How to Configure Focus Modes on macOS

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Access System Settings

   Open the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Navigate to the Focus section in the left-hand sidebar to view your available modes.

   Note: Focus modes sync automatically across all Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account.
2. 1 min

   Select or Create a Mode

   Click on a pre-configured mode like Work or Personal to edit its settings. To create a custom mode, click the Plus (+) icon in the top-right corner, select Custom, name the profile, choose a color, and pick an identifying icon.

3. 1 min

   Define Allowed Notifications

   Select Allowed Notifications to specify which apps and people can interrupt you. Toggle Allow Notifications from to select specific contacts, and use the Add App button to include essential software while in Focus mode.

   Note: Enable Time Sensitive Notifications to allow essential alerts through regardless of your other settings.
4. 1 min

   Configure Focus Filters

   Scroll down to the Focus Filters section to hide specific data within apps. Click Add Filter to restrict Mail accounts, Calendar schedules, or Safari tab groups to only those relevant to your current activity.

   Note: Filters require app support and will only appear for compatible installed applications.
5. 30 sec

   Set Activation Schedules

   Locate the Turn on Automatically section. Click Add Schedule to trigger the Focus mode based on a specific time, your current location, or when you launch a particular application.

   Note: Enable Smart Activation to let your Mac automatically engage the mode based on your usage patterns.
6. 30 sec

   Enable Focus via Control Center

   Click the Control Center icon in the macOS menu bar at the top right of your screen. Click the Focus tile to see your list of configured modes and click a mode name to activate it immediately.

   Note: The active Focus mode icon will display in your menu bar until you manually toggle it off.