How to Set Up Driving Focus on iPhone to Stop Texts While You Drive

A phone lighting up on the passenger seat is a temptation nobody needs at 60mph.

Driving Focus silences texts and notifications while you drive, and sends an automatic reply so people know you're on the road.

Driving Focus is a Focus mode for the car. It silences or limits notifications, can read replies with Siri, and sends an auto-reply to people who message you. It can switch on by itself when your iPhone detects driving or connects to your car.

Takes: 2 minutes · Works on: iOS 15 or later · Cost: free, built into your iPhone

Settings > Focus > Driving > While Driving

1. Open Focus. Open Settings and tap Focus.
2. Add Driving. Tap Driving. If it isn't listed, tap + and choose Driving.
3. Make it automatic. Tap While Driving and choose Automatically, or When Connected to Car Bluetooth.
4. Set the auto-reply. Tap Auto-Reply and choose who gets it, such as Favourites or All Contacts.

💡 Someone can break through by sending 'urgent' as a second message. Tell family so they know how to reach you.

• Passenger? Tap the notification and choose I'm Not Driving.
• Calls still come through to CarPlay or a hands-free kit.
• Edit the auto-reply message to say what you like.
• Maps directions still work as normal.

Will I miss emergency calls?

Calls come through if you're connected to CarPlay or hands-free, and repeated calls from the same person can break through.

Why does it turn on when I'm on a train?

Automatic detection can mistake other transport for driving. Tap I'm Not Driving, or switch to the car Bluetooth option.