How do I get only priority contacts' notifications to sound and silence all others?

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Level 1

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How do I get only priority contacts' notifications to sound and silence all others?

I just bought a new 128 GB iPhone 6S plus and it's now running the latest iOS 10.0.2 software. I've used other platforms (Android, BlackBerry) and one feature I miss is the ability to have only important contacts' notifications sound through but all others are silenced. It's very handy when at work or out with friends that I don't get constant beeping or vibrating but am able to know immediately when, say, my boss or my child messages me. Both boss and child have iMessage if this is relevant but some others are on different platforms so I'm hoping that I can set this up generally. The messaging apps I use the most are iMessage, BBM, text, Facebook Messenger plus phone calls.

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 10.0.2, unlocked, 128 GB version

Posted on Oct 5, 2016 10:02 AM

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Answer 1

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IdrisSeabright

Level 10

175,859 points

Oct 5, 2016 10:25 AM in response to Anilu7

You can use Do Not Disturb to silence alerts. You can set up specific contacts so that text alerts for them always come in. Go to the contact you want to set up. Tap "Edit" in the upper right. Tap Text Tone. At the very top of the list is "Emergency Bypass". Turn it on. Tap Done. Tap Done again.

You can also do the same thing for calls.

Do Not Disturb will silence alerts from third party messaging apps. I don't know of any way around that.

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Answer 2

Oct 5, 2016 10:26 AM in response to Anilu7

There is a built-in functionality in iOS called Do Not Disturb mode, but it will only allow calls from certain contacts through. All other notifications will be silenced. You can let Apple know that you would like to see this feature expanded by sending them feedback here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html.

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Answer 3

Oct 5, 2016 10:16 AM in response to OriginalName022

OriginalName022 wrote:

There is a built-in functionality in iOS called Do Not Disturb mode, but it will only allow calls from certain contacts through. All other notifications will be silenced.

That has actually changed (a little) with iOS 10. You can now designate individuals to ring through (not just Groups or Favorites) and, you can even set it so their texts will come through.

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Answer 4

Anilu7 Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 5, 2016 10:30 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks! I hope that someday third-party messaging apps will be included in Contacts' information and be able to apply the setting to that contact generally. Many people don't like text or just prefer other apps with more functionality.

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Answer 5

Oct 5, 2016 12:16 PM in response to OriginalName022

OriginalName022 wrote:

Thanks. I was unaware of the changes to texts until after I had posted my reply and saw yours.

I only read about it the other day. It's a feature I've been begging Apple for since DND was first released. I am so happy! I can now actually use DND!

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Answer 6

Oct 5, 2016 12:16 PM in response to OriginalName022

OriginalName022 wrote:

Thanks. I was unaware of the changes to texts until after I had posted my reply and saw yours.

I only read about it the other day. It's a feature I've been begging Apple for since DND was first released. I am so happy! I can now actually use DND!

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Answer 7

Oct 5, 2016 10:21 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks. I was unaware of the changes to texts until after I had posted my reply and saw yours.

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Answer 8

Anilu7 Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 5, 2016 10:31 AM in response to OriginalName022

Thanks for the link. I'll contact Apple. Here's hoping.

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