# Adding Haptic Feedback to Expo Router Native Tabs
# Code with Beto · https://codewithbeto.dev/blog/haptic-feedback-expo-router-native-tabs
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## This document

- **Title:** Adding Haptic Feedback to Expo Router Native Tabs
- **Canonical URL:** https://codewithbeto.dev/blog/haptic-feedback-expo-router-native-tabs
- **Agents export:** https://codewithbeto.dev/blog/haptic-feedback-expo-router-native-tabs/agents.txt
- **Author:** Beto
- **Published:** March 4, 2026
- **Summary:** NativeTabs renders truly native tab bars on iOS, but there's no haptic feedback out of the box. Here's how to add it with a simple bun patch to expo-router.
- **Access tier:** public (full article in this file)

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---

# Adding Haptic Feedback to Expo Router Native Tabs

`NativeTabs` renders truly native tab bars on iOS via `UITabBarController`, but that means there's no JS-level `tabPress` listener, so no haptic feedback out of the box. The fix: patch `expo-router` with `bun patch`.

> **Update:** The latest version of `NativeTabs` now exposes a `screenListeners` prop, so you can add haptics without patching:
>
> ```tsx
> <NativeTabs
>   screenListeners={{
>     tabPress: () => {
>       Haptics.impactAsync(Haptics.ImpactFeedbackStyle.Light);
>     },
>   }}
> >
>   {/* ...triggers */}
> </NativeTabs>
> ```
>
> If you're on an older version of `expo-router` or can't update right now, the patch approach below still works and follows the same pattern.

## Prerequisites

- Expo SDK 55+ with `expo-router` and `NativeTabs`
- `expo-haptics` installed (`npx expo install expo-haptics`)

## Step-by-Step

### 1. Start the patch

```bash
bun patch expo-router
```

Bun tells you to edit `node_modules/expo-router` and commit when done.

### 2. Open the file to edit

```bash
node_modules/expo-router/build/native-tabs/NativeBottomTabsNavigator.js
```

### 3. Add the haptics import

At the top, next to the other imports, add:

```javascript
const Haptics = __importStar(require("expo-haptics"));
```

The file uses CommonJS with `__importStar` (TypeScript-generated), match that style.

### 4. Add the haptic trigger

Find the `onTabChange` callback and add the haptics call at the top:

```javascript
const onTabChange = (0, react_1.useCallback)((tabKey) => {
    if (process.env.EXPO_OS === 'ios') {
        Haptics.impactAsync(Haptics.ImpactFeedbackStyle.Light);
    }
    const descriptor = descriptors[tabKey];
    // ...rest of the function
```

`Light` impact feels subtle and native for frequent tab taps. The `EXPO_OS` guard keeps it iOS-only since `NativeTabs` only renders there.

### 5. Commit the patch

```bash
bun patch --commit 'node_modules/expo-router'
```

Bun generates the `.patch` file in `patches/` and updates `package.json` automatically, no manual `patchedDependencies` editing needed.

### 6. Verify

Run `bun install`, you should see the patch apply. Build on a physical iOS device (haptics don't work on simulator) and feel the tap on every tab switch.

## The Final Diff

```diff
diff --git a/build/native-tabs/NativeBottomTabsNavigator.js b/build/native-tabs/NativeBottomTabsNavigator.js
index 3eab9adbe215bb80c15073e197b075e93b2d9c31..7d002126aee3f505906eb08dc7abe1e0d636bdff 100644
--- a/build/native-tabs/NativeBottomTabsNavigator.js
+++ b/build/native-tabs/NativeBottomTabsNavigator.js
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ exports.NativeTabsNavigator = NativeTabsNavigator;
 exports.NativeTabsNavigatorWrapper = NativeTabsNavigatorWrapper;
 const native_1 = require("@react-navigation/native");
 const react_1 = __importStar(require("react"));
+const Haptics = __importStar(require("expo-haptics"));
 const NativeBottomTabsRouter_1 = require("./NativeBottomTabsRouter");
 const NativeTabTrigger_1 = require("./NativeTabTrigger");
 const NativeTabsView_1 = require("./NativeTabsView");
@@ -101,6 +102,9 @@ function NativeTabsNavigator({ children, backBehavior = defaultBackBehavior, lab
     }
     const focusedIndex = visibleFocusedTabIndex >= 0 ? visibleFocusedTabIndex : 0;
     const onTabChange = (0, react_1.useCallback)((tabKey) => {
+        if (process.env.EXPO_OS === 'ios') {
+          Haptics.impactAsync(Haptics.ImpactFeedbackStyle.Light);
+        }
         const descriptor = descriptors[tabKey];
         const route = descriptor.route;
         navigation.emit({
```

One import, four lines in the callback. Small patch, big UX win.

## Tips

- **Patch the `build/` files**, not TypeScript source, Metro loads the compiled JS.
- **Re-generate the patch** when you upgrade `expo-router`, line numbers will shift.
- **Check upstream** before upgrading, Expo may add haptics to `NativeTabs` natively.

## Want to go deeper?

This patch came straight from [Inkigo](/resources/inkigo), a real, shipped app on the App Store. If you're curious how it feels in practice, download it and tap through the tabs.

[Pro Members](/pricing) get access to the full Inkigo source code, along with many other premium resources, including all my courses.

If you want to go beyond quick patches and really understand how to build apps that feel native, my [React Native course](/learn) covers advanced Expo Router patterns, platform-specific details, and the kind of polish that separates side projects from shipped products.

I also share practical tips, experiments, and updates in my [newsletter](/newsletter) if you want to stay in the loop.

Want to partner with me? You can reach me at [beto@codewithbeto.dev](mailto:beto@codewithbeto.dev).