Prevent smartphone distractions by creating focus mode: Video tutorial

Our smartphones can be huge distractions. For me this is confirmed by me screen time breakdown that tells me I pick up my phone approximately 144 times a day (based on a three-week average), which apps I spend the most time on, and where my notifications are coming from.

Many of us use our devices for work as well, but I’m sure I’m not the only one whose work-related use quickly turns into instant scrolling sessions on Instagram or Reddit. Mistake!

If you want to avoid wasting time and staying focused, there are some easy ways to avoid temptation. For example, plug in the phone grayscale So it becomes less attractive to look at. Put your phone on silent or hide it in a drawer where you can’t see it. But there is a more complicated way: using focus mode.

Focus modes can silence a handful of notifications and filter what does and doesn’t succeed at certain times of the day. In case you’re wondering, you can also create one to silence your work emails and calls if you’re on a weekend or vacation.

Watch this video to see how to create Focus Mode on iPhone.

How to create Focus Mode on iPhone

You can create many different Focus Modes on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. Defaults like Do Not Disturb, Work, and Drive already exist on your devices, but you can change them and create new ones to suit your needs.

To do Focus Mode:

1. To find Focus in Settings or Control Center.

2. Choose from pre-made modes or + to create your own. If you’re accessing from Control Center, … Later Settings to customize.

3. You can select the people or apps you want to receive notifications from or whose notifications you want to silence.

4. Set a custom wallpaper for Focus Mode.

5. Open a program and/or filter.

Most of these steps are optional and are provided to give you as much control as possible over what will and won’t distract you throughout the day.

How to create Focus mode on Android

To create a focus mode Android device:

1. Go Settingsfaucet digital well-being then tap Focus mode.

2. Set a schedule.

3. Check the box next to apps that distract you.

When Focus mode is active, selected apps appear greyed out. If you try to open one of these apps, a box pops up reminding you that Focus mode is on and distracting apps are paused. But it allows you to skip this and use the app for five minutes.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: What is focus mode on iPhone? Here’s how to open it