How to Sync Focus Mode Across All Apple Devices (iOS 15)

Silence unwanted notifications across all of your devices with one easy setting.

By Elisabeth Garry Updated 09/07/2021

iOS 15's new Focus modes let you set different rules and parameters for when you don't want to be disturbed by notifications and messages. So what happens when you turn on Focus for your iPhone, but you still get notifications on your iPad? We'll show you how to set Focus across all of your devices with this quick setting.

Related: How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on Your iPhone

Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Sync Focus across all of your devices and save yourself the hassle of setting it individually on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
  • Change this setting back just as easily if you'd prefer to continue receiving notifications and messages on one of your devices.

Important: Since Focus is new to iOS 15, if you have an earlier software version you will need to update to iOS 15 before using this tip.

How to Share Focus Mode Across All Apple Devices

For this tip to work, make sure that you are signed in on all of your Apple devices using the same Apple ID. By default, Share Across Devices should be enabled, but if you're still getting notifications or messages on some devices when Focus mode is enabled on another, use the steps below to set Focus to sync across your devices. To learn more about new iOS 15 features, check out our Tip of the Day newsletter.

  1. Open the Settings app.

    Settings
     
  2. Scroll down and tap on Focus.

    Focus
     
  3. Tap the Share Across Devices toggle to enable the feature. The toggle will be green when enabled.

    Share across devices

Now the notifications for all of your iCloud-linked devices will be filtered by the Focus mode you set on one device!

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Topics

How-To
Apple Watch
iPad
iPhone
iPod
Mac
iCloud
Settings
Focus
Lifestyle
Productivity & Business

Author Details

Elisabeth Garry's picture

Author Details

Elisabeth Garry

Elisabeth Garry is a Feature Web Writer for iPhone Life. Formerly of Gartner and Software Advice, she has four years’ experience writing about technology for everyday users. As a former college writing instructor, she is passionate about effective, accessible communication, which is perhaps why she loves helping people make the best use of the strongest communication tools they have available: their iPhones. She has a degree in Russian Literature and Language from Reed College.

When she’s not writing for iPhone Life, she’s probably either reading (19th-century Russian literature or fantasy novels), writing fiction, or spending time with her adorable dog, Moosh.