Do you have a strange icon next to the clock on your iPhone: this is it

Do you suddenly see a new icon that you have not seen before on your iPhone? Then you have (accidentally) turned on a special function.

Do you have a strange icon next to the clock on your iPhone: this is it

Normally you see the clock, the notch (or the Dynamic Island), your data connection and the status of the battery at the top of the screen of your iPhone. But if you suddenly see a new, strange icon next to the clock, that’s strange.

Do you have a strange icon next to the clock on your iPhone: this is it

You probably (by accident or not) turned on the ‘Focus’ function. This function has been on your iPhone since iOS 15 and is not disturbing an extension to the function. Handy if you do not want to be disturbed and do not want to receive notifications. The difference with not disturbing is that with a focus you choose whether you want to receive notifications from certain people (or not).

Your iPhone has a number of standard options that you can choose from, including driving, gaming, mindfulness, sleep, work and reading. You can also create a focus yourself and then choose a name, color and symbol yourself.

Focus Settings

Focus on and off

The easiest way to put on a focus is via the control panel. You open that on an iPhone with Face ID by wiping down from the top right corner of the screen. On an iPhone with Touch ID, wipe up from the bottom of the screen. Then tap ‘Focus’ and choose the focus that you want to switch on (like not disturbing). You can also set a focus in the same way.

When you return to the home screen you will see that an icon has appeared next to the time at the top left. Depending on the focus that you have chosen, this can be a icon of a moon, bed and much more.

Remove Focus

Do you find the focus annoying? Then you can also delete it. You do it like this:

  • Open the app settings, scroll down and tap ‘Focus’;
  • Tap the focus that you want to remove;
  • Scroll down and choose ‘Remove Focus’.

You cannot remove the focus ‘do not disturb’.

More iPhone tips

  • Do you have a strange icon next to the clock on your iPhone: this is it

  • iPhone tips: This way you are well prepared for your tax return 2024

  • Whatsapp spam (and strange messages) prevent: this is how you do it

  • New on Netflix and Apple TV Plus: View our tips for March 2025

  • Log in to iCloud: Always with your files on iOS, Mac and other computers

Recent Articles

Related Stories