Apple devices have become indispensable tools in our daily lives, and this is even more pronounced when we talk about the iPhone. Thanks to it, we have access to a multitude of functions that previously forced us to sit at a table with a computer. But it’s a double-edged sword: the iPhone has also become the source of a multitude of distractions through social media and content services.
The answer in Cupertino was the focus patterns, a tool available on all iPhones, iPads and Macs so you can regain your full attention and distance yourself from distractions when you need to focus or just want to be calm. Let’s see what they consist of.
What are the modes of concentration
Apple introduced Focus Modes at WWDC 2021, as a new feature in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey. They are an evolution of the classic “Do Not Disturb” mode with which you can select which applications have the right to display notifications on your screens at what time.
This way, you can adjust these focus modes so that no work apps bother you while you relax, and no social media or leisure apps interrupt you while you w ork. Once you switch focus modes, the devices show notifications that “queued” to interrupt you.
Operation of focus modes
You can have all the focus modes you want, and you can activate them from the control center of iOS, iPadOS and macOS. As soon as you do, the notifications you said to hide will be hidden and they won’t bother you until you turn off that focus mode or change it to another.
You can also do these concentration modes they turn on and off automatically, for example when entering and leaving work. So you can stop worrying about these ways and let them work on their own.
How to set focus modes
To use focus modes you need iOS 15, iPad OS 15 and macOS Monterey; or a later version of these systems. And therefore, you need devices that can run these systems.
If you encounter this point, you can find the focus modes in the iOS Settings app, “Focus Modes” section:
In this section you will already have two modes created by default: Rest and Work. Maybe adjusting these two modes is enough, but you can also create all the additional focus modes you want with the ‘+’ button on the top right:
Each focus mode can enable or disable notifications, calls and messages from the contacts you want in your calendar. Additionally, you can also configure which pages of your iOS home screen you want to display so you don’t even see distracting apps. Perfect to avoid temptations:
This allows you to organize these pages on your home screen so that each focuses on different aspects of your daily life. One with work apps and widgets, another for rest and entertainment… you can even place an app or widget on multiple pages, for more flexibility.
Rumor has it that we’ll see some exciting improvements in these focus modes at WWDC 2022, as part of the news of iOS 16 and other operating systems being showcased. This means that Apple takes the responsible use of our devices seriously and seeks to regain our ability to concentrate. Everything is set.