As a long-time iPhone user, I've found Reachability invaluable on larger screens—until it starts triggering accidentally during app switches. You're not alone if this frustrates you. Here's how to turn it off, plus tweaks for other common irritants.
If Reachability pulls down your screen uninvited or your hands make it redundant, disable it easily. I'll also cover other gestures and features that can be customized for better usability.
Reachability lives in Accessibility settings. On iOS 13 and later, the path changed slightly from earlier versions (Settings > General > Accessibility). Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings and tap Accessibility.
Step 2: Under Physical and Motor, tap Touch.
Step 3: Toggle off Reachability.
Done! Now switch apps freely without the screen dropping. To re-enable, revisit Settings > Accessibility > Touch and toggle it on.
iOS packs helpful gestures, but some grate over time. Here are my top fixes based on years of daily use—not exhaustive, but game-changers.
With 3D Touch gone, Haptic Touch rules—but it can activate too fast on long-presses. Slow it down: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Haptic Touch. Choose Slow. Test it right there on the screen's image.
This pops up too easily if you're not using it. Disable: Settings > Accessibility > Touch, toggle off Shake to Undo. Pro tip: Swipe left with three fingers to undo typing instead.
Parallax and app transitions look slick at first but feel dizzying later. Reduce them: Settings > Accessibility > Motion, enable Reduce Motion. Also toggle Reduce Transparent Effects for cleaner swipes.
Quick access is great, but from the lock screen? It risks accidental opens and security slips. Block it: Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID), under Allow Access When Locked, disable Control Center. For apps only: Settings > Control Center, toggle off Access Within Apps.
Taptic Engine vibes add polish, like in date pickers, but they interrupt tasks like setting reminders. Silence them: Settings > Sounds & Haptics, toggle off System Haptics.
On Face ID iPhones, the bottom-edge swipe feels finicky compared to Touch ID models—Apple's challenge with no home button. Luckily, disabling is straightforward. Does your iPhone delete apps accidentally? Check our guide to prevent it.
