How to turn on, adjust or turn off vibration on Xiaomi smartphone: the complete guide

Vibration on Xiaomi smartphones is not just an additional feature, but an important element of interaction with the device. It helps not to miss important notifications in silent mode, makes typing more tactilely pleasant and can even serve as an alarm. However, many users face problems: the vibration either does not work at all, or it works too weak / strong, or it turns on in unexpected situations.

In this article, we will look at all aspects of Xiaomi’s vibration settings, from basic MIUI settings to hidden features that not everyone knows about. We will focus on the differences between models (e.g., Redmi Note 12 vs. POCO X5), as well as common bugs that interfere with the vibratory engine’s proper operation. If you want to learn how to fine-tune tactile response to your needs, read on.

Why Xiaomi’s Vibration May Not Work

Before you set up a vibration, it's important to understand why it sometimes doesn't work, and there may be several reasons, and they're software and hardware.

Programmatic reasons are most common:

• 🔕 Disabling vibration in settings is the most obvious option, but many users overlook it, looking for a deeper problem.
• 📱 Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode, which by default turns off all vibrational signals.
• 🔄 Failure to work MIUI — especially after updating the firmware or resetting the settings.
• 🎵 Conflict with applications that control sound/vibration (e.g. MacroDroid or Tasker).

Hardware causes are less common, but they should also be considered:

• 🛠️ Damage to the vibrating motor – for example, after a phone drop or moisture hit.
• 🔋 Wear of contacts (relevant to older models, for example, Redmi) 4X or Mi A1).
• 🔌 Problems with the plume connecting the motor to the motherboard.

⚠️ Warning: If the vibration stops working after a phone drop or contact with water, don't try to disassemble the device yourself. In Xiaomi, the vibration motor is often soldered to the board and requires special equipment to replace it.

To diagnose a problem, check the basic settings first. If the vibration doesn't work even after you change it, try restarting your phone. If that doesn't work, read on: we'll go through all the ways you set it up in detail.

How to turn on vibrations when calling and notifying

The basic vibration setting for calls and messages is done through the Sound and Vibration menu. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select Vibration (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Tactile Feedback).
4. Activate Vibration on calls and Vibration on notifications.

If these items are not available, then your version of MIUI has a different interface, for example, on POCO F5, the path will be: Settings → Sound → Vibration → Vibration on calls / notifications.

Also, pay attention to the vibration intensity, and you can choose from three levels in the same menu.

• 🔹 Weak – barely noticeable vibration, suitable for delicate notifications.
• 🔹 Average – standard level, set by default.
• 🔹 Strong – intense vibration that is hard to miss.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra), too much vibration can lead to premature wear of the engine. If you notice that the phone began to vibrate weaker after 1-2 years of use, try to reduce the intensity.

If you want the vibration to only work in silent mode, activate the Vibration option in silent mode (also in the Vibration menu), which is useful if you don’t want the phone to make sounds, but you don’t miss important notifications.

Vibration included in "Sounds and Vibrations" |

Intensity level is set correctly |

The silent mode does not block the vibration.|

No conflicts with third-party applications-->

Configure the vibration of the keyboard and system buttons

The vibrations you press on keyboards and system buttons (e.g., Back, Home) are set up separately, called haptic feedback.

To turn it on or off:

1. Go to Settings → Sounds and Vibration → Tactile feedback.
2. Activate the Vibration slider when pressed.
3. Below you can adjust the vibration intensity to: 📱 System buttons (navigation panel). ⌨️ Keyboards (including Gboard and Gboard) MIUI Keyboard).

If you use a third-party keyboard (like SwiftKey or Fleksy), the vibration settings may be inside the keyboard application itself. For example, in Gboard, the path is: Gboard settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration when pressed.

Some models (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) have an option called Scrolling Vibration, which includes a slight vibration when you scroll through lists quickly (like Instagram or Twitter), but this feature can land the battery quickly, so use it with caution.

In the models with AMOLED-With screens (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), the vibration of the system buttons can automatically turn off when the Always On Display function is activated to save battery power.

How to Create Custom Vibration Patterns

MIUI 14 and later has the ability to create customized vibration patterns for different contacts or applications, allowing, for example, to assign a unique vibration to calls from close or important notifications.

To create a custom pattern:

1. Open Settings → Sounds and vibrations → Vibration patterns → Vibration patterns.
2. Click Add a new pattern.
3. Record the sequence of vibrations by pressing the screen (maximum 5 seconds).
4. Keep the pattern under a unique name (such as “Mom” or “Work”).

This feature is especially useful for people with hearing impairments or those who are often in noisy places, for example, you can adjust the long vibration for important notifications and short vibration for minor ones.

💡

If you create a pattern for an alarm clock, make it particularly intense (e.g., three long vibrations in a row) and help you wake up even in the deep sleep phase.

Vibration in games and special modes

Many Xiaomi games support vibration feedback to enhance the gaming experience, but by default it can be disabled due to battery savings.

To turn on the vibration in the games:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Vibration.
2. Activate Vibration in games (some models call it Tactile Feedback in games).
3. Run the game and check the settings inside it – some titles (like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG) have their own vibration options.

MIUI also has a Game Turbo mode that optimizes the vibration for gameplay to activate it:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
2. Add the game to the list of optimized.
3. Enable the option of Improved Tactile Feedback.

Some models (such as Xiaomi’s Black Shark 5) have additional vibration triggers that trigger certain events in the game (such as a shot or hit), which are usually found in Shark Space’s proprietary app.

⚠️ Warning: Intense vibration in games can cause the phone to overheat, especially if the game itself is loading the processor.If you notice that the case has become hot, reduce the intensity or take a break.

Vibration when unlocking and gestures

Xiaomi allows you to adjust the vibration even for small things like unlocking the screen or using gestures.This adds tactile feedback and makes interaction with the phone more enjoyable.

To adjust the vibration when unlocking:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select Additional Settings (or Advanced Settings on some models).
3. Find the Vibration option when unlocking and activate it.
4. If you wish, adjust the intensity.

For gestures (e.g. swipe up to return to the home screen):

1. Open the settings → System → Gestures.
2. Select System Navigation.
3. Click on Additional settings (cog icon in upper right corner).
4. Activate Vibration when you press the navigation buttons.

On models with Always On Display (like the Xiaomi 13 Pro), you can turn on vibration when you touch the screen in sleep mode.This is useful if you want feedback when checking notifications without unlocking the phone completely. → Always On Display → Vibration on touch.

Solving Vibration Problems at Xiaomi

If the vibration is not working properly (e.g., it is delayed, too weak, or not activated at all), try the following steps:

1. Phone reboot

It's a banal but effective way. Sometimes the vibratory motor freezes because of a MIUI malfunction. Just hold the power button and select Reboot.

2. Resetting sound and vibration settings

If the problem started after updating or changing the settings, try resetting the sound settings:

1. Open Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset sound and vibration settings.
3. Confirm the action.

3. Verification for viruses and conflicting applications

Some applications (especially optimizers or cleaners) can block vibrations, remove suspicious programs or check the phone with antivirus (for example, Mi Security).

4. Firmware update

If the vibration stopped working after the update, check if the new MIUI version is out.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If an update is available, install it.

5. Diagnostics of hardware problems

If nothing worked, there may be a problem with the vibratory motor itself.

• 🔊 Enable Test Mode by dialing in the phone application ##4636##.
• Select Equipment Testing → Vibration.
• If the engine is not working, then the problem is hardware.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is warranty, do not try to repair it yourself. Contact the Xiaomi service center - vibration motor refers to warranty cases.

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If the vibration only works in some apps (like WhatsApp, but not Telegram), the problem lies in the settings of the particular messenger, not the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about vibration on Xiaomi