Is it possible to set a focus mode based on time AND location?

Question

Level 1

9 points

Is it possible to set a focus mode based on time AND location?

Hello,

I'm a home-based worker and I would like to set up my "work" focus mode based on location, time of day (between 9am-5pm) and days of week (Mon-Fri). I current have my focus mode set to M-F, 9am-5pm, but the issue is:

If I run out during the day to run an errand, I want the work focus mode to turn off when I leave home and turn back on when I return, automatically (I don't want to have to manually adjust it).

Is this possible? I have been searching google and reddit and closest I found on reddit was:

"Yes you can do that. You just need a couple shortcuts to do this.

First have one that sets a variable to "1" when the time is 8-5 and to"0" the rest of the day.

Secondly have one for your location do the same.

And then have one that sets your focus only when both variables are 1."

The shortcuts app is confusing for creation and I am not able to figure out how to do this.

Can anyone help? I have submitted feedback to apple for this, but looking for something sooner. Thanks!

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Mar 2, 2023 12:23 PM

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Answer 1

SixFour391

Level 4

1,558 points

Mar 2, 2023 12:45 PM in response to MSKapcala

In your Work Focus, re-open the "Schedule".

When you do, there is a location setting. Set this for your home, so that when you leave your home, the Work Focus should turn off. You can also adjust the location radius to be more accurate. When you arrive back home, the Work Focus should turn back on.

With the 9am-5pm stipulation, this should be relatively accurate. Though be wary of times it may turn back on before or after those hours as the software isn't perfect.

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Answer 2

Mar 2, 2023 1:31 PM in response to MSKapcala

You're exactly right. It works for me that way because I'm in the office three days a week and home for 2 so "Office" or "9a-5p weekdays" is perfect. However, there are other occasions when I'd like to be able to do an AND.

I've submitted feedback to Apple about this (and some other refinements I'd like to see in Focus). I recommend you do the same:

Product Feedback - Apple

This expanded version of DND was only released in September so I imagine they are still collecting lots of data on how people use it.

And, I do suspect that what you want to do is possible with a Shortcut. People keep telling me how easy Shortcuts is to use..... They said the same thing about Hypercard and Hypertalk. Couldn't figure that out either.

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Answer 3

Grabit

Level 1

0 points

Mar 2, 2023 6:03 PM in response to MSKapcala

If you go to the Settings app > Focus > Work(or any other) > Schedule you can set it to “activate when i arrive at” or use the smart activation.

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Answer 4

MSKapcala Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 2, 2023 1:05 PM in response to SixFour391

I assumed the schedule worked like an OR statement, so it will work on weekdays between 9-5 OR at home (ie: any day and time as long as I am at home ) which I don’t want..

I’ll try it out and see. Thanks for the reply.

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Answer 5

MSKapcala Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 2, 2023 5:57 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks. I e submitted feedback as well. Shortcuts seem crazy hard to figure out and I can’t find any good websites that teach you how to write them quickly. Tons of sites where you can download already made ones, but nothing on the “language” of how to build (at least at a beginner level)

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Answer 6

Mar 3, 2023 6:13 AM in response to MSKapcala

MSKapcala wrote:

Thanks. I e submitted feedback as well. Shortcuts seem crazy hard to figure out and I can’t find any good websites that teach you how to write them quickly. Tons of sites where you can download already made ones, but nothing on the “language” of how to build (at least at a beginner level)

Well, you can see if anything here helps...

Shortcuts User Guide - Apple Support

I've sometimes been able to take a premade shortcut and recreate it and tweak it but, it always takes me forever and I get annoyed. I just don't have the patience to spend the time it would take to get good at it.

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