I've been on a mission to use my phone way less this year, sparked by reading The Anxious Generation and that magical Disney World trip where I barely touched my phone. The solution? iPhone focus modes - my secret weapon for controlling the fire hose of information instead of letting it control me.
Think about it: you finally sit down to get some real work done, and your phone starts buzzing with calendar alerts, group chats going off, and random notifications. It's enough to make you want to throw it out the window.
Focus modes let you take back control by choosing exactly who and what can reach you in different contexts.
I've crafted focus modes for every part of my day - from the gym to my ultra-strict "Green Zone" mode for deep work (where I can literally only see time tracking widgets). Each mode has custom home screens, specific apps, and even changes my Apple Watch face to match what I'm doing.
*Want a peek into how I’ve created more time? Check out my free automations database and AI swipe file at https://casabona.org/streamlined*
Top Takeaways
- Focus modes are custom "Do Not Disturb" profiles that let you control which people and apps can interrupt you based on what you're doing - think of them as digital boundaries for different parts of your day.
- You can automate focus modes to turn on based on time, location, or when you open specific apps, so you don't have to remember to switch them manually (my fitness mode turns on when I get to the gym, personal mode kicks in at 6 PM).
- The goal isn't to be unreachable, it's to be present - focus modes help you context switch with intention instead of fighting your phone for the ability to concentrate on what matters in that moment.
Show Notes
- Screenshots: Lock Screens | Home Screens | Focus Modes
- The Anxious Generation
- ScreenTime+
- Opal
- Flighty
- FitBod
- Ecamm Live
- Fantastical
- The Brick
- My 2025 Yearly Theme
- Leave Feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com
- Check out all of my shows at https://network.streamlined.fm
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