iOS 12 Do Not Disturb Features and Updates

Apple introduced significant upgrades to Do Not Disturb in iOS 12, focusing on reducing screen interruptions and offering greater contextual control over how and when notifications are silenced. This article outlines the major enhancements brought to the feature, including the dedicated Bedtime mode, intelligent location and calendar triggers, and improved Control Center integration designed to help users disconnect more easily.

Do Not Disturb During Bedtime

One of the most prominent additions to iOS 12 was "Do Not Disturb during Bedtime." Previously, Do Not Disturb simply muted incoming calls and alert sounds, but notifications would still light up the display and accumulate on the Lock Screen.

With Bedtime mode enabled:

The Lock Screen display is dimmed completely.
Incoming alerts, calls, and banners are routed directly to the Notification Center rather than waking the screen or displaying on the Lock Screen.
When users pick up their phone during the night, they only see the time and date, preventing the urge to check incoming messages.
Upon waking, tapping the screen displays a "Good Morning" greeting accompanied by the current weather, along with a prompt to reveal the notifications that arrived overnight.

Contextual and Location-Based Options

iOS 12 added intelligent time and location-based options through the Control Center, moving beyond simple static schedules. By using 3D Touch (or a long press on non-3D Touch devices) on the Do Not Disturb tile, users can activate the mode for specific scenarios:

For 1 hour: Quickly silences interruptions for a short burst of focus.
Until this evening / Until tomorrow morning: Automatically detects the time of day and keeps the phone quiet until a standard shift in schedule occurs.
Until I leave this location: Utilizes geofencing to keep Do Not Disturb active until the device departs a specific area, such as a movie theater, library, or office.
Until the end of this event: Syncs with the iOS Calendar app. If an event or meeting is currently taking place, the system offers an option to keep the phone silent until the scheduled event concludes.

Lock Screen Notification Management

In conjunction with Do Not Disturb, iOS 12 introduced "Deliver Quietly" directly from the Lock Screen. While not strictly a Do Not Disturb toggle, this feature directly complements quiet hours by letting users bypass the main Lock Screen for specific apps, sending their alerts straight to the Notification Center without sounds, banners, or badge counts.