iOS 15 Settings: Full Guide to Customizing

iOS 15 settings control everything from notification styles and Focus modes to privacy permissions and Safari layout. This guide walks through the key settings you are likely to open, explains what each one does, and shows you where to find them so you can tailor your iPhone or iPad to how you actually use it.

Background: What Changed in iOS 15 Settings

iOS 15, released in September 2021, did not redesign the Settings app from scratch, but it added several new sections and moved some existing options. The most visible additions were Focus (a more powerful version of Do Not Disturb), Notifications with new scheduling options, FaceTime links, and Live Text in the Camera and Photos apps. Apple also introduced App Privacy Report in Settings > Privacy, which shows how often apps access your data.

For iPad users, iOS 15 brought Quick Notes and improved multitasking gestures, both controlled from Settings. The settings you see today on iOS 15.7 or 15.8 are essentially the same as the original release, with a few bug fixes and security updates added over time.

How to Navigate the Settings App

When you open Settings, you see a search bar at the top, then a list of sections. The first block shows your Apple ID (name, iCloud, Find My), then Airplane Mode, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular. Below that are app‑specific settings, then the system settings like Notifications, Sounds, Focus, Screen Time, and Privacy.

To find a specific setting quickly, pull down on the main Settings screen to reveal the search field, then type what you are looking for, for example “auto‑lock” or “backup.” This search also works for settings inside submenus, which saves a lot of tapping.

Most toggles are simple on/off switches. Some options, like Focus or Notification summaries, have their own setup flow the first time you use them. If you are not sure what a toggle does, tap the “i” icon next to it when available, or read the description text below the option.

Key Settings You Should Check

Here are the settings most people want to adjust after updating to iOS 15:

Notifications > Scheduled Summary – This bundles non‑urgent notifications into a digest you receive at set times. You choose which apps are included. It is a great way to reduce interruptions.
Focus – Create custom modes (e.g., Work, Sleep, Personal) that filter notifications and apps. You can set schedules, allow calls from certain contacts, and hide notification badges.
Privacy > App Privacy Report – Turn this on to see which apps have accessed your location, camera, microphone, and contacts over the past seven days.
Safari > Settings – Change the start page, enable tab groups, and set the search engine. iOS 15 also added a bottom tab bar option.
Camera > Formats – Choose between High Efficiency (HEIC) and Most Compatible (JPEG). HEIC saves space but may not work with older devices.
Battery > Battery Health – Check maximum capacity and whether your iPhone is being throttled due to an unexpected shutdown.

These are the settings people ask about most, but the list is not exhaustive. Explore each section once to see what is available.

How to Set Up Focus Modes

Focus is one of the biggest additions in iOS 15. It lets you create separate notification profiles for different times of day or activities. To set one up:

Go to Settings > Focus.
Tap the “+” button to create a new Focus, or tap an existing one like “Do Not Disturb.”
Choose which people and apps are allowed to notify you. For example, in a Work Focus, you might allow your boss and Slack, but block everything else.
Set a schedule – e.g., weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM – or turn it on manually from Control Center.
Optionally, customize your home screen pages to show only work‑related apps while the Focus is active.

You can also share your Focus status across your Apple devices, so messages sent to you will show that you have notifications silenced. To turn that off, go to Settings > Focus > Focus Status and toggle off “Share Across Devices.”

Common Problems and Fixes

After updating to iOS 15, users often report a few recurring issues. Here are the most common and what to do:

Battery draining fast – This is normal for the first day or two after an update because the system reindexes photos and other data. If it persists, check Settings > Battery to see which apps use the most power, and turn off Background App Refresh for those apps.
Notifications not appearing – Go to Settings > Notifications, select the app, and make sure “Allow Notifications” is on. Also check that the app is not included in a Focus mode that is active.
Wi‑Fi keeps disconnecting – Try forgetting the network (Settings > Wi‑Fi > tap the “i” icon > Forget This Network) and reconnecting. Also reset network settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will remove saved Wi‑Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings.
Apps crashing – Make sure the app is updated to a version that supports iOS 15. If a specific app keeps crashing, delete and reinstall it (you will lose app data unless it is backed up).

If you cannot find a setting, use the search bar at the top of the Settings screen. Many users miss this and end up tapping through multiple menus.

Comparing iOS 15 Settings to Older Versions

If you are coming from iOS 14 or earlier, you will notice a few differences:

Do Not Disturb is now part of Focus, so the old Do Not Disturb settings (like scheduling) are inside Focus > Do Not Disturb.
Notification settings have a new “Scheduled Summary” option that did not exist before.
Safari now has Tab Groups, which are managed in the Safari app itself, but the settings for them are under Safari > Tab Groups.
FaceTime gained a “Create Link” option, but the settings for it are still under Settings > FaceTime.
Privacy added “App Privacy Report” and “Recording” indicators (the orange and green dots in the status bar).

Most other settings, like Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and Display & Brightness, are in the same place as before, so you will not have to relearn everything.

Safety and Privacy Settings to Review

iOS 15 includes several privacy features you should know about. Go to Settings > Privacy and check the following:

Location Services – Review which apps have access to your location. You can change each app’s permission to “Never,” “Ask Next Time,” or “While Using.”
Tracking – The “Allow Apps to Request to Track” toggle is off by default. If you leave it off, apps cannot ask to track you across other apps and websites.
App Privacy Report – Turn this on to see a log of each app’s data access. It is a good way to spot apps that are using your camera or microphone more than expected.
Record Screen – iOS 15 shows a green dot in the status bar when an app is using your camera, and an orange dot when your microphone is in use. This is not a setting you can turn off; it is a system indicator.

For extra security, enable Face ID or Touch ID for unlocking your device and for purchases. You can also set up iCloud Keychain to store passwords securely, and use Sign in with Apple when available to avoid sharing your email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn off the new notification summary?
Go to Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary, then toggle off “Scheduled Summary.” You can also edit which apps are included if you want to keep it but change the schedule.

Where did Do Not Disturb go in iOS 15?
Do Not Disturb is now a Focus mode. You can find it in Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb. You can still turn it on from Control Center by tapping the Focus button and selecting Do Not Disturb.

Why is my iPhone hot and battery draining after updating?
This is usually temporary. For the first day or two, iOS reindexes your photos, messages, and other data, which uses more CPU and battery. If it continues for more than a few days, restart your phone, and check Settings > Battery for any app that is using an unusually high percentage.

How do I stop apps from tracking me in iOS 15?
Go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking and make sure “Allow Apps to Request to Track” is off. This prevents apps from showing the tracking prompt and blocks them from tracking you across other apps and websites.

Can I change the default Safari search engine?
Yes. Go to Settings > Safari > Search Engine and choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia (depending on your region).

How do I reset all settings without losing my data?
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will reset things like Wi‑Fi passwords, wallpaper, and notification preferences, but it will not delete your photos, apps, or personal data.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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