How to Make Your Phone Vibrate [Android and iPhone]

Written by Ivana Kotorchevikj

Linkedin - 7 min read
Key Points

To make your Android vibrate:

  1. Open the notification panel > tap on the ‘sound’ icon > tap on the ‘sound’ icon until it turns into the ‘vibrate mode’ icon.
  2. Press and hold down the ‘volume down’ button until you feel your phone vibrate.
  3. Open the notification panel > tap on the ‘Settings’ > select ‘Sounds and vibration’ > select ‘Sound mode’ > tap on ‘Vibrate’.

To make your iPhone vibrate, open Settings > tap on ‘Sounds & Haptics’ > toggle on the ‘Vibrate on silent’ option.

Smartphones have become so much more than just gadgets to make phone calls. We also use them for messaging, internet browsing, setting reminders, productivity, and entertainment. Sometimes you might feel overwhelmed with all the calls, notifications, and pings. Thankfully, smartphones have the option to set it to vibrate mode.

If you have a new phone, and you are confused about how to do that, this post will guide you on how to make your phone vibrate on Android and iPhone.

How to put your Android phone on vibration

Most Android phones have similar options to set them to vibrate mode. Remember that the vibrate mode may be labeled differently depending on the Android model, for example, Touch vibration, Sound Profile, etc.

However, whatever Android model you have, there are several methods to make your smartphone vibrate.

  1. Turn vibrate mode on in the notification panel on the home screen

This is the easiest way to make your Android phone vibrate.

Note: The steps below apply to a Samsung phone. If you have another Android model, the steps may differ.

  1. Swipe down from the top of your home screen to open the notification panel.
  2. Tap on the ‘sound’ icon, which is normally next to the Wi-Fi icon.

Tap on the ‘sound’ icon

  1. If your phone sound is on, the icon will look like it’s emitting sound. Tap on the ‘sound’ icon until it turns into the ‘vibrate mode’ icon.

Tap on the ‘sound’ icon until it turns into the ‘vibrate mode’ icon

  1. You should feel your phone vibrate, indicating it’s in vibrate mode.

And that’s it! Your smartphone is in vibrate mode.

  1. Turn vibrate mode on with the volume keys

Another way to enable vibrate mode on your Android phone is by pressing the volume buttons on the side of the phone.

Just press and hold down the ‘volume down’ button until you feel your phone vibrate. Make sure you are putting the system sound to vibrate and not the media sound. Follow the steps below to do it:

  1. Press the volume down button on the side.

Press the volume down button on the side

  1. The soundbar will appear. Swipe down the soundbar to display the Audio Shortcuts.

Swipe down the soundbar to display the Audio Shortcuts

  1. Toggle off the ‘Use Volume keys for media’ button. For some Androids, you can immediately turn down the system volume to set your phone to vibrate mode.

Now use the volume down key to put your phone system sound to vibrate.

use the volume down key to put your phone system sound to vibrate

  1. Turn vibrate mode on in Settings

The last way to make your smartphone vibrate is through the phone’s Settings.

  1. Swipe down from the top of your home screen to access the notification panel.
  2. Tap on the ‘Settings’. If your phone doesn’t have Settings in the notification panel, open the Settings app on your phone.

Open the Settings app

  1. Select ‘Sounds and vibration’.

Select ‘Sounds and vibration’

  1. Select ‘Sound mode’.
  2. Tap on ‘Vibrate’.

Tap on 'Vibrate' in 'Sound mode'

The vibration options may differ from one Android phone to another. Your phone may also have a slider with the label ‘Ring & notification volume’ you need to slide left to turn on vibrate mode.

How to put your iPhone on vibration

To set an iPhone to vibrate mode, you need to put it into silent mode too. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap on ‘Sounds & Haptics’.

Tap on ‘Sounds & Haptics’

  1. Toggle on the ‘Vibrate on silent’ option.

Toggle on the ‘Vibrate on silent’ option

After turning on this option, your iPhone will be in vibrate mode when you set it to silent with the volume down button.

How to customize vibration on iPhone

You can also customize the vibration on your iPhone for different apps and functions, such as ringtones, messages, reminders, and AirDrop. You can do this in the Sound and Vibrations Patterns settings.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Scroll down and open to Sound and Vibrations Patterns.
  3. Tap on the app or feature that you want to customize the vibration.
  4. Tap on ‘Vibration’.
  5. Choose a vibration pattern or tap on ‘Custom Vibration’ to create your unique pattern.

How to make your phone vibrate continuously?

Apart from the vibration settings on your phone, you also have the option to make your iPhone or Android phone vibrate continuously.

App creators have utilized the smartphone’s vibrate function to make massage or relaxation apps. These vibration apps can help you make your phone vibrate for an extended time and use it as a massager or to help you sleep.

Different apps are available for Android and iPhone. You can get most of them in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The vibration apps allow you to control the vibration level, speed, and pattern. Some of the most popular apps are Vibrator X from Vtro Studio for Android and iMessage U Vibrating Massager for iPhone.

You might also like to hear how to get Apple Watch to vibrate only.

Conclusion

Turning your smartphone is really simple, either on Android or iPhone. On Android, you can turn on vibrate mode in three ways: from the notification panel, with the volume keys, and in the Settings app. On iPhone, you can do it in Settings > Sound & Haptics. You can also customize the vibration for different apps and functions.

Additionally, there are many vibration apps available on the Google Store or App Store you can download if you want to make your phone vibrate continuously.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does my phone randomly vibrate?

If your Android phone is vibrating randomly, it can be due to system-level glitches, a rogue application installed on your phone, or a buggy software update.


If your iPhone is vibrating randomly, you may have downloaded a third-party app whose notification settings are not configured correctly; your built-in email app vibrates when new mail comes in if your phone is on silent, or you are dealing with a system issue.

Is there a reason why my phone vibrates so loudly?

If your phone makes a weird rattle sound when it vibrates, it may be due to a loose vibration motor. Take it to the authorized service center to get it checked.

How do I make my phone vibrate without sound?

To make your Android vibrate without sound, you have three options.



  1. Open the notification panel > tap on the ‘sound’ icon > tap on the ‘sound’ icon until it turns into the ‘vibrate mode’ icon.

  2. Press and hold down the ‘volume down’ button until you feel your phone vibrate.

  3. Open the notification panel > tap on the ‘Settings’ > select ‘Sounds and vibration’ > select ‘Sound mode’ > tap on ‘Vibrate’.


To make your iPhone vibrate without sound, open Settings > tap on ‘Sounds & Haptics’ > toggle on the ‘Vibrate on silent’ option.