Focus - How can I allow all texts but only certain callers?

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Focus - How can I allow all texts but only certain callers?

iOS 16.3

I am trying to set up a Personal Focus that will allow all app notifications including ALL text notifications, but will only allow calls from certain callers. Yes, I'm basically just screening calls when this Focus is on.

The problem I'm running into is that text notifications are only happening for people listed in the People/Allow Notifications From list. I can't find a way to allow text notifications from everyone while restricting the list of allowed callers.

Specifically allowing Messages in Apps/Allow Notifications From list does not override this.

It seems no one at Apple thought that at times I might want to receive texts from everyone, but calls from only certain people.

Am I missing something? Is there another way I can limit who's calling but still allow all texts and other notifications?

iPhone 12 mini, 16

Posted on Feb 12, 2023 01:29 PM

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Answer 1

Darin Wilson Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 14, 2023 08:00 AM in response to SravanKrA

SravanKrA wrote:

Please see the pic below which is self-explanatory

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/a57ab81a-487e-416c-8b8c-ed08da09391f

I tried your suggestion, but it doesn't work. Calls from people on the Allow list get through even though the Phone app is on the Silence list. I'm guessing you didn't test your proposed solution before posting it.

However, even if it worked as you intended, it is not the correct answer for my problem. I want calls from only specific people to get through, but I want all text notifications from all people to get through.

I have posted an update, because I think a bug in iOS 16.3/16.3.1 is affecting text notifications.

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Answer 2

Feb 14, 2023 08:12 AM in response to Darin Wilson

I do not believe that is currently possible (and never has been) using DND/Focus.

The only way I ever found around this is reasonable if you only need a few people to get through, which is to put their text alert on Emergency Bypass. And, honestly, Emergency Bypass seems a bit flakey since the launch of Focus.

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Answer 3

Feb 13, 2023 12:34 AM in response to Darin Wilson

Darin Wilson wrote:

iOS 16.3

The problem I'm running into is that text notifications are only happening for people listed in the People/Allow Notifications From list. I can't find a way to allow text notifications from everyone while restricting the list of allowed callers.

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Answer 4

Darin Wilson Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 14, 2023 07:56 AM in response to Darin Wilson

Darin Wilson wrote:

Specifically allowing Messages in Apps/Allow Notifications From list does not override this.

This may not be true. There appears to be a bug in iOS 16.3 and 16.3.1 that silences text notifications when the screen is off.

Assuming this bug gets fixed (I have filed a bug report), adding Messages to the Apps/Allow Notifications From list should solve the problem. I have tested it with the screen on, and it appears to work.

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Answer 5

Feb 13, 2023 12:31 AM in response to Darin Wilson

Please see the pic below which is self-explanatory

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Focus - How can I allow all texts but only certain callers?

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