Set Timed Do Not Disturb in iOS 12 Control Center

Apple's iOS 12 allows you to set time-bound Do Not Disturb sessions directly from the Control Center. Using 3D Touch or a long press on the Do Not Disturb icon, you can activate the feature for specific durations, such as a single hour, until a scheduled calendar event finishes, or until you leave your current location, without navigating into the Settings menu.

How to Activate Timed Do Not Disturb

To set a temporary Do Not Disturb session on a device running iOS 12, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen on iPhone X or later, or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen on iPhone 8 and earlier models.
  2. Access the Menu: Locate the Do Not Disturb icon (represented by a crescent moon). Firmly press it using 3D Touch, or press and hold it if your device does not support 3D Touch.
  3. Select a Duration: A contextual menu will appear with preset time frames. Tap your preferred option to enable it immediately.

Available Time Options

The pop-up menu provides dynamic choices based on the time of day, your location, and your calendar:

  • For 1 hour: Silences calls, alerts, and notifications for exactly sixty minutes from the time of activation.
  • Until this evening / Until tomorrow morning: Automatically keeps notifications silenced until the current part of the day concludes.
  • Until I leave this location: Uses geofencing to keep Do Not Disturb active until your device detects that you have moved away from your current physical location.
  • Until the end of this event: Appears if you have an active event on your iOS Calendar, automatically disabling Do Not Disturb when the scheduled event ends.

Turning Off the Session Early

If you need to end a time-bound session before the selected condition expires, open the Control Center and tap the highlighted crescent moon icon once. The feature will immediately deactivate, restoring normal notifications and alerts.