An iPhone can be configured for unattended operation, to minimize and try to eliminate all interruptions that could stop a test in progress. If you do all of the below steps, you should have a solid iPhone that won’t do anything other than run the app.

Also see our pages about using Guided Access Mode and the ultimate, Single-App Mode, to turn your iOS device into a dedicated hardware device.

Prevent Interruptions

Turn off all Notifications

Settings->Notifications

For each app listed, select the app and turn off Allow Notifications.

Turn off Amber Alerts

Settings->Notifications

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and turn off both AMBER Alerts and Emergency Alerts.

Turn off Background App Refresh

Settings->General->Background App Refresh

Turn them all off.

Turn off all Automatic Updates

Settings->iTunes & App Store

Turn them all off.

Forward Calls on the Phone

Settings->Phone->Call Forwarding

Turn this on, and enter any phone number. This will ensure that in case a wrong number tries to call the phone, it won’t ever ring.

Turn on Do Not Disturb

Settings->Do Not Disturb

Turn on Manual. Turn off Repeated Calls. Set Allow Calls From to No One. Set SILENCE: to Always.

Turn Siri Off

General->Siri

We don’t want Siri listening waiting to do anything.

Turn Off Handoff

General->Handoff & Suggested Apps

Turn Handoff off.

Turn Off Messages and Facetime

Settings->Messages, Settings->Facetime

Turn these off.

Other Settings

Enable

Turn on iCloud Drive, Keychain, and Find My Phone. You don’t need an email account or backups.

Settings->iCloud

We also need location services to be turned on, and microphone access.

Settings->Privacy->Microphone and Settings->Privacy->Location Services