Driving mode on your iPhone, also known as “Do Not Disturb While Driving,” is designed to minimize distractions when you’re behind the wheel. It automatically silences notifications and can send auto-replies to messages, helping you stay focused on the road. While this feature is incredibly useful for safe driving, there might be times when you, as a passenger, need to disable it. Or perhaps you prefer to manage notifications yourself at all times. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to disable driving mode on your iPhone.
To turn off driving mode, you’ll first need to ensure the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature is added to your Control Center. Once it’s there, toggling it on or off is a breeze. Here’s how to get started:
Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Off Driving Mode
Disabling driving mode on your iPhone is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to quickly turn it off:
Adding Do Not Disturb While Driving to Control Center
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Begin by opening the Settings app on your iPhone. This is the app with the gray gear icon, usually found on your Home Screen.
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Scroll down and select Control Center. This setting allows you to customize what appears in your Control Center, which you access by swiping down from the top-right corner (on iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (on iPhone 8 and earlier).
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Tap on Customize Controls. Here, you’ll see two sections: “Include” and “More Controls.” The “Include” section shows what’s currently in your Control Center. “More Controls” lists features you can add.
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Alt text: iPhone screen showing the Customize Controls menu in Settings, highlighting the “More Controls” section.
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Look for Do Not Disturb While Driving under the More Controls section. If you see it, tap the plus sign (+) next to it. This will add “Do Not Disturb While Driving” to your Control Center under the “Include” section. If it’s already under “Include,” it’s already active in your Control Center, and you can skip to the next section.
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Exit the Settings app and return to your Home Screen.
Accessing Control Center and Disabling Driving Mode
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Open the Control Center on your iPhone.
- On an iPhone X or later model (including iPhones with Face ID), swipe down from the upper-right corner of your screen.
- On an iPhone 8 or earlier model (including iPhones with a Home button), swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
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Locate the car icon. This is the icon for “Do Not Disturb While Driving” that you just added.
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Alt text: Two iPhone screens side-by-side, the left showing the Control Center with the car icon highlighted in white indicating driving mode is active, and the right showing the car icon grayed out indicating driving mode is disabled.
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Tap the car icon to toggle “Do Not Disturb While Driving” on or off. When the icon is highlighted (usually white or colored), driving mode is enabled. When it’s grayed out or not highlighted, driving mode is disabled.
Remember, even with driving mode enabled, it intelligently detects motion. Sometimes, if you’re a passenger, it might activate. If this happens, simply tap the “I’m Not Driving” button that appears on your screen to dismiss the driving mode for that instance.
Understanding Do Not Disturb While Driving Mode
By default, when “Do Not Disturb While Driving” is active, it’s designed to limit distractions while ensuring important alerts still get through. Here’s what you can generally expect when driving mode is enabled, assuming you haven’t customized the settings:
- Alarms, timers, and emergency alerts are never silenced. These will always function normally.
- Text messages will not light up your screen or make a sound. The sender receives an automatic reply letting them know you are driving. However, if someone replies with “Urgent,” the notification will bypass driving mode for truly important messages.
- Phone calls are handled based on your connection to your car’s Bluetooth. If your iPhone is connected to your car’s Bluetooth system, all incoming calls are allowed. If not connected via Bluetooth, it uses your standard “Do Not Disturb” settings, potentially allowing calls from Favorites or repeated callers. You can adjust these call settings in the Settings app under “Do Not Disturb” (or “Focus” in newer iOS versions).
FAQ About Driving Mode
How do I automatically turn on Do Not Disturb While Driving?
To set up automatic activation, go to Settings > Focus > Driving. Tap “Driving,” then under “Turn on Automatically,” select “While Driving” and choose “Automatically.” You can also choose “When Connected to Car Bluetooth” or “Manually.”
How do I turn off driving mode in Google Maps?
Google Maps has its own driving mode features, often related to Google Assistant. To disable driving mode prompts within Google Maps on Android, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Settings > Navigation settings. Look for “Google Assistant driving mode” and turn it off. The exact wording and location might slightly vary depending on your Google Maps version.
What is Eco Driving Mode in cars?
“Eco mode” or “Econ mode” is a fuel-saving feature in many modern cars. When activated, it adjusts engine and transmission settings to optimize fuel efficiency. This might mean reduced acceleration or earlier gear shifting. Car manufacturers like Chevy, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Kia, Lexus, and Volvo often include this feature to help drivers save gas.
Disabling driving mode on your iPhone is simple and gives you more control over your notifications. Remember to use this feature responsibly and always prioritize safety while driving.
