How to Share Focus Across Devices (iOS 17)

By Elisabeth Garry Updated 08/30/2023

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Focus modes let you customize different Do Not Disturb settings when you don't want to be bothered by notifications and messages. So what happens when you turn on Focus for your iPhone, but you still get notifications on your iPad? We'll show you how to turn on Share Across Devices in Focus mode with this quick setting.

Why You'll Love This Tip:

Sync Focus across all of your devices and save yourself the hassle of setting it individually on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
Change this setting back just as easily if you'd prefer to continue receiving notifications and messages on one of your devices.

How to Share Focus Across Devices

System Requirements

This tip works on iPhones running iOS 16 or later. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS.

When you turn on Share Across Devices, your Focus will be activated not only on your iPhone, but also on your iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. For this tip to work, make sure that you are signed in on all of your Apple devices using the same Apple ID. By default, Share Across Devices under Focus should be enabled, but if you're still getting notifications or messages on some devices when Focus mode is enabled on another, use the steps below to set Focus to sync across your devices. To learn more about Apple's best productivity features, check out our Tip of the Day newsletter.

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Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap on Focus.

Tap the Share Across Devices toggle to enable the feature. The toggle will be green when enabled.

Now the notifications for all of your iCloud-linked devices will be filtered by the Focus mode you set on one device! Next, learn how to set allowed or silenced people and apps in Focus mode.

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Topics

Productivity & Business

Author Details

Elisabeth Garry

Elisabeth Garry is an Associate Editor for iPhone Life. Formerly of Gartner and Software Advice, they have six years of experience writing about technology for everyday users, specializing in iPhones, HomePods, and Apple TV. As a former college writing instructor, they are passionate about effective, accessible communication, which is perhaps why they love helping readers master the strongest communication tools they have available: their iPhones. They have a degree in Russian Literature and Language from Reed College.

When they’re not writing for iPhone Life, they’re reading about maritime disasters, writing fiction, rock climbing, or walking their adorable dog, Moosh.

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