How to Use Do Not Disturb While Driving on iPhone

Do Not Disturb While Driving is an iPhone feature that automatically silences notifications and sends auto-replies to incoming texts when it detects you are driving. It helps you stay focused on the road and reduces distractions. Before you start, make sure your iPhone is running iOS 11 or later, and that you have a valid emergency contact set in your Medical ID if you want to allow calls from certain people.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone with iOS 11 or later
• Bluetooth or CarPlay (optional, for automatic activation)
• Apple Watch (optional, for activation when driving)

Step-by-Step

1. Open Settings. Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen.
2. Tap Focus. In iOS 15 and later, Do Not Disturb is under the Focus menu. On older iOS versions, look for “Do Not Disturb” directly in Settings.
3. Tap Driving. You’ll see a list of Focus modes; select “Driving.” If you don’t see it, tap the “+” icon in the top right and add it.
4. Set Activation. Under “Turn On Automatically,” choose how you want Driving mode to activate:
   • Automatically: Uses motion, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to detect when you’re driving.
   • When Connected to Car Bluetooth: Activates when your iPhone pairs with your car’s Bluetooth system.
   • Manually: You’ll need to turn it on from Control Center each time.
5. Customize Notifications. While Driving mode is on, you can choose who can call you. Tap “Allow Calls From” and select “Favorites,” “All Contacts,” or “Everyone.” For repeated calls, toggle “Allow Repeated Calls” to let a second call from the same number within 3 minutes come through.
6. Set Auto-Reply. Tap “Auto-Reply To” to choose who gets an automatic text response: “Favorites,” “Recents,” “All Contacts,” or “No One.” You can also edit the auto-reply message by tapping “Auto-Reply Message” and typing your own.
7. Turn On Driving Mode Manually. If you didn’t set it to automatic, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap the Focus icon (a crescent moon), and select “Driving.”
8. Use CarPlay. If your car supports CarPlay, Driving mode will activate automatically when CarPlay is connected, and you can enable “Activate With CarPlay” in the Driving Focus settings.

Common Mistakes

• Not setting auto-reply: If you don’t set an auto-reply, people won’t know why you’re not responding, and they may worry.
• Choosing “Everyone” for calls: This can still be distracting if you get a lot of calls. Use “Favorites” or “All Contacts” for a quieter experience.
• Forgetting to enable “Allow Repeated Calls”: If you’re expecting an important call, a single missed call might not get through. Enable this to let urgent callers reach you on a second try.
• Turning it on manually and forgetting to turn it off: If you activate Driving mode manually, you’ll need to turn it off when you reach your destination. Automatic activation turns off when it senses you’ve stopped driving.

Tips

• Customize the auto-reply message: Make it clear and friendly, like “I’m driving right now. I’ll get back to you when I arrive.”
• Use Siri: You can say “Hey Siri, turn on Driving Focus” to activate it hands-free.
• Add Driving Focus to Control Center: Go to Settings > Control Center and add the Focus shortcut for quick access.
• Allow calls from your spouse or boss: Add them to your Favorites so their calls come through even when Driving mode is on.
• Use with Apple Watch: If you have an Apple Watch, Driving mode can activate automatically when it detects you’re driving, and you can see notifications on your watch without picking up your phone.

Troubleshooting

• Driving mode doesn’t activate automatically: Make sure you’ve selected “Automatic” in the Driving Focus settings. Also, check that your iPhone’s motion sensors are working (try calibrating the compass in Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services). If you’re using Bluetooth, ensure your car’s Bluetooth is paired and connected.
• Auto-reply isn’t sending: Verify that you’ve selected at least one group in “Auto-Reply To.” Also, check that your carrier supports SMS and that you have a cellular connection. If you’re using iMessage, the auto-reply will only work with other iMessage users.
• Calls from Favorites still go to voicemail: Check that “Allow Calls From” is set to “Favorites” or “All Contacts,” and that the person is actually in your Favorites list (Phone app > Favorites tab).
• Driving mode turns on when you’re a passenger: This can happen if you’re on a train or bus. You can manually turn it off from Control Center, or change activation to “When Connected to Car Bluetooth” to avoid false triggers.
• Can’t find Driving Focus: On iOS 15 or later, go to Settings > Focus and tap the “+” to add a new Focus. Choose “Driving” from the list. If it’s not there, update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Do Not Disturb While Driving block all notifications?

Yes, it silences most notifications, including texts, calls, and app alerts. You can customize exceptions for calls and repeated calls.

Can I still use navigation apps while Driving mode is on?

Yes, navigation apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps will still work and provide voice directions. Turn-by-turn alerts are allowed through.

How do I turn off Driving mode manually?

Open Control Center and tap the Focus icon (crescent moon) to toggle it off. You can also say “Hey Siri, turn off Driving Focus.”

Does Driving mode work when I’m on a motorcycle or bicycle?

It uses motion detection, so it may activate on a motorcycle, but not typically on a bicycle unless you’re moving fast. You can always turn it on manually.

Can I set a custom auto-reply message?

Yes, go to Settings > Focus > Driving > Auto-Reply Message and type your own text. The default message is “I’m driving right now. I’ll check my messages when I get where I’m going.”

Will Driving mode affect my music or podcasts?

No, audio playback continues normally. You can still control playback with Siri or your car’s controls.

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