Driving Focus: Your iPhone’s Secret Weapon for Safer Roads

I won’t get in the car if my friend Harold is driving.

He’s the kind of driver who will simultaneously eat a sandwich and answer a text from his grandson about Bitcoin while navigating through a roundabout.

He reminds me of the circus performers who spin plates while riding a unicycle.

The key difference? Circus performers actually practice their stunts. They’re also not handling two tons of metal through a School Zone.

Like a Tiny Driver’s Ed Instructor in Your iPhone

This, my friends, is why the clever folks at Apple invented something called “Driving Focus.”

This feature is like having a tiny driver’s ed instructor living inside your iPhone. Except this one doesn’t have an emergency brake pedal and won’t scream, “FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT’S HOLY, WATCH OUT FOR THAT SQUIRREL!”

Let’s face it – driving demands focus. Yet our phones bombard us with endless notifications.

• There’s Mabel from the Bridge Club texting another update.
• Your daughter sends a “baby’s first steps” video (take 47).
• Plus 17 alerts from that cooking appAn app (short for application) is a program that helps you do specific tasks on your smartphone, tab... More you don’t remember downloading.

Before Driving Focus, your options were:

1. Ignore everything and feel like you’re missing out on World War III
2. Try to check your phone while steering with your knee (a maneuver I like to call “The Social Security Shortener”)
3. Pull over every five minutes like you’re on a road trip with a toddler who just discovered large sodas

But now? Now, your iPhone basically puts on a tiny crossing guard uniform and takes control of the situation.

So, What Is Driving Focus?

Driving Focus (formerly called “Do Not Disturb While Driving” because Apple loves rebranding things) is your personal road safety assistant.

It silences texts, calls, and notifications while you’re behind the wheel. This lets you focus on more important things—like remembering which pedal is the brake.

And don’t worry—your iPhone doesn’t just ghost everyone. It lets them know you’re driving and too busy to answer their “What’s for dinner?” texts.

If it’s urgent, they can break through by sending an extra message that says, “URGENT!” (Which, frankly, sounds like something out of a spy movie.)

Why Should You Use Driving Focus?

Well, unless you have a chauffeur (and if you do, I’m jealous), distracted driving is a big deal. Notifications, calls, and those pesky group chats can wait until you’re not barreling down the freeway. Driving Focus helps you:

• Stay focused on the road (instead of your phone).
• Let others know you’re driving (so they don’t think you’re ignoring them on purpose).
• Avoid awkward situations, like accidentally answering a FaceTimeFaceTime is Apple’s video and audio calling service that lets you connect with people in real-time... More call while singing along to your ‘80s playlist.

Basically, it keeps you—and everyone around you—safer. Plus, it’s like having an excuse to not deal with annoying calls. Win-win!

Setting It Up: So Easy, Your Cat Could Do It (But Don’t Let Them Drive)

(Note: Tech companies love rearranging things. If the instructions below aren’t exact, the tech fairies have probably moved things around. Try searching for the setting on your device. If that doesn’t work, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or do a quick web search for instructions using your device model and software version.)

Here’s where I tell you how to set this miracle up, and I promise it’s easier than explaining to your grandkids why you still have a landline:

1. Find your Settings app. It’s the one with the gear iconAn icon is a small graphical symbol used to represent an object, action, or concept in a digital int... More that looks like something that fell off your garage door opener.
2. ScrollScrolling is a fundamental action used to navigate through content on digital devices, such as compu... More down until you see “Focus.”
3. Tap the plus sign (+).
4. Select “Driving” (Not “Sleep” – though I know some people who could use both simultaneously)
5. Tap “Customize Focus” – and now we’re cooking with gas!

Customize It to Your Heart’s Content

Now the fun part – making Driving Focus your own! There are a bunch of customization options to choose from.

The VIP List: Choosing Who Can Break Through Your Digital Force Field

This is where you decide who gets the golden ticket to interrupt your driving zen. It’s like making the guest list for your wedding, except with less drama about who sits at the head table.

You’ll want to add:

• Your doctor (because some calls you actually need to take)
• Your kids (because they worry, bless their helicopter-parenting hearts)
• Your best friend (who knows not to call unless there’s a sale at Costco)

Do NOT add:

• That chatty neighbor who wants to tell you about their lawn care routine
• Anyone trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty
• Your grandson’s friend’s cousin who’s starting a multilevel marketing business

Making It Automatic: Because You Have Better Things to Remember

Your iPhone can turn on Driving Focus automatically, like a loyal butler who knows exactly when you need a cup of tea. You have several options:

1. “Automatically” – Your phone detects when you’re moving at car speed. (Warning: May activate during enthusiastic line dancing)
2. “When Connected to Car BluetoothBluetooth is a technology that lets devices connect wirelessly over short distances, usually up to a... More” – Perfect for those who’ve finally figured out how to pair their phone with their car, an achievement worthy of a Nobel Prize in my book.
3. “Activate with CarPlay” – For fancy folks whose cars are smarter than my first computer.
4. “Manually” – For control freaks and people who still write checks at the grocery store.

The Auto-Reply Feature: Your Digital Secretary With Attitude

This is perhaps the most brilliant part. You can set up automatic replies to texts while you’re driving. It’s like having a personal assistant, except this one doesn’t call in sick or steal your lunch from the break room fridge.

You can customize your message to say something like:

“Behind the wheel at the moment! Prioritizing not hitting curbs, small animals, or large potholes. I’ll text you back once I’m no longer in motion—and hopefully in one piece.”

Or…

“Currently driving, which means my hands are on the wheel and my brain is entirely occupied trying to remember where I was going. I’ll get back to you once I’ve solved this riddle and parked safely.”

Or…

Well, I could keep going all day, but you get the idea!

How to Turn Driving Focus On and Off

Once it’s set up, turning Driving Focus on is so simple even Siri could do it (and she probably will if you ask her). Here’s how:

• From Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner, tap Focus, then hit Driving.
• Ask Siri: Just say, “Hey Siri, turn on Driving Focus,” and feel like a wizard.
• From the Lock Screen: Tap the car icon that appears when Driving Focus is active.

When you’re done driving (or sitting in the driveway because your favorite song came on), turn it off the same way. Easy peasy.

Safety First, Funny Texts Second

Look, we all know that checking your phone while driving makes about as much sense as wearing stilettos to a yoga class.

Driving Focus is your iPhone’s way of saying, “I love you, please don’t drive into a mailbox while checking Facebook.”

It’s a simple way to stay safe, stress less, and maybe even enjoy your drive a little more. So, take five minutes to set it up—it’s worth it.

Because at the end of the day, the best text message is the one that waits patiently until you’re safely parked.

Now, go forth and focus on the road… with a little help from your iPhone!