Do Not Disturb Mode

Do Not Disturb mode is one of the most underrated features in any phone operating system. It gives you permission to be unavailable without the social cost of not responding, since anyone who texts you sees a notification that you've silenced your phone. The toggle takes 2 seconds. The effect is immediate: no buzzing, no banners, no sound. Missed notifications accumulate silently on the lock screen when you choose to look. It creates a boundary between you and your phone without requiring you to turn the device off entirely. Most people need their phone nearby for alarms, maps, or emergencies, but they don't need real-time access to every group chat. My study sessions got noticeably longer after I started using it. Without interruption, you can build momentum that a single notification would break.