Slide to answer not working on iPhone

I have had this as an intermittent problem on my iPhone 13 mini, despite always updating to the latest version of IOS. My local Apple store replaced the display to no avail, and did various other diagnostic tests which revealed nothing. At their recommendation I reset all settings on the phone, but this did nothing and was a total pain to boot. The only other thing they could suggest was a full factory reset, and I wasn't prepared to go through that.

I did find that doing a forced restart cleared the problem for a while, but within a couple of weeks the slide-to-answer would start to get unreliable again. (I also found that doing a normal restart didn't work as well). So now I just do a forced restart once a week; that has so far kept me free of the problem for nearly six months, and hopefully it will continue to do so.

I daresay Apple will eventually address this problem, but until then I can live with this work-around.

I found a solution voor iPhone 15 Pro users. If you press and hold the button action button and switch from to vibrate or the other around you get access again to the slider. I understand that this is not for everyone but it definitely works. Still this should not happen and if iOS 18 doesn’t solve this I am going to the Apple Store.

Hi,

As you have issue with slide to answer, Try Restarting the device and see if it works, check for any software update available, check your iPhone storage it should be sufficiently available to avoid lagging. Check the behaviour of issue, like is it impacted by iPhone temperature? Like when it’s too hot? Or it occurs when you are low on storage?, Try closing all unnecessary background application. Contact apple support if it doesn’t get fixed after above steps.

Here is my answer to swipe not always working. I use the auto answer feature. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Touch, then Call Auto Routing, then Auto Answer Calls. You can set the time before it auto answers.

i disable the ‘touch to wake up screen’ setting and until now this bug has disappeared. Maybe this solution works for now.

I don't have this issue on my 15 pro. Try and force restart the device to see if the issues persist

1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the side button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

Happens on my 15 Pro Max as well.

Workaround is to slide up to unlock with face ID first - this often answers the call by itself but at least you can talk.

same Issue happened with me for many times I tried to press lock button hard key and after that it’s working for me

scrowste wrote:

I completely agree. My 12 Pro was hands down a better phone than my new 15 pro. Very annoying to not be able to answer incoming calls. Do NOT buy this phone until they figure out how to resolve this issue!!!

I've never had this issue at all and we have iPhone 15 Pro Max and 15 Pro. Telling others to avoid buying the phone may make you feel better, but it would lead people to the wrong conclusion this is a widespread issue, which it most definitely is not. You'd be better advised to figure out what is causing the issue on your phone. No one I know is having an issue like this on their phones either.

What happened when you contacted Apple about it. Did you schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar and show it to them? If no to both, you need to do one or both.

Same issue since upgrading to the 15.

I've done everything suggested; rebooting, resetting etc etc.

But for unknown reason, when screen is locked, I cannot swipe to answer many calls. Not all, and not specific people. Just often enough to be a real bother. It’s especially annoying when I’m waiting for an important call and then I can’t answer the phone.

I wish Apple would take this one seriously.

I have just set up a new iPhone 14 Pro Max with iOS 18 and had this issue, on the first call received. The unlock slide up didn’t work either, the Lock Screen was completely frozen.

This is a brand new operating system and still this widespread problem exists. What are you doing about it Apple?

I completely agree. My 12 Pro was hands down a better phone than my new 15 pro. Very annoying to not be able to answer incoming calls. Do NOT buy this phone until they figure out how to resolve this issue!!!

scrowste wrote:

I completely agree. My 12 Pro was hands down a better phone than my new 15 pro. Very annoying to not be able to answer incoming calls. Do NOT buy this phone until they figure out how to resolve this issue!!!

My iPhone 15 Pro is great! I highly recommend it. I've never had this issue.

I too have had continual issues with my very newish iphone 15 and I am unable to slide the bar across to answer my calls. I am so disappointed that I bought this phone as it is rubbish if you cant answer your incoming calls. If you are considering buying one of these phones dont and buy another phone instead. I am taking it back to Apple tomorrow but I dont have the confidence that they will be able to fix this issue. Then I will be left with a lemon phone.

Same Problem here! iPhone15 Pro

Since first day I have from time to time exact this problem, sometimes everything is good, sometimes it drives me crazy!!

I NEVER had this problem before, since iPhone4s!

Support has no solutions since now, very, very annoying!!