[2024 Updated] iPhone Swipe Up Not Working - 9 Fast Fixes

Clare Phang
Last updated: Apr 25, 2024
Summary: This post will provide you with helpful skills against iPhone swipe up not working.

iPhone swipe-up not working gets in the way of unlocking your iPhone and accessing the Control Center.

But don't worry. Here you'll find 9 practical methods to solve this problem. Read on to learn more helpful information.

iPhone Swipe Up Not Working

Why Can't I Swipe Up on My iPhone?

The possible reasons why your iPhone won’t swipe up are mainly related to screen issues—such as a dirty screen, damaged screen, screen protector, or screen cover—and software issues, like an outdated iOS version, software glitches, or bugs in the iOS Beta version.

Check the Control Center Gesture

Before you engage in the fixes, you need to know that many users are used to the swipe-up shortcuts, while Apple changed the Control Center shortcuts to swipe down in the later iPhone models.

The way to open and close the Control Center is different for each iPhone model.

  • For iPhone X and later:

To open Control Center, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen.

To close the Control Center, swipe up from the bottom of your screen or tap the screen.

  • For iPhone SE, and iPhone 8 and earlier

To open the Control Center, swipe up from the bottom edge of any screen.

To close the Control Center, tap the top of the screen or press the Home button.

How to Fix iPhone Swipe Up Not Working

After you've figured out the possible reasons, let's check for their corresponding fixes below. In total, 9 methods will be introduced in detail. Just keep reading.

1. Restart iPhone

Give your iPhone a restart at this time as restarting can fix most of the occasional errors. If you can't restart your iPhone directly, force restart your iPhone.

2. Enable Control Center Access on the Lock Screen

In the case that the Control Center won't swipe up/down on your iPhone on the lock screen, try to enable Control Center access on the lock screen. If you don't enable Control Center access on the lock screen, you can't swipe up/down to open it.

Here is how to enable Control Center access on the lock screen:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Face ID & Passcode and enter the passcode.
  3. Enable Control Center under ALLOW ACCESS WHEN LOCKED.
Enable Control Center Access on Lock Screen

3. Enable Control Center Access within the Apps

While you are using apps and you want to swipe up/down to get access to the Control Center, you must ensure you have enabled Control Center access within the apps.

Here is how to enable the Control Center access within the apps:

  1. Open SettingsControl Center> Turn on Access Within Apps.
  2. Add or disable the apps you want to turn on access or not.
Enable Control Center within the Apps

4. Remove the Screen Protector

The screen is so easily broken that many users may use the screen protector. However, the screen protector is not thin enough may make the interaction between your fingertip and your iPhone difficult.

So it is recommended that you change to a thin screen protector, or remove the screen protector.

5. Update to the Latest iOS Version

The outdated iOS version and iOS Beta version are more likely to cause the "swipe up not working on iPhone" issue. So always keep your iOS version to the latest. You can update your iOS version via iPhone Settings, Finder/iTunes, or iPhone upgrade tools.

6. Customize Touch Accommodations

Customizing Touch Accommodations may help you better fix iPhone swipe-up not working issues. It can make your touch more suitable for your preferences.

But it's worth noting that to use Swipe Gestures, you need to have Hold Duration and Tap Assistance enabled on your iPhone.

Here is how to customize Touch Accommodations:

Open SettingsAccessibilityTouchTouch AccommodationsHold DurationSwipe Gestures.

Customize Touch Accommodations

7. Turn Off VoiceOver

VoiceOver is a gesture-based screen reader. And it can change the gestures you use to control your iPhone. And if you turned VoiceOver on, you must use VoiceOver gestures to use the iPhone.

Here is how to turn off VoiceOver:

Open SettingsAccessibilityVoiceOver.

Turn Off VoiceOver

8. Reset iPhone Settings

Reset iPhone Settings is worth a try. By doing this, you can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.

Reset all settings will remove or reset network settings, the keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards to their defaults. It will not delete data and media.

Here is how to reset all settings:

Go to SettingsGeneralTransfer or Reset iPhoneResetReset All Settings.

Reset All Settings

9. Reset iPhone

After you try all the above methods but still fail to make the iPhone swipe up gesture work, try the ultimate solution - reset your iPhone. But it's worth noting that this method will erase all your iPhone data.

Use Finder/iTunes to restore your iPhone in recovery mode, erase all content and settings, or pick an easy-to-use third-party tool like BuhoRepair to do this for you.

Here is how to use BuhoRepair to reset the device:

  1. Free download, install, and launch BuhoRepair.
  2. Click Reset DeviceForce ResetReset Now.
    Reset iPhone with BuhoRepair
  3. Connect your device to the computer and trust your computer on the device.
  4. Click the Download button. Once the download is complete, click Reset Now.
  5. When your iPhone restarts, you can set it up as new.
Note
This method will erase all your iPhone data, so back up your iPhone before resetting your device.

Conclusion

In this post, 9 easy and proven ways to fix iPhone swipe-up not working are provided for you.

Go ahead and fix it now!

Clare Phang has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of the iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.