Disable App Notifications Only During Work Hours on iPhone

 Constant notifications can disrupt your focus — especially during work hours. Whether it’s messages, app alerts, or social media updates, iPhone users can now manage when notifications appear without turning them off entirely. In this OnePlus guide, we’ll show you how to disable app notifications only during work hours using Apple’s Focus and automation tools.


Why Limit Notifications During Work Hours

Notifications are helpful — until they interrupt your productivity. Limiting them helps you:

  • Stay focused on important tasks.

  • Avoid distractions from non-work apps.

  • Maintain a better work-life balance.

  • Ensure critical alerts (like calls or calendar reminders) still come through.

OnePlus Tip: Apple’s Focus feature automatically silences non-essential notifications while allowing important ones, so you never miss what matters.


Step 1: Open Focus Settings on iPhone

The Focus feature is designed to control notifications based on time, location, or activity.

  1. Go to Settings → Focus.

  2. Tap the + (Add) icon and choose Work.

  3. Customize your Work Focus name, color, and symbol.

This will create a dedicated profile for managing notifications during work hours.


Step 2: Choose Which Notifications Are Allowed

Apple lets you specify which people and apps can notify you during Work Focus.

  1. In the Work Focus screen, tap People.

    • Add colleagues or family members you still want to receive calls or messages from.

  2. Tap Apps.

    • Add essential apps (like Mail, Slack, or Calendar).

    • Avoid adding social media or gaming apps.

OnePlus Tip: If your job uses specific communication apps, add only those to avoid unnecessary distractions.


Step 3: Set Your Work Schedule Automatically

Instead of turning Focus on manually every day, you can schedule it to activate during your work hours.

  1. In Work Focus, scroll down to Set a Schedule.

  2. Tap Add Schedule or Automation.

  3. Choose Time and set your work start and end hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM).

  4. Tap Done.

Your iPhone will now silence all non-work notifications during these times automatically.

OnePlus Tip: If your work hours vary, you can create multiple time-based schedules or use location triggers for your workplace.


Step 4: Enable Focus Status Sharing

When Focus is active, your contacts can see that you have notifications silenced.

  1. In Settings → Focus → Work.

  2. Turn on Share Focus Status.

This tells people in iMessage or supported apps that you’re currently focused — reducing unnecessary interruptions.


Step 5: Customize Home Screen for Work Mode

You can simplify your Home Screen during work to avoid distractions.

  1. Inside Work Focus, tap Home Screen.

  2. Enable Custom Pages.

  3. Select only the pages with your work-related apps (like Mail, Calendar, or Notes).

This hides entertainment and personal apps until the Focus mode ends.

OnePlus Tip: This minimal setup helps your brain associate your iPhone with productivity during work hours.


Step 6: Use Automation with Shortcuts

If you want even finer control, use Shortcuts automation:

  1. Open the Shortcuts app → Automation tab.

  2. Tap + → Create Personal Automation.

  3. Choose Time of Day → Set your work hours.

  4. Add the action Set Focus → Work → Turn On.

  5. Add another automation for turning it Off after work hours.

OnePlus Tip: You can combine Focus with actions like dimming your wallpaper or enabling Low Power Mode for distraction-free working.


Step 7: Check Notification Summary

If you don’t want to miss updates completely, use Scheduled Summary:

  1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Scheduled Summary.

  2. Turn it on and select non-urgent apps (e.g., Instagram, YouTube).

  3. Choose delivery times after your work hours.

This keeps notifications silent during the day but delivers them all at once later.


Related OnePlus Guides


FAQ

1. Can I enable different Focus modes for weekdays and weekends?
Yes — create separate schedules for weekdays and weekends under Focus → Work.

2. Will I still receive urgent calls or messages?
Yes, if you’ve added specific contacts to the “Allowed Notifications” list.

3. Does Focus mode sync across all my Apple devices?
Yes, if you’re signed in with the same Apple ID and have Share Across Devices turned on.


Final Thoughts

Managing notifications doesn’t mean going offline — it means taking control of your attention. With Focus, automation, and notification summaries, iPhone users in the U.S. can easily silence distractions during work hours while staying connected to what’s important. OnePlus recommends reviewing your Focus setup every few months to match your changing schedule and workflow.

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