How to turn on haptic typing in iOS 16 and tickle your fingertips

It feels so good.
 By 
Alex Perry
 on 
Person typing on iPhone screen
Typing on your iPhone is about to feel fantastic. Credit: Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images

Typing on your iPhone 14 (or any other model that’s compatible with iOS 16) is about to feel real good.

Apple’s newest OS update, which dropped earlier this week, has a nifty little feature hidden in the margins that you probably didn’t notice because of how much attention the new lock screen naturally draws. It’s called the haptic keyboard and I love it. Let me walk you through how to turn it on.

First, a brief explanation: This new feature makes it so your iPhone’s keyboard produces a satisfying little vibration every time you type a character into any text field. That sounds super minor on paper, but it makes typing much more satisfying. 


You May Also Like

Did Apple invent this? Absolutely not. Android phones like the Pixel 6 have done this for years. But we’re not here to discuss mobile OS supremacy. With that said, let’s get into it.

How to turn on haptic typing in iOS 16

First, open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down until you see the part that says “Sounds & Haptics.”

iPhone settings menu
Easy enough so far. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

From there, scroll down until you see a button that says “Keyboard Feedback.” By default, it might be set to “None.”

iPhone sound & haptics menu
Right in the middle. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

You could probably figure it out from here, but just in case you can’t, go ahead and hit the toggle that says “Haptic.” 

iPhone haptic keyboard toggle
That was easy. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Congratulations! Your iPhone keyboard will massage your fingertips as you type now. I promise you’ll like it, but if you don’t, now you know how to turn it off. You can also turn on keyboard sounds from the same menu if you want, but that’ll just annoy anyone who is sitting next to you. That could be fun in its own way, but potentially dangerous, too. 

Topics Apple iPhone

journalist alex perry looking at a smartphone
Alex Perry
Tech Reporter

Alex Perry is a tech reporter at Mashable who primarily covers video games and consumer tech. Alex has spent most of the last decade reviewing games, smartphones, headphones, and laptops, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He is also a Pisces, a cat lover, and a Kansas City sports fan. Alex can be found on Bluesky at yelix.bsky.social.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
CES 2026: Solver adds configurable haptic buttons to your smartphone
Solver at CES 2026

How to turn a tablet into an e-reader: The best settings and accessories
A hand holding an iPad Mini with the Libby app open

How to turn on Bluesky's dark mode
The Bluesky logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen.

CES 2026: TDM’s Neo headphones turn into speakers with a simple twist
TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers

Apple releases iOS 26.3: New wallpapers, Transfer to Android
iOS update on iPhone

More in Tech
California just launched the country's largest public broadband network
Newsom stands behind a teen on a computer. A group of people cheer and clap behind them.

The Shark FlexStyle is our favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe, and it's $160 off at Amazon right now
The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System against a colorful background.

Amazon's sister site is having a one-day sale, and this Bissell TurboClean deal is too good to skip
A woman using the Bissell TurboClean Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner Mop and Lightweight Wet/Dry Vacuum.

The best smartwatch you've never heard of is on sale for less than $50
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro in light green with blue and green abstract background

Reddit r/all takes another step into the grave
Reddit logo on phone screen

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!