On your home screen, look for the Settings app and give it a click. It can often be found in the utilities folder.

Click “do not disturb” so that you can turn on the DND feature. This is where you can also turn off DND.

To the right of “do not disturb” there will be a toggle. Click the toggle to turn the DND feature on!

Scheduled DND is great for iPhone users who want their iPhone to be on DND during specific hours such as while at work, while at the gym, get a good night’s sleep, or while out for a hike and trying to unplug. You can set the feature to be scheduled for that specific time frame each day.

You can also decide to dim the lock screen instead of not allowing notifications to go to the lock screen as normal DND would function. This allows them to be visible still, but less visible than usual. To try this setting click the toggle next to “dim lock screen.”

There are two different settings and features to keep in mind when setting up do not disturb on your iPhone. In this step, I will go over both settings, so that you can decide if you want to customize these settings to your preferences.

1. You can choose to have incoming calls always silenced or only silenced when your iPhone is on its lock screen. To choose the one that best suits your needs, click the tab and a checkmark will appear next to the one you’ve chosen.
2. Allow calls from is set to “everyone” by default. You can set incoming calls to “everyone.” “no one,” “favorites,” or “all contacts” by clicking on “allow calls from” and choosing from the options listed. So, if you want DND to be on, but you want your favorites to be enabled just to make sure your kids can get through, or your work can call you, this is a lovely setting to adjust for those purposes.
3. Repeated calls will allow someone to call you more than once without silencing the call. This can be helpful in emergencies. If someone keeps calling, they can get through in the event they really need you immediately. This feature is on by default. If you want this feature off, simply click the toggle to the right of “repeated calls.”

Do not disturb while driving is a smart feature to have and use. While driving, your iPhone will not bother you with notifications so you can drive safely. Since we all know driving and texting or talking on the phone is extremely dangerous, this feature can be a real lifesaver!

There are a couple of settings to consider when setting up do not disturb while driving.

1. Activate– Do you want DND while driving to be automatic, to have to be turned on manually each time you drive, or to turn on once the iPhone is connected to your car’s Bluetooth. Choose the one you prefer by clicking on “activate” and selecting from the options that appear.
2. Auto-reply to– This feature will auto-reply to the people only you’ve selected. You can choose from “no one,” “recents,” “favorites,” and “all contacts.” To do this, click on “auto-reply to” and choose from the options given.
3. Auto-reply– Here, you can customize the message sent using auto-reply. Click “auto-reply” and change the defaulted message to be whatever you prefer.

Once you know how do not disturb works, and you have your settings configured to your liking, you can turn DND on and off the easy way. If you skip the above steps and go straight to this step, all the settings will be on default. Here’s how to get it done:

1. Bring up, or down, your control panel. If you have touch ID, you will swipe up from the lower right-hand corner. If you have face ID, you will swipe down from the upper right-hand corner.
2. Click the little moon symbol to turn it on or off.

First, go to your home screen and find the Settings app. This can often be found in the utilities folder.

Then, click “screen time” so we can turn on screen time.

Now, click “turn on screen time.”

Review the information given by Apple about some of the main features that come with screen time (which I outlined above). Then, click “continue.”

For the purposes of this guide, we are choosing “this is my iPhone.” Setting up screen time on a child’s iPhone comes with some extra steps which I have outlined in a separate guide!

Done! You have enabled screen time.

For the next 24 hours, use your iPhone as per usual. Then, give your iPhone screen time activity a peek. This will give you an accurate read of your daily use.

To check your screen time activity follow the steps below:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click “screen time.”
3. Review the activity. I prefer to click “see all activity,” and view it there.

By alex1the1666

Game Version: 1.16

If you’re running a server that’s fantasy or medieval themed, you need the Ice and Fire mod. I will warn that it is a large mod, so consider filling your modpack with smaller mods along with this one. Ice and Fire adds dragons and other mythical creatures to the world, such as Gorgons, Sirens, and Sea Serpents!

By H3lay

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1,15, 1.16

For players that want to feel more accomplishment by making progress in Minecraft can benefit from MineColonies. This is an interactive building mod that lets you create a town within Minecraft. Each colony features NPC workers like guards, bakers, couriers, composters, and more. This is a perfect mod for Empires or KingdomCraft SMPs!

By Purplicious_Cow_

Game Versions: 1.12,1.15, 1.16

While these pets that live in your inventory are adorable, they’re also useful tools to help you in-game! With over 50 Inventory Pets available, players can search around the world to collect them all or just craft them with resources. Each pet is unique with their own effects, buffs, weapons, and utilities. Just make sure you remember to feed them!

By cybercat5555

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

This mod adds much needed passive, neutral, and hostile mobs to the Minecraft world. Instead of weirdly empty forests, you’ll find squirrels, deer, and bears watching your every move. Better Animals Plus also adds in a few cosmetic items and food!

By alex1the1666

Game Version: 1.16

I highly recommend pairing this with Better Animals Plus. While a couple mobs might be similar, it adds variety to the world! Plus, Alex’s Mobs includes some fantastical creatures that add some spice to a server world. It comes with an Animal Dictionary which provides information for each creature and how to acquire special drops.

By Patrigan

Game Version: 1.16

Slimier Slimes adds Terraria inspired slime mob variants to the world. Slime variants spawn throughout the world instead of just in a slimechunk, and come in smaller sizes (which I can confirm as dangerous). There are also slime blocks underground, which have a chance to spawn slime when broken.

By Girafi

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

This is a very important mod. What does it do? It adds Adélie penguins to icy biomes. As I said, very important (and adorable).

By SameDifferent

Game Version: 1.16

After some time on a server, trades with Minecraft villagers can get boring. More Villagers adds multiple new jobs for villagers, along with workstations and unique trades. Some professions you’ll see are netherologist, forester, engineer, florist, and hunter!

By TeamAbnormals

Game Versions: 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

While the aquatic update for Minecraft was great, it can feel repetitive and lacking the more you play Minecraft. The Upgrade Aquatic mod adds variety to your world’s waters with new mobs, items, and even upgrades to underwater biomes.

By MrCrayfish

Game Versions: 1.15, 1.16

Tired of those annoying wandering traders? Goblin Traders is here to save the day with two new goblins to interact with. Both the Goblin Trader and the Vein Goblin Trader have unique, and sometimes powerful, trades that you won’t find from any villager.

By HellFirePVP

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.15, 1.16

This mod is great for those who love exploring the universe and stars. While you can’t suddenly leave Minecraft’s surface world, you can use the power of starlight and constellations to learn some magic. With new ores and generated structures, it’s time to follow the stars and become powerful!

By WayofTime

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.16

If you’re looking for a magic mod that also includes sacrifice and danger, then Blood Magic is for you. Channel your inner Dragon Age mage and use blood (either your own or someone else’s) to gain power. There is a comprehensive guide to help you get started, as this mod has a lot of elements to it!

By Azanor13

Game Version: 1.12

Thaumcraft is a well known magic mod in the Minecraft community, which is why I needed to include it here. While it hasn’t been updated for recent game versions, it’s still beloved by many (just check the comments to see). This mod utilizes crafted objects in the game to transform them into “miracles”, also known as magic. Use the in-game Thaumonomicon to see how in depth you can go!

By TeamCoFH

Game Versions: 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

If you want to add some new enchantments, but don’t want to heavily mod your game or include a large magic system, then consider Ensorcellation. This mod adds a variety of new enchantments, as well as improving some old ones! For example, the Displacement enchantment will randomly teleport attackers away and the Curse of Foolishness prevents experience gain when using the item.

By Shadows_of_Fire

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

Apotheosis is a magic mod that utilizes vanilla Minecraft mechanics and items to add in new enchantments, potions, and more. The enchantment table can be improved for even higher level enchantments, vertical growing blocks (i.e. sugar cane and bamboo) can grow taller, and can even extend a potion’s effect time! It’s a surprisingly lightweight mod that adds a little more spice to your vanilla playthrough.

By Vazkii

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

One of my favorite magic mods is Botania! It’s a hybrid mod of technology and natural magic that focuses on creating magical flowers and devices through mana. There are a lot of new blocks and items in this mod, but thankfully it has an in-game lexicon book for players to follow along with.

By Ellpeck

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

A beautiful blend of technology and nature, Nature’s Aura enables players to collect, use, and replenish naturally growing Aura to create new items and devices. How you interact and use the mod can even affect the world around you. Will you change the environment positively or negatively? I will say that both options have creative results.

By baileyholl2

Game Versions: 1.15, 1.16

For those experienced magic users, other mods might seem boring. Ars Nouveau lets you create your own spells, trinkets, artifacts, and machines. So no longer will you have to suffer with spells and enchantments that don’t help your needs, now you can just make them up yourself!

By Electroblob

Game Version: 1.12

Whether you’re running a roleplay multiplayer server or just want a familiar system, this mod adds beloved roleplay game mechanics to Minecraft. Rather than complex crafting recipes, players improve their magical abilities by exploring and fighting. Find books, wands, and scrolls within the world, buy rare magical items from fellow wizards, and explore ancient ruins for powerful artifacts! There are even spell packs to add on that are compatible with other mods or were created by fans of the mod itself!

By elucent_

Game Version: 1.16

If you’d like a lightweight magic mod that lets you essentially become a dark mage, Eidolon is the answer. Inspired by alchemy, theurgy, and necromancy, this mod enables players to create and practice a unique type of magic.

By mDiyo

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.16

Tinkers Construct is a hefty mod that enables players to modify and combine tools to make new ones. You can add modifiers to tools, repair and upgrade them, and sharpen them to change the harvest level.

By bradyaidanc

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.15, 1.16

This is the biggest tech mod on this list, and the only one you’ll need on a modded server. Mekanism adds a multitude of low, mid, and high tier machinery to automate anything you can imagine. There are jetpacks, a digital miner, fusion reactor, and a cute robot that follows you around. There are add-on modules as well that add more generators, tools and armor, extra mobs, and various blocks.

By henkelmax

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

If your server has a futuristic or simply modern technological focus, then consider adding this vehicle mod to it. With seven different car types, each with a plethora of color options, this is an immersive mod that is worth learning to use. Cars actually make a sound when running or moving, take damage, use fuel, and is affected by the environment temperature! It even has road blocks which cars will move faster on and a fuel production system.

By SquidDev

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

Get ready for a meta scenario: building a computer while using a computer. This mod adds programmable and buildable computers into Minecraft. Based on the beloved-but-dead ComputerCraft mod, there are pocket computers, multi-dimensional communications, and even peripherals. It’s a complex but rewarding mod that is perfect for those familiar with coding and technology.

By BlackBr0

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

One of the best type of mods out there are ones that let you create custom items. While Iron Jetpacks includes pre-designed jetpacks, it also allows for players or server administrators to configure custom ones! The directions are easy to follow and explain everything you might need to know about designing a jetpack for the mod. I highly recommend this for those who want a unique gameplay or just like tinkering with mods!

By vadis365

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.16

Anyone who plays Minecraft enough knows that mob farms can be incredibly useful. However, in vanilla Minecraft, mob farming can get either boring or impossible to complete. The Mob Grinding Utils mod allows those who love to play with redstone the chance to get creative with building mob farms. It also enables those who just want to quickly build and move on the power to do so.

By davenonymous

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.16

One of the more difficult parts of creating redstone machines is their appearance. Because of how you have to place blocks, it’s hard to build around them or within an already created structure. Compact Machines helps with that! Inside each machine block, are rooms to build whatever machine or contraption you could want. This way you can save space and time with having to build around it!

By Direwolf20

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

When you’re a builder in Minecraft, it seems as if each build just gets bigger and bigger. No matter what dirt hut you start in, somehow you’ve ended up building an entire compound with villagers. While in singleplayer you can always go into creative, on survival multiplayer worlds, that usually isn’t possible. Building Gadgets is a mod that helps you build easier. It has multiple gadgets for placing blocks, exchanging them, copy/paste, or even destroying.

By raoulvdberge

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

One of the first redstone designs I learned was an automatic storage system. Being able to just drop items into a chest and have them go into organized chests made playing in survival so much easier. What can I say, I’m an organized person! Refined Storage is a mass storage mod that enables players to create a network-based storage system. Simply put, this allows you to use one interface to set up and manage your items or fluids! These systems can be as complex or simple as you want, so it’s adaptable for any type of player!

By BluSunrize

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

Some Minecraft players prefer realism to fantasy (and that’s completely fine). For those players, Immersive Engineering is a perfect addition to a modpack. It allows players to play with technology and engineering without mechanics that aren’t like real life. Instead of a block that creates dust from ore, this mod includes a crusher which breaks ore into particles. It’s a mod that was inspired by games like BioShock to create a more realistic look rather than futuristic.

By Chaosyr

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17

A perfect welcome gift for players! Nature’s Compass is an item that allows players to search for a biome’s location in the world. It will automatically list biomes added from other mods, so all you need to worry about is the travel time!

By Benimatic

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.16

While Twilight Forest is a large mod, it is certainly worth it. This mod adds a dimension that’s focused on exploration and adventures. It’s not for casual players as it will require a lot of work to even survive, but Twilight Forest is filled with new creatures and loot to discover. It also has integration with other mods, like Tinkers’ Construct and Chisel, to provide more content.

By YUNGNICKYOUNG

Better Mineshafts

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.15, 1.16

If you’re bored with Minecraft’s standard mineshafts, then download this mod to your world. It expands mineshafts with tunnels, loot, abandoned workstations, and more! There are nine biome variants, including a rare mushroom mineshaft.

Better Caves

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

Much like the above mod, Better Caves overhauls Minecraft’s cave systems. It adds in lava caverns, underground lakes and rivers, flooded caverns and more! It’s perfect for those wanting more exploration in caves!

By ValhelsiaTeam

Game Versions: 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

If you’ve ever felt like the Minecraft world felt a little empty, then add Valhelsia Structures to your modpack. It generates new structures throughout the world, like abandoned houses, dungeons, and witch huts. There are also some new decorative blocks added for builders.

By AOCAWOL

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.15, 1.16

This is my new favorite biome mod to add to a survival world because it adds over 80 biomes that each are unique. They’re not just in the Overworld either! This mod adds new biomes to discover in both the Nether and End! It comes with over 40 trees, 28 wood types, and 200 new blocks and items. It’s a great mod if you’re tired of seeing the same places over and over again.

By telepathicgrunt

Game Versions: 1.15, 1.16

This mod takes vanilla Minecraft structures and makes them better! By adding biome variants or just new versions of structures, each building feels like it belongs in the world instead of standing out. It’s perfect for any servers that wants the players to explore.

By Beethoven92

Game Version: 1.16

The BetterEnd mod fills up the void that is the End dimension. It adds a bunch of new blocks, items, and game mechanics. Biomes include crystal mountains, chorus forest, sulphur springs, and more! It’s also compatible with a handful of other mods, even ones that add other End biomes!

By Forstride

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

Another well-known mod is Biomes O’ Plenty which adds a multitude of new biomes to your Minecraft world. Each biome comes with unique plants, trees, and building blocks, and it integrates with other mods on this list as well!

By Squiggly_Androsa

Game Versions: 1.12, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16

One of the best dimension mods out there, Gaia is a realm filled with crystals and magic. There are a handful of unique biomes, cave dungeons, towers, and special mobs to interact with. It’s a great addition for servers with many people who like to mine and explore!

By TheGrimsey

Game Version: 1.16

With this mod, you’ll discover underground settlements of villagers that are filled with loot and resources to gain. Each village has multiple rooms and floors, with abandoned sections for players to explore.

I made this video to walk you through the process of building your own, step-by-step. Even if you don’t plan on building your own, give it a watch and you’ll definitely learn some interesting things!

The rest of this guide will show you the project, explain some cool things about it, and tell you how I made it.

Since most people want to see the final product first.. here’s the finished Retrobox!

Here’s one more photo showcasing the artwork (more on that later!)

So this was actually a bit of a time challenge — my friend’s birthday party was in two days, and though I’d kicked around the idea of creating the Retrobox for a while, I basically ordered everything with Amazon One-Day shipping and had one night to build it.

Unfortunately, the UPS guy and Florida weather decided the project wasn’t important and left everything in the rain. Luckily, everything in the box was waterproof, so after letting things dry, I could get started.

Here’s a final photo of guts of my Retrobox. As you can see, it uses a Raspberry Pi (running RetroPie) for the actual video game emulation; also inside are the small PCB (printed circuit board) that lets the Pi recognize the buttons/joystick as a controller. Also visible are my custom power button (more on this later) and, in the front left, a power/status LED. This is the joystick kit I used.

Used here

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Raspberry Pi 3 B+

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Arcade button/joystick USB kit, illuminated (LED)

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The main housing is a basic project enclosure. Buttons and a joystick are fed through holes that I drilled in the project enclosure. I used a 1-1/8″ hole saw bit to cut them. You can also use a spade bit, step drill bit, or Dremel circle cutting bit to cut the holes. This is the template I used to drill the holes.

The buttons and joystick are connected to a small controller board that allows computers (including the Raspberry Pi) to recognize the entire set of buttons as a USB controller. One nice thing about this project is that no soldering is required — the button assembly I used comes with a wiring loom that’s plug-and-play.

Because the board turns the buttons/joystick into a universal USB gamepad, you can also connect the Retrobox directly to your computer or mobile device to play games there (essentially bypassing the internal Raspberry Pi).

After installing RetroPie and adding your ROMs, the Retrobox hooks right up to your TV or monitor and you’re good to go.

To get the button placement just right, I used a custom artwork template used for the Pimoroni Picade. I traced it directly on my monitor as I don’t have a 2D printer.

I cut a piece of acrylic for the top so that I could display some sweet artwork underneath it. I cut the acrylic using my bandsaw, but you can also cut it using a box cutter by scoring it repeatedly and then snapping it along a flat edge.

The acrylic top also gives it more of an arcade machine feel!

You can use whatever artwork you’d like beneath the acrylic top. I found a sweet retro wallpaper online made by artist Luis Carrasquillo, cropped it to the portion I liked best, and had it printed on an 8″ x 8″ piece of photo paper at my local CVS for about a dollar.

When choosing your artwork, make sure it’s large enough for it to not look pixelated. You want the image to be a high enough resolution that it can be printed at 300DPI (300 dots per inch). For example, if you printed a 1″ x 1″ photo at 300DPI, it would need to be 300px x 300px in size. 300DPI is a common print resolution for printing high quality photos (your monitor is closer to 72DPI, so a 72px x 72px image on your monitor will be about an inch in size). But I digress..

Cutting the button holes in the artwork is easy — I just used a box cutter to carefully cut them out.

I intentionally ran the controller circuit board cable external to the enclosure so that it could be used with my computer or Picade. It also works with mobile phones, but I don’t usually play games there.

Also pictured here are my terrible cutting job and my DIY Raspberry Pi power button. The power button isn’t really necessary (as you can shut the Pi down through the RetroPie interface), but it’s convenient and neat!

I chose a generic joystick/button combo from Amazon that had great reviews. The buttons are all backlit using LEDs and are powered from the Pi itself.

The joystick works using limit 4 switches to represent the X and Y axis, in any direction — and pressing two limit switches simultaneously represents diagonal travel. The joystick is nice and responsive and weighty.

The buttons turned out to be very nice quality and definitely have that arcade feel. The white front buttons (for Start and Select) are slightly smaller than the others. That’s not very interesting, but I thought I’d mention it.

All hooked up and playing some Street Fighter 2!

Here’s one more photo of the finished Retrobox, still looking like a (not evil) robot, with two of my other Pi retro gaming Pi projects in the background — the Pi Cart and Gamepad Zero.

Here’s a photo of the Retrobox and I enjoying a celebratory beer together.

Be sure to watch the video for a full step-by-step tutorial if you want to build your own. This is a super easy, super fun project! Post below if you have any questions/comments and I’ll do my best to help you out. 🙂