Ask The Techspert: How to Program Your Phone for Do Not Disturb - Senior Planet from AARP

In todays world, smartphones are a major source of distraction.A single buzz is enough to steal our attention, and with the constant stream of spam calls, emails, and app notifications, staying present or completing a task without interruption has become increasingly difficult.(A University of California Irvine study estimates it takes more than 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction.)Fortunately, both Android and iOS offer features to help manage these distractions and regain control over what reaches us.

This article explores how to take charge of smartphone notifications, calls, and messages to minimize interruptions and stay present in whatever we do.Turn On Do Not DisturbAll smartphones come with a built-inDo Not Disturb (DND) mode.By default, when activated, it silences calls, messages, and app notifications.To enable DND on Android, go toSettings>Notifications>Do Not Disturb.

On iOS, openSettings>Focus>Do Not Disturb.From the DND screen, you can turn it on, schedule it, or customize the settings to specify which app notifications can get through and which contacts can reach you without being silenced.Utilize the Focus Feature (iOS only)TheFocusfeature on iOS offers more control than the traditionalDo Not Disturbmode, allowing you to customize your phones behavior for specific activities like work, sleep, driving, or personal time.With Focus, you can tailor notifications, apps, and even your home screen to match the activity youre engaged in.

For example, you can create aWork Focus mode that does the following when activated:Allow notifications only from specific work-related apps.Allow calls and messages only from selected contacts(e.g., colleagues or managers).Customize your home screento show only work-related apps, hiding personal apps to help you stay focused.Use Focus Filtersto filter out non-work-related content like personal emails, messages, or calendar events.When set up properly, Focus can help you create a nearly separate phone experience for each activity, keeping distractions at bay and improving your productivity or relaxation time.Watch the video below from Apple Support to learn more about the Focus feature.Block Unknown CallersDespite registering my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, I still receive an average of three unknown calls daily from scammers and marketers.Fortunately, both iOS and Android offer ways to block unknown or specific contacts, helping reduce these interruptions.To block all calls from unknown numbers oniOS:Go toSettings>Phone.TapSilence Unknown Callersand toggle it on.OnAndroid:Open thePhone app.Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.SelectSettings>Block numbersand toggle onBlock unknown callers.If youd like to block a specific contact, simply navigate to their contact page.OniOS, scroll down and tapBlock this Contact.

OnAndroid, tap the three dots next to their name and selectBlock Contact.Note:While blocking unknown callers helps maintain peace of mind, it also means calls from friends or family using unfamiliar numbers (such as during emergencies) or from food delivery services may go straight to voicemail.Keep this in mind before enabling these features.Customize Your Notifications PreferencesWith so many apps available today, its not surprising that the average smartphone user has around 80 apps installed.As a result, the number of notifications we receive daily can quickly become overwhelming.

However, not every app needs to send notifications.Its time to clean up your notification settings.To turn off notifications for any app, Android and iOS have similar steps:OpenSettings >Notifications (On Android, select App Notifications next)Select the app you want to manage.ToggleAllow NotificationsoffAdditionally, within the notifications settings of an app, you can choose to receive only certain types of alerts.For example, you can opt to receive banner notifications without any sounds or vibrations, giving you more control over how yourenotified.Once you turn off notifications for a specific app, you will no longer receive them, regardless of which mode or Focus setting youre using.

If you prefer to silence notifications only during specific timessuch as while youre working or sleepingthenDo Not Disturb and iOS Focusmodes are your best options.Use Airplane Mode for Total SilenceIf youre looking for complete silence and zero distractions, turning on Airplane Modeis a sure way to achieve it.When enabled, Airplane Mode stops all wireless communication on your phone, including calls, messages, and notifications.For the most effective silence, be sure to turn off Wi-Fi as well, as it can still allow apps to send notifications and updates even when Airplane Mode is on.To turn on Airplane Mode on iOS, go to Settings>Airplane Mode> Toggle it on.

On Android, open Settings>Tap on Network & Internet>Airplane Mode> Toggle it on.Want to learn more about Smartphones and their different features? Visit Senior Planet online offerings schedule for the next class on the topic.Also, join theEverything TechandAsk a Tech Expert groups on the Senior Planet Communityplatform to ask any tech questions you might have and discuss technologies with other like-minded individuals.Your TurnWhich Do Not Disturb feature will you try out first? Let us know in the comments below.Techspert Jonathan is Senior Planets Sr.Digital Community Relations and Product Specialist and a former Senior Planet San Antonio technology trainer.

He is also an iOS developer with a background in Information Systems and Cyber Security.Have a tech question thats got you stumped? Send your tech questions to Techspert Jonathan using THIS FORM.Hell be tackling one question a month from readers.