Most smart phones have a Do Not Disturb function of some kind. This can be very useful for reducing the number of spam calls you get. When enabled, it mutes all calls, alerts and media sounds but you can set exceptions to that rule.
Android Phones Do Not Disturb
Go to Settings > Sound & Vibration > Do Not Disturb
This gives you the following options:
- Turn on Now
- Turn on as Scheduled
- Allow Exceptions
- APP Rules
- Hide Visual Notifications
Under Allow Exceptions, you can choose to allow alarms only or customise so that for example repeat callers are OK or calls from specified people or messages from specified people are accepted etc.
Generally it gives you a more peaceful life until you turn it off again.
Apple Phones Do Not Disturb
This behaves in a similar way to on Android.
Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb
When Do Not Disturb is on, a crescent moon icon Do Not Disturb icon will be displayed in the status bar.
If you’ve set an alarm in the Clock app, the alarm will go off even when Do Not Disturb is on.
You can set Do Not Disturb to be on and off according to a schedule. This would for example give you a quiet period each day at the set times.
Under Silence, you can choose to silence calls and notifications at all times or only when the device is locked.
Under Allow Calls From, you can allow calls from everyone, no one, your favourites or specific contact groups stored on your device or iCloud.
If you have any better uses for Do Not Disturb, do let me know, by email.
