Focus Mode Settings

[JohnMaldaner]

Is there a way to add an auto-reply to any Focus Mode other than Driving? For instance, I have created a Focus Mode that I call "Personal". I use it similar to DND, but for different situations. Anyway, I would like to have a message sent to anyone who contacts me when I am in that mode. Because of the age of my iPhone, I am not running any version of IOS 18, so I'm asking if this option is available to you that are in IOS 18. Thanks! (I hope to upgrade phones soon.)

 

[JohnMaldaner]

I wonder if this can be accomplished using an automation?

 

[nxt3]

I don’t think so. You could setup an automation to do something when you receive a message, but there doesn’t appear to be a way to get who sent that message for you to send a follow-up.

 

[NoBoMac]

^Pretty much this. However...

There is "Focus Status" under Focus in Settings. If you have Focus Sharing turned on, can share Focus Status. Option to specify which Focuses this can happen with. Have not used as I've always have had weirdness when Focus Sharing was on, and ultimately, only really cared about phone Focuses. Mac not important at all, iPad only at end of day/bedtime (that Focus toggles on at specific time). Not sure when this became an option.



Can have an Automation but have to specify either a sender and/or some text in the message body to look for. Once one/both of these conditions met, can send a Message by setting up the Automation to have a "New Blank Automation".

Pain in the rear to have to setup for every person or a really generic body text that replies to everything (ie. message contains value of "a" or "e" or "t", etc [aeiouts for frequent, "important" letters]).

(Have not tested this myself)

 

[JohnMaldaner]

^Pretty much this. However...

There is "Focus Status" under Focus in Settings. If you have Focus Sharing turned on, can share Focus Status. Option to specify which Focuses this can happen with. Have not used as I've always have had weirdness when Focus Sharing was on, and ultimately, only really cared about phone Focuses. Mac not important at all, iPad only at end of day/bedtime (that Focus toggles on at specific time). Not sure when this became an option.

View attachment 2522579

Can have an Automation but have to specify either a sender and/or some text in the message body to look for. Once one/both of these conditions met, can send a Message by setting up the Automation to have a "New Blank Automation".

Pain in the rear to have to setup for every person or a really generic body text that replies to everything (ie. message contains value of "a" or "e" or "t", etc [aeiouts for frequent, "important" letters]).

(Have not tested this myself)

View attachment 2522574View attachment 2522577

Thank you! I have turned on Focus Sharing. Seems to me that is the most practical of the available methods to approximate what is available in the Driving Focus Mode. Perhaps a future version of IOS will allow for custom messages. Trying to create an Automation would be tedious and likely not inclusive of every possible text that could be received. I will leave that alone!

 

[nxt3]

Thank you! I have turned on Focus Sharing. Seems to me that is the most practical of the available methods to approximate what is available in the Driving Focus Mode. Perhaps a future version of IOS will allow for custom messages. Trying to create an Automation would be tedious and likely not inclusive of every possible text that could be received. I will leave that alone!

I think you can target the "Message Contains" with a single " " (space) character. You'd have to get a single word message for it not to trigger.