Do Not Disturb in iOS 15 removes option that allowed notifications when iPhone is in use

Posted:
in iOS edited September 2021
Apple's iOS 15 introduces a more robust set of notification management features, but one change to the operating system's longstanding "Do Not Disturb" function is causing consternation among users.

Do Not Disturb


With iOS 15, Apple introduced a more comprehensive and granular notification management system called Focus.

The feature, also available in macOS Monterey, allows users to filter notifications and access to apps based on predefined conditions suggested by the system or set manually. In addition to automated start and stop times, users have access to controls that limit interactions and distractions based on location and app activity.

With the introduction of Focus, Apple appears to have deprecated a Do Not Disturb option that allowed notifications to bypass preset restrictions when a device is in use. Previously, users could apply an exemption to Do Not Disturb's notification lockdown, enabling incoming calls and alerts to come through while their iPhone was unlocked.

As noted in a Reddit thread, however, iOS 15 no longer shows the "While iPhone is Locked" selection in Do Not Disturb's settings menu. The change has disappointed some users who relied on the feature.

"My phone basically lived on Do Not Disturb mode up until now but I'll have to stop using it now which is really annoying," Redditor "BigPurpleMoth" wrote on Monday. "Like, I don't want notifications when my phone is locked, but while I'm actively using it I still need them to pop up."

Focus does not include a comparable method of bypassing its notification suppression settings, meaning users can only elect to allow or deny alerts.

Apple's iOS 15 launched on Monday with a number of enhancements and tweaks to first party apps, system tools, user interface elements and backend utilities.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    It’s an extra step, yes, but in the Control Centre there’s a toggle to change modes to Personal for example. Not what the redditor wants but a workaround. 
    chadbagwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 10
    More fine tuned. And I don’t want to be disturbed/distracted specifically when I’m using the iPhone. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 10
    YES. I’ve been complaining about the loss of this feature for awhile. 
    caladanianwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 10
    I would like more options for configuring my different Focus categories. Maybe each focus could have it’s own version of the full notification settings menu? 

    One example is Work. When I’m working I want to receive notifications from Slack, Email, Calendar, etc., - in addition to my regular notifications - but when work is not on, I do not want to get those notifications. I want notifications from all of my contacts (but not unknown numbers), not just allowing all phone calls. 

    I suppose this is more of a “Status” than a “Focus” but I would find it a lot more useful. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 10
    Hmm, I am not really getting it… With the new Focus are it is so easy to setup your own focus and even allow some apps or people to „Disturb“ you while the mode is turned on. I totally like it and already setup some modes for Reading, Training, and so on. It works quite nicely but yes, it is a little bit of extra work to have it setup in the first place. Let me know in case I misunderstood this topic. 
    big2plankerwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 10
    The feature is still there. Just go into control center, press “Focus” and select “Do Not Disturb”. What’s the problem here?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 10
    ivanhivanh Posts: 597member
    Still not listening?  Alarms set are still active while driving. You just can’t  suspend it till you’re not in driving mode. 
  • Reply 9 of 10
    Apple's iOS 15 introduces a more robust set of notification management features, but one change to the operating system's longstanding "Do Not Disturb" function is causing consternation among users.

    Do Not Disturb


    With iOS 15, Apple introduced a more comprehensive and granular notification management system called Focus.

    The feature, also available in macOS Monterey, allows users to filter notifications and access to apps based on predefined conditions suggested by the system or set manually. In addition to automated start and stop times, users have access to controls that limit interactions and distractions based on location and app activity.

    With the introduction of Focus, Apple appears to have deprecated a Do Not Disturb option that allowed notifications to bypass preset restrictions when a device is in use. Previously, users could apply an exemption to Do Not Disturb's notification lockdown, enabling incoming calls and alerts to come through while their iPhone was unlocked.

    As noted in a Reddit thread, however, iOS 15 no longer shows the "While iPhone is Locked" selection in Do Not Disturb's settings menu. The change has disappointed some users who relied on the feature.

    "My phone basically lived on Do Not Disturb mode up until now but I'll have to stop using it now which is really annoying," Redditor "BigPurpleMoth" wrote on Monday. "Like, I don't want notifications when my phone is locked, but while I'm actively using it I still need them to pop up."

    Focus does not include a comparable method of bypassing its notification suppression settings, meaning users can only elect to allow or deny alerts.

    Apple's iOS 15 launched on Monday with a number of enhancements and tweaks to first party apps, system tools, user interface elements and backend utilities.

    Read on AppleInsider
    Hmm, I am not really getting it… Now with the new Focus you can actually fine tune which Apps or person you want to allow to „Disturb“ you while you are in Focus mode - it just needs that you take the time and select the Apps and the Persons. I totally like it, much more convenient and easy to setup. Just a bit of work to set all up as you like. I already added my Focus for „Training, Reading, Work“ and it works quite nice. Let me know if I misunderstand this topic.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 10
    Personally this new way is better for me. When I turned it on I was always annoyed by notifications sneaking through. Especially if I was screen recording. 
    watto_cobra
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