Smart Focus app icon

Smart Focus

Step-by-step setup guide

Smart Focus determines which Focus mode should be active based on your schedule, calendar events, working days and public holidays.

Important: iOS does not allow third-party apps to change the active Focus mode directly. Smart Focus determines the appropriate mode and passes its name to the Shortcuts app, which performs the change.

1

Configure Smart Focus

Start by giving Smart Focus the permissions it needs and defining how your Focus modes should be selected.

Smart Focus permission request screen on first launch

First opening

When Smart Focus opens for the first time, tap Request Permissions.

iOS will then ask you to grant the permissions required by the app.

Grant permissions

iOS permission request for Focus access

Focus

Tap Allow when iOS asks for Focus access.

iOS permission request for Smart Focus notifications

Notifications

Tap Allow if you want Smart Focus notifications.

iOS permission request for full calendar access

Calendar

Select Allow Full Access so Smart Focus can evaluate your calendar events.

Smart Focus main screen with Manage Focus settings

Set up your Focus modes

From the main screen, tap Manage Focus.

Add the Focus modes that Smart Focus should use.

Important

Focus mode names must exactly match the names configured in iPhone Settings, including spelling, spaces and capitalization.

Smart Focus screen for adding Focus mode names

Add your Focus modes

Enter each Focus mode you want Smart Focus to use.

For example:

  • Do Not Disturb
  • Work
  • Personal
  • Holiday
  • Sleep

When you are finished, tap Back.

Smart Focus Days and Times schedule settings

Days & Times

Define which Focus mode should be used according to your working schedule.

  • Focus mode used during meetings;
  • working-day Focus and working hours;
  • Focus used outside working hours;
  • different schedules for non-working days;
  • night-time Focus;
  • Focus used on public holidays.
Example

On working days, use Work from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Personal from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and Sleep after 11:00 PM.

Smart Focus calendar and event settings

Calendar settings

Select the calendar Smart Focus should use to detect meetings and other events.

You can also choose how Smart Focus handles:

  • all-day events;
  • tentative events;
  • events containing specific words;
  • events that should trigger Holiday Focus;
  • a dedicated public-holidays calendar.
Smart Focus public holidays calendar selection Smart Focus screen for selecting public holidays

Choose your public holidays

If you selected a public-holidays calendar, tap Select public holidays.

Select the days on which you want Smart Focus to use your Holiday Focus mode.

You can return to this list at any time if your calendar changes.

Smart Focus System settings for appearance and notifications

Notifications and appearance

Open System to customize Smart Focus.

You can choose:

  • the application appearance;
  • which notifications you want to receive;
  • whether every execution should generate a notification.
Tip

Enabling all notifications means that Smart Focus can notify you every time the shortcut is executed.

2

Install the Smart Focus Shortcut

The Shortcut receives the Focus mode selected by Smart Focus and applies it on your iPhone.

Recommended

Install the ready-to-use Shortcut

The template is already configured for the standard Focus modes used by Smart Focus.

You can rename the Focus modes in the Shortcut if your iPhone uses different names.

Advanced — Create the Shortcut manually
Shortcuts app showing the Smart Focus Select Focus mode action

Create a new Shortcut

  1. Open the Shortcuts app.
  2. Create a new Shortcut.
  3. Search for Smart Focus.
  4. Select Select Focus mode.
Smart Focus Shortcut with If and Set Focus actions

Add the Focus logic

  1. Add an If action.
  2. Use the result of Select Focus mode as the condition.
  3. Add the appropriate Set Focus action.
Completed Smart Focus Shortcut configuration

Complete the Shortcut

In the Otherwise branch, add another Set Focus action and use the Focus name returned by Smart Focus.

Your Shortcut is now ready to be automated.

3

Create the automation

The final step is to make iOS run the Smart Focus Shortcut automatically.

Shortcuts app screen for creating a new automation

Create a Time of Day automation

  1. Open the Shortcuts app.
  2. Open Automation.
  3. Create a new automation.
  4. Select Time of Day.
Shortcuts Time of Day automation with Run Immediately enabled

Choose when it should run

Select the desired time and configure the automation to repeat daily.

Select Run Immediately so no manual confirmation is required.

Multiple checks per day

If you want Smart Focus to evaluate your situation several times during the day, create additional Time of Day automations for each desired execution time.

Shortcuts automation screen for choosing the Smart Focus Shortcut Smart Focus Shortcut selected for the automation

Select your Smart Focus Shortcut

Select the Shortcut you installed or created in the previous step.

Repeat the process for every time at which you want Smart Focus to run.

✓

You're all set!

Smart Focus can now determine the appropriate Focus mode according to your schedule, calendar events, working days and public holidays.

Your iOS automations will regularly run the Shortcut and apply the selected Focus mode.

→

Next steps

Learn more about Smart Focus and how it makes your iPhone Focus modes smarter.

You can also follow our recommended Focus mode setup for Personal, Holiday, Work, Do Not Disturb and Sleep.