How to Configure a Dedicated Work Focus on iPhone

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Create the Work Focus profile

   Open the Settings app and navigate to Focus. Tap the plus (+) icon in the top-right corner of the screen, select Focus, and choose Work from the provided list.

2. 1 min

   Define allowed notifications

   Within the Work Focus settings, tap People and Apps to select specific contacts or applications that can send you notifications while this Focus is active. Ensure you toggle on Allow Urgent Notifications if you need critical alerts regardless of your specific filters.

   Note: Only add essential communication apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Outlook to keep your notification feed clean.
3. 30 sec

   Set a custom home screen

   Tap Choose under the Home Screen preview section. Select specific pages that only contain work-related applications to reduce visual clutter and avoid personal app distractions.

4. 1 min

   Schedule automatic activation

   Scroll down to the Set a Schedule section and tap Add Schedule. Choose Time to set your standard work hours, or select Location to trigger the Focus automatically when you arrive at your office.

   Note: Smart Activation uses on-device intelligence to turn on the Focus based on signals like location or app usage.
5. 30 sec

   Enable Focus filters

   Tap Add Filter to restrict specific data within apps, such as showing only a specific Calendar account or a specific Mail account. This ensures you only see professional data while the Work Focus is active.

   Note: Filters are powerful tools to keep your personal emails and calendars completely hidden during work hours.