Custom Focus doesn't block notifications from Messages app (on iPhone)

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Custom Focus doesn't block notifications from Messages app (on iPhone)

I have tried to create a custom Focus, and the settings in this Focus only allow a few apps to send me notifications on my lock screen (of which Messages is not one of these allowed apps). Despite these settings, I receive notifications from Messages on my iPhone when this Focus is turned on. Is this a default setting (that Messages notifications are sent to my phone)?

Other Focuses that already exist do not allow Messages notifications as expected (i.e., Sleep and Do Not Disturb), but my own custom Focus does not do this despite following the exact settings in other Focuses. Other apps that are blocked from notifying me in my custom Focus do not notify me, but Messages continues to notify me.

I have also tried deleting the Focus and creating a whole new custom Focus with the proper settings as well.

Any help would be appreciated trying to find why Messages continues to notify me, thank you for the help!

iPhone 13

Posted on Nov 30, 2022 12:04 PM

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Answer 1

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m00th Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 3, 2022 12:04 PM in response to nathan430

Hi nathan430, I had someone text me while this Focus was on (to test this), and the notification came through, even this person though did not press the "Notify anyway" option. Additionally, I received every text other text message from other people/group chats, so I am pretty sure that this is not the problem.

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Answer 2

nathan430

Community Specialist

Dec 3, 2022 11:51 AM in response to m00th

Hey there, m00th,

Thanks so much for using Apple Support Communities. We want to help get Focus customized and working as expected on your iPhone.

It sounds like it's possible that the folks messaging you may be utilizing the "notify anyway" feature. This basically allows your contacts to bypass the Focus settings you have set up for time-sensitive messages or concerns. One way to disable that would be to open up your thread with that contact in Messages. From there, tap their name at the top of the screen and disable "Share Focus Status" on that thread. This will prevent them from seeing the "Notify Anyway" option when your Focus is enabled.

We hope that this information is helpful.

Have a great day!

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Answer 3

Ben_Z1

Community Specialist

Dec 3, 2022 04:54 PM in response to m00th

m00th,

We appreciate those additional details. When you set up this custom Focus, did you also adjust the 'People' section to either silence or allow notifications from certain or all contacts? We ask as this setting will sometimes take priority over your allowed apps setting.

As a test, if you change the 'People' setting of this Focus to not allow notifications from any of your contacts, does this issue persist?

Thanks!

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Custom Focus doesn't block notifications from Messages app (on iPhone)

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