Make your own Focus on your Mac

Why it happens

Do Not Disturb silences almost everything, which isn't always what you want. A Focus of your own lets you decide exactly who and what gets through while you work, study or play. With Share across devices on, it also shows up on your iPhone and iPad signed in to the same Apple Account.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, and click Focus in the sidebar.

2. Click Add Focus… under the list of Focus modes.

   Focus›Add Focus…

3. Pick a ready-made Focus such as Work, Reading or Gaming, or choose Custom to give it your own name, colour and icon.

4. In the new Focus, click Allowed People and Allowed Apps and add only those that should still be able to notify you.

5. If you'd like it to turn on by itself, click Set a Schedule in the same Focus and add a time, a place or an app.

6. To turn it on now, click Control Center in the menu bar, click Focus, and choose your new one.

Still not fixed?

1. If the type you want isn't offered, you've probably added it already. Each ready-made type can only be added once, so look for it in the Focus list, or use Custom.

2. If your Focus turns on or off by itself, it may be following your iPhone or iPad. Turn off Share across devices if you want your Mac to keep its own.

   Focus›Share across devices

3. If an app still interrupts you, it may be sending Time Sensitive notifications. Check the app's settings in Notifications, and the Allowed Apps list of your Focus.

4. To remove a Focus you no longer want, open it in Focus settings and click Delete Focus at the bottom.

   Focus›Delete Focus

5. If your Focus settings won't save, or a Focus keeps changing on its own with Share across devices off, contact Apple Support.