Skip to main content

Android’s distraction-killing Focus Mode is now available on Android 10

Focus Mode was conspicuously absent from the launch of Android 10, with only a beta version available for certain phones. Thankfully, that’s no longer true, and Android’s distraction-cutting Focus Mode is now available on a number of devices running Android 10 and Android 9.0 Pie.

A major new addition to Google’s Digital Wellbeing toolkit, Focus Mode seeks to limit the ways your phone can distract you when you’re looking to concentrate. Select a number of intrusive or particularly bothersome apps, and Focus Mode will pause those apps while the mode is active, stopping notifications from being sent. Furthermore, while the mode is active, those apps’ icons will appear grayed out, and for any of them, you’ll be notified that the app is currently locked down if you attempt to open it.

android 9 pie digital wellbeing
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

It’s not as tyrannical as it sounds, and you’ll be able to access any of your apps if you really need to — but the idea is to remove the ease with which you’re able to distract yourself. By placing a barrier between you and the app, Focus Mode gives you the chance to back out of situations that distract you. Any notifications that come through while the app is paused will be sent to your phone after the mode is turned off — so there’s no need to worry you’ll overlook a message, or miss out on a points boost.

Of course, any apps not included on Focus Mode’s blacklist will send notifications as usual — so you won’t miss out on an important call or email.

Google has added more to Focus Mode since we last looked at it, including the ability to activate Focus Mode on a set schedule. For instance, if you’re working 9 to 5 (what a way to make a living) on weekdays, or if you like some screenless time before bed. Google also added the ability to take a short break, and if you’ve finished early, you can shut off a scheduled Focus Mode before the end time — and it’ll start again at the right time the next day.

Focus Mode is now available for a number of phones running Android 9.0 Pie and Android 10. Android 10 phones are more likely to get Focus Mode, as it’s only available on phones with Google’s Digital Wellbeing app. While Digital Wellbeing launched with Android 9.0 Pie, only a small amount of Pie-compatible phones saw fit to include Digital Wellbeing. That’s set to end with Android 10 though, as Google has laid down the law and declared all Android 10 phones must come with Digital Wellbeing. You can check out our full Focus Mode guide to learn how to use this powerful new feature.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
The Galaxy Note 20 brings seamless Android app integration to Windows 10
samsung announces android apps your phone windows 10

At the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event, Samsung and Microsoft announced an improved Android app integration in Windows 10. The feature works with Microsoft's Your Phone app and the new Note 20 Series phones, aiming to bring Android phones and Windows PCs even closer together.

As presented in a demo during the event, the improved feature is part of the Link to Windows ability in Samsung phones, previously announced in 2019. With it, along with the existing ability to access notifications, messages, photos, and calls, Galaxy Note 20 series owners will soon be able to enjoy a new "Your Phone Apps" feature in Windows 10. Through a shared WiFi connection, this allows access for Android apps installed on Note 20 phones, directly on a Windows 10 PC.

Read more
Motorola adds new features to Razr’s outer display with Android 10 update
motorola razr outer display gets a whole lot more useful  android 10

Motorola’s foldable Razr phone launched in 2020 with Android 9 Pie, leaving many customers scratching their heads as to why it didn’t go with the latest version of the mobile operating system, Android 10, which landed five months earlier.

Well, the head-scratching can now stop as Android’s latest operating system has finally arrived for the Razr in a long-awaited development that adds some subtle enhancements to the pricey device.

Read more
Samsung’s brilliant Single Take camera mode is coming to Galaxy S10 and Note 10
samsung galaxy s20 ultra camera guide single take

The Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 are getting one of the camera features we loved the most from the new Galaxy S20 — Single Take mode. This clever feature makes sure you never miss a special moment while choosing which camera feature to use to capture it best. Instead of fumbling, you shoot a video, and the software creates a selection of stills, animations, clips, and filtered shots instantly for you, without any prompting. You get all the shots you could want, without any of the effort. It's useful, simple, and fun.

Single Take will arrive on the Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, Galaxy Note 10, and Note 10 Plus phones in a software update starting in March. That means you should be seeing it very soon, although when it arrives can be affected by your location, carrier, and other factors beyond Samsung’s control. Often, these updates are also staggered, so just have patience.

Read more