Google Calendar Gets a New Focus Feature GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Software & Apps

Google Calendar Gets a New Focus Feature

Automatically block meetings or events that occur during your Focus time

By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on October 21, 2021 11:21AM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Software & Apps Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Google Calendar is getting a new focus feature that automatically blocks out events that conflict with your focus time. In a Google Workspace Update published on Wednesday, the tech giant explains that the new Google Calendar entry type is called Focus time and works similar to an Out of Office event type. When you block off a Focus time, you have the option to automatically decline meetings or events that take place during that period. Getty Images/shapecharge Focus time will appear with a headphone icon on Google Calendar, but you can choose to assign a new color, so your Focus time has different visibility than your events and other meetings. Your scheduled Focus time also can be tracked in your Time Insights to provide better time management control during your workday. Google detailed that the feature is gradually rolling out to users in the next week and into November. However, it’s important to note that Focus time is only available to specific Google Workspace customers, such as those with Business Standard and Business Plus. Users with the Google Workspace Essentials or G Suite Basic will not be able to use the feature for now. Google’s Focus time is similar to a new feature Apple debuted in its recent iOS 15 update called Focus Mode. The feature allows you to carve out time for your work, personal life, sleep, etc., with a dedicated page on your home screen to help you focus on your top priorities at the moment. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Does Do Not Disturb Do? How to Get Google Calendar on Your Windows Desktop How to Schedule a Google Meet How to Share Your Google Calendar How to Share Your Google Calendar How to Sync Google Calendar With iPhone Calendar A Full Review of Google Calendar and Its Features How to Use the iPad Calendar How to Create a New Google Calendar How to Import ICS Calendar Files How to Automatically Add Birthdays to Google Calendar How to Set Up and Use Focus Mode on iPhone and Apple Watch The 7 Best Shared Calendar Apps of 2022 How to Change the Host in Google Meet How to Make an Event Private in Google Calendar How to Remove Facebook Birthdays From Your Calendar Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies