How to turn off sound and haptics on your iPhone keyboard

You're in an important work meeting when you get a text from a family member. It requires an immediate response, so you quickly type a message on your iPhone®. You look up and notice a few colleagues giving you the side-eye. The click-clack of your phone's keyboard distracted everyone sitting around you. You vow to turn keyboard sounds and haptics off—but you're unsure how to do that.

Asurion Experts help you get the most from your devices. Whether we're explaining how to optimize your iPhone battery or fix a broken iPhone speaker, you can count on us for straightforward answers. Here's how to turn off the keyboard sound on iPhone in a few simple steps.

How sound & haptics affect iPhone

iPhones include customization features that let you turn keyboard clicks on or off. When you enable sound and haptics, you'll hear a distinctive clicking sound and feel a tactile sensation when you press the keyboard buttons. The sound and haptics mimic the sensation of using a real physical keyboard.

Disabling keyboard sound and haptics turns it completely silent. No one will hear anything when you're using the iPhone's keyboard. However, it doesn't affect the other system sound and haptic features on your device. As long as you have the sound on, you'll still hear an alert whenever you receive texts or notifications. 

If you prefer to turn off all system sounds and haptics—not just keyboard-related ones—there's an option for that, too!

How to turn off keyboard sound on iPhone 16, 15, 14, and earlier models

iPhone introduced keyboard haptics in iOS 16. Earlier versions of the iOS have options for keyboard sounds but not haptics. 

Disabling keyboard sound and haptics in iOS 16 or later

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback.
3. Turn Sound off.
4. Turn Haptic off. 

Disabling keyboard sound and vibrations in iOS 15

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Sounds & Haptics.
3. Turn  Keyboard Clicks off. 

Customizing system sound preferences

The haptic keyboard isn't the only feature that emits sounds and vibrations on your iPhone. Other tools, including Camera, iPhone Messages, and Clock, also produce noise and haptics. You can disable all sounds and turn haptic feedback options in the Settings app.

Adjusting system sound and haptics in iOS 17 or later

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Sounds & Haptics.
3. Use the slider below Ringtone and Alerts to set your preferred sound volume.
4. Tap Haptics and select from the available options: Always Play, Never Play, Play in Silent Mode, or Don't Play in Silent Mode.
5. Tap Ringtone or Text Tone > Haptics. 
6. Select a ringtone for incoming calls and clock functions. Choose a text tone for new texts, voicemails, and other notifications. 

Adjusting system sound and haptics in iOS 15 & 16

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Sounds & Haptics.
3. Use the slider below Ringtone and Alert Volume to set your preferred sound volume.
4. Tap Ringtone or Text Tone.
5. Select a ringtone for incoming calls and clock functions. Choose a text tone for new texts, voicemails, and other alerts.
6. Tap Vibration and select a vibration pattern. 

Mute all sounds and haptics

What if you like your current keyboard click volume and haptic settings but need to silence your phone immediately? Apple® provides a fuss-free way to do that. 

If you have an iPhone with an Action button, take these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Sounds & Haptics.
3. Turn Silent Mode on. 

Some iPhones have a physical switch on their side for Silent Mode. Flip the switch toward the back of your device to turn Silent Mode on. Flipping the switch toward the front of your iPhone enables sounds and haptics again. 

Troubleshooting sound and haptic issues

Usually, adjustments to settings fix unwanted sound and haptic problems. However, if your iPhone won't vibrate or play sound, try these quick solutions.

Update your iOS

Apple releases iOS updates that include new features and bug fixes. If you're running an older iOS version, it may be a source of sound and haptic conflicts on your device. Follow these steps to install the most recent iOS.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General > Software Update.
3. Install available updates. 

Clean your device

iPhones attract a lot of dust and grime from daily use that can clog the speaker, so consider giving your device a spring cleaning. Use a soft-bristled dry brush to gently clean the speaker, then wipe the screen with a dampened, lint-free cloth. Cleaning the iPhone may remove buildup that prevents sound, including keyboard noises, from playing through the speaker. 

Test sound functions

Try adjusting the ringtone to see if you hear any sound. 

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Sounds & Haptics.
3. Move the slider underneath Ringer and Alerts back and forth.