If your iPhone keeps turning on Do Not Disturb by itself, something is triggering it automatically. The usual causes are a schedule, Share Across Devices (another Apple device turned it on), Smart Activation, your Sleep schedule, the Driving Focus, or a Shortcuts automation. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and delete or turn off any schedules, then turn off Share Across Devices on the main Focus screen if you don’t want your iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch controlling it.
Step 1: Remove Do Not Disturb schedules
- Open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.
- Under Set a Schedule, tap each schedule.
- Turn off Schedule, or tap Delete Schedule at the bottom.
- Tap Smart Activation (if listed) and turn it off.
Step 2: Stop other devices from turning it on
With Share Across Devices on, turning on Do Not Disturb on your iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch also turns it on for your iPhone. Go to Settings > Focus and turn off Share Across Devices.
Step 3: Check Sleep and Driving
- Sleep: Sleep Focus shows a bed icon, not a moon, but it silences notifications the same way. Change or turn off the schedule in Settings > Focus > Sleep, or in the Health app > Browse > Sleep > Full Schedule & Options.
- Driving: Tap Settings > Focus > Driving > While Driving and choose Manually so it doesn’t turn on automatically when you connect to CarPlay or your iPhone detects driving.
Step 4: Check Shortcuts automations
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap Automation.
- Look for any automation that turns on a Focus, like “When I arrive at work” or “At 10:00 PM.”
- Swipe left to delete it, or tap it and turn it off.
Step 5: Check other Focus modes
A custom Focus like Work or Personal might have its own schedule. Open each Focus in Settings > Focus and remove schedules you don’t want.
Turn off Do Not Disturb right now
Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and tap Do Not Disturb (or Focus) to turn it off. For more on the moon icon, see why there’s a moon on your iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Do Not Disturb turn on at night?
It’s likely a Do Not Disturb schedule or your Sleep Focus. Check both in Settings > Focus.
Why does my iPhone go into Do Not Disturb when I drive?
The Driving Focus is set to turn on automatically. Change While Driving to Manually.
Why does it turn on when I use my Mac?
Share Across Devices syncs Focus across Apple devices. Turn it off on your iPhone or Mac.
Can I let important calls through during Do Not Disturb?
Yes. In Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > People, add contacts to Allow Notifications From, and turn on Allow Repeated Calls.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.