What is “System Haptics”? How to Use on iPhone (2023)

If you’ve just purchased a new iPhone, Apple Watch, or the latest smartphone, you may have encountered the “haptics” feature on your device. It’s a great addition to newer iOS devices since they make them more interactive. Some users are curious, “What is system haptics?”

What is System Haptics? Why Phones Actually Vibrate

Also, is it better to turn it on or off? This guide will show you what are haptics and what is system haptics iPhone. Read on to know more.

 

Table of Contents

What is Haptics?

Haptics enables non-responsive surfaces like trackpads and touchscreens to imitate the feeling of using real objects like buttons. Haptic technology has been around on various devices since the 1970s. From warning systems to console controllers, it has been critical to innovations that we have today.

Devices involved in haptics can include motors, vibrations, and other related technologies to emulate the sense of touch

 

What is Haptics on iPhone?

Your Apple and iOS device’s system elements—switchers, scrolls, sliders, etc.—give haptic feedback unless you turn this feature off. A few interactive features on your iPhone that extensively use system haptics include pinch-to-zoom, shake-to-undo, burst photos, the on-screen keyboard, and more.

 

Haptic Feedback vs. Haptic Touch

While haptic feedback has been around for most iPhones since the iPhone 7, you may see the Haptic Touch feature on newer devices (iPhone X and onwards).

Haptic Touch is a form of haptic feedback that utilizes vibrations to emulate touch sensations, like scrolling through lists or pressing a button. Meanwhile, haptic feedback primarily lets you feel vibrations while using your iPhone.

 

What Apple Devices Include Haptic Feedback?

 

iOS Devices

  • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
  • iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XS and XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max

 

Apple Smart Watches

  • Apple Watch Series 1
  • Apple Watch Series 2
  • Apple Watch Series 3
  • Apple Watch Series 4
  • Apple Watch Series 5
  • Apple Watch SE
  • Apple Watch Series 6
  • Apple Watch Series 7

 

MacBooks

  • All MacBooks with Force Touch Trackpads

 

How to Enable or Disable Haptic Feedback on Your iPhone

Enabling or disabling haptic feedback on your iPhone is simple as long as you know the proper steps. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Turn on your iPhone and launch Settings.
  2. Navigate to Sounds & Haptics and find the System Haptics option on the page.
  3. Toggle the switch to turn it off. To turn it back on, toggle the switch to its original setting.

You can also adjust your iPhone’s 3D or Haptic Touch sensitivity setting by proceeding to these steps:

  1. Open Settings and tap Accessibility.
  2. Select Touch and choose 3D & Haptic Touch.
  3. Adjust the slider to your desired sensitivity.

 

Final Thoughts

System haptics is an essential feature on your iPhone used by various built-in system elements. It allows you to have the sense of touch on your Apple or iOS device, which you can experience when doing specific gestures, accessing features, or opening apps. Hopefully, this guide helps you know more about system haptics and how to turn them on or off on your iPhone.