Stop using the default iPhone vibration — this iPhone setting lets you 'feel' who's calling you

1. Create custom vibrations

Go to Settings, Sounds & Haptics, Ringtone, Haptics, and Create New Vibration. A blank screen appears with instructions to tap and create your pattern.

Tap the screen in any rhythm you want. Short taps create brief vibrations. Longer presses create sustained buzzes. The pattern records in real-time as you tap, so whatever rhythm you create is what your phone will vibrate when that contact calls.

Keep patterns simple and distinctive. Three quick taps followed by two long buzzes is easy to recognize. Complex patterns with lots of variation are harder to distinguish from each other, especially in noisy or distracting environments.

When you're satisfied with the pattern, tap Stop, then tap Save. Then name the pattern something memorable so you remember which pattern belongs to which person later.

You can create as many custom patterns as you want. I made five for my most frequent callers and left everyone else on the default vibration.

2. Assign the patterns to your contacts

Open the Contacts app and select the person you want to assign a custom vibration to. Tap Edit in the upper-right corner.

Scroll down to Ringtone Default and tap it. On the Ringtone screen, tap Haptics. You'll see your custom vibration patterns listed under Custom at the top of the menu.

Select the pattern you want for this contact, then tap Done. Tap Done again to save the contact changes. Repeat this for each contact you want to assign a unique vibration.

Now when that contact calls, your iPhone vibrates with the custom pattern instead of the default buzz. You'll recognize it instantly without looking at your screen.