Focus modes filter notifications based on what you are doing. Instead of silencing everything, you can let specific people and apps through while quieting the rest.
Focus is available on macOS Monterey and later and can sync with iPhone and iPad through the same Apple Account.
Does This Affect You?
Use Focus if notifications interrupt work, sleep, meetings, or personal time but you still need urgent contacts or calendar alerts to get through.
Turn On a Focus
- Click Control Center in the menu bar.
- Click Focus.
- Choose Do Not Disturb, Work, Personal, or another Focus.
- Notifications outside the allowed list arrive quietly without banners or sounds.
- To turn it off, return to Control Center > Focus and select the active Focus again or choose Off.
Create a Custom Focus
- Open System Settings > Focus.
- Click the + button and choose a suggested Focus or create a custom one.
- Name it and choose an icon if prompted.
- Under Allowed Notifications, add people who can still reach you.
- Add apps that are allowed to notify you, such as Calendar for meetings.
- Optionally set a time, location, or app-based schedule.
- Close the panel to save it.
Sync Focus Across Apple Devices
- Open System Settings > Focus.
- Turn on Share across devices.
- Turn on a Focus from your Mac, iPhone, or iPad and it applies across devices using the same Apple Account.
- Turn Share across devices off if each device should behave independently.
Focus Extras
Focus Filters
Some apps can change what they show while a Focus is active, such as limiting Safari tab groups or Calendar calendars.
Focus Status
Messages can tell people your notifications are silenced without showing which Focus is on. Manage this in Focus Status settings.
Notify Anyway
Messages can offer a Notify Anyway option for urgent messages, allowing one interruption without permanently adding that person to your allowed list.
Sources
- Apple Support: Set up a Focus on Mac
- Apple Support: Use Focus filters on Mac
- Apple Support: Share your Focus status on Mac