Swipe Keyboard Not Working on iPhone: How to Fix?

Is swipe typing not working on iPhone? This guide provides a few troubleshooting tips to help you fix this issue. Swipe typing is a useful feature on iOS that allows you to swipe your fingers between alphabets on the on-screen keyboard.

Swiping between alphabets forms words and sentences. It is a faster way of constructing text than traditional typing. Sometimes, if swipe typing is disabled, you cannot use it.

Third-party keyboard apps may cause some problems in running the default keyboard app. Often, certain languages on a keyboard do not support swipe typing. Commonly, it has been observed that bugs on iOS build can also affect the ability to work with the swipe typing feature on an iPhone.

Best Ways to Fix Swipe Keyboard Not Working on iPhone

Here are the various troubleshooting methods you should try to make swipe typing functional on your iPhone.

1. Update the iOS

Always keep your iPhone updated with the latest iOS version rolled out by Apple. To look for a new software update,

1. Go to the Settings app > tap on General > tap on Software Update.
2. If an update is available, tap on the option Download and Install. It will start downloading the update.
   
3. Follow the instructions to finish installing the iOS update.

2. Enable Swipe Typing on iPhone

You must follow the steps below to check whether swipe typing has been enabled on your iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General > Keyboard.
3. Under that navigate to Slide to Type and enable it by tapping the switch.
   

Once the feature is active, you can swipe on the keyboard to create your text on the iPhone.

3. Use the Default Apple Keyboard 

Always use the default Apple keyboard for a smooth typing experience. If you have enabled swipe type, then ensure that you use the default keyboard app.

1. When the keyboard pops up, tap the globe icon to switch between keyboards and change to the default Apple keyboard.
   

4. Use a Keyboard Language that Supports Swipe Typing

Not all languages on a keyboard support the swipe typing feature on iOS. Check on Apple’s official website if the language you are trying to use swipe typing supports the feature.

The only solution is to use a language that supports swipe typing. For instance, with the English language, you can use swipe typing quite efficiently. To set a language that supports swipe typing,

1.  Launch the Settings app on the iPhone.
2. Tap on General > Keyboard > Keyboards.
   
3. Tap the option Add New Keyboard.
   
4. Select any language supported by QuickPath.

5. Do a Hard Reboot on your iPhone

A hard reboot or force restart is an effective method to fix technical issues on an iPhone. if you have an iPhone running on iOS 16 follow the steps below to hard reset the unit.

1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
3. Next, long press the side button.
4. When you see the Apple logo, release the side button.

Note: The above steps apply to iPhone X/11/12/13/14/iPhone SE 2nd Gen.

If you have an iPhone 6/7/SE 1st Generation, follow these steps.

iPhone 7

Press and hold the volume down button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

iPhone 6/6S/SE 1st Gen

Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons until you see the Apple logo.

6. Disable Third-Party Keyboards on the iPhone

If you have installed several keyboard apps on your iPhone out of curiosity, then maybe one or more of those apps have bug issues. These issues may interfere with the on-screen keyboard, leading to swipe typing/Quickpath not working as it should.

1. Go to the Settings app and launch it.
2. Navigate to General > Keyboard > Keyboards.
   
3. Tap on Edit at the top-right corner.
4. Besides the third-party keyboard, tap on the red minus icon.
5. Tap on Delete.
   

7. Factory Reset the iPhone

When you cannot enable the swipe type on your iPhone even after trying all the above fixes, go back to resettling the iPhone. Here are the steps to factory reset your iPhone.

1. Go to the Settings app > tap on General.
2. Navigate to Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap on it.
   
3. After that, tap on Reset > select the option Reset All Settings.
   
4. Enter the passcode when asked to confirm and proceed with the factory reset.

8. Take Help from Apple Support

You can also contact Apple Support or consider walking into your nearest authorized Apple service center. These centers have in-house technicians who can fix all types of problems with your iPhone.

Wrapping Up

I hope this guide was informative. You can now use swipe typing on your iPhone for a better typing experience.