The Do Not Disturb (DND) While Driving feature on iPhone helps minimize distractions on the road, especially when using CarPlay. This guide explains how it works, how to customize it, and how to disable it if needed.
How DND While Driving Works with CarPlay
When enabled, Do Not Disturb While Driving:
Silences notifications, messages, and calls while you are driving.
Suppresses notifications on your iPhone, but CarPlay may still display messages or allow calls depending on your settings.
Sends auto-reply messages (if enabled) to inform contacts that you are driving.
How to Enable or Disable DND While Driving
Enable DND While Driving Automatically
Open Settings → Focus → Driving.
Tap Add Focus (if it is not already listed).
Under Turn on Automatically, select one of the options:
Automatically – Activates DND when your iPhone detects driving motion.
When Connected to Car Bluetooth – Activates only when your iPhone connects to your car’s Bluetooth.
Manually – You must turn it on via Control Center.
Enable DND While Driving for CarPlay Only
Open Settings → Focus → Driving.
Tap Options.
Toggle Activate with CarPlay on.
How to Allow Important Calls and Messages in CarPlay
If you still want to receive essential calls or messages while driving:
Go to Settings → Focus → Driving.
Tap Allowed Notifications.
Under People, tap Allow Some People and add key contacts (such as family or work).
Under Apps, select apps that can bypass DND while driving.
How to Enable Auto-Reply While Driving
To notify people that you are driving:
Go to Settings → Focus → Driving.
Tap Auto-Reply.
Choose who will receive the message:
Recents
Favorites
All Contacts
Edit the auto-reply message if needed.
How to Manually Enable or Disable DND While Driving via Control Center
Swipe down from the top-right corner (Face ID models) or swipe up from the bottom (Home button models).
Tap Focus → Driving to turn it on or off.
How to Remove or Disable Do Not Disturb While Driving (CarPlay and General Use)
If you no longer want Do Not Disturb While Driving to activate, you can disable or remove it completely.
Disable DND While Driving Completely
Open Settings → Focus.
Tap Driving.
Scroll down and tap Delete Focus (this removes it entirely).
Prevent DND from Activating Automatically
If you want to keep Driving Focus but stop it from turning on automatically:
Open Settings → Focus → Driving.
Under Turn on Automatically, select Manually or Off.
If CarPlay is causing it to turn on automatically:
Open Settings → Focus → Driving.
Tap Options.
Toggle off Activate with CarPlay.
Remove DND from Control Center (Optional)
If you do not want Driving Focus to appear in Control Center:
Go to Settings → Control Center.
Scroll down to Driving Mode (or Focus Modes) and tap the – (minus) button to remove it.
Disable Auto-Reply Messages While Driving
Open Settings → Focus → Driving.
Tap Auto-Reply.
Select No One to disable automatic responses.
After following these steps, your iPhone will no longer activate Do Not Disturb While Driving, even when using CarPlay.