- In most cases, restarting your Apple Watch and cleaning the display should resolve issues with the swipe-up gesture.
- Updating the watchOS or performing a full reset may also help.
- You may have to contact Apple support if nothing else works.
Try Basic Fixes
- Force restart the Apple Watch: Press and hold the side button along with the Apple Watch digital crown simultaneously for 10 seconds. Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Your Apple Watch will now restart.
- Swipe up carefully from the edge of the screen: Apple’s gestures — be it on the iPhone or the Apple Watch — work only on the edge of the display. So, make sure to perform the swipe-up gesture from the edge of the screen.
- Remove any screen protector or case: At times, using a screen protector or a case can turn out to be counter-intuitive. So, if you can’t swipe up on Apple Watch, it could be due to the screen protector. Get rid of it and try swiping up.
- Wipe off water or dirt from the screen: If there are water droplets on the screen or you’re out in the rain, your Apple Watch won’t swipe up. The best way to address this issue would be to take a microfiber cloth and wipe the display dry.
Fix 1: Update to the Latest Version of watchOS
If your Apple Watch becomes unresponsive frequently, it could be that you’re running an older, buggy version of watchOS. Update to the latest version of watchOS and the new software should give you enhanced stability. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
Step 2: Go to General > Software Update to download and install pending updates.
Fix 2: Factory Reset the Apple Watch
If there’s an issue with the software and there’s no update available, your best option is to factory reset the Apple Watch. This will erase all your data on the Watch, so make sure you take a backup before proceeding. Here’s how you can factory reset your Apple Watch.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
Step 2: Navigate to General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings .
