Notifications and Focus
Driving Focus
Most people call this silencing the phone while you drive.
Driving Focus silences notifications while you are in a moving vehicle and can auto reply to anyone who messages you.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 15 and later
- Settings
- Focus
- Driving
What it does
It can activate automatically using motion, when connected to car Bluetooth, or when CarPlay connects. Allowed contacts get through, and an auto reply tells everyone else you are driving.
What changes
When it is on
Notifications are silenced while driving and an auto reply can be sent.
When it is off
Alerts arrive as normal while you drive.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Removes a real hazard.
- Automatic activation means you never have to remember.
- Navigation and music still work.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Automatic detection can trigger on a bus or train.
- Passengers have to tell the phone they are not driving.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
No real change
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Off until you set it up.
Where this setting used to live
Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.
-
iOS 15 and later
Settings > Focus > Driving
-
iOS 11 to iOS 14
Settings > Do Not Disturb > Do Not Disturb While Driving
Questions people actually ask
- Why does my iPhone think I am driving?
- Automatic activation uses motion. Switch it to trigger on car Bluetooth or CarPlay instead.
If it is not working
- If it activates on public transport, switch from Automatically to activating on car Bluetooth.
- Tap I Am Not Driving on the notification to dismiss it for that journey.
- The auto reply is customisable and can go to recents, favourites or all contacts.