Silent mode vs do not disturb and emergency contacts

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Silent mode vs do not disturb and emergency contacts

I’m trying to add our alarm service to ring through to my iPhone even if I have it set in Silent Mode by the switch or in Do Not Disturb.

So far the more I read in Apple support the more this oldie is confused. 🙄😂

Plus now after reading more, I don’t know if an emergency contact calls if it will ring.

Any suggestions to learn the workings and options are appreciated. Maybe I’m just on the wrong site but I’m definitely confused and frustrated. 😤😂

iPhone XS

Posted on Mar 24, 2022 9:24 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

FoxFifth

Community+ 2025

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475,359 points

Mar 24, 2022 9:50 AM in response to HarrisNo

For any contact (emergency or not), select the contact in the Phone app, tap Edit at the top right of the screen, tap Ringtone, turn on Emergency Bypass.

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Answer 2

Mar 31, 2022 4:42 PM in response to HarrisNo

The ring/silent switch only controls ringtones and alerts. See the following from How to put your iPhone on vibrate, ring, or silent mode - Apple Support

In Ring mode, you hear ringtones and alerts. In Silent mode, you don't, but your iPhone can still play sounds, like when you play music or videos.

The following may help with do not disturb: Use Do Not Disturb on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support and Turn a Focus on or off on Mac - Apple Support and Change Focus preferences on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

HarrisNo Author

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14 points

Mar 31, 2022 3:56 PM in response to HarrisNo

OP back.

Is there one or more Apple sites that explain what is silenced with the iPhone silent switch?

Is there one or more Apple sites that explain what "Do Not Disturb" does in detail in both iOS and Mac OS?

For example, I'm pretty sure but not 100% positive that in the past I've set one of those to "on" and I would still get directions from a map app. And now recently, I was trying to learn about the Focus preference and I faced the same issue.

So I'm confused and would like to understand the basics of both the silent switch and the DND setting. I've struck out in my searches for the answers but maybe it is right in front of my bifocals.

Appreciate any references.

Thank you.

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Answer 4

HarrisNo Author

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Mar 31, 2022 5:51 PM in response to FoxFifth

Thank you. I assume your answer solved this question for 99% of the readers but for me Apple's support posts importantly do not include answering this from the opposite direction. What doesn't DND block?

I'll return to this issue the next time I think one of my devices is muted, only to find it isn't and I watch my wife's eyes roll again. ;) LOL

Thank you

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Answer 5

HarrisNo Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 16, 2022 2:51 PM in response to HarrisNo

OP back.

After reading the links above and many more, I still haven't found the answer to two questions:

What does Do Not Disturb NOT block?

Do the alarms set in Apple Clock always ring/vibrate regardless of Focus or other settings?

Thank you.

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Silent mode vs do not disturb and emergency contacts

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