Step-by-Step Guide: Enabling Do Not Disturb on Mac in 2023

With macOS or OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) and later, Notifications remind you of scheduled tasks, emails, texts, and more. But occasionally, those incoming alerts might be annoying and divert your focus from the tasks you should be completing. When you want to, you can turn off all of those alerts with Apple’s Do Not Disturb function. When you do not want to receive any alerts on your smartphone, Do Not Disturb is a useful option. So, today, this article will explain to you how to turn on Do Not Disturb on a Mac.

You can specify a time window during which the Do Not Disturb mode should be activated if you need to concentrate during that period. For instance, even if you are aware that you need to finish a business presentation or an article for university in the next few hours, your attention is constantly diverted by emails. Turn on the function that will assist you in staying focused to steer clear of situations like these and spare yourself the stress.

The procedure to Turn On Do Not Disturb Mode Using Control Center

You can easily locate key system settings like audio, luminosity, and, of course, the Do Not Disturb function through the Control Center.

If macOS BigSur is installed on your computer, the Control Center button should resemble two sliders. A black circle can be seen in the lower one’s right corner, while a white circle can be seen in the upper one’s left corner.

If your Mac is running macOS Catalina or an earlier version of the operating system, the Control Center will appear as three dots with a line connecting each one if it exists.

Follow the directions below to activate Do Not Disturb Mode in Control Center on macOS BigSur

  • First of all, you need to tap on the Control Center icon in the top menu, which is close to Siri on the right side.
  • Now, in order to activate the function, tap the Moon symbol beside “Do Not Disturb.”
  • Once you activate Do Not Disturb Mode, it will remain active until you choose to shut it off.
  • The text “Do Not Disturb” will have an arrow next to it when you mouse over it. To establish Do Not Disturb Mode for an hour, till tonight, or until tomorrow, hit the pointer.
  • Tap on the moon symbol once again to remove the Do Not Disturb setting.

You may include the Do Not Disturb menu straight to the menu bar for immediate access, eliminating the need to go via the Control Center.

The procedures listed below may be used to include the Do Not Disturb item to the main toolbar

  • Tap on the Control Center icon in the top menu, which is close to Siri in the right corner.
  • Drag the Do Not Disturb option to the top Navigation menu by clicking and holding the menu button.
  • Select a location in the navigation bar’s right corner and release the control, finally, a moon will appear as the menu icon.

Utilize Control Center to activate Do Not Disturb Mode on macOS Catalina or an earlier version by following these steps

  • First of all, you have to head over to the Control Center in the top menu, which is close to Siri in the right-hand corner.
  • Then, you need to choose the “Today” tab, and turn on the scale next to “Do Not Disturb” to activate the mode.
  • Until the following day, Do Not Disturb Mode will be active if you will not turn it off manually.
  • By tapping on the Notification Center button and having to hold the Option key on the keypad, you can also activate the Do Not Disturb mode. The Notification Center symbol will get darkened when the Do Not Disturb Mode is activated.

The Procedure to utilize the Notification Center to Schedule a Specific Time Period for Do Not Disturb Mode

You have the ability to view alerts from applications and Mac’s operating system in Notification Center. For instance, you may check if you received an email when alerts are enabled or receive an alert if a software upgrade is ready. In addition, Notification Center allows you to activate and control Do Not Disturb Mode.

  • To reach the Apple toolbar, first of all, select the Apple logo in the navigation pane.
  • Then you need to locate “Notifications” under “System Preferences” and select it.
  • Now, your next job is to pick the “Do Not Disturb” option available there.
  • Then select a time period and tick the box beside “From” under “Turn on Do Not Disturb” on the left-hand side of the pane.

The Procedure to Create and Turn On Do Not Disturb Mode Using Keyboard Shortcut

You may set a keyboard shortcut to easily activate or deactivate the Do Not Disturb Mode if you wish to employ them.

  • To reach the Apple menu, click the Apple logo in the top menu, then select “System Preferences.”
  • Next, select the “Shortcuts” option from the “Keyboard” settings window.
  • Find and click “Mission Control” on the left side which is the second selection beneath “Launchpad & Dock.”
  • Select the checkbox beside “Turn Do Not Disturb On/Off” on the left side of the screen. You will view a text field next to it.
  • To activate the shortcut for the Do Not Disturb Mode, you need to select or hit the correct key combination on your keyboard.

With the shortcut you generated, you can now simply activate and deactivate the Do Not Disturb function.

The Procedure to just mute specific notifications

You probably have to concentrate and just want to stop alerts from irritating applications, but other apps, like Mail, must notify you. In the Notification Center, you may specify which applications to stay silenced.

  • First of all, to reach the Apple menu, you have to click the Apple icon in the top menu.
  • Afterward, find “Notifications” under “System Preferences” and then tap it.
  • Choose a program or a service you wish to mute on the left side of the “Notifications” pane when it displays.
  • To silence the app, Turn Off the bar next to “Allow Notifications” on the right-hand side of the screen.
  • In order to view the alerts from some applications and functions, you may unmute them and enable Do Not Disturb Mode.

Conclusion

So, finally, these are some of the useful steps that you can implement in order to turn on Do Not Disturb on a Mac, also you can mute specific alerts.