How to Enable Do Not Disturb on iPhone and Android

Setting Up Do Not Disturb on Your Phone

Do Not Disturb silences calls, notifications, and alerts so you can focus on work without interruptions. Here is how to set it up on iPhone and Android.

iPhone — Focus and Do Not Disturb

Apple's Focus feature includes Do Not Disturb and lets you create custom focus modes for different situations.

Quick Enable Do Not Disturb

From Control Centre:

• Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and later) or up from the bottom (older iPhones)
• Tap the Focus button (moon icon)
• Tap Do Not Disturb

From Settings:

• Open Settings
• Tap Focus
• Tap Do Not Disturb
• Toggle Do Not Disturb on

Schedule Do Not Disturb

Set it to turn on automatically:

• Open Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb
• Tap Add Schedule
• Choose a trigger:

- Time — set start and end times (e.g., 9am–5pm for work focus) - Location — activate when at a specific place - App — activate when using certain apps

• Configure your schedule
• Tap Done

Allow Important Calls

Let certain calls through:

• In Do Not Disturb settings, tap People
• Under Also Allow, tap Calls From
• Choose:

- Everyone — defeats the purpose - Allowed People Only — only people you specify - Favourites — your favourited contacts - Contacts Only — anyone in your contacts

Allow Repeat Callers

For emergencies, allow calls from someone who calls twice:

• In Focus settings, scroll to Options
• Toggle on Allow Repeated Calls

This lets a second call from the same person within 3 minutes ring through.

Create a Work Focus

• Go to Settings → Focus
• Tap the + button
• Select Work or create a Custom focus
• Choose which people can contact you
• Choose which apps can send notifications
• Set a schedule if desired
• Tap Done

Android — Do Not Disturb

Android's Do Not Disturb works similarly but settings vary by manufacturer.

Quick Enable Do Not Disturb

From Quick Settings:

• Swipe down from the top of the screen (twice for full panel)
• Tap the Do Not Disturb icon (circle with line)
• It turns on immediately

Access Do Not Disturb Settings

• Open Settings
• Tap Sound & vibration (or just Sound)
• Tap Do Not Disturb

Configure What Can Interrupt

• In Do Not Disturb settings, tap People or What can interrupt
• Configure:

- Conversations — priority or all - Calls — starred contacts, contacts, anyone - Messages — same options as calls

Allow Repeat Callers

• In Do Not Disturb settings, tap Calls or People
• Toggle on Allow repeat callers
• A second call from the same number within 15 minutes rings through

Schedule Do Not Disturb

• In Do Not Disturb settings, tap Schedules
• Tap Add more or the + button
• Choose Time based
• Set:

- Name (e.g., "Work Hours") - Days of the week - Start and end time

• Tap Save or Done

Samsung Phones

Samsung has additional options:

• Go to Settings → Notifications → Do not disturb
• Configure allowed exceptions
• Set schedules under Turn on as scheduled
• Use Routines for more advanced automation

Google Pixel

Pixel phones have Focus mode:

• Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing → Focus mode
• Select apps to pause
• Set a schedule or activate manually

Best Practices for Work

Create a Work Schedule

Set Do Not Disturb to automatically activate during work hours so you can focus without manually enabling it.

Allow Key Contacts

Make sure important people (boss, team, family) can still reach you:

• Add them to Favourites (iPhone) or Starred contacts (Android)
• Configure exceptions to allow their calls

Use Different Modes

Create different focus modes for:

• Work — during business hours
• Meetings — complete silence during important meetings
• Driving — auto-activate when connected to car Bluetooth
• Sleep — overnight quiet time

Check for Missed Notifications

When you turn off Do Not Disturb, check for any silenced notifications you may have missed.

Syncing Across Devices

iPhone Focus Syncs

Focus status syncs across your Apple devices:

• iPhone
• iPad
• Mac
• Apple Watch

Enable in Settings → Focus → Share Across Devices

Android

Some Android phones sync with tablets, but this varies by manufacturer.

Third-Party Apps

Some apps have their own notification settings:

• Microsoft Teams — has its own quiet hours
• Slack — notification schedule
• Outlook — focus time integration

Configure these alongside phone Do Not Disturb for complete quiet.

Troubleshooting

Still Getting Notifications

• Check app-specific notification settings
• Ensure the correct Focus mode is active
• Review allowed exceptions

Alarms Not Working

• Alarms should still sound during Do Not Disturb
• Check your alarm app settings if they are silent

Missing Important Calls

• Add important contacts to exceptions
• Enable repeat caller allowance
• Create a custom focus that allows more contacts

Need Help?

For assistance with phone settings or mobile device management, contact helpdesk@netlumait.com.au or call 1300 521 162.