I’m pretty sure Apple didn’t create Focus modes for this reason. But I’m trying something out. One of my biggest complaints with Apple has been the fact that you cannot customize notifications for individuals. You can set up VIP notifications in mail but that’s it. I want that type of notification control across my device. Mainly for messages. I do not need to see a text message with an advertisement on my lock screen. As a matter of fact most of the text messages I get I do not need to access that very minute. There are a few people, though, I would like to know when they text me because it could be important. People like my wife or my parents. Not my coworker that wants me to see the latest TikTok video.

So I have decided to try something. I have set up notifications for messages to show up on the lock screen (something I highly discourage if you get notifications for everything). But then I went in and set up different focus modes. Work, personal, etc. So now I can allow different people to message me and it show up on my lock screen at different times. That means if I’m at work, I can allow notifications from my boss in case he messages me with something important. Away from work, I have a personal focus mode set up. That means I can allow notifications only from a few, select people. So if my wife texts me something I can see it right away. Or if my parents need something, I’ll see it.

I still don’t think this is the perfect setup. It would be better if Apple would just incorporate this into the system. However, this might be a workaround for the time being.