Develop Bugs

[Q] [REQUEST] Voltmod the vibration motor?

Hi everyone,
As some of you are aware, the vibration motor on the GN is so weak that it is literally impossible to feel it when it's in your pocket. I've searched everywhere for an App that increases the intensity but it has all been in vein. I've heard from multiple places that this is not possible, but it seems that some Android phones do have controls like this (DROID charge comes to mind).
Is it possible to somehow increase the voltage supplied to the vibration motor? Perhaps in a custom Rom? Or maybe even through a hardware voltmod?

Although I have no issue with the vibration motor in my GN(pretty strong to me), other phones I have used have had a weak vib. CM's roms have the ability to increase the vib motor.

verboten said:
Although I have no issue with the vibration motor in my GN(pretty strong to me), other phones I have used have had a weak vib. CM's roms have the ability to increase the vib motor.
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So, when you receive a call while the phone is in your pocket, you can still feel it vibrate? I've found that it feels strong in my hands but that the fabric in my pocket absorbs it so I can't feel it against my leg. I can't even feel it in my pajama pants, which have very thin fabric.
When you say CM, you mean CyanogenMod? Based on my reading it does not look like it does what I am asking. If you have a phone with CM on it, can you show me a screenshot of those vibrate settings?

yes, I feel it in my pocket when i get calls. Yes, I meant CyanogenMod, It is possible the setting I was thinking of just dealt with the haptic feed back when touching keys. It has been awhile since I've used a CM rom. Sorry

hi all
is there any way how to get GN automaticaly vibrate when pocket, using proximity sensor, like it was on some Samsung or HTCs?
Thanks lads
Majjjjo

That was done by accelerometer, not proximity sensor. Proximity sensor shuts off when the screen sleeps. That said, it would be a nice mod.

Haptic Feedback Noise

Hey guys, I've been using the HTC One x for about 3 weeks now. I noticed this creaking sound from the bottom right part of the phone if pressed with some force which I got over, and this haptic feedback noise that came occasionally along with it. Thought I would get used to it, and I did. Spoke about this in another thread earlier: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1653220
The problem now is that any form of haptic feedback is making an annoying click noise. Earlier it was restricted to the touch sensitive panel and now even while typing down a number or typing in general with haptic feedback on is making this annoying noise.
What I want to ask is, are there any others facing this? I saw a thread by BugsyLawson http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1653220
And can this be fixed with a software update? Or its a pure hardware problem? Any solutions?

Definitely sounds like a hardware problem, I'd get your One X exchanged for a new one
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

I have this problem, after about 2 months just started happening, whilst it can be quiet annoying only notice it at night when I'm using my phone and its silent
Not annoying enough for me to send my phone off for a fix tho
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

I have the same problem also. The creaking sound disappeared after a week of use, but the clicking sound is still here. It's most noticeable when using the ICS keyboard from Play Store on default vibration.

I can't get it replaced also atm as I'm out of the UAE(got the phone from there)
Would love to get it exchanged though, as this hox has a stuck pixel too
So since no fix is gonna happen, I've gotta bear with the sound and get used to it. If I do go to the UAE soon, I'll try getting it replaced.

I have this issue on the AT&T US version. I use Swiftkey and turned down the haptic feedback duration and it's only noticeable on the capacitive buttons now. Even then it seems to come and go.
I've debated exchanging too. However this is fairly minor compared to the issues that others are reporting.

pdubcramp said:
I have this issue on the AT&T US version. I use Swiftkey and turned down the haptic feedback duration and it's only noticeable on the capacitive buttons now. Even then it seems to come and go.
I've debated exchanging too. However this is fairly minor compared to the issues that others are reporting.
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That's exactly how it used to be for me. The capacitive buttons would randomly make the sound during the haptic feedback.
Now its haptic feedback in general, the capacitive buttons make the sound 9/10 times now. I've kept it off for the keyboard(even I use swiftkeyx) but I've kept it on for the dialing-pad so it does happen there.

quick settings
I use quick settings and find it disturbs the haptic feedback but if you turn haptic feedback off in the quick settings menu its all good

Well for one, I don't see any setting for haptic feedback in quick settings.
Two, I like having haptic feedback on for the capacitive panel and when I'm dialling a number. It's just really really annoying to have the phone make this weird noise every time it vibrates. I still haven't gotten used to it.

Well for one, I don't see any setting for haptic feedback in quick settings.
Two, I like having haptic feedback on for the capacitive panel and when I'm dialling a number. It's just really really annoying to have the phone make this weird noise every time it vibrates. I still haven't gotten used to it.

death__machine said:
Well for one, I don't see any setting for haptic feedback in quick settings.
Two, I like having haptic feedback on for the capacitive panel and when I'm dialling a number. It's just really really annoying to have the phone make this weird noise every time it vibrates. I still haven't gotten used to it.
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Your not understanding what I mean.when your using quick settings app press menu/prefrences/and turn haptic feedback just for the app off(you still have haptic everywhere else just not in the app.this fixed it for me

This is pretty annoying actually. I'm sure that in CM7 you could turn down the duration of the haptic feedback. Does anyone know if there is a way to do it on CM9 or if it is possible to create a MOD that will lower the vibration duration?

Yeah I get the sort of clicky creaky sound too. Bugs me a bit. I think it only does it when I have my hard cover on the back (but it's a PITA to remove, so haven't experimented much)

I have this aswell and I understand why it's annoying. It makes the whole device feel.... Cheaper (well atleast I think so ).
I also had this issue on my sensation and my wife got it after some days use on her One S.
It seems to be somewhat of an HTC "feature"
Im interested in WHY HTC phones end up with this "issue". Seems it seems to be so common on their phones?
My other phones (Sgs2 fo example) never had this, there the feedback feeling and noise where "tight" so to speak
My solution was simply to turn the damn feedback off!

I've gotten used to it now -_-
and no turning haptic feedback off as a "solution"
You pay so much for the device you expect quality... My first time with htc, and not feeling so good about my purchase as I did before the defects came up.

Haptic feedback is when you press on a screen button and it vibrates right?
Or on the hardware buttons they vibrate isn't?
I don't hear a creaking clicky sound nothing if that's what you mean?
Tried top/middle/bottum of the screen and the hardware buttons from left to right, pressing harder then usual with my finger to test if I could find but nothing.
My device feels very comfortable and not cheap at all, it feels good/massive as one solid piece of machine.
Ladies and Gentleman are you sure it isn't your wooden table?

It was the table! Oh wait, it was a bad joke -_-
xD
And haptic feedback is the vibration you get when touching the screen or the capacitive panel.
I'm not saying F*** HOX I'm gonna sue them! I love my phone, just the experience would have been better without this.

Haha.. sorry if you think it's a bad joke, I was only kidding.
I know what you mean, thanks, no creaking sound/issue here.
death__machine said:
It was the table! Oh wait, it was a bad joke -_-
xD
And haptic feedback is the vibration you get when touching the screen or the capacitive panel.
I'm not saying F*** HOX I'm gonna sue them! I love my phone, just the experience would have been better without this.
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Cause of haptic feedback rattle found

In my particular case, the camera is the culprit. It seems that the black piece inside the metal square chassis rattles when you tap it. When the vibration motor is active, it rattles the camera inside. Just sharing since it seems this issue has popped up a couple times.
Only solution I can think is to take out the black camera piece from the chassis and maybe stuff it a little tighter or order a new replacement, but the camera could be made that way. I'll take it apart again later today to see if there is some space for small paper or something to keep it still.

I've been getting this rattle for awhile now and was wondering what it was. Between the touch screen and bootloop, this is the third strike.

I also have a sound from the sound vibration motor, but its not so much a rattle sound, more of a beeping/squealing sound. Is this normal? Its not very loud but it annoys me when typing in a quiet room. Remember I had the exact same sound on my last LG phone so maybe its an engineering thing or the brand of vibration motor.

Jaxione said:
I also have a sound from the sound vibration motor, but its not so much a rattle sound, more of a beeping/squealing sound. Is this normal? Its not very loud but it annoys me when typing in a quiet room. Remember I had the exact same sound on my last LG phone so maybe its an engineering thing or the brand of vibration motor.
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I noticed this on the forums too. I listened for this but couldn't find it. If I put my ear really close to the motor I heard a small whine, but it seemed like it was something else rather than the motor because it was constant. I will say the rattle could sound higher pitched to others depending on movement. My sound is a small rattle but I could see how maybe it could vary to a squeaking or squealing noise to some.

N12X93R said:
I noticed this on the forums too. I listened for this but couldn't find it. If I put my ear really close to the motor I heard a small whine, but it seemed like it was something else rather than the motor because it was constant. I will say the rattle could sound higher pitched to others depending on movement. My sound is a small rattle but I could see how maybe it could vary to a squeaking or squealing noise to some.
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This is how mine sounds, mic is right next to the phone so its louder than during normal use. You have this to?
https://vid.me/ptNe

N12X93R said:
In my particular case, the camera is the culprit. It seems that the black piece inside the metal square chassis rattles when you tap it. When the vibration motor is active, it rattles the camera inside. Just sharing since it seems this issue has popped up a couple times.
Only solution I can think is to take out the black camera piece from the chassis and maybe stuff it a little tighter or order a new replacement, but the camera could be made that way. I'll take it apart again later today to see if there is some space for small paper or something to keep it still.
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The camera has Optical Image Stabilization. Packing the gaps will stop this working. The rattling is just the camera moving around.

dontpannic said:
The camera has Optical Image Stabilization. Packing the gaps will stop this working. The rattling is just the camera moving around.
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Did you listen to the sound in my video? You have that to? Its mostly when using haptic feedback on home and back buttons and the third button down at the bottom

Hows the vibration motor?

I'm pretty picky about the strength and volume of my phones' vibration motors. I currently have the Note 8 and iPhone 7+ and I like how when I'm sitting in a meeting and receive a notification, everyone doesn't hear incessant buzzing going off in my pocket or bag. Previously owned the Pixel XL and felt it was a bit too loud for my preference. Can anyone provide any insight for the XL 2?

leet414 said:
I'm pretty picky about the strength and volume of my phones' vibration motors. I currently have the Note 8 and iPhone 7+ and I like how when I'm sitting in a meeting and receive a notification, everyone doesn't hear incessant buzzing going off in my pocket or bag. Previously owned the Pixel XL and felt it was a bit too loud for my preference. Can anyone provide any insight for the XL 2?
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IMO: Pixel 2 XL's vibration motor is more vibrate-less noise, than the Pixel XL vibration motor. In short, they got this right.
-jd

Thanks, that's what I was hoping for. October 24th can't come soon enough (barring any shipping delays)!

iPhone is still far better. But the Pixel 2 haptics are much better in terms of being less tinny... more of a deep vibration vs the original Pixel. Compared to the Note8, the Pixel 2 XL is a hair faster/sharper, but not as strong or deep in feel. This might be due to the intensity setting which isn't changeable in settings... will likely require root and a kernel to ramp up the intensity.

I personally am not a fan of it. It feels kinda cheap and weak, at least for haptic feedback when typing. Something I can deal with though. It does have the more vibrate less noise effect so I guess it is more functional for notifying you when in your pocket. I personally like the sharp and fast kind of vibration motors like my Nexus 6P had, although it wasn't very effective at notifying me when in my pocket, it just felt better when typing.

KHANrad_SIN said:
I personally am not a fan of it. It feels kinda cheap and weak, at least for haptic feedback when typing. Something I can deal with though. It does have the more vibrate less noise effect so I guess it is more functional for notifying you when in your pocket. I personally like the sharp and fast kind of vibration motors like my Nexus 6P had, although it wasn't very effective at notifying me when in my pocket, it just felt better when typing.
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I'd recommend you change the vibration strength of the keyboard then. If you're using the Google keyboard it can be found hnder preferences
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Nitemare3219 said:
iPhone is still far better. But the Pixel 2 haptics are much better in terms of being less tinny... more of a deep vibration vs the original Pixel. Compared to the Note8, the Pixel 2 XL is a hair faster/sharper, but not as strong or deep in feel. This might be due to the intensity setting which isn't changeable in settings... will likely require root and a kernel to ramp up the intensity.
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Using the phone for a few days now, I agree with Nitemare3219's assessment. Its definitely not as tinny as most other phones but it's not as deep as the i7+/N8 and it has resulted in me missing some calls bc I don't feel the vibration in my pocket. Wish it was stronger in intensity but not a deal breaker for me. There's so much else good about this thing over my other phones including: loud and even stereo speakers, insane battery life, no 4k video stuttering at all, and better still shots.

Serious question related to this thread: For those of you who have haptic feedback on for typing, etc. - why do you like this? Honestly it's one of the first things I do with every phone - turn that stuff off. Only time I like my phone to vibrate is when receiving a call or text.
Just curious as to what people like about it.

skw5115 said:
I'd recommend you change the vibration strength of the keyboard then. If you're using the Google keyboard it can be found hnder preferences
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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I've tried, but it only increases the vibration duration not the actual strength. I know you can change the actual strength of the vibration with a custom kernel, it was possible with elementalX on the Nexus 6P so I'm holding out for that. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Not sure if this was something the original Pixel and Pixel XL (Or phones have been doing it for some time) did but I did notice that ‎it has an interesting haptic feedback that kind of mimics Apple's Force Touch with a vibration when pressing and releasing for the keyboard and back, home, and multitasking buttons. It's subtle but there. For notifications I find it strong enough. I keep my phone in my front left pocket.
I did come from the Nexus 5X and wasn't a fan of that motor.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I like the haptic feedback of Pixel 2 XL but vibration upon calls or messages is too weak: if phone is layin down on a hard flat surface, when I receive a call I cannot either feel or hear at all the vibration.

thegios said:
I like the haptic feedback of Pixel 2 XL but vibration upon calls or messages is too weak: if phone is layin down on a hard flat surface, when I receive a call I cannot either feel or hear at all the vibration.
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It's relatively weak while typing or pressing the navigation buttons but I'm fine with that. Are you using it with or without a case? I hear vibrating notifications and calls pretty fine with my TPU case on. That's with regular ambient sounds and not in a busy office or anything.

thegios said:
I like the haptic feedback of Pixel 2 XL but vibration upon calls or messages is too weak: if phone is layin down on a hard flat surface, when I receive a call I cannot either feel or hear at all the vibration.
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Was the same way on the 6p. Hopefully the kernel Devs can address the issue as they did with the 6p :good:

No case. It's not normal that a phone made of hard material, laying on a harder surface, does not make the surface itself vibrate. I cannot even hear the vibration sound.

thegios said:
No case. It's not normal that a phone made of hard material, laying on a harder surface, does not make the surface itself vibrate. I cannot even hear the vibration sound.
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But if you can feel it in your pocket then it's doing the job. That's what ringtones and notification sounds are for. If you can't, then don't know what to say. It's not the strongest for sure but it's far from weak, at least on my unit.

Well I can feel it in the jeans pocket, not in the jacket pocket.

Its not samsung or iphone good. It still generate a bit of rattleing noise. But not too bad
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

It doesn't rattle like the rubbish you get on my S8+ or HTC 10, and you can't hear it, as it's for feeling not hearing, but you feel it in your trousers which is where it's meant to be imho.

Again with the terrible Vibration Motor (Is it a software bug)

Is it possible the reason the motor sounds terrible is because of what Zach suggests from Jerryrig Everything,' that the motor is being pushed too hard because it is so small'
My thoughts:
Keyboard: Gboard: The haptic feedback isn't at it's worst but it's pretty erratic and has the notorious sandy rattling sound; it's subtle though
When being called or when vibration is applied for longer times: The vibrate motor is really really bad. It's erratic in frequency. Really erratic!
How can this be? That it behaves better with Gboard but not when activating from general touches and call notifications.
Is it possible to simply lower the voltage applied to the motor inside the OS itself?
Also note when the phone is on carpet the sound produced from the motor is damped and actually sounds like that soft fuzzy buzz we are all familiar with.
I can actually pinch my phone over the location of the motor and reduce the sound of the rattling motor.
Is it possible that the motor itself is simply "loose" or not secure enough for the amount that it is being pushed?
If it's going to be driven so hard can it be secured better?
Changing the TIME the motor is active for does not change it's frequency. Is there a way to change that, the actually frequency which would surely have to be done by change how much voltage is applied to the motor? OR I am not sure how Android handles these things...can we change the shape of the frequency; Sine, Square, Saw, etc. etc.
Seems I am a little late to the party but hearing MKBHD's initial review (quite some time ago) I just couldn't by this phone for +$700.00 Now that I have it in hand though I'd like to talk about it some. Specifically this issue.

I saw during a tear down video for our Razer phone that they commented that the motor is just too tiny. In my head I was thinking that it still doesn't make sense with the rattle noise. To me it sounds loose like you said. So with root, I was hoping that I could control the vibration strength like I could with the OnePlus I once owned and controlled through kernel adiutor under "misc". However it makes no difference at all.

Interesting
Munk0 said:
I saw during a tear down video for our Razer phone that they commented that the motor is just too tiny. In my head I was thinking that it still doesn't make sense with the rattle noise. To me it sounds loose like you said. So with root, I was hoping that I could control the vibration strength like I could with the OnePlus I once owned and controlled through kernel adiutor under "misc". However it makes no difference at all.
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Wow really!? I'm fairly surprised. Because it does so well at other times and then did exactly just as horrendous at others. That's why I don't understand why it is good at some points but bad at others.
That's pretty interesting. So, your Razer still had the erratic vibrating too? What were you able to control, and change?
I'm really surprised it had no effect unless it literally is just loose. Which I'm not quite brave enough to do that.
But yeah what did you find? Got a link?

SolCanis said:
Got a link?
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Here's the YouTube video where they tear down the Razer Phone and talk about the tiny vibrator motor within the handset:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUVG7_uDWSg&t=6s
For the Kernel Aduitor program you can find that here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grarak.kerneladiutor&hl=en_US
Basically under "Misc" there is a setting for the vibrator strength but changing it from 0 to 100 makes no difference it still is full force and rattles. Sad. Such a beautiful phone and such a horrible vibrator motor. I honestly want to just turn it off it possible.
What was cool is that the heat pipe used in the Razer is truly a nice big one. As Jerry put it in the video "This might be the biggest heat pipe I've ever seen in a cell phone".