How to Make Silent Mode Vibrate on iPhone Cell phones vibrate using a small motor with a weighted disc that spins quickly. As the disc moves, it creates tiny shakes that you feel as a vibration. This helps you get alerts without sound. The How do I switch vibrate on when my phone rings or I receive messages? I noticed my last phone had stopped try to fix the issue but nothing, I've just upgraded to Stop using the default iPhone vibration this iPhone setting lets you 'feel' who's calling you Tom's Guide