How to Use the New "Do Not Disturb" Mode in iOS 6

One of the best new features in Apple’s iOS 6 mobile operating system is designed for people who do a lot of communication on their devices. “Do Not Disturb” mode is designed to stop notifications of any time for the duration that the mode is enabled. It will prevent not just phone calls and text messages, but e-mails, Facebook notifications and Twitter alerts as well. Using “Do Not Disturb” mode on your iOS 6 devices is easy – you just have to know how to properly turn the feature on.

Step 1

Turn on whichever Apple device you are using with the iOS 6 operating system. Depending on how old your device is, this can be an iPod Touch, an iPhone or an iPad. Once turned on, load the Apple ‘Settings” application on your iOS device. Note that the “Settings” application and icon has not changed from previous versions of the iOS operating system.

Step 2

Locate the option labeled “Do Not Disturb.” The “Do Not Disturb” option is in the second section of the “Settings” application, just above the option labeled “Notifications” and just below the option labeled “Bluetooth.” Tap the “Do Not Disturb” option one time to turn the “Do Not Disturb” mode from “Off” to “On.” The “Do Not Disturb” mode will now operate using default settings.

Return to this menu at any time and tap the “Do Not Disturb” option again to turn the mode from “On” to “Off.” To change the basic “Do Not Disturb” settings, continue to the next step.

Step 3

Tap the option labeled “Notifications.” Because the new iOS 6 “Do Not Disturb” mode relates mainly to the way your iOS device handles notifications while the mode is enabled, you have to enter the “Notifications” section of the “Settings” application to change the way the mode actually operates.

Tap the section heading labeled “Do Not Disturb” to continue.

Step 4

If you want to receive scheduled alerts even when “Do Not Disturb” mode is enabled, tap the option in the window on screen labeled “Scheduled.” With this option enabled, any scheduled alerts (like ones that you’ve manually added to your device’s “Calendar” application) will still be received.

Step 5

Tap the option labeled “Receive Calls From” to change which callers can get through while “Do Not Disturb” mode is enabled. You can choose from “Everyone,” “No One” or “Favorites.” Make your selection by tapping the appropriate option in the window on screen.

If you want repeated calls to get through even when “Do Not Disturb” mode is active, tap the option labeled “Repeated Calls” at the bottom of the “Do Not Disturb” window. A first call from a particular person will be silenced while “Do Not Disturb” mode is active. If that same person calls back within three minutes, however, that second call will make it through under these settings.