do Not Disturb is through Control Center. On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and later), swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. On older iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Look for the crescent moon icon – this represents Do Not Disturb (in newer iOS versions it might be under a “Focus” label). Tapping that moon icon will toggle Do Not Disturb on or off.

• Settings App: You can also find Do Not Disturb via Settings. On iOS 15 and later, go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb. (On iOS 14 and earlier, there was a standalone Do Not Disturb menu in Settings.) In the Focus settings, “Do Not Disturb” is one of the focus modes you can configure. This is where you can adjust all DND options like allowed contacts and schedules (we’ll cover those later).

• Search: Lastly, you can swipe down on the Home Screen to use the iPhone’s search. Typing “Do Not Disturb” will show the setting if you’re having trouble finding it.

If you’re asking “Where is Do Not Disturb on iPhone?”, simply remember it’s either directly in Control Center (look for the moon) or in Settings under Focus. Once you know where it is, you can quickly access it to silence your phone whenever needed.

How to Turn On Do Not Disturb on iPhone

Enabling Do Not Disturb is straightforward. You have a few methods available – using Control Center is the quickest:

The iPhone Control Center shows the crescent moon icon highlighted when Do Not Disturb is turned on. When you want some quiet time, you can turn on Do Not Disturb through Control Center in seconds. Follow these steps to activate DND:

1. Open Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (Face ID models like iPhone 11-15) or swipe up from the bottom (Touch ID models) to open the Control Center panel.

2. Tap the Moon Icon: Look for the crescent moon icon labeled “Focus” or “Do Not Disturb.” If the icon is grayed out, DND is currently off. Tap the moon icon – it will highlight (usually with a caption like “Do Not Disturb: On”) indicating that Do Not Disturb mode is now enabled.

3. Verify DND is On: You should see the small crescent moon symbol appear in the status bar and on your Lock Screen. This confirms that calls and alerts are silenced.

Alternative ways to turn on DND: You can also ask Siri to do it – say “Hey Siri, turn on Do Not Disturb” (or “Do Not Disturb until 7 PM,” etc.), and Siri will enable it for you. Additionally, you can manually turn it on via Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb by toggling the switch at the top of that screen.

Once Do Not Disturb is on, your iPhone won’t ring or buzz for incoming calls, texts, or app notifications. Enjoy the peace and quiet!

How to Turn Off Do Not Disturb on iPhone

When you’re ready to receive notifications again, you’ll need to turn off Do Not Disturb. This is essentially the same process as turning it on, just toggling the setting off:

1. Open Control Center: Swipe down (or up) to access Control Center, as described earlier.

2. Tap the Moon Icon to Toggle Off: If Do Not Disturb is currently on, the crescent moon icon will be highlighted. Tap the icon again to turn off Do Not Disturb. The highlight will disappear, and the moon icon will no longer show in the status bar.

3. Confirm DND is Off: Your iPhone should now resume making sounds and lighting up for calls or alerts. A quick way to test is to have someone send a text or call you, or look for notifications reappearing on the Lock Screen.

You can also disable DND via Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb by toggling it off, or simply tell Siri “Turn off Do Not Disturb.”

Device-specific note: The above steps work for all recent iPhone models. So if you’re wondering how to turn off Do Not Disturb on iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, or iPhone 15, the answer is that it’s the same process on each. Use Control Center’s moon icon or the Focus settings to toggle it off. Apple keeps the interface consistent across models and iOS versions, so you can follow these instructions no matter which iPhone you have.

If Do Not Disturb was scheduled or linked to a Focus (for example, a sleep Focus), turning it off manually may temporarily override the schedule until the next set time. Just be aware if it comes back on automatically, you might need to adjust your schedule (more on that below).

How to Set Up and Customize Do Not Disturb on iPhone

Do Not Disturb isn’t just an on/off switch – it offers customization options so you can tailor how it works. Apple’s Focus settings allow you to decide who or what can break through DND if truly needed, and when DND should activate automatically. Here’s how to set up and customize Do Not Disturb:

• Open DND Settings: Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb. Here you’ll see various options to fine-tune DND.

• Allow Notifications From Certain People: Under Allowed Notifications, tap People. By default, no contacts are allowed (meaning no calls or messages will ring through when DND is on). If you want certain people to always reach you (like family or important contacts), add them to the Allowed People list. You can choose to allow calls from Everyone, Favorites, Contacts, or Allowed People Only. For total silence, select Allowed People Only but don’t add anyone to the list. This ensures nobody’s call will disturb you during DND.

• Allow Calls – Repeated Calls: In the People section, you’ll also find an option called Allow Repeated Calls. When this is on, if the same person calls you twice within three minutes, the second call will bypass DND and ring through (assuming they’re not blocked). This is useful in emergencies – for example, if someone urgently needs you, they’re likely to call again right away. If you prefer absolutely zero interruptions, turn Allow Repeated Callsoff (no call will break through, not even repeat attempts).

• Allow Notifications From Apps: Similarly, you can tap Apps under Allowed Notifications to whitelist certain apps. Maybe you have a critical work app or a home security app that you want to still notify you in DND. Add those here. Alternatively, you can enable Time Sensitive Notifications – this setting (available in iOS 15+) lets apps mark certain alerts as time-sensitive (e.g. a banking fraud alert, or a delivery notification). If you toggle Time Sensitive on, apps you haven’t specifically allowed can still send important alerts that Apple deems time-sensitive even when DND is on. If you’d rather nothing get through, keep this off.

• Customize Screens (iOS 16+): You might see a Customize Screens option. This allows you to link certain Lock Screen or Home Screen layouts to Do Not Disturb. For instance, you could have a special Lock Screen wallpaper that, when applied, automatically triggers DND (great for focus or bedtime). This is optional, but a neat trick if you use multiple Focus modes.

• Focus Status Sharing: There’s a toggle for Share Focus Status. When this is on, compatible apps (like iMessage) will tell people who message you that “you have notifications silenced” when DND is active. They have the option to notify you anyway, but generally it lets others know you might not respond immediately. It’s usually a good idea to leave this on so people understand you’re not ignoring them intentionally.

All of these settings help you tailor Do Not Disturb to your needs. For example, you might allow calls from Favorites so that important people can reach you, but silence everyone else. Or you might keep Allowed People empty for true solitude. Once you’ve customized, using DND becomes even more powerful, since you know it’s silencing only the things you want silenced, while still allowing critical contacts or apps if configured.

How to Schedule Do Not Disturb (Set a Timer or Automation)

One of the most useful features of Do Not Disturb is the ability to schedule it to turn on and off automatically at certain times. This way, you don’t have to remember to enable it every night or during your regular meeting hours – your iPhone can do it for you. Here’s how to set up a schedule for Do Not Disturb:

1. Open the Do Not Disturb Focus settings: Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.

2. Add a Schedule: Look for the Set a Schedule (or Schedule or Automation) section. Tap Add Schedule (sometimes labeled as “Add Schedule or Automation”).

3. Choose Time, Location, or App: You’ll see options to schedule DND by Time, Location, or App.

   • Time-Based Schedule: Select Time to set up quiet hours. For example, you can schedule DND from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM every day for bedtime. Choose the From and To times, and which days of the week this should apply (every day, weekdays, weekends, or specific days). Once set, your iPhone will automatically enter Do Not Disturb during those times and turn off afterward.

   • Location-Based: You can have DND activate when you arrive at or leave a certain location. For instance, set DND to turn on when you arrive at the office or the gym (so you focus while there), and off when you leave.

   • App-Based: You can even trigger DND when opening a particular app. For example, you could have Do Not Disturb turn on whenever you launch a reading app or Netflix, so you’re not interrupted while enjoying content.

4. Smart Activation (Optional): Newer iOS versions might show Smart Activation – if enabled, your iPhone’s intelligence will try to turn DND on automatically at relevant times (based on your usage patterns, locations, etc.). This can be handy, but if you find DND coming on when you don’t expect, you may want to keep manual control or specific schedules instead.

5. Save the Schedule: Once you’ve configured the schedule or trigger, save it. You should see your scheduled times listed under the Do Not Disturb focus.

With scheduling in place, Do Not Disturb will auto-enable and disable without you doing a thing. For example, set a work Focus from 9 AM to 12 PM to concentrate in the morning, or a nightly DND so you’re not woken by notifications. Your iPhone will handle it, and you’ll see the moon icon appear at those times. If you ever need to override (say you’re awake past your bedtime schedule and still want DND off), you can manually turn it off, and it will usually resume the next day as scheduled.

Tip: If you notice DND “turning on by itself” unexpectedly, double-check your schedules and Smart Activation. You can always delete a schedule by tapping on it and selecting Delete Schedule if it doesn’t suit you anymore.

Maximizing Focus: Using Refocus App Alongside Do Not Disturb

While Do Not Disturb is fantastic for silencing your iPhone’s notifications, it doesn’t prevent all distractions. You might still find yourself mindlessly opening social media or getting sidetracked by games or websites during your focus time. This is where a tool like Refocus can help complement Do Not Disturb.

Refocus is a popular distraction-blocking app (available on iPhone) that works as an app and website blocker. It allows you to set time limits for apps, block specific websites or apps, and schedule downtime to avoid digital temptations. For example, if you often get distracted by Instagram or YouTube, you can use Refocus to block those apps or sites for a period of time. It essentially puts up a barrier so even if you pick up your phone out of habit, you can’t open the blocked apps/websites – helping you break the cycle of distraction.

Here’s how Refocus and Do Not Disturb can work together for maximum focus:

• Silence + Removal of Temptation: Turn on Do Not Disturb to silence incoming notifications and use Refocus to block the apps or websites that you find hardest to resist. DND stops the pings, and Refocus stops you from going to find the distraction yourself. This one-two punch can significantly improve your concentration.

• Scheduled Focus Sessions: You can schedule Do Not Disturb during your work hours or study sessions, and simultaneously schedule Refocus to block entertainment or social apps during the same window. For instance, 9 AM – 12 PM is a focus block: DND will mute notifications, and Refocus can lock you out of Twitter, Reddit, or any sites you specify. After 12 PM, they both turn off – you’ll catch up on any messages then and regain access to your fun apps.

• Customization and Flexibility: Refocus is quite flexible – you can block any app or site (from Facebook and TikTok to messaging apps and news sites) and even use features like a “Strict Mode” to make it hard to bypass the block (for those moments of temptation). Meanwhile, Do Not Disturb ensures that even if you have some apps unblocked for necessity, their notifications won’t pull you away unless you want them.

• Better Sleep and Downtime: Similarly, at night you might combine DND with Refocus to ensure a good night’s sleep. DND will silence the phone, and Refocus can, for example, block work email or endless scrolling apps so you’re not tempted to doomscroll before bed.

Using an app like Refocus alongside Do Not Disturb basically extends your distraction management beyond just silencing notifications – it actively removes the digital temptations. This can lead to improved productivity, better focus, and healthier screen-time habits. If you find Do Not Disturb alone isn’t enough to keep you from checking your phone, consider giving Refocus a try for that extra layer of discipline. Together, they create an environment on your iPhone that truly lets you refocus on what matters.

(Refocus is available on the App Store and offers a variety of blocking and time management features to help you stay on task. It’s a perfect companion to Do Not Disturb for those who want to minimize distractions.)

Do Not Disturb vs. Silent Mode: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse Silent Mode (controlled by the physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone) with Do Not Disturb, but they work differently:

• Silent Mode (the side switch or Ring/Silent toggle) simply silences audible alerts and ringtones. When your phone is on silent, incoming calls and notifications won’t make sound but they still appear – your phone will light up, vibrate (unless vibration is off), and banners/notifications will show as usual. Silent mode is like saying “be quiet” but not necessarily “don’t bother me visually.” For example, in silent mode you might look over and still see your screen lighting up with a call or text, just no sound. This is great when you need to reduce noise but still want to stay aware of incoming notifications (say you’re in a meeting and want to glance at messages discreetly).

• Do Not Disturb mode silences sound and hides visual indicators. When DND is on, your iPhone won’t light up, won’t vibrate, and won’t display notifications on the screen at all for incoming alerts. It truly keeps you in the dark about notifications until you turn it off (again, with exceptions for things you allow). All calls and alerts are held quietly in the background. DND gives you comprehensive control over interruptions, even letting you customize exceptions. It’s like saying “do not bother me at all unless it’s really important.” As one description puts it: Silent Mode reduces noise while still allowing visual notifications, whereas Do Not Disturb minimizes all visual and auditory interruptions (with customizable exceptions). Silent mode is ideal if you just want your phone muted but don’t mind seeing notifications, while DND is perfect for times you need complete focus(working, sleeping, driving, etc.).

Another key difference: Alarms and timers you set will still sound even if Do Not Disturb is on (and also in silent mode). Apple knows that if you set a wake-up alarm, you need to hear it. So DND won’t block alarms or emergency alerts by default. Silent mode also doesn’t silence alarms. Keep this in mind so you’re not afraid to use DND overnight – your morning alarm will still ring!

In summary, use silent mode for quick, manual muting of sounds (the phone will still vibrate or show notifications), and use Do Not Disturb when you want a deeper quiet that stops both sounds and on-screen distractions. They can even be used together – for instance, leave your phone on silent most of the day, and schedule Do Not Disturb during critical focus times for total peace.

When and Why to Use Do Not Disturb: Key Benefits and Use Cases

Do Not Disturb mode is incredibly useful whenever you need freedom from interruptions. Here are some common use cases and benefits of using DND on your iPhone:

• During Work or Study: Need to concentrate on a project, write a report, or study for an exam? Turning on Do Not Disturb helps you stay in the zone by silencing distracting notifications from messaging apps, social media, or games. You can even customize it to allow only work-related apps or contacts (e.g., your boss or colleagues) if absolutely needed, and mute everything else.

• Meetings and Appointments: In a business meeting, class, or any appointment where interruptions would be inappropriate (or embarrassing if your phone rings), DND is your friend. It ensures your phone won’t suddenly ring or buzz. Unlike just putting your phone on silent, DND will also stop the screen from lighting up with notifications, so even if your phone is on the table, it won’t flash and draw attention.

• Sleeping and Bedtime: One of the most popular uses of Do Not Disturb is at night. Nobody wants to be woken at 2 AM by a random notification or a non-urgent text. By scheduling DND overnight (for example, 11 PM to 7 AM), you guarantee a full night’s rest without disruptions. You can make exceptions for certain contacts (perhaps family members in case of emergency). With DND on, you won’t see anything until morning, but your alarm and any emergency alerts will still get through, so it’s safe to use while sleeping.

• Driving (or Safe Times): When driving, it’s important not to be distracted by your phone. iPhones actually have a special Driving Focus (similar to DND) that can activate when you’re behind the wheel. If not using that, at least use Do Not Disturb manually to avoid calls or texts lighting up your phone on the road. It can even auto-reply to texts (via the Driving focus) to let people know you’ll get back to them later.

• Family or Personal Time: Maybe you’re having dinner with family, on a date, or just taking personal time to relax. Do Not Disturb can help you be present in the moment by removing the temptation to check every notification. You’ll enjoy reduced anxiety from the constant pinging, and you can catch up on messages later.

• Gaming, Movies, or Presentations: If you’re playing a mobile game or projecting your phone screen to a TV for a movie or presentation, DND prevents notifications from popping up at awkward times (no one wants a private message banner appearing while you’re showing a slideshow!). It keeps the experience uninterrupted and private.

In short, Do Not Disturb lets you reclaim control of your attention. By using it strategically, you can improve focus, sleep better, and create boundaries from the always-on communication cycle. It’s an essential tool in our notification-heavy lives to reduce stress and improve productivity.

Troubleshooting: Calls or Notifications Still Getting Through Do Not Disturb

What if you turned on Do Not Disturb but you still hear dings or your phone still rings for some calls? Ideally, DND should block them all (except what you’ve allowed). If that’s not happening, here are some troubleshooting steps:

• Make Sure DND is Actually Enabled: First, double-check that the Do Not Disturb mode is on. Look for the crescent moon icon in the status bar or on your Lock Screen. If you don’t see it, DND might not be active. It’s possible you scheduled it incorrectly or it turned off. Manually enable it via Control Center or Settings and see if the issue persists.

• Check Allowed Contacts in Focus Settings: The most common reason calls get through is that you’ve allowed them. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > People under Allowed Notifications. If you have favorites or specific contacts allowed, their calls will ring through by design. If you don’t want anyone calling during DND, set Allow Calls From to Allowed People Only and don’t add anyone to that allowed list. This effectively blocks all callers. Also, remove any entries under “Also Allow” if you see groups like Favorites.

• Disable Repeated Calls: Even if you haven’t allowed any contacts, by default many DND settings will allow repeat callers to break through (someone calling twice within 3 minutes) as an emergency measure. If spam or unknown calls are coming through, they might be repeatedly calling. Go to the DND Focus settings > People and turn off Allow Repeated Calls. This closes that loophole, so persistent callers won’t get through.

• Consider “Silence” Settings (Older iOS): If you’re on an older iOS (prior to 15), in Settings > Do Not Disturbthere was an option “Silence: Always / While iPhone is locked.” If set to “While iPhone is locked,” and you happen to be using your phone, notifications might appear. On iOS 15+, this specific setting was removed (DND always silences, even if unlocked). But just in case, ensure it’s set to Always on older devices to avoid any notifications when screen is on.

• Turn Off Time Sensitive Notifications: If you allowed Time Sensitive notifications in Focus settings, an app might mark something as urgent and slip it through DND. If you’re getting notifications from apps that you didn’t explicitly allow, they might be tagged as time-sensitive. To stop this, go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > Apps and turn off Time Sensitive Notifications (or don’t allow that particular app).

• Check for Critical Alerts or Emergency Bypass: Some apps (like government alert systems, weather alerts, or medical devices) use Critical Alerts that will notify you even in Do Not Disturb. These are rare and you likely know if you enabled them. You can’t turn off government Amber Alerts or emergency alerts via DND (they have separate settings under Notifications). Also, if a specific contact’s calls or texts always come through no matter what, check that contact in your Contacts app – see if Emergency Bypass is enabled for them (this feature, if turned on for a contact’s ringtone/text tone, allows that person to bypass DND). You’d have to disable that per contact if you truly want zero exceptions.

• Newer iPhones (iPhone 15 Pro and later) – Intelligent Notifications: Apple introduced an Intelligent Focusfeature on certain models (like iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and newer with iOS 18+) called Intelligent Breakthrough & Silencing. If enabled, your iPhone’s AI might decide some notifications are important and allow them through DND. If you suspect this is happening, you can turn that off: go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and look for Intelligent Breakthrough – toggle it off. This will ensure nothing sneaks through that you haven’t personally allowed.

• Focus Share Across Devices: If you use multiple Apple devices (iPad, Mac, etc.) with the same Apple ID and have Share Across Devices enabled for Focus, sometimes one device might override another. For instance, if DND is off on your Mac but on on your phone, or vice versa, weird behaviors can happen (especially if a call is ringing through your Mac). Consider turning off Share Across Devices in Settings > Focus and manage DND per device to see if that helps.

After checking the above, test DND by having someone call or by sending yourself a message from another device. Properly configured, the phone should stay quiet and dark. If you’re still getting unwanted interruptions, a quick fix can be to restart your iPhone (in case a glitch is causing Focus to misbehave). Also, ensure you’re running the latest iOS version, as Apple often fixes DND/Focus bugs in updates.

Generally, once settings are correct, Do Not Disturb on iPhone is reliable for silencing notifications. With no allowed contacts, repeated calls off, and no weird exceptions, nothing short of an emergency alert should bother you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I turn off Do Not Disturb on my iPhone?
A: To turn off Do Not Disturb, open the Control Center (swipe down from top-right on iPhone X or later, or up from bottom on older iPhones) and tap the crescent moon icon so it’s no longer highlighted. This will disable Do Not Disturb and allow calls and notifications again. You can also go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and toggle it off there. The moon icon on your screen will disappear once DND is off.

Q: Where is Do Not Disturb located on iPhone?
A: Do Not Disturb can be found in two main places: Control Center (look for the moon icon / Focus control) and Settings. In Settings on iOS 15+ it’s under Focus > Do Not Disturb. On iOS 14 or earlier, there was a direct “Do Not Disturb” settings menu. The Control Center icon (moon) is usually the quickest way to toggle it on or off.

Q: How do I set up Do Not Disturb on iPhone for specific times?
A: You can schedule Do Not Disturb by going to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and adding a schedule. Choose a time range (for example, 10 PM to 7 AM every day) so DND turns on and off automatically at those times. This is great for sleeping hours or daily work periods. Make sure to turn on the schedule after setting the times. Your iPhone will then activate DND on its own each day.

Q: What’s the difference between Silent mode and Do Not Disturb?
A: Silent mode (using the side mute switch) only silences sounds – your phone won’t ring or make alert noises, but notifications will still light up the screen and vibrate (if vibration is on). Do Not Disturb goes further – it silences and hides all incoming calls/alerts (no sound, no screen lighting, no vibrations), until you turn it off. DND also allows for customization (like allowing certain contacts through or scheduling quiet time), which silent mode doesn’t. Alarms will sound in both modes, but generally DND is for complete uninterrupted time, whereas silent is just for noise reduction.

Q: My iPhone is on Do Not Disturb, but it still rings for some calls. Why?
A: This usually means some calls are allowed through your DND settings. Check Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > People and see if you allowed calls from Favorites, Contacts, or specific people – if so, those calls will ring. Also, if Repeated Calls is enabled, a second call within 3 minutes from the same number will bypass DND. To fix it, set allowed calls to Allowed People Only (and leave that list empty) and turn off repeated calls. Also ensure you haven’t given that contact an emergency bypass in their contact info. With the right settings, no calls will ring during DND.

Q: Will my alarms go off if Do Not Disturb is on?
A: Yes. Regular alarms you set in the Clock app (or sleep schedule alarms) will still sound even if Do Not Disturb is enabled. Apple designates alarms as a different kind of alert that DND doesn’t silence, so you won’t miss wake-up alarms or timers. Similarly, important emergency alerts (like severe weather or Amber alerts) can still come through. DND is mainly for calls, texts, and app notifications.

Q: How can I allow certain people to reach me even with Do Not Disturb on?
A: In Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb, you can add people under Allowed Notifications > People. Add contacts (or select a group like Favorites) that you want to allow. You can then set “Also Allow Calls From” to Allowed People (or Favorites, etc.). Those contacts’ calls (and texts, if they use iMessage) will alert you even during DND. Another way is using the Emergency Bypass feature: edit a contact in the Contacts app, choose Ringtone or Text Tone, and enable Emergency Bypass – this makes that contact bypass DND and even silent switch for calls/texts. Use these features sparingly for close family or urgent contacts.

Q: Why are notifications still showing up on screen during Do Not Disturb?
A: If you’re seeing banners or your screen lighting up, double-check that Do Not Disturb is actually on (moon icon visible). If it is, you might have “Silence: While iPhone is Locked” (older iOS option) which means if you’re actively using the phone, notifications can appear. On iOS 15+, that option isn’t available – DND should silence even when unlocked. Also ensure no Focus exceptions (like allowed apps with time-sensitive notifications) are causing it. Generally, when DND is properly enabled and configured, notifications should not pop up on the screen at all until you turn DND off.

Q: Does Do Not Disturb block text messages?
A: It doesn’t “block” them in the sense of stopping them from arriving, but it suppresses the notifications for text messages. So if someone texts you while DND is on, you won’t see or hear the notification banner/sound. The message will still be delivered and will be waiting in your Messages app. Once you turn off DND (or check your Notification Center), you’ll see the text. If the person is in your allowed list (or they choose to “Notify Anyway” via iMessage after seeing your Focus status), then their text might alert you. But normally, texts are silenced like any other notification.

Q: How is Do Not Disturb related to Focus modes?
A: Do Not Disturb is actually one type of Focus mode in iOS (since iOS 15). Focus is a feature that includes modes like Do Not Disturb, Sleep, Work, Personal, etc., each with its own settings. Think of Focus as the umbrella, and DND is the generic, catch-all focus mode for “no interruptions.” So when you configure DND, you’re using the Focus system. You don’t necessarily need to use other Focus modes if DND alone meets your needs, but know that Apple allows multiple tailored DND-like modes (for example, a Work focus that only allows work apps, or a Personal focus that silences work emails in the evening, etc.). They all live in the Settings > Focus menu.

Q: Can I use Do Not Disturb on iPhone 11, iPhone 12, etc.?
A: Absolutely. Do Not Disturb has been around since iOS 6 (back in 2012) and is available on all modern iPhones, including iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and beyond. The interface to access it might differ slightly depending on your iOS version, but any iPhone running iOS 15 or newer will have DND under Focus settings and Control Center. Even older iPhones (running older iOS) have DND in Settings and via the moon icon. So no matter your model, you have Do Not Disturb – you might just need to swipe differently for Control Center if it’s an older design. The steps in this guide apply to all these models.

Q: How does Do Not Disturb work with other modes like Sleep or Driving?
A: Sleep and Driving are specialized Focus modes. Sleep mode, for instance, is often tied to your bedtime schedule and Health app – it works like DND but with additional features (like dimming the lock screen, or a wind-down routine). Driving Focus can auto-reply to contacts that you’re driving. Technically, under the hood, they are similar to Do Not Disturb (they silence notifications) but have their own settings/criteria. If you have Sleep or Driving Focus enabled, you don’t need to also turn on DND – that focus mode already silences notifications. You can customize those modes separately in Settings > Focus. The important thing is each focus mode can have its own allowlists; so you might allow certain contacts in DND but maybe no one during Sleep, etc., depending on your needs.

By understanding and utilizing Do Not Disturb on your iPhone, you can take control of your time and attention. Whether it’s turning it off and on quickly, scheduling it for routine quiet times, or customizing who can reach you, DND is a powerful tool for minimizing unwanted interruptions. Combine it with smart practices (and even apps like Refocus for blocking digital distractions) and you’ll create a much more focused, peaceful smartphone experience. Happy focusing, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with not being disturbed!