Until this latest update, I was able to set an auto text response under Do Not Disturb While Driving and manually start it when our of the office. Now everything is supposed to be under Focus. However, my work phone (iPhone 8) doesn't have the Driving option under Focus. My personal phone (XR) does. Why?
iPhone 8 Plus, iOS 15
After chatting with Apple online and then speaking over the phone with them twice, it was worked out that the problem is that the Focus app has to be given permission by the Messages app to send texts. This wasn't required before ios15.1 for sending an auto reply text while driving but it is now. Even the Apple tech person support had to do research to figure this out and call me back. It's also not included in the instructions posted in the response above. One could follow those instructions to the letter (as I did) and it would still not work until you go into Settings>Messages>Allow Messages to Access Focus. I'm not sure why it doesn't give the standard message that a setting must be change and then give the option to go directly to that setting at the click of a button. But it should at least be added to the instructions for sending an auto reply text.
Hello DiBoston,
We see that you need help with Driving Focus and that you reviewed Use Focus on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
For the best information on how to set up Driving Focus, follow the steps here: Use the Driving Focus on your iPhone to concentrate on the road.
Cheers!
Auto text response
