# How to stop notifications while you focus on a Mac > Turn on Do Not Disturb in Control Center or create a Focus in System Settings, choose who and what can get through, and schedule it by time or app. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/tips/focus-without-notifications-on-mac/ Last updated: 2026-11-04 Published 2026-11-04. To silence notifications quickly, turn on the Do Not Disturb Focus in Control Center. For something you will reuse, such as a Work Focus, open System Settings, click Focus, and add one. You then choose who and which apps can still reach you and, if you like, set a schedule. ## The quick way Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar and turn on **Do Not Disturb**. Apple suggests this when you need to silence all notifications right away. Turn it off the same way. ## Make your own Focus 1. Open **System Settings** and click **Focus** in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down. 2. Click **Add Focus**, then choose a provided Focus or click **Custom**. 3. For a custom one, enter a name, pick a color and icon, and click **OK**. You can create up to ten. ## Choose what gets through Click your Focus in the list. - Click **Allowed People**, use the **Notifications** pop up menu to choose **Allow Some People** or **Silence Some People**, click the **Add People** button, pick contacts and click **Done**. - Click **Allowed Apps**, choose **Allow Some Apps** or **Silence Some Apps**, click the **Add** button, pick apps and click **Add**, then **Done**. - To let urgent items through, turn on **Time Sensitive Notifications** under **Allowed Apps**. ## Schedule it In the Focus settings, click your Focus, then under **Set a Schedule** click **Add Schedule**. Choose **Time**, **Location** or **App**, enter the details and click **Done**. An app schedule turns the Focus on when you open that app. ## Pair it with a timer A Focus removes the interruptions, and a timer gives the block an end. Start a 25 minute timer in [Clock](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-set-a-timer-on-mac/), turn on your Focus, and work on a single task. This is the core of the [Pomodoro technique on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/pomodoro-technique-on-mac/). ## Version note Apple's page lists a version picker for macOS 27, Tahoe 26 and Sequoia 15. Newer versions may add options that depend on your region and language, so your list may differ slightly from the one above. ## In NotchStar NotchStar's [Timers tool](https://www.notchstar.com/features/timers/) does not switch a Focus on or off. It only counts the time and plays a sound at the end, so turn on the Focus yourself before you press play. ## Quick answers. ### How many Focuses can I make on a Mac? Apple's guide says you can create up to ten Focuses. ## Keep reading. - [Timer, stopwatch and Pomodoro in the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/timers/): A timer, stopwatch and Pomodoro with session tracking, always one hover away in the Mac notch. It keeps counting while the notch is closed. - [How to use the Pomodoro technique on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/pomodoro-technique-on-mac/): Run 25 minute focus blocks with short breaks on a Mac using the Clock app and a Focus, and see when a dedicated Pomodoro timer is easier. - [How to set a timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-set-a-timer-on-mac/): Open the Clock app, click Timers, set the time and click Start. Steps for pausing, naming and repeating timers, and what happens when your Mac sleeps. - [Your day, at a glance, in the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/calendar-reminders/): See your next events and due reminders in the notch, with calendar colours and one tap completion. Uses the accounts already in your Mac. ## More in Timers and focus. - [How to set a timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-set-a-timer-on-mac/): Open the Clock app, click Timers, set the time and click Start. Steps for pausing, naming and repeating timers, and what happens when your Mac sleeps. - [How to use the Pomodoro technique on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/pomodoro-technique-on-mac/): Run 25 minute focus blocks with short breaks on a Mac using the Clock app and a Focus, and see when a dedicated Pomodoro timer is easier. - [How to make a Mac stop playing music after a timer](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/stop-music-with-a-timer-on-mac/): Set a timer in the Clock app and choose Stop Playing in the When timer ends menu, so music or video stops on its own, for example before you sleep. - [How to use a stopwatch on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/use-stopwatch-on-mac/): Open Clock, click Stopwatch, press Start, Lap and Stop. Switch between digital and analog faces, and know that timing continues if the Mac sleeps. - [How to run more than one timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/run-several-timers-on-mac/): Add timers in the Clock app with Custom Timer or Presets, name each one, give it a sound, and see all of them at once. Steps and limits. - [How to open the Clock timer from the Mac menu bar](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/open-the-clock-timer-from-the-menu-bar-on-mac/): Click the time in the menu bar, then the Clock widget, to start a timer or stopwatch faster. Also how to keep a timer visible while you work.