If you are really looking for a distraction free period, iPhone provides the option to enable Do Not Disturb Mode on your device and prevent anyone from bothering you with calls and messages.
Enable “Do Not Disturb” On iPhone
When your iPhone is in Do Not Disturb Mode, all Incoming Calls will be diverted to Voicemail and all Messages and App Notifications will be silenced and hidden from your view.
However, the Notifications do keep coming, but you won’t be able to hear or see them, as they will be muted and hidden behind a dark screen.
After “Do Not Disturb” period ends automatically or gets manually disabled, you will be able to take a look at all Call and Message Notifications that you had missed during the “Do Not Disturb” period.
1. Steps to Enable Do Not Disturb On iPhone
You can enable “Do Not Disturb” mode at any time on your iPhone by following the steps below.
1. Go to Settings > Focus > tap on Do Not Disturb.
Note: If Do Not Disturb is not available, tap on the plus + icon (top-right) and select Do Not Disturb on the next screen.
2. On the next screen, scroll down and select Add Schedule (or select an available Schedule).
3. On Add Schedule screen, select the Time tab.
4. On the next screen, select the DND period (From and To), the Day or Days of the week during which you want the Do Not Disturb Schedule to run and tap on Done.
This will enable Do Not Disturb with default settings on your iPhone, which totally prevents calls, messages and other type of notifications from appearing on your device.
2. Allow Calls from Specific Contacts During Do Not Disturb Period
Unless you have changed it, the default option in “Do Not Disturb” is to allow Calls from Contacts that are marked as Favorites on your device.
Hence, all that is required to Allow Calls from selected or specific Contacts during “Do Not Disturb” period on iPhone is to make or mark those Contacts as Favorites on your iPhone.
You can find the steps to allow your family members or certain specific Contacts to be able to reach call or message you during Do Not Disturb Mode in this guide: How to Allow Contacts to Bypass Do Not Disturb On iPhone.