Apple explains how to use Do Not Disturb on iPhone

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Apple explains how to use Do Not Disturb on iPhone
Do Not Disturb mode lets you work or have fun without distractions from your iPhone.
Graphic: Apple Support

When you want to work or watch a movie without distractions, turn on Do Not Disturb on your iPhone. A new Apple video shows how to activate this mode.

The activation process is simple enough that this Apple Support video mostly serves as a reminder that Do Not Disturb is available.

How to turn on Do Not Disturb with a couple of taps

Our iPhones keep us in constant contact with the world, but sometimes what we need from our handsets is peace and quiet. Whether it’s because you’re in a meeting, napping or having a heart-to-heart with a loved one turn on Do Not Disturb mode to hush your iPhone.

Activating it takes only a couple of steps. The button you need is in the Control Center, so start by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen on iPhone (or iPad).

How to activate Do Not Disturb on iPhone
Open the Control Center and then a couple of taps is all it takes.
Screenshots: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Once the Control Center is open, tap on the Focus button, then tap the Do Not Disturb button, which features a moon, to activate the feature immediately.

When you’re finished with your meeting or movie, reopen the Control Center and you’ll see the Focus button has been replaced by the Do Not Disturb button. Tap this to deactivate the mode.

Watch the Apple Support video to see it all happen:

With Do Not Disturb active, all audible alarms are silenced, and your handset won‘t vibrate. Also, the screen won’t come on whenever a notification comes in. Your iPhone is saving all these up for when the mode is deactivated.

Put your iPhone into Do Not Disturb mode and all your other Apple computers switch themselves to the same mode.

But wait, there’s more

The Apple Support video, and the instructions above, give only the most basic capabilities of this mode.

Tap on the section with three dots on the Do Not Disturb button to display options for automatically turning the mode off. It can be active for an hour, until evening or — perhaps most usefully — until you leave your current location.

For more details, take a look at Apple’s guide to Do Not Disturb mode.

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