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How to get ahold of someone whose iPhone is on Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb mode has been standard on smartphones for a long time, and it’s excellent for keeping distractions at bay. It’s a great feature, but people avoid using it for fear of missing important calls and messages from certain people. Not to worry!
Here’s how to get around that so you can use Do Not Disturb without worry.
First, a refresher
Do Not Disturb mode does just that — it silences calls, alerts and notifications while your phone is locked (check out the Notification Center to see what you missed). You can set it up during work or when you need a break.
But what if someone you care about is trying to get through? That’s what exceptions are for. We’ll show you how to set up Do Not Disturb precisely how you want it.
Let these people through
Here’s how to let select people’s messages come through when using Do Not Disturb mode:
- Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.
- Tap People and make sure Allow Notifications From is checked.
- Tap Add People and choose from your list of contacts.
- Tap Done when you’re finished.
What about phone calls? There’s a separate setting for that:
- Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.
- Tap People, then tap the option next to Allow Calls From (the default is Contact Only)
- Choose Allowed People Only to let the people you added in the steps above ring your phone.
Bypassing Do Not Disturb with the Find My app
The Find My app lets you find your lost device by giving directions and playing a sound. This vital tool bypasses Do Not Disturb as well.
4 suspicious behaviors to avoid at the self-checkout line
Self-checkout stations are convenient and often less stressful than waiting for a clerk. Is it worth the risk of being taken aside and questioned? We have an easy way to make your dollar stretch on groceries. But today, we’re here to talk about self-checkout safety precautions you should be utilizing.
Ultimate power move? Using a dumbphone like the Punkt MP02. Some bosses are switching to old-school tech to cut out distractions and constant notifications. Snap’s Chairman swears by fax machines, saying they’re more secure than email and grab others’ attention because they’re so rare (paywall link).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Instantly become more productive on your PC or phone with this app
If you ever struggle with getting more done on your PC or phone, it’s time to upgrade. There’s an app that helps boost productivity. The best part? You only need a few minutes of willpower to set it up and eliminate distractions. We’ll explain what it is and how it works.
Tech tip: How to see multiple windows on the same computer screen
Whether you’re working at home or at the office, there’s always a way to increase productivity. From limiting distractions to organizing your files, there is no definitive list on how to get more done in less time.
A second monitor can have a large effect on productivity. Not everyone has the space for this, but a vertically-oriented monitor can solve that issue. Not only that, but a vertical monitor is ideal for scrolling through websites and text. Tap or click here for tips on setting up a second monitor for vertical orientation.
Paging Dr. Mario: This is something. EndeavorRx is the first FDA-approved prescription video game for ADHD. It challenges kids to multitask and ignore distractions while navigating levels. Some 73% of kids who used it said their attention spans improved. Def worth sharing to (maybe) get the kids off pharmaceuticals.
Can't put your phone down? How to lock yourself out
Have you been following up on your New Year’s resolutions? It’s not too late, even if you didn’t make any resolutions, to begin with. The point is to find something and stick to it.
It’s not all about losing weight or picking up a new hobby. You can start the year right by getting your tech products in order. From deleting and donating your old devices to reducing distractions, our tech resolutions are easy to follow. Tap or click here to check them out.
3 simple tech resolutions you can actually keep
If you have ever made a New Year’s Resolution, you know how difficult it can be to keep. But just because 2021 has been just as much of a mess as the year before, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use tech to go into the new year.
This new iPhone feature alerts your contacts when you aren't free to text back
Big Tech developers release regular updates to their software that introduce new features, boost security and more. These incremental updates are supplanted by major releases that sometimes overhaul entire systems. Like it or not, the hype keeps current users interested while attracting new ones.
2 clever ways to improve work productivity
A study from Microsoft suggests that 40% of the time when a worker is interrupted, they don’t return to work right away. Another statistic says that when a worker is interrupted from a task, it takes about 20 minutes to re-acclimate to what they were doing.
How to set up sleep tracking on your iPhone and Apple Watch
Getting enough sleep each night is one of the best things you can do for your body. Your iPhone and Apple Watch can actually help you keep track of your sleep through Apple’s Health app. You can even use your gadget to do a lot more than simply keep track of your sleep.
iPhone how-to: Set up Do Not Disturb
Look, we all have times when we don’t want to be disturbed, and our phones can easily become the worst kind of distraction. For all those times, iPhone has Do Not Disturb mode, which can even be customized to suit your every need.
5 tips for returning to the office and keeping your employees safe
For the past few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many Americans working from home for the first time. Collectively, we’ve transitioned to video meetings, more emails than ever and new tech to get our work done remotely.
This free plugin blocks websites that distract you during the workday
If you’ve temporarily transitioned from life in an office to working from home, you may be struggling to stay focused when you’re supposed to be working. It can be hard to adjust to a new normal — especially with the slew of new distractions that pique your interest online every single day.