Why iPhone’s Scheduled Summary is a Game Changer

Originally published

As part of my Year of Being Present, something I’m keen to do is dramatically reduce the number of distractions on my phone, and in my digital life in general.

I’m using a number of tools, like the Brick, and ScreenTime+, and I have a few focus modes set up to help manage those distractions.

But the biggest game changer, and easiest win, as been iOS’s Schedule Summary.

What is Scheduled Summary?

If you don’t know, Scheduled Summary is your ability to tell your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to only deliver certain notifications and certain times.

In the Notification Settings for Apps, you can set them to “Immediate” or “Scheduled Summary.”

My Scheduled Summary settings for the BBC app

Then you can select 1 or more time slots for Scheduled Summary deliveries, where all of the apps you selected Scheduled Summary for will show up:

Scheduled Summary settings on iPhone

Looking for a full step-by-step tutorial? Here you go:

How I’m Using Scheduled Summary

So why is this such a game changer for me? It lets me control when I get information.

I don’t need a constant stream of news. Especially when news sites have taken incredible liberties with what they deem as “breaking.” But I do want to stay informed.

By having news apps (at the moment, only BBC and The Athletic) in Scheduled Summary, I get to choose when I see the news.

The same thing goes with payment (Venmo, Stripe, PayPal, Quickbooks). As much as I love getting notified when someone pays me, I don’t need it multiple times per day.

This alone as led me to reaching for my phone less, but there’s one more trick, and it’s the reason I don’t actually have that many apps in Scheduled Summary.

I Turn Most Notifications Off

There’s a reason I didn’t mention “work” apps like Mail, Slack, Google Voice, etc.

I don’t have notifications for those apps turned on in the first place. Slack isn’t even on my phone unless I’m going to a conference.

I don’t need to be accessible 24/7. And if you’re reading this, you probably don’t, either.

Phones have come a long way in the last few years. Controlling notifications is one of the best ways you can reduce distractions, focus more on what matters, and use your phone less.