12 Ways to Disable Focus on iPhone and iPad

Focus Mode, introduced in iOS 15, is an upgraded version of Do Not Disturb that allows you to silence notifications, change your home screen and lock screen, and more when enabled.

This can help you avoid distractions, but some functions may be annoying. Luckily, you can easily turn Focus off temporarily or permanently on your iPhone or iPad.

Disable Focus Mode Quickly from Control Center

Disable Focus Mode Quickly from Control Center
Disable Focus Mode Quickly from Control Center

Swipe down from the top right of your iPhone or iPad to open Control Center. Tap the Focus label at the top.

This opens the Focus modes list. Tap the highlighted, currently enabled Focus mode to turn it off.

Turn Off Focus Mode from the Lock Screen

On the Lock Screen, tap the Focus mode label at the bottom. Tap the highlighted mode in the list to disable it.

Use Device Settings to Disable Focus

Open Settings > Focus. Tap the enabled Focus mode and toggle off the switch next to its name to disable it.

Unlink Focus Mode from Lock Screens

To permanently disable a linked Focus mode, open notifications and touch an empty spot until Customize appears.

Swipe through your lock screens, tap the Focus mode name, and tap the highlighted mode to unlink it.

Turn Off Scheduled Focus Mode Activation

Scheduled Focus modes automatically enable at certain times.

To stop this, open Settings > Focus and toggle off any schedules for your Focus modes by tapping the schedules.

Disable Automatic Sleep Focus

To stop Sleep Focus from automatically turning on based on your sleep schedule, open the Health app > Sleep > Full Schedule and Options.

Turn off Use Schedule for Sleep Focus or toggle off the Sleep Schedule.

Tell Siri to Turn Off Focus Mode

Activate Siri and say Turn off [Focus mode name] to instantly disable a Focus mode hands-free.

Disable Focus Status Updates

Focus modes can share a status when enabled that shows others your notifications are silenced.

Stop this by opening Settings > Focus and toggling off Focus Status per mode or for all modes.

Exclude People and Apps from Focus Modes

To allow notifications from certain contacts or apps when Focus modes are enabled, open Settings > Focus > People or Apps.

Add the contacts or apps you want to exclude from Focus-related muting.

Avoid Accidental Focus Mode Syncing Between Devices

Avoid Accidental Focus Mode Syncing Between Devices  
Avoid Accidental Focus Mode Syncing Between Devices

Focus modes sync between your signed-in Apple devices.

To prevent enabling a Focus mode on your other devices when turning it on on one, open Settings > Focus and toggle off Share Across Devices.

Stop Messages App Focus Integration

The Messages app integrates with Focus modes to display statuses. Disable this by going to Settings > Messages and toggling off Focus.

Permanently Delete Focus Modes

If you want to completely remove a Focus mode, open Settings > Focus. Tap the Focus mode, then tap Delete Focus at the bottom and confirm.

Add new Focus modes anytime with the + button.

Conclusion

Customizing your Focus modes is easy on iPhone and iPad.

Use these tips to avoid distraction while still allowing important calls, texts, and notifications to reach you by disabling Focus as needed.