Block Notifications with iOS 15 Focus Mode

Apple introduced Focus in iOS 15 as an evolution of Do Not Disturb, allowing users to filter distractions by managing alert delivery based on their current activity. This guide explains how iOS 15 Focus configurations manage incoming alerts, how the underlying "Allowed" list architecture effectively blocks notifications from specific individuals and apps, and the exact configuration steps required to silence unwanted interruptions.

The iOS 15 "Allowed List" Mechanism

Unlike later iOS versions that offer an explicit "Silence" list (a blacklist), iOS 15 manages notification blocking through an "Allowed Notifications" model (a whitelist). Under this system, any person or application that is not explicitly added to your allowed list is automatically silenced when the Focus profile is active.

When a contact or app is excluded:

  • Incoming alerts do not trigger sounds, vibrations, or screen wake-ups.
  • Notifications bypass the Lock Screen and route directly to the Notification Center.
  • Messages and app events still arrive, but they remain silent until you manually open the Notification Center or disable the Focus mode.

How to Block Specific People

To block notifications from specific people, you must curate an allowed list that excludes them:

  1. Open Settings on your iOS 15 device.
  2. Tap Focus, then select an existing profile (such as Personal or Work) or tap the + (Plus) icon in the top right to create a Custom Focus.
  3. Under the Allowed Notifications section, tap People.
  4. Tap Add and select only the contacts you wish to receive notifications from. Anyone left off this list will be blocked from sending banner alerts or playing alert sounds.
  5. Under Also Allow, tap Calls From to specify who can ring through (e.g., Everybody, Nobody, Favorites, or All Contacts). To block calls from specific unwanted contacts, set this to Favorites and ensure those contacts are not in your Favorites list.
  6. Toggle off Repeated Calls if you do not want a second call within three minutes to break through the silence.

How to Block Specific Applications

Application blocking functions identically using the whitelist model:

  1. Within your Focus profile settings, tap Apps under Allowed Notifications.
  2. Tap Add and select only the applications permitted to send real-time alerts. Any app left unselected is blocked from delivering immediate banners or sounds.
  3. Review the Time Sensitive toggle. If enabled, apps marked as capable of sending high-priority alerts (such as delivery or security apps) may still alert you. Toggle this off to ensure complete silencing of unapproved apps.

What Happens to Blocked Notifications

When Focus actively blocks alerts from unlisted people and applications, the data is not lost:

  • Notification Center: Swiping down from the top of the screen displays all silenced notifications.
  • Focus Status: If enabled under Focus Status, supported messaging apps (like iMessage) will display a banner to contacts indicating that you have notifications silenced.
  • Emergency Bypass: Contacts designated with "Emergency Bypass" enabled in their contact card will override custom Focus rules for calls and texts.