Gesture navigation on the OnePlus 15 is designed to make moving around your phone fast and fluid. When it stops working, simple actions like going home or switching apps suddenly feel frustrating. This issue is usually caused by settings conflicts, temporary system glitches, or app-related interference, and most of the time it can be fixed in just a few minutes.
Why Gesture Navigation Is Not Working on Your OnePlus 15
- Gesture navigation is turned off or replaced by button navigation.
- A system bug appeared after a recent software update.
- A third-party launcher is interfering with system gestures.
- Certain apps are blocking gestures with overlay permissions.
- The system UI needs a quick refresh.
1. Make Sure Gesture Navigation Is Enabled
Gesture navigation must be enabled manually, and it can switch back to buttons after updates or resets. If it is disabled, swipe gestures will not respond at all.
Open Settings, and then tap Home screen and Lock screen.
Tap Navigation mode, and then select Gestures.
Exit Settings and test the gestures on the home screen.
2. Restart Your OnePlus 15
A restart refreshes system processes that control gesture recognition. This is one of the simplest ways to fix gestures that suddenly stop responding.
Open Settings, and then tap System settings.
Tap Power menu, and then select Restart.
Wait for the phone to reboot and try using gestures again.
3. Disable Third Party Launchers
Custom launchers often interfere with system gestures, especially swipe up and swipe back actions. Switching back to the default launcher helps confirm whether the launcher is the cause.
Open Settings, and then tap Apps.
Tap Default apps, and then select Home app.
Choose OnePlus Launcher and test gesture navigation again.
4. Check App Overlay Permissions
Some apps draw over the screen and can block swipe gestures near the edges. This is common with screen recorders, chat bubbles, and accessibility tools.
Open Settings, and then tap Privacy.
Tap Special app access, and then choose Display over other apps.
Disable the permission for suspicious apps and test gestures again.
5. Clear System UI Cache
System UI controls navigation gestures. Clearing its cache can fix corrupted temporary files without affecting your data.
Open Settings, and then tap Apps.
Tap App management, then find and tap System UI.
Tap Storage, and then select Clear cache.
6. Update Your Phone Software
Software updates often fix gesture-related bugs and performance issues. Running an outdated version can cause navigation features to malfunction.
Open Settings, and then tap About device.
Tap Software update, and then install any available update.
Restart your phone after the update completes.
Gesture navigation on the OnePlus 15 usually fails because of small configuration issues rather than serious problems. Once the correct navigation mode is enabled and conflicting apps are removed, gestures should work smoothly again.
FAQs
Why do gestures work sometimes but fail in certain apps?
Some apps use immersive or full screen modes that temporarily block gestures. Updating the app or closing and reopening it often restores normal behavior.
Does using a screen protector affect gesture navigation?
In rare cases, thick or poorly fitted screen protectors can interfere with edge swipes. Enabling increased touch sensitivity may help.
Should I reset my phone if gestures still do not work?
A full reset is rarely needed. If all fixes fail, backing up your data and contacting OnePlus support is a safer next step.
