How to Hide App Badges Using iOS 15 Focus Mode

Apple’s iOS 15 introduced a comprehensive Focus feature designed to minimize distractions and reduce digital clutter. Beyond simply silencing incoming alerts, Focus allows users to customize their visual interface by hiding notification badges—the red counter dots on app icons—on designated Home Screen pages. This guide explains how the system works and how to configure custom Home Screen pages and Focus settings to eliminate badge-induced anxiety.

The Mechanics of Focus Badging in iOS 15

In iOS 15, Focus modes operate at the system level to alter how your device displays information. Traditionally, app badges remain visible regardless of whether an app’s sound or banner notifications are muted. Focus bridges this gap by decoupling your app layout and badge visibility from the default Home Screen configuration.

When creating a custom Focus, iOS provides two interconnected controls:

  1. Custom Pages: The ability to hide irrelevant Home Screen pages entirely, displaying only the pages containing apps pertinent to your current task.
  2. Hide Notification Badges: A dedicated setting that suppresses the red badge counters on all visible apps while that specific Focus mode is active.

How to Configure the Custom Focus Setup

To hide notification badges on selected Home Screen pages, follow these steps:

1. Prepare Dedicated Home Screen Pages

Before setting up the Focus mode, organize your apps:

  • Group distracting apps (such as social media, email, or messaging) onto separate Home Screen pages from your essential or productivity apps.
  • Ensure the apps you wish to see without notification badges are organized on their own dedicated pages.

2. Create or Edit a Custom Focus

  • Open Settings on your iPhone.
  • Tap Focus.
  • Tap the + (plus) icon in the top-right corner to create a new custom Focus, or tap an existing Focus (such as Work or Personal).
  • Name your Focus and assign it an icon and color.

3. Customize Home Screen and Badge Settings

  • Within the Focus settings menu, scroll down to the Options section.
  • Tap Home Screen.
  • Toggle on Custom Pages. A list of your current Home Screen pages will appear; check only the page(s) you want to see during this Focus mode.
  • Toggle on Hide Notification Badges.

The Resulting Behavior

Once this configuration is active, two things occur simultaneously:

  • Only the selected Home Screen pages are visible when you swipe through your screens; all unchecked pages are temporarily hidden from view.
  • Every app displayed on those visible pages has its red badge counter removed. Incoming notifications are quietly routed to the Notification Center without altering the visual appearance of your Home Screen icons.

By assigning schedules, locations, or Smart Activation to this custom Focus, you can automate this environment so distracting badge counts disappear during work hours, study sessions, or downtime.