Apple's iOS 16 lets you 'feel' the keyboard while typing without the annoying tap, tap, tap sound.
Apple dropped a slew of new features onto our iPhones with the release of iOS 16. Most people will focus on customizing their lock screen or un-sending messages. Some people may also be occupied trying to figure out why their brand-new iPhone 14 Pro buzzes when using social media (make sure you update to iOS 16.0.2).
But the little-known Haptic Keyboard Feedback feature, which adds haptic feedback to your keyboard when you type in Apple's new mobile OS, is also worthy of attention.
While Android phones have had this feature for years, iPhone users—and those around them—have grown accustomed to the familiar clicking sound as they type on their device. (You've probably heard it on TikTok(Opens in a new window) .) However, if you want to keep your phone silent without losing that affirming feedback as you type, here's how to add haptic feedback to your iPhone keyboard.
Apple's iOS 16 may have introduced a quieter Haptic Feedback for your keyboard, but the technology is not new to some iPhone users. Introduced in 2015 with the iPhone 6s, 3D Touch revealed additional options or commands (and a haptic response) with a long-press.
You can turn on haptic feedback via Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback. Then toggle Haptic to on so you can “feel” the keys as you type them. While you’re in this menu, you can also disable the Sound feedback to get rid of the clicking noise when you type.
While there haven’t been any widespread reports of Haptic Keyboard feedback significantly impacting iPhone battery life, Apple does warn in its support page(Opens in a new window) fine print that it could happen. "Turning on keyboard haptics might affect the battery life of your iPhone," it says.
Time will tell if enabling Haptic Keyboard Feedback will drain an iPhone battery faster than any of the other iOS 16 bells and whistles, but disabling vibrate settings is one way to save on iPhone battery life if you're in a pinch.
In the meantime, haptic feedback is available for all iPhone models that are compatible with iOS 16. Will you do those around you a favor and silence the tap, tap, tap of your iPhone keyboard?
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Terrance Gaines is an Apple-based IT professional, consultant, and personal technology specialist in Atlanta, GA who is driven by the motto, “Technology shouldn’t change how you do things, it should make you better at the things you do." In addition to being a nerd/geek (he hasn't figured out the difference between the two), he is a husband, father, gamer, and stock trading and real-estate investing newbie with an borderline unhealthy Peanut M&M’s obsession. Follow him on Twitter or get in touch on the BrothaTech contact page.
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