Haptics
Haptic feedback adds a tactile dimension to digital interfaces. A subtle vibration confirms a button press, a gentle pulse signals success, a longer rumble warns of an error. Done well, haptics make interfaces feel more responsive and physical. Done poorly, they’re annoying or confusing.
Why haptics work
Section titled “Why haptics work”Touch screens lack the physical feedback of mechanical buttons — you can’t feel a click. Haptics fill that gap:
- Confirmation: “Yes, we registered your tap”
- Differentiation: Different sensations for different events
- Attention: Alerts that work when sound is off or screens are hidden
- Immersion: Richer experience in games and media
Platform conventions
Section titled “Platform conventions”Both iOS and Android have standardized haptic patterns. Use them — users already know what they mean.
iOS (UIFeedbackGenerator):
UIImpactFeedbackGenerator: Physical impact sensations (light, medium, heavy)UISelectionFeedbackGenerator: Selection changes (picker wheels, toggles)UINotificationFeedbackGenerator: Success, warning, error
Android (HapticFeedbackConstants):
CLOCK_TICK,CONTEXT_CLICK: Light feedbackCONFIRM,REJECT: Action outcomesLONG_PRESS,VIRTUAL_KEY: UI interaction confirmations
Design principles
Section titled “Design principles”Match intensity to importance
Section titled “Match intensity to importance”- Light tap: Selection, navigation, minor interactions
- Medium pulse: Successful actions, confirmations
- Strong vibration: Errors, warnings, urgent alerts
Be consistent
Section titled “Be consistent”The same action should always produce the same haptic. Don’t randomize or vary feedback arbitrarily.
Don’t overdo it
Section titled “Don’t overdo it”Too much haptic feedback becomes noise. Reserve it for moments where tactile confirmation genuinely helps. Not every tap needs a buzz.
Always allow opt-out
Section titled “Always allow opt-out”Some users find haptics distracting, annoying, or physically uncomfortable. Respect system-level haptic settings, and consider providing app-level controls for users who want finer control.
Accessibility considerations
Section titled “Accessibility considerations”- Haptics can help users who can’t see visual feedback
- But some users have conditions where vibration is painful or triggering
- Never make haptics the only form of feedback — always pair with visual or audio
Testing tips
Section titled “Testing tips”- Test on real devices — simulators don’t provide haptic feedback
- Test with haptics disabled to ensure the experience still works
- Ask users whether the haptic intensity feels appropriate
Recent Research (2024-2025)
Section titled “Recent Research (2024-2025)”Wearable Haptic Interfaces
Section titled “Wearable Haptic Interfaces”Recent developments in virtual and augmented reality have highlighted the growing need for haptic feedback interfaces in wearable formats. Research on wearable haptic feedback interfaces (2024) shows these interfaces enhance immersive experiences across social media, gaming, biomedical instrumentation, and robotics by utilizing sophisticated actuators to stimulate somatosensory receptors beneath the skin.
Transparent Touchscreen Haptics
Section titled “Transparent Touchscreen Haptics”A 2025 study presents a transparent haptic interface with a 3D architecture that dynamically reconfigures high-resolution tactile elements through a densely integrated actuator array. Each actuator is precisely inflated through fluid pressure to deliver tactile feedback that surpasses both the tactile perception and two-point discrimination thresholds of human fingertips.
Mobile Devices as Haptic Interfaces
Section titled “Mobile Devices as Haptic Interfaces”Research from the 2024 CHI Conference explores using mobile devices to provide haptic feedback for mixed reality, facilitating accessibility and mobility of future haptic technology.
Full-Body Motion Tracking Systems
Section titled “Full-Body Motion Tracking Systems”A 2024 study introduced a cost-effective motion tracking system that integrates full-body motion analysis with real-time, bidirectional haptic feedback, demonstrating applications in immersive experiences.
Market Growth
Section titled “Market Growth”The Haptic Interface Market was estimated at USD 2.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 16.00 billion by 2032, indicating an average annual growth rate of 32.00% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.
Emerging Technologies
Section titled “Emerging Technologies”Emerging actuation methods include polymeric actuation using smart polymers that change shape when exposed to stimuli, fluidic actuation utilizing pressurized air or liquid for dynamic tactile sensations in soft robotics, and thermal actuation for enhancing immersion in virtual environments.
References
Section titled “References”Platform Guidelines:
- Apple HIG — Playing haptics: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/playing-haptics
- Android — Haptic feedback: https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/haptics
- Google — Haptic design principles: https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/haptics/haptic-principles
Recent Research:
- Wearable Haptic Feedback Interfaces for Augmenting Human Touch (2024)
- Fully Transparent Haptic Interface for High-Resolution Tactile Feedback on Touchscreens (2025)
- Exploring Mobile Devices as Haptic Interfaces for Mixed Reality — CHI 2024
- Wearable Full-Body Motion Tracking and Haptic Feedback (2025)
See Also
Section titled “See Also”- Touch & Fine Motor Sensitivity — Understanding tactile perception
- Ergonomics — Physical considerations for haptic devices