My husband tells my that I have the mind of a monk, and I agree. I love silence, solitude, and peace and silent retreats are more appealing to me than a weekend in the city. Noise, chaos, loud sounds, and non-stop digital distractions such as text messages, emails, and social media make my soul feel angst. I overcame a social media addiction twelve years ago (get my book Social Media Reset: A 30-Day Guided Journey to Unplug, Reconnect with God, and Reclaim Your Joy to help you do the same), but I am constantly doing all I can to become even more of a digital minimalist.
Today, emails and text message are my most-hated distractions. I mostly want to throw my smartphone away and get a flip phone (I’m still flirting with the idea), but as you know because of their wonderful features such as GPS, the camera, and music and podcast apps, I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Many of us want to break up with our smartphones, but these features make it unimaginable to do so.
Text messages are fast and convenient but they are highly distractive, non-stop and can feel intrusive at times, especially when they are unwanted and come with demands. There is cultural pressure to respond instantaneously but this pulls us out of the present moment. I asked Chat GPT to teach me how to put text messages in their place. I’m implementing many of these suggestions starting today! I hope this is helpful to you as well:
đź“´ Step 1: Limit or Disable Text Messages
Apple doesn’t allow you to fully turn off texting, but you can reduce notifications or block messages to minimize distractions.
Option A: Turn Off iMessage
If you don’t want to use iMessage (the blue bubbles):
- Open Settings
- Tap Messages
- Toggle iMessage off
You’ll still receive regular SMS texts (green bubbles), but iMessages will stop sending or receiving.
Option B: Block Specific Contacts
To stop messages from certain people:
- Open their conversation in Messages
- Tap their name or number
- Tap Info → Block this Caller
This blocks texts, calls, and FaceTime from that contact.
Option C: Silence Texts with Focus Mode
To avoid being disturbed:
- Go to Settings → Focus → + → Custom
- Name it something like “Offline” or “Do Not Text”
- Choose which contacts (if any) can still reach you
Turn this Focus on whenever you want to pause notifications.
🤖 Step 2: Set Up an Automatic Message
Apple doesn’t let you automatically reply to all texts natively, but you can use these workarounds.
Option A: Use “Driving Focus” Auto-Reply
This built-in feature automatically replies to texts — even if you’re not actually driving.
- Go to Settings → Focus → Driving
- Tap Auto-Reply
- Choose who to reply to (All Contacts, Recents, or Favorites)
- Customize your message, for example: “I’m not checking texts right now but will reply when I’m back online.”
✅ Pro Tip: You can manually enable Driving Focus any time, not just while driving. It’s perfect for “quiet hours.”
Option B: Create a Custom Auto-Reply with Shortcuts
Apple’s Shortcuts app lets you simulate an automatic reply when you enable a specific Focus mode.
- Open the Shortcuts app
- Tap Automation → + → Create Personal Automation
- Choose When Focus Is Turned On
- Select your “Offline” Focus
- Add an action: Send Message → [contact name] → your message
Now, every time you turn on that Focus, your iPhone sends an auto message for you.
Option C: Try a Third-Party Auto-Responder
If you want a more flexible solution, consider apps like:
- AutoSender
- IFTTT
- TextAssured
These can handle timed or fully automated responses (note: they may require paid plans and permission to access your messages).
âś… Step 3: Combine Focus Mode + Auto Message
Here’s the best way to put it all together:
- Create a Focus Mode
- Go to Settings → Focus → + → Custom
- Silence notifications and calls
- Add a Shortcut Automation
- In Shortcuts → Automation, link a message to that Focus
- Schedule or Activate It
- Set it for off-hours or enable it manually when you need a break
Now your phone goes quiet, and your contacts automatically get your friendly “I’m away” message.
✨ Final Thoughts
While Apple doesn’t allow full text message auto-replies, combining Focus Mode, Driving Auto-Reply, and Shortcuts gives you almost the same power. You’ll enjoy peace of mind and uninterrupted focus — and your friends or clients will appreciate knowing when you’re offline.
What do you think of texting and how does it impact you?
*This post was created with the help of Chat GPT so I can more easily provide you with helpful and clear information.
