Comparison · checked
Do Not Disturb vs Downtime vs Focus on iPhone
The verdict
The verdict: Do Not Disturb is one Focus that silences almost everything. A Focus is the general version, where you choose which people and apps can still reach you. Downtime, in Screen Time, is different: it blocks the apps themselves, not just their notifications.
Side by side
| Feature | Do Not Disturb | Focus | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Silences notifications and calls | Silences everything except who you allow | Blocks apps outside your allowed list |
| Where | Control Center or Settings > Focus | Settings > Focus | Settings > Screen Time > Downtime |
| Stops you opening apps | No | No | Yes |
| Calls | Allowed contacts only | Allowed contacts only | Phone stays available |
| Schedule | Yes | Yes, by time or place | Yes |
| Alarms | Still ring | Still ring | Still ring |
Which one to pick
- Pick Do Not Disturb if you need quiet for an hour and do not want to set anything up.
- Pick A Focus if you want a work or sleep mode that still lets family through.
- Pick Downtime if the problem is opening the apps, not the notifications.
The options
Do Not Disturb
Built in
Best for: Quiet right now.
Good
- One tap in Control Center
Not so good
- Blunt: almost nothing gets through
Focus
Built in
Best for: Work hours, sleep, driving.
Good
- Choose who and what can interrupt
- Schedules by time or place
Not so good
- Time Sensitive alerts still break through
Downtime
Built in
Best for: Stopping yourself, or a child, from opening apps.
Good
- Actually blocks apps
- Screen Time passcode makes it stick
Not so good
- Easy to ignore without a passcode
Questions people ask
Can I use a Focus and Downtime at the same time?
Yes. A lot of people run a Sleep Focus and Downtime on the same evening schedule.
Do alarms ring during Do Not Disturb?
Yes. Clock alarms ring in all three.
Related tips
More comparisons and alternatives
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