Clark Street Health

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iPhone: Bypass Do Not Disturb

Configure Focus modes and exception settings on your iPhone to ensure critical medical calls always reach you, even during Do Not Disturb or Focus mode.

Method 1: Add to Favorites (Recommended)

Add your practice number to Favorites for reliable call breakthrough

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1
    Open Phone app

    Tap the Phone app on your iPhone's home screen

  2. 2
    Go to Favorites

    Tap the "Favorites" tab at the bottom of the screen

  3. 3
    Add new favorite

    Tap the "+" button in the top-left corner

  4. 4
    Select practice contact

    Find and select your medical practice's contact from the list

  5. 5
    Configure Focus settings

    Go to Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb

  6. 6
    Allow calls from Favorites

    Under "Calls", select "Allow Calls From: Favorites"

Most Reliable Method

Favorites work across all Focus modes and iOS versions, making this the most dependable method for ensuring critical calls get through.

Method 2: Allow Repeated Calls

Let through calls from the same number within 3 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1
    Open Settings

    Navigate to Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb

  2. 2
    Enable repeated calls

    Turn ON "Allow Repeated Calls"

  3. 3
    How it works

    A second call from the same number within 3 minutes will bypass Focus mode

Limitation

Requires two calls within 3 minutes. For single urgent calls, combine with Method 1 or 3 for better reliability.

Method 3: Allow Specific Contacts

Manually select contacts that can always call through Focus mode

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1
    Add practice to Contacts

    Ensure your medical practice's number is saved as a contact

  2. 2
    Open Focus settings

    Go to Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb

  3. 3
    Configure call permissions

    Tap Calls → Allow Calls From → Add Contact

  4. 4
    Select your practice

    Choose your medical practice's contact from the list

Flexible Option

This method allows granular control over which specific numbers can call through, useful if you want different settings for different Focus modes.

Additional iPhone Tips

Extra configuration for optimal notification delivery

Focus Mode Considerations

  • • Configure exceptions for ALL Focus modes you use (Work, Sleep, Personal)
  • • "Do Not Disturb While Driving" has separate settings - configure those too
  • • Check that "Silence Unknown Callers" isn't blocking your practice number

Ringtone & Vibration

  • • Assign a unique ringtone to your practice contact for easy identification
  • • Enable "Emergency Bypass" for the practice contact in their contact details
  • • Keep ringer volume high even if notifications are muted

Testing Your Configuration

  1. Turn on Do Not Disturb or your current Focus mode
  2. Have someone call from your practice number
  3. Confirm the call rings through despite Focus mode being active
  4. Test with different Focus modes if you use multiple
  5. Verify Emergency Bypass works if configured

Emergency Bypass (Advanced)

For maximum reliability, enable Emergency Bypass for your practice contact:

  1. Open the practice contact in your Contacts app
  2. Tap "Edit" in the top-right corner
  3. Tap "Ringtone" and enable "Emergency Bypass"
  4. Also enable "Emergency Bypass" for Text Tone if you receive SMS alerts

Emergency Bypass overrides ALL Focus modes and volume settings.