I can't swipe my iPhone 5 to answer a call or turn it on. I tried holding the power button to turn it off, but that requires me to swipe it to turn it off, as well.
iPhone 5, iOS 7.0.2
Well, you don't swipe to turn the device on. Does the touchscreen work at all?
You are correct that it is technically on. No, the touchscreen isn't working at all. I can't actually swipe to get to any apps. If I try to shut down, I can't even swipe the other spot to turn it off.
I tried using the up volume button as suggested by others in this site with a similar problem, but that didn't work either.
Try to reset the phone. Hold the sleep/wake and home buttons together until you see the Apple logo and then release. The phone should reboot. If that does not help, then a restore from backup is the next step. If that is not successful, then a restore as a new device. If none of those work, then I would say it is a hardware problem and you will need to make an appointment at the Genius Bar at Apple or with the Authorized Apple Service Provider depending on where you live.
The reset worked, thank you
Glad you got it going.
HI
I read on one of the forums if you press the volume button once and then swipe the phone, you can answer your call.
What happens when you do a reset? what do you lose? what to you have to reset ? Are your contacts saved and all your apps?
Thanks
A reset is nothing more than a reboot of the device. It has no affect on your data. Hold the sleep/wake and home buttons together until you see the Apple logo and then release. The phone will reboot.
Pressing the volume button will only silence the ringer. If you are having an issue with the swipe to answer the call to show up, I've not heard of this workaround. The reset generally will fix small errors such as this with the reboot.
Hi ChrisJ. I just had the same problem and the reset worked for me as well. Thank you! Your gift keeps giving. 🙂
I can confirm that my issue with an iPhone 5c not being able to slide to answer calls was with the flip cover as was reported in another thread. Removing the flip cover completely solved the issue. Its was one of these fake leather covers with some soft felt like material on the inside. Maybe too much static from the synthetic materials?
I can't swipe my iPhone 5 to answer a call or use my phone
