This feature from three years ago is one of my favorite things about the iPhone.

Apple's recent software update for the iPhone, iOS 18, has brought numerous new features. With more customizable home screens, a significant update to Control Center, and new Apple intelligence-related capabilities, this version has a lot to offer. However, while using my iPhone 16 over the past few weeks, I've realized that one of the iOS features I use most often is not related to this update. It is the Focus modes, a feature introduced over three years ago that remains one of my favorites.

Focus modes were introduced by Apple as part of the iOS 15 update in 2021. The concept is quite accessible: you can activate different Focus modes depending on your daily activities. For example, you might have a Focus mode for gaming, another for reading, or one specifically for vacations, among others. The flexibility in configuring these modes is extensive; there’s no right or wrong way to use them. After consistently using them over the past three years, I’ve found a method that perfectly aligns with my iPhone usage style.

My Work Focus mode automatically activates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. During this time, I only receive notifications from three contacts (my partner and my parents), and I allow alerts from a select few applications, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and a few banking apps. So far, it seems straightforward. However, the real magic of my Work mode lies in how it transforms my iPhone’s home screen.

Once Work mode is activated, my home screen changes completely. Instead of the usual apps that tend to distract me, like NFL Fantasy, Letterboxd, and Duolingo, there is a single screen dedicated exclusively to my work. On it, I have eight apps (Teams, Asana, Parse.ly, Apple News, Notes, Feedly, Authy, and X/Twitter) and two widgets, one of which shows my daily reminders. I also included a widget displaying the different time zones of my colleagues.

Since its launch, Apple has allowed users to link home screens to Focus modes, and in my opinion, this is the best feature of this function in iOS. Having my work apps and widgets precisely where I need them during the workday is exceptional. Furthermore, once the clock strikes five, my iPhone returns to my usual non-work-related settings that I prefer when I am out of the office. While it may seem simple, it is incredibly valuable. During working hours, I can quickly access messages and emails related to my job. At the end of the day, the work apps disappear, and my home screen reverts to showcasing my favorite leisure apps.

Some Android phone manufacturers have attempted to adapt Apple’s Focus modes over the years, but unfortunately, none have managed to replicate what I consider the most useful aspect. For example, Samsung has a Modes feature that visually resembles iOS, allowing users to customize notification preferences and associate wallpapers. However, you cannot link a Mode to a customized home screen. OnePlus faces a similar situation, as its Zen Space application allows users to create "spaces" with allowed apps and custom backgrounds, but again, these cannot be tied to home screen settings. It’s surprising that no one in the Android space has adopted this feature.

Nevertheless, I still consider Focus modes to be one of my favorite features of iOS. I don’t actively think about them while using my iPhone throughout the day. When I am working, I have my work home screen; when I am not working, I use my preferred normal settings. This feature operates seamlessly in the background, so it does not require constant attention from me. That is why, although it may seem unexciting to discuss them, I believe that is precisely why they are so useful. It took me about 20 minutes to set up my Work mode three years ago, and since then, it has been an integral part of my daily iPhone usage. I hope Apple continues to develop features that are as practical and functional as Focus modes.