If the Swipe Up gesture in not working on iPhone, you should be able to fix the problem using troubleshooting steps as provided below.
Swipe Up Not Working on iPhone
The swipe up gesture on iPhone allows you to unlock your device, open Control Center, switch between Apps and perform other touch related functions.
If Swipe up is not working, the problem in most cases is software related, unless the touch screen has been damaged due to a fall, being exposed to heat and other reasons.
In certain cases, the problem of Swipe Up not working on iPhone is due to the screen protector interfering with the Swipe Up gesture.
1. Restart iPhone
The problem could simply be due to a program or process preventing the Swipe up gesture from working
Go to Settings > General > scroll down and tap on Shut Down. On the next screen, use the Slider to Power OFF iPhone.
Wait for 30 seconds and press the Power button to Restart iPhone.
2. Allow Control Center Access on Lock Screen
You won’t be able to use Swipe Up gesture on the Lock screen, if access to Control Center is disabled on your device.
Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Scroll down to “Allow Access When Locked” section and move the toggle next to Control Center to ON position.
After this, you should be able to access Control Center by Swiping Up on the Lock Screen of your device.
3. Allow Control Center Access from Within Apps
If Swipe up is not working while using Apps, you need to allow Control Center access from within Apps.
Go to Settings > Control Center > On the next screen, move the toggle next to Access Within Apps to ON position.
After this, you should be able to Swipe Up while using Apps.
4. Switch OFF VoiceOver
Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > move the toggle next to VoiceOver to OFF position.
See if the Swipe Up gesture is working properly after disabling VoiceOver.
5. Disable Touch Accomodations
Users have reported fixing the problem by enabling and disabling Touch Accomodations.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accomodations > Enable and then Disable Touch Accomodations.
After this, check to see if Swipe Up gesture is now working properly on your iPhone.
6. Update iPhone
The problem could be due to a software update waiting to be installed on your device.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
On the next screen, tap on Download and Install (If an update is available).
Note: You will see Download/Install option, only if an Update is available.
7. Reset All Settings
Note down you WiFi Network Password and follow the steps below to Reset All Settings on your iPhone.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > On the pop-up, select Reset All Settings option.
On the next screen, enter your Lock Screen Passcode. On the confirmation pop-up, tap on Reset All Settings to confirm.
Note: This method Resets all settings on your device to Factory default settings and leaves all your data intact.
8. Force Restart iPhone
If you are using iPhone 8 and above, follow the steps below to Force Restart your device.
1. Press and release the Volume up button and then press and release Volume down button.
2. Next, press and hold the Side button (Power Button), until you see your device starting with Apple Logo.
3. Release the Side button as soon as you see the Apple Logo.
If you are using iPhone 6, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, press and hold down both Power and Volume Down buttons, until you see iPhone starting with Apple Logo.
Release both Power & Volume buttons when you see Apple Logo appearing on the screen of your iPhone.