Why can't I add apps for notifications in iOS 18 Focus mode?

To ensure no apps are allowed for notifications during a Focus mode on your iPhone, go to Settings > Focus, select the Focus you want to customize, and then tap "Apps" (or "Choose Apps") to choose to allow or silence notifications from specific apps. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown: 

• Access Focus Settings: Open the Settings app and tap "Focus".
• Choose a Focus: Select the specific Focus mode you want to configure (e.g., Do Not Disturb, Personal, Sleep, or Work).
• Access App Settings: Tap "Apps" (or "Choose Apps").
• Allow or Silence Notifications:
  • Allow Specific Apps: Tap "Allow Notifications From," then select the apps you want to receive notifications from during the Focus.
  • Silence Specific Apps: Tap "Silence Notifications From," then select the apps you want to silence during the Focus.
• Time-Sensitive Notifications: You can also turn on "Time-Sensitive Notifications" to allow all apps to send time-sensitive notifications immediately, even if they are not on your allowed list.
• Share Focus Status: Consider turning on "Focus Status" to let others know you're in a Focus mode and have notifications silenced, which can be helpful for apps like Messages.

Also, the Driving focus mode is a special system-created mode that can be automatically activated when connected to a car system either by conventional Bluetooth or by CarPlay. In this focus mode, specifically, Apple, in working with various highway safety organizations, has decided to deliberately not allow you to configure any apps to break through. Instead, you can only configure contacts whose calls and messages are allowed to break through, but app notifications, even time sensitive ones, will have to wait until you exit driving focus mode.