Android 15's "vibrate when unlocked" feature will make your pocket quieter

Remember that moment when your Google Pixel phone starts vibrating uncontrollably because a single app decided to spam you with notifications? Android 15 might be the hero you’ve been waiting for.

Android Authority reports that Google is working on a new feature called “vibrate when unlocked” within the upcoming Android 15 update. This means your phone will only vibrate for notifications when you actually see them on the screen, preventing that annoying pocket-buzzing frenzy we’ve all experienced.

This feature complements the previously introduced “notification cooldown,” which silences repeated notifications from the same app after a while. While cooldown takes care of the sound, “vibrate when unlocked” addresses the excessive vibration issue. This ensures your Pixel phone doesn’t become a mini jackhammer in your pocket.

Currently, “vibrate when unlocked” is hidden and disabled by default in the latest Android 15 beta, but it’s expected to be officially available in a future beta update. Additionally, since the code is already embedded in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), this feature should make its way to non-Pixel devices as well.

This isn’t just a minor convenience. Imagine being in a meeting, a quiet library, or simply trying to sleep without the constant barrage of vibrations from your phone. “Vibrate when unlocked” offers a much-needed level of control and discretion over your notification experience.

While the feature might seem simple, it’s a significant step towards a more refined and user-friendly notification system. Granted, Android users will be glad that an end to notification-induced phone vibrations might finally be in sight.