In today’s world, smartphones are a major source of distraction. A single buzz is enough to steal our attention, and with the constant stream of spam calls, emails, and app notifications, staying present or completing a task without interruption has become increasingly difficult. (A University of California – Irvine study estimates it takes more than 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction.)

Fortunately, both Android and iOS offer features to help manage these distractions and regain control over what reaches us. This article explores how to take charge of smartphone notifications, calls, and messages to minimize interruptions and stay present in whatever we do.

Turn On ‘Do Not Disturb’

All smartphones come with a built-in Do Not Disturb (DND) mode. By default, when activated, it silences calls, messages, and app notifications. To enable DND on Android, go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb. On iOS, open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb. From the DND screen, you can turn it on, schedule it, or customize the settings to specify which app notifications can get through and which contacts can reach you without being silenced.

Utilize the Focus Feature (iOS only)

The Focus feature on iOS offers more control than the traditional Do Not Disturb mode, allowing you to customize your phone’s behavior for specific activities like work, sleep, driving, or personal time. With Focus, you can tailor notifications, apps, and even your home screen to match the activity you’re engaged in. For example, you can create a Work Focus mode that does the following when activated:

• Allow notifications only from specific work-related apps.
• Allow calls and messages only from selected contacts (e.g., colleagues or managers).
• Customize your home screen to show only work-related apps, hiding personal apps to help you stay focused.
• Use Focus Filters to filter out non-work-related content like personal emails, messages, or calendar events.

When set up properly, Focus can help you create a nearly separate phone experience for each activity, keeping distractions at bay and improving your productivity or relaxation time.

Watch the video below from Apple Support to learn more about the Focus feature.

Block Unknown Callers

Despite registering my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, I still receive an average of three unknown calls daily from scammers and marketers. Fortunately, both iOS and Android offer ways to block unknown or specific contacts, helping reduce these interruptions.

To block all calls from unknown numbers on iOS:

• Go to Settings > Phone.
• Tap Silence Unknown Callers and toggle it on.

On Android:

• Open the Phone app.
• Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
• Select Settings > Block numbers and toggle on Block unknown callers.

If you’d like to block a specific contact, simply navigate to their contact page. On iOS, scroll down and tap Block this Contact. On Android, tap the three dots next to their name and select Block Contact.

Note: While blocking unknown callers helps maintain peace of mind, it also means calls from friends or family using unfamiliar numbers (such as during emergencies) or from food delivery services may go straight to voicemail. Keep this in mind before enabling these features.

Customize Your Notifications Preferences

With so many apps available today, it’s not surprising that the average smartphone user has around 80 apps installed. As a result, the number of notifications we receive daily can quickly become overwhelming. However, not every app needs to send notifications. It’s time to clean up your notification settings.

To turn off notifications for any app, Android and iOS have similar steps:

• Open Settings > Notifications (On Android, select App Notifications next)
• Select the app you want to manage.
• Toggle Allow Notifications off

Additionally, within the notifications settings of an app, you can choose to receive only certain types of alerts. For example, you can opt to receive banner notifications without any sounds or vibrations, giving you more control over how you’re notified.

Once you turn off notifications for a specific app, you will no longer receive them, regardless of which mode or Focus setting you’re using. If you prefer to silence notifications only during specific times—such as while you’re working or sleeping—then Do Not Disturb and iOS Focus modes are your best options.

Use Airplane Mode for Total Silence

If you’re looking for complete silence and zero distractions, turning on Airplane Mode is a sure way to achieve it. When enabled, Airplane Mode stops all wireless communication on your phone, including calls, messages, and notifications. For the most effective silence, be sure to turn off Wi-Fi as well, as it can still allow apps to send notifications and updates even when Airplane Mode is on.

To turn on Airplane Mode on iOS, go to Settings > Airplane Mode > Toggle it on. On Android, open Settings > Tap on Network & Internet > Airplane Mode > Toggle it on.

Want to learn more about Smartphones and their different features? Visit Senior Planet online offerings schedule for the next class on the topic. Also, join the Everything Tech and Ask a Tech Expert groups on the Senior Planet Community platform to ask any tech questions you might have and discuss technologies with other like-minded individuals.

Your Turn

Which ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature will you try out first? Let us know in the comments below.

Techspert Jonathan is Senior Planet’s Sr. Digital Community Relations and Product Specialist and a former Senior Planet San Antonio technology trainer. He is also an iOS developer with a background in Information Systems and Cyber Security.

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