# Avoid Siri's Pitfalls: Navigating Focus Modes on iOS/iPadOS
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Chapter 1: The Double-Edged Sword of Focus Modes
Focus modes can enhance productivity, yet the default settings might lead to unforeseen issues.
Artificial intelligence excels at spotting patterns and has even surpassed human capabilities in certain areas. Research from University College London illustrates that AI can identify cancerous lesions that may evade human detection. Impressive, right?
However, just like any technology, AI carries inherent risks. I learned this the hard way when I encountered a situation with my iPhone. While AI can flag important patterns, it shouldn't be tasked with making decisions for us. Unfortunately, many users accept default settings without thorough examination, which can lead to complications.
Who really takes the time to verify every default option? This inattentiveness caused me to miss three calls from my doctor, resulting in a nearly four-day wait for medical advice. Initially, I blamed the mobile network, adverse weather, and my own mistakes (which is usually a safe bet).
But the real culprit was Siri's attempt to be helpful, compounded by my own negligence in checking the default settings.
Section 1.1: Focus Modes as Allies and Adversaries
Despite my frustrations, I appreciate Focus modes on iOS/iPadOS—especially when I customize them. They help declutter my home screen, manage notifications, and control incoming calls.
You might be thinking, "That's where the mistake happened." And you'd be partially correct.
But let’s not rush ahead.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Healthcare Dilemma in the UK
In the UK, there is a notable shortage of primary care physicians, particularly general practitioners (GPs). GPs serve as the initial point of contact for healthcare within the National Health Service.
Gone are the days of face-to-face consultations; high demand and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have altered the landscape. Now, gaining access to a doctor can feel like a competitive endeavor. Patients must call their surgeries within a specific timeframe and convince a receptionist to connect them with a doctor.
Unfortunately, the situation is further complicated by poor patient behavior. Doctors are reluctant to share their phone numbers due to misuse, resulting in calls from GPs appearing as "number withheld." This is where Siri's interference became problematic.
Description: This video explains how to disable Focus Modes on your iPhone to prevent missing important calls.
Section 1.2: The Missed Calls
In January, I discovered a lump—nothing serious, but I wanted it checked out. I called my surgery promptly at 08:30 and, after 17 attempts, finally reached the receptionist. She assured me that a doctor would call back within an hour.
However, after waiting for over two hours, I received a text indicating three missed calls from an unknown number. Frustrated, I contacted the surgery again, only to find that all appointments were booked. The next available time to try again was Monday, but it turned out I was out of luck until Tuesday.
What had gone wrong? I hadn’t enabled a Focus mode that allows calls from unknown numbers. I had mistakenly opted not to block calls in Focus modes, which seemed reasonable at the time since I rarely received interruptions.
Because the mute switch was correctly set, I erroneously assumed the issue lay with the mobile network. Having worked for multiple telecom companies, I knew that mobile calls can often be unreliable, particularly during harsh weather.
I switched to Wi-Fi calling, which typically offers greater reliability, and felt a sense of relief, although I shouldn't have.
Chapter 2: The Awakening
A few months later, while preparing for some home renovations, I had been waiting over a week to discuss a quote with a builder. I remained home, anticipating a knock on the door, but instead received a dreaded message about a missed call from my service provider.
Description: This video details how to simplify iPhone's Focus Mode settings to make them more user-friendly and effective.
The builder had knocked gently and then attempted to call me, but my phone failed to ring.
With spring upon us, I had no reason to doubt the reliability of cellular communications. However, upon inspecting my iPhone, I realized that Siri had automatically created a Focus mode called "Personal," which was restricting incoming calls to my favorites list only.
While I initially believed this was my oversight, it turned out that this mode exists by default and should be configured when first setting up Focus modes. I likely accepted the default settings long ago, associating the term "Personal" with privacy.
Unfortunately, that meant silencing calls even from numbers stored in my contacts unless they were marked as favorites. I had never intended to use the Personal Focus mode, preferring modes tailored for Reading and Writing instead.
Siri's attempt to assist backfired—monitoring my activity and switching to a mode that was inappropriate for the situation.
Final Thoughts: Navigating the Risks of AI
To avoid the mistakes I made, the primary rule is to not place blind trust in Siri. This should be a guiding principle for everyone.
Access the Settings app, scroll to Focus, and review your configurations.
By tapping on the Focus name, you can adjust how calls and notifications are managed. I modified my Personal Focus to accept notifications until I explicitly block an app and now allow calls from anyone.
Although this requires more effort, I have a clearer understanding of my notifications.
To simplify managing Focus modes, I deleted ones that I rarely used, keeping the Personal Focus just in case Siri attempts to recreate it.
In conclusion, while AI offers incredible advantages, it also poses significant risks, particularly if it begins to dictate our choices. The most vulnerable individuals are often those with busy schedules—precisely the ones AI aims to assist.