How to Configure and Use Focus Modes on macOS to Improve Productivity

Constant notifications are the enemy of deep work. While Apple has long provided a basic “Do Not Disturb” toggle on macOS, the introduction of Focus Modes has revolutionised how users can manage distractions. Focus Modes allow you to create highly customised profiles that dictate exactly which apps and people can interrupt you based on what you are doing, the time of day, or even your physical location.

If you find yourself constantly distracted by Slack messages or personal iMessages while trying to write code, design, or study, this guide will teach you how to configure Focus Modes on your Mac to reclaim your concentration.

How to Create a Custom Focus Mode

macOS comes with several default modes (like Work, Sleep, and Personal), but creating a custom mode tailored to a specific task yields the best results.

1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select System Settings.
2. In the left sidebar, click on Focus.
3. Click the Add Focus button (usually at the bottom of the list of existing modes).
4. Select Custom.
5. Give your new mode a name (e.g., “Deep Writing” or “Coding Sprint”), choose a colour, and select an icon. Click OK.

Configuring Allowed Notifications (The Whitelist Approach)

The core philosophy of Focus Modes is “whitelisting” rather than “blacklisting”. By default, when a Focus Mode is active, everything is silenced. You must explicitly choose what is allowed through.

Allowing Specific People

1. In your newly created Focus Mode settings, click on Allowed People.
2. You can choose to allow notifications from specific contacts (e.g., your manager or spouse).
3. You can also configure phone call settings. A critical safety feature is to enable Allow repeated calls, meaning if someone calls twice within three minutes, it will break through the Focus Mode in case of an emergency.

Allowing Specific Apps

1. Click on Allowed Apps.
2. Click the Add (+) button to select applications that are crucial to your current task. For a “Coding Sprint”, you might allow GitHub, Terminal, and your code editor, but leave Slack and Mail silenced.
3. Check the box for Time Sensitive Notifications if you want calendar alerts or reminder alarms to break through regardless of the app.

Automating Your Focus Modes (Schedules)

A Focus Mode is only useful if you remember to turn it on. The best strategy is to automate when the mode activates.

1. In the settings for your Focus Mode, scroll down to the Set a Schedule section.
2. Click Add Schedule.
3. You have three powerful automation triggers:
   • Time: Activate automatically between 9 AM and 11 AM every weekday.
   • Location: Activate automatically when your Mac detects you have arrived at the office.
   • App: The most powerful trigger for macOS. You can set the Focus Mode to activate automatically whenever you open a specific application (e.g., automatically engaging “Deep Writing” the moment you open Ulysses or Microsoft Word).

Cross-Device Syncing (The Magic of the Ecosystem)

One of the most significant advantages of Apple’s implementation is iCloud syncing. If you have an iPhone and an iPad using the same Apple ID, you want your Focus Modes to sync across them to prevent your phone from buzzing while your Mac is silenced.

1. Go back to the main Focus menu in System Settings.
2. Ensure the toggle for Share across devices is turned On.

Now, when you trigger your “Coding Sprint” Focus Mode on your Mac, your iPhone will instantly fall silent as well, ensuring complete, unbroken concentration across your entire digital environment.