Google’s latest mobile OS, Android 10, has gone live and been making headlines over the last week. As expected, it brings a host of welcome changes and noteworthy additions, features that could very well make it one of the finest Android OSes ever.
While the obvious additions such as dark mode and full gesture-based navigation have been getting their fair share of recognition, another nifty little addition hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.
In this section, we’ll try to give it the attention it deserves and tell you all you need to know about the latest member of Google’s Digital Wellbeing family: Focus Mode.
Related → When will Android 10 come out for my device?
What is Focus Mode
Focus Mode allows you to pick the apps that distract you the most and suspend all their actions for a pre-defined time period. Whenever you need to get some work done, you can toggle on Focus Mode and all those apps will be paused for the entire duration the mode is on. It will keep those apps from distracting you and you won’t be able to access the apps as well.
How to configure Focus Mode
As mentioned earlier, Focus Mode is the newest member of the Digital Wellbeing family.
Here’s how to locate it and get started:
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Tap on Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.
Step 3: Select Focus Mode.
Step 4: Pick the apps you want to suspend.
Step 5: Tap on Turn on now to get started.
How to access Focus mode quick using Quick Setting
There’s a way to access Focus Mode using Quick Setting. It’s not there by default, so, you’ll need to jump a couple of hoops to get it.
Step 1: Swipe down the notification shade two times.
Step 2: Tap on the little pencil icon on the left.
Step 3: Keep scrolling until you see the Focus Mode tile.
Step 4: Hold and drag the tile to the main Quick Setting panel.
How to make the most of Focus Mode
If you are really looking to get some work done without completely isolating yourself from the world, Focus Mode is pretty much your best bet.
While apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Facebook itself notify you the most, some of those notifications could actually be time-sensitive. Shopping, wallpaper, games, and even banking apps, on the other hand, rarely notify you of anything that requires your immediate attention.
Does Focus mode help?
Admittedly, Focus Mode won’t automatically make you more productive or take care of all of your work for you. However, despite its “shortcomings,” it’s still is an amazing tool that can genuinely help to keep your hands off the phone.
Focus Mode won’t necessarily stop you from using the most engaging apps while working. What it’ll do is use your conscience against you to make you feel exceptionally guilty and hopefully keep you from procrastinating.
Do Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola have anything like Focus Mode?
One of the largest smartphone manufacturers in the world, Samsung, is known for innovation both in the hardware and software department. At present, the company implements a custom skin on top of Android, called One UI. One UI 1.0, 1.1, and 1.5 were all based on Android Pie, which didn’t have Focus Mode, to begin with.
The company, however, is weeks away from launching the Android 10-based One UI 2.0, which most certainly will have all of Android 10’s standout features. So, even though Samsung smartphones don’t have Focus Mode (or a lookalike), currently, they are guaranteed to get it sooner rather than later.
OnePlus, on the other hand, has already rolled out Zen Mode, that helps you a lot like the Focus mode. However, we haven’t seen anything like this from Motorola yet, but there is no need to worry, their Android 10 update will come packing Focus mode anyway.
Think Focus mode will help you a lot? Is the best feature in Android 10 for you?
