How to lock your phone from being interrupted

Sometimes you just need to complete pending (that spreadsheet with the budget, your novel, or even taking a nap), but your smartphone insists on distracting you with notifications, text messages, or the pull of social media. Sure, the Do Not Disturb feature can quiet interruptions for a while when you need a quiet moment or a mental break, but recent versions of Android and Apple’s new iOS 15 include a more flexible Focus mode with other tools for concentration. concentration. Here’s a quick guide.

Find your concentration

On Android 12, look for the Digital Wellbeing icon in your app drawer. If you don’t see it, open the Settings icon and select Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls; you can also download the app. To do it hands-free, just say, “OK, Google, open the Digital Wellbeing settings.”

On an Apple device running iOS 15, open the Settings icon and scroll to Concentration; Saying, “Hey Siri, open my Settings” also works. On the Focus screen, you’ll see that the old Do Not Disturb feature is there and you have a button to share your settings on other Apple devices, including Mac computers.

Block interruptions

On the Android Digital Wellbeing screen, tap Distraction-free mode. Choose the option to set a schedule to block the time you need without your phone. In the list of “Your distracting apps”, select the programs you would like to disable when Distraction-free Mode is on. (The controls for Manage Notifications in the Digital Wellbeing settings let you decide which types of alerts you receive first.)

To temporarily silence most calls, return to the main Digital Wellbeing screen and select Do Not Disturb. Press the People option and choose the contacts that are allowed to interrupt you when you have the Do not interrupt function active; you can do the same with the applications and turn off the alarms. (Some Android phones have a Flip to Mute feature, which puts your phone in Do Not Disturb mode when you place it face down.)

The Concentration settings in iOS 15 provide various options (work, personal, and others) to configure and customize based on the situation. Press a category and select the apps and people who can interrupt you; Contacts can see that you are in Focus mode in the Messages app. You can set a scheduled time for each category or that is automatically activated by location; for example, your Focus on “Home” settings pause your Slack notifications and work email when you arrive at your apartment. (If you work from home, better use the scheduled time).

Press the plus icon on the main Focus screen to configure even more situations, such as when you want to have uninterrupted time to read; you can even have a Focus to “Read” feature kick in when you open your e-book app. If you don’t want to automate things, you can always swipe down the Control Center screen and hit Focus to show or hide yourself from the world.

Resist the temptation

Screen time limits aren’t just for kids! If you can’t resist the pull of games and videos when you’re supposed to be working, have your phone save you from yourself.

In Android Digital Wellbeing settings, tap Panel and set timers for specific apps. (Programs that you have already put into the distracting apps will be grayed out and cannot be used until you disable Distraction Free Mode.)

In the Focus settings in iOS 15, each of your Focus options includes controls for your Lock screen and Home screen. Tap the Home screen option to hide app notifications. When you turn on the Custom Pages setting, you can hide the home screens where you have the most distracting (and most fun) apps.

In the locked screen settings, configure the screen to decrease its brightness and have your silenced notifications appear there discreetly (or not). The iOS settings have a separate Screen Time section where you can set time limits for apps.

Sleep a little

If you want to standardize your bedtime (or break the habit of staying up by checking your cell phone in bed), help has arrived. With Android, open the Clock app and tap the Bedtime icon in the lower right corner. You can mark your sleeping hours and choose a relaxing sound to clear your mind.

In the Digital Wellbeing settings, tap Bedtime to add more sleep motivators, like turning on your Do Not Disturb shield, turning the screen to black and white, or just keeping it off.

The Concentration settings in iOS 15 also include a Rest option, which you can configure as the Work function and your other Concentration options.

This Rest setting ties into the Sleep feature of Apple’s Health app, where you can set your bedtime, set your alarms, and select your Rest Shortcuts, which can include a specific amount of time for listening to music, meditating, or another relaxing activity as you drift into uninterrupted sleep (at least on your phone). (E)