IPHONE
How to turn on the Driving Focus on an iPhone (iOS 27)
In short
Open Settings, tap Focus, then Driving. If it is not listed, as on our iPhone 17e, tap + at the top right, choose Driving and tap Customise Focus. Tap While Driving and choose Automatically, When Connected to Car Bluetooth or Manually. Manually was the default on our iPhone 17e.
5 of 5 steps show a real screenshot from our iPhone 17e. Each step was checked against the maker's own instructions, linked at the end.
Steps
- 1
Open Settings, Focus and tap +
Driving was not in our list: it held Do Not Disturb, Reduce Interruptions, Personal, Sleep and Work. Apple says that if you do not see Driving, tap + at the top right.
- 2
Tap Driving
The page asks: What do you want to focus on? Driving is the second choice, below Custom.
- 3
Tap Customise Focus
The Driving Focus page explains it silences notifications on the road. Tap the button at the bottom.
- 4
Tap While Driving
While Driving is under Turn On Automatically. Ours said Activate manually.
- 5
Choose when it starts
Pick Automatically, When Connected to Car Bluetooth or Manually. Activate With CarPlay is a separate switch below.
If you do not see this option
- Driving is not in the Focus list? That was the case on our iPhone 17e. Apple says to tap + and then Driving, as in steps 1 and 2. Source: Stay focused while driving with iPhone
- No CarPlay choice under While Driving? Apple's guide lists Activate With CarPlay as a fourth choice. On our iPhone 17e with iOS 27.0.1 it was a separate switch below Automatically, When Connected to Car Bluetooth and Manually. Source: Stay focused while driving with iPhone
If this does not work
- It turns on as a passenger? Choose When Connected to Car Bluetooth or Manually instead of Automatically.
- Calls still come through? Apple says calls are allowed only when the iPhone is connected to CarPlay, a car Bluetooth system or a hands-free accessory.
- It does not start in your car? When Connected to Car Bluetooth needs the iPhone to join the car over Bluetooth. If your car uses CarPlay, check the separate Activate With CarPlay switch below the While Driving choices as well.
- Nothing happens with Manually? Manually means the Focus never starts by itself. Turn it on before you set off, from Control Centre as described below, or pick one of the automatic choices instead.
- An important person cannot reach you? Like other Focus types, Driving lets you choose who and what may still alert you. Open Settings, Focus, Driving and check the people and apps allowed there before your next trip.
Good to know
To turn it on by hand with Manually, Apple says to use Control Centre: tap Focus, then Driving.
The Driving Focus page also has Auto-Reply; ours was set to Favourites. Apple says you can choose who gets it and change the message.
For other Focus types, see how to create a custom Focus on an iPhone.
With the Focus set up, notifications are held back while it is on and show again once it ends. Nothing is deleted. To stop it starting by itself, set While Driving back to Manually. To remove it completely, open the Driving Focus page and delete it, as we did after taking the screenshots. For a Focus you use outside the car, see how to turn on Do Not Disturb on an iPhone.
About this guide
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 27.0.1 (iPhone 17e)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Focus › + › Driving › While Driving
- Real screenshots
- 5 of 5 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 2 official, linked below
Sources
Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.Spotted a mistake? Menus change with updates, and we want every step to match your screen. Email us about this page or use the contact form. We read every report, and fixes are listed on What changed.
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