How to Fix Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Gesture Navigation Not Working

Gesture navigation makes your Galaxy S25 Ultra feel smooth and modern. It lets you move between apps, go back, and return to the Home screen using simple swipes instead of buttons. But if the gestures stop working, it can make your phone frustrating to use.

This problem often appears after a software update, a third-party launcher change, or when certain accessibility features interfere with system gestures. Here’s how to fix it quickly.

Why Gesture Navigation Might Not Be Working on Your Galaxy S25 Ultra

• Navigation type is set to buttons instead of gestures.
• A third-party launcher is not compatible with One UI gestures.
• Accessibility or Screen Protector interference.
• System glitches after updates or customization.
• Motion and gesture settings turned off accidentally.

Switch Back to Gesture Navigation.

Your phone might have reverted to button navigation after a recent update. Turning gesture navigation back on usually solves the problem right away.

1. Open Settings, and then tap Display.
2. Tap Navigation bar, and then select Swipe gestures.

After switching, swipe up from the bottom to test if gestures are working properly.

Restart Your Galaxy S25 Ultra.

A quick restart can clear temporary system glitches that affect navigation. It refreshes One UI without deleting anything.

Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Quick Settings panel. Tap the Power icon, then choose Restart. Wait for your phone to reboot and check if gestures respond again.

Check for Conflicts with Third-Party Launchers.

If you’re using a custom launcher like Nova or Smart Launcher, gesture navigation might not function correctly. Switching back to Samsung’s default launcher can help isolate the issue.

1. Open Settings, and then tap Apps.
2. Tap Choose default apps, and then select Home app. Choose One UI Home.

Once set, test gesture navigation again.

Disable Accessibility Features That May Interfere.

Some accessibility settings can override gesture input. Turning them off temporarily can restore proper gesture response.

1. Open Settings, and then tap Accessibility.
2. Tap Installed apps or Interaction and dexterity, and then disable features like Assistant menu or Universal switch.

After that, try swiping up and sideways to confirm gestures are working.

Check Screen Protector or Case Interference.

Thick or misaligned screen protectors can block touch sensitivity, especially near the screen edges where gestures begin. Removing or adjusting them can fix unresponsive swipes.

You can also increase touch sensitivity by doing the following:

1. Open Settings, and then tap Display.
2. Scroll down and toggle on Touch sensitivity.

Update Your Device Software.

System updates often include gesture improvements and bug fixes. Keeping your phone updated ensures better touch response and gesture stability.

1. Open Settings, and then tap Software update.
2. Tap Download and install, and then follow the on-screen instructions if an update is available.

After installing, restart your phone before testing gestures again.

Reset All Settings.

If gestures still don’t work, resetting all settings will restore system configurations to their default state without deleting personal files.

1. Open Settings, and then tap General management.
2. Tap Reset, and then tap Reset all settings. Confirm your choice to proceed.

Once completed, your gesture navigation should work normally again.

Gesture navigation is one of the best ways to experience the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s large display. With these fixes, you can swipe, multitask, and navigate fluidly once more.

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