iPhone Tips for Seniors: How to Use Focus Modes

I always thought Focus Modes were too complicated to mess with. Then I figured them out and they're easy! In this video I show you how to set up a simple , but useful focus mode.
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Here are time stamps if you'd like to jump around:
Intro: 0:00
How to Create a New Home Screen: 1:21
How to Create a New Lock Screen: 4:23
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station: 5:20
Create Custom Focus Mode: 7:10

[@DrazenDragusica]

I’m using Focus. It’s very handy for everyone, who is changing work enviroment, and sometimes need a silent situation.

[@Scott-Loftesness]

Great introduction to a complicated capability! Thanks for making this one - among your best!

[@RichBowlin]

Thanks. It's one of this topics that's on the edge for what I do. I'm glad I made it. Thanks so much for the encouraging comment and thanks for watching.

[@Trackhoe075]

Just started using do not disturb and like many of us the other stuff seemed so confusing but after seeing your video I now think I may try to set up different home screens I now have different pages with folders that I just swipe to go to the next page and dive into those folders I think the way you demonstrated may be better it is certainly worth a try Thanks for sharing

[@jackfrank303]

Thanks Rich. Like you, I looked at focus mode when it first came out and didn't see a use for me. I Think I'll look at it again, you gave me some ideas.

[@RichBowlin]

Great! Hope you find something that works for you.

[@stanacho854]

Great video and at a reasonable pace for me as I'm also a "Senior". Appreciate you taking the time, this is such a valuable use of the iPhone. Never too late to learn .....cheers!

[@lcook0825]

Nice video and very informative. Thanks Rich.

[@RichBowlin]

You're welcome!

[@lakegeneva4851]

Thank you I finally understand this 🎉

[@terriannvalentino8826]

Just found you, your amazing

[@francanorberti3359]

Thank you. This was very helpful. I set up a focus for traveling and it was a lot simpler than I expected it to be.

[@RichBowlin]

Great to hear!

[@paulhaskins5191]

Thank you Rich. This is incredibly useful. I did not really understand the power of these until I watched your video.

[@robward155]

Much easier to create folders on Home Screen that contains all the apps needed for the folder features; Finance, Shopping, Travel, Office, Medical, News, Sports and so on, all on one Home Screen.

[@johnbs7516]

Thank you for explaining this. I have a couple set up for when I go bird watching or just out for a walk when I like quick access to my bird id and logging apps and my maps, camera etc. It doesn't help that Apple have several "home" screens I tend to just think about them as App pages.

[@RichBowlin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ThomasEJohnson]

Focus Modes are indeed very helpful. They also can be set to sync across iCloud so you can have your iPad, Mac, etc, all change at the same time. It is beneficial if you use multiple devices to achieve task goals.

[@RichBowlin]

Great point. I probably should have mentioned it too. But I wasn't sure if I should even make this video as the topic seemed a little complex. So far though, it's been well received. I hope others see your comment. Thanks so much for watching!

[@pmmm8440]

I miss my simple iPhone 6!

[@marshiahobson3727]

I use to have just one do not disturb mode for bedtime between 10:30 pm to 7 am before Apple came out with this focus mode. my Apple Watch automatically puts me in a focus mode when I exercise. I had avoided setting up other focus modes because it seemed complicated. But after watching this I’m considering making a travel mode to limit easy access to apps like banking apps so if I give my phone to someone to take my picture while traveling it wouldn’t be as easy for them to hijack personal info if they have to search 👀 for apps because it’s not on the Home Screen. Or if you have kids or grandkids you allow to play games on your phone you could make a kids mode that only had their apps on the Home Screen so they don’t accidentally mess up your Home Screen configuration. I was out to dinner with a friend who gave their phone to the valet attendant will dining because her Tesla car key/remote was on her phone. I don’t know if she just didn’t have a regular key with her to give the valet but maybe a focus mode would be good for this situation and even better if you could block them from accessing any other apps/pages. 🤔 the possibilities.

[@RichBowlin]

So you clearly get it. The options and scenarios are varied and many. But even if you just put together a few focus modes that handle the most common things, life is easier. Thanks so much for watching!

[@tngolfgame]

Rich, another great job and presentation. I noticed in all of your videos that you never have a case on your phone. Are there times that you use one, if so what might that be?

[@RichBowlin]

Good eye! So I've always had a case on my phone until this past September. I decided to put a glass screen protecter on the iPhone and go caseless! I just love the feel of the iPhone without the case. My sister told me I will now, for sure, drop and break the phone. So far, so good!

[@tngolfgame]

I agree about the feel and look but I occasionally drop the darn thing and don't really want to replace it. I am using an Otterbox case, it is bulky and heavy, I would like to know if you had found anything that afforded you the protection but was not as I have described my case. @@RichBowlin

[@nickwgash3760]

Good vid but honestly I just scroll a couple of times and I have everything. It's much simpler.

[@charmainewelborn4276]

Hi Rich: When I created a focus mode the apps I put on it disappeared from my original Home Screen? What can I do to get them back?

[@RichBowlin]

If you turn the focus mode off you should be back to normal. Hope this helps!

[@davidw5416]

I use Focus myself, but in one of your examples you are being redundant, you added Contacts and Mail to the home screen but already had them both in the Dock area so could access them from any screen in that focus.

[@RichBowlin]

Wasn't sure if anyone would notice that. I forgot to remove those from the dock. Good catch!

[@FredWilbury]

Well what can one say 😮

[@greenbeltlife]

Might I suggest, since you are demonstrating something new, especially when to an older person, that you slow down your delivery / presentation. This would allow for concepts to sink in a little more slowly. Otherwise very good.

[@gatocat3336]

You can slow down his speech. Go to the top right hand corner of the video and click on the little cog wheel. It gives you different speed options. I suggest 75%. Anything else might be too slow. I like to read instructions personally. I can slow down my reading to keep pace with my brain

[@greenbeltlife]

@@gatocat3336 thank you. You learn a new thing every day 😃

[@RichBowlin]

I do my best to keep the pacing right. My 94 yr old mom reminds me of that from time to time. But like mentioned, you can change the speed if you want to. Technology!

[@elainehood6987]

All I do is answer, take pictures, and turn sound off. It’s just a phone…I’m retired, I quit complications long time ago…I’m not a slave to my phone..

[@neilalecock8642]

Good for you Elaine. You’re wasting your time looking at videos on this channel then aren’t you? 😂

[@elainehood6987]

@@neilalecock8642 and my money on this IPhone

[@mickwilson127]

If you take pictures it isn’t just a phone 🤷‍♂️

[@icookie51]

So why are you watching this video?

[@garymichaelgallien9382]

Not sure how bragging that you're a Luddite is a flex, but go off.

[@FunFlyingPilot]

Rich, I am a fan, but this is over the top bad. Under the guise of simplification, if is FAR too complicated and beyond confusing. Not Good!!

[@RichBowlin]

Thanks for the honest appraisal. Sorry this one was not for you. I hope to do better on my future videos.

[@peterappel9154]

I don't know anybody who is using focus on iOS. For me, this is way too complicated and time consuming. I always use Airplane mode if I want to focus.

[@RichBowlin]

I don't think they've caught on with many people. But if you do want to take a few minutes to set them up I think they can be very useful. Thanks so much for watching!

[@jeanneprice6736]

Too much. Why? Widget??

[@balajijograj4370]

Spelling mistake custom

[@barbaraorr953]

There are times when it is very easy to confuse me especially when it comes to modern technology This video was one of those times. My bad not yours.

[@RichBowlin]

I really debated about doing this video. Particularly since I'd sort of put off Focus Modes because they seemed to complicated. From the comments, I think this video was helpful to some and too much for others. I wish I could be a better teacher about these things. Thanks though, for watching.

[@barbaraorr953]

@@RichBowlin Yup, I'm in the "too much" category but that is not a reflection of your teaching abilities. You do a great job and I appreciate it. Hope you have a great weekend!

[@sharglickman8214]

I like your videos. Trying out the focus organizing. I hope with your help to make more efficient use of my phone and IPad. Ihave to listen several times to a video and am slowly Using more features. Too bad that Apple doesn’t seem able to help like you. But I tried their classes and the assumptions that I could follow their breakneck speed is crazy. I need to go slower and repeat things until I am sure about what I want to do. Loving this adventure. I am slowly going through the videos. Thanks very much

[@johnmoore7689]

The worst iphone tutoria in my experience. Get to the point! Not get to the commercial!l

[@cooltechandmore]

this is so stupid, leave to apple to make this sound like a new innovation. Android has had this forever