Mac Power Users 830: iOS 26: Focus Modes & Notifications
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Jan 4, 2026 This week, the hosts dive into strategies for managing smartphone notifications and regaining focus. They explore the benefits of focus modes, detailing how to customize settings based on context. Discussions include filtering notifications by people and apps, utilizing color-coded lock screens, and syncing preferences across devices. They also emphasize the importance of turning off distracting alerts while suggesting methods for evaluating app noise. Finally, they advocate for thoughtful notification management to enhance productivity.
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Focus Modes Change Device Context
- Focus modes let your device act differently in different contexts by changing notifications, home screens, and wallpapers.
- David Sparks argues a small time investment yields large gains against the attention crisis.
Disneyland Distraction Led To A Mode
- David Sparks missed family time at Disneyland because a client’s urgent messages hijacked his attention.
- That experience led him to create a Disneyland focus mode to block interruptions during family outings.
Choose A Single Primary Filter
- Decide whether a focus mode should 'allow everyone except a few' or 'block everyone except a few' and apply that as the primary filter.
- Use that big decision first, then tweak exceptions later.