Top 8 Ways To Fix Apple Watch Won’t Swipe Up

apple watch swipe not working

Are you experiencing the Apple Watch won’t swipe up issue? There are several factors that can cause this issue such as a software bug, interference from screen protector, or it might be caused by the Apple Watch Face you have selected. To fix this you will need to perform a series of troubleshooting steps.

The Apple Watch is a popular smartwatch that was first introduced by Apple Inc. in 2015. It has a sleek design, powerful features, and advanced health tracking capabilities making it a favorite among tech enthusiasts and fitness enthusiasts alike. The watch can be paired with an iPhone and allows users to access a wide range of apps, including messaging, calling, music, and more. Additionally, the Apple Watch offers advanced health monitoring features, such as heart rate tracking, activity tracking, and even ECG readings.

Apple Watch won’t swipe up? Here’s what you need to do

One problem that you might experience with your wearable device is the Apple Watch won’t swipe up issue. Trying the swipe up gesture does not allow you to access the control center which can be frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to resolve the issue.

In this article we will be showing you how to fix Apple Watch Swipe up gesture not working issue.

Solution 1: Clean the Apple Watch screen

The first troubleshooting step you need to do to fix Apple Watch won’t swipe up issue is to make sure that the screen is clean. Ensuring that your Apple Watch screen is clean is important to prevent swipe issues because a dirty or smudged screen can interfere with the watch’s touch sensitivity. When there is dirt or grime on the screen, it can make it difficult for the watch to recognize touch inputs, which can result in swipe issues or unresponsive gestures.

Cleaning your Apple Watch screen is a simple and straightforward process.

  • Turn off your Apple Watch and remove it from the charger.
  • Use a soft, lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, to gently wipe the screen. Avoid using abrasive or rough materials, as they can scratch the screen.
  • If there are any stubborn smudges or dirt on the screen, dampen the cloth with a small amount of water or isopropyl alcohol (70%) solution.
  • Gently wipe the screen with the damp cloth, being careful not to get any liquid into the watch’s ports.
  • Dry the screen with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess moisture.
  • Turn on your Apple Watch and check to ensure that the screen is clean and free of smudges or dirt.

Solution 2: Restart the Apple Watch

One of the main causes of the Apple watch swipe not working is a software glitch. Restarting your Apple Watch can be an effective way to fix swipe issues for several reasons. It can help to clear any temporary software glitches or bugs that may be causing swipe issues. It can also help to reset the device’s hardware components, including the screen and touch sensors, which can also help to fix swipe issues. Sometimes, these components can become unresponsive due to various factors, such as low battery or overheating, and restarting the device can help to resolve these issues.

Apple Watch restart process

  • Press and hold the side button (located next to the Digital Crown) until the Power Off screen appears.
  • Drag the “Power Off” slider to the right to turn off your Apple Watch.
  • Wait for your watch to completely shut down, which may take a few seconds.
  • Press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
  • Release the side button and wait for your Apple Watch to restart.

After you restart your Apple Watch try checking if the issue still occurs.

Solution 3: Force restart the Apple Watch

If restarting the Apple Watch fails to fix the issue then you can try to force reboot your watch. Apple Watch rebooting and force rebooting are different procedures. Force restarting an Apple Watch is a more drastic step that involves a hard reset of the device. This procedure should only be used if your Apple Watch is not responding to any other troubleshooting steps, such as restarting.

Force restart Apple Watch

  • To force restart, hold down the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.

Solution 4: Try using a different Watch Face

If you are experiencing swipe issues on your Apple Watch, it may be worth trying a different watch face to fix the problem. Apple Watch faces can be complex and require significant processing power, which can cause the device to slow down or become unresponsive. By changing your current watch face to a simpler or less data-intensive option, you may be able to improve the performance and responsiveness of your device. Apple Watch faces are designed to respond differently to touch gestures, such as swiping up or down, so trying different watch faces can also help you find one that is more intuitive and easier to navigate.

Change Watch Face

  • On your Apple Watch, swipe left or right on the watch face until you find a face you like.
  • Once you’ve found the watch face you want to use, press and hold the screen.
  • When the watch face starts to jiggle, you can swipe left or right to browse through different complications, or tap the Customize button to adjust the complications.
  • Once you’re done customizing your watch face, press the Digital Crown to save your changes and return to the watch face.

Solution 5: Unpair and re-pair the Apple Watch

Unpairing and re-pairing your Apple Watch is a troubleshooting step that can help to fix unresponsive swipe issues and other touch-related problems. When you unpair your watch, it disconnects from your iPhone and erases all of its data, which can help to reset any settings or configurations that may be causing the issue. Re-pairing the watch essentially starts the setup process over again, which can help to ensure that all of the software and settings are properly configured.

To Unpair Your Apple Watch:

  • Keep your iPhone and Apple Watch close to each other.
  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on the “My Watch” tab.
  • Tap on your watch name at the top of the screen.
  • Tap on the “i” icon next to your watch name.
  • Tap on “Unpair Apple Watch.”
  • Tap on “Unpair (Your Watch Name)” again to confirm.

To Re-pair Your Apple Watch:

  • Turn on your Apple Watch and place it close to your iPhone.
  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on the “Start Pairing” button.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone.
  • When prompted, select “Set Up Apple Watch” to start the pairing process.
  • Follow the prompts to set up your watch, including choosing a language, agreeing to the terms and conditions, and signing in with your Apple ID.
  • When prompted, select “Restore from Backup” to restore your watch’s data from a backup. Alternatively, you can set up your watch as new.

Try to check if the swipe function is smooth functioning.

Solution 6: Remove any installed screen protector

If you are experiencing swipe up not working issues on your Apple Watch, one troubleshooting step you can take is to remove the screen protector. Screen protectors can sometimes interfere with the watch’s touch sensitivity, causing swiping to be slow or unresponsive. This can be particularly noticeable when trying to swipe up on the watch face to access notifications or control center. By removing the screen protector, you may be able to improve the responsiveness of the watch’s touch screen and fix the swipe issues. If you are hesitant to remove the screen protector, try swiping slowly or with more pressure to see if that improves the touch response. Ultimately, if the issue persists, removing the screen protector is worth trying to see if it resolves the issue and improves the functionality of your Apple Watch.

Solution 6: Get the latest software update for your Apple Watch

Updating to the latest software version can help to fix swipe issues and other touch-related problems on your Apple Watch. Apple regularly releases software updates that contain bug fixes, security updates, and performance improvements. If you are experiencing issues with swiping or other touch-related problems, it’s possible that a software update could help to address the issue.

To check for updates on your Apple Watch, make sure it’s connected to Wi-Fi and your iPhone is nearby. Then, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on the “My Watch” tab. From there, tap on “General” and then “Software Update” to check for available updates. If an update is available, follow the on-screen prompts to download and install it.

Solution 7: Perform a factory reset

Performing a factory reset on your Apple Watch can be an effective way to fix swipe issues and other persistent problems that are not resolved through other troubleshooting methods. A factory reset, also known as a hard reset, will erase all your data and settings from your Apple Watch and restore it to its original factory settings. This can be a drastic step, and it should be done as a last resort only, but it can be effective in resolving issues that cannot be fixed through other means.

Factory reset

  • Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  • Tap on “General.”
  • Scroll down and tap on “Reset.”
  • Tap on “Erase All Content and Settings.”
  • Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the reset and enter your passcode if prompted.

Solution 8: Contact apple support

If you have tried all of the troubleshooting steps and your Apple Watch is still experiencing swipe issues, it may be time to contact Apple Support for further assistance. Apple Support can help diagnose the issue and provide additional troubleshooting steps or repair options if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the water lock feature on Apple Watch and how does it affect swiping?

    The water lock feature on Apple Watch prevents accidental touches and swipes while the device is submerged in water. To use the device while the water lock feature is on, you must turn the digital crown to unlock it.

  2. What are system haptics on Apple Watch and how do they affect swiping?

    System haptics on Apple Watch provide tactile feedback when you interact with the device. Adjusting the haptic feedback settings in the Settings app may help resolve swipe issues.

  3. Are hardware issues a common cause of swipe issues on Apple Watch?

    While hardware issues can cause swipe issues on Apple Watch, they are not as common as software-related issues.

  4. How can Apple Watch users ensure that their device is running the latest software update?

    To ensure that your Apple Watch is running the latest software update, go to the Settings app and tap on “General” followed by “Software Update.”

  5. Can swipe issues be caused by too much content on Apple Watch?

    It's unlikely that too much content on Apple Watch would cause swipe issues. However, it's always a good idea to regularly manage your content and remove any apps or data that you no longer need.


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