iOS 18.3 removes classic 'Swipe up to unlock' text from lock screen

Apple’s latest iOS 18.3 update seems to have quietly removed the familiar “Swipe up to unlock” text from the lock screen, ending a multiple-year run for the prompt. I noticed a Reddit post about this change from three days ago and another more recent one posted just hours ago.

The “Swipe up to unlock” message debuted in 2017 with the iPhone X and iOS 11, replacing the previous “Press home to unlock” text after Apple removed the physical home button. For years, the subtle cue helped users navigate the new gesture-based system. Now, it appears Apple believes the swipe gesture is intuitive enough to stand alone, unless, this is just an unintended bug.

Apart from multiple confirmations about the text’s removal, I also noticed it is missing on my iPhone 16 on iOS 18.3. Apple hasn’t made any comments about the removal officially nor is it part of any changelog.

What’s interesting is that I spotted a thread on Apple’s community forums about this text missing after the iOS 17.4 update. However, Apple may have brought the text back sometime in between since a few users on iOS 18.2 confirm that they can still see the text.

While longtime iPhone users might feel a twinge of nostalgia, the deletion likely won’t disrupt functionality. Most modern iPhones now unlock automatically via Face ID, making the swipe gesture secondary.

Early reactions online are mixed. Some applaud the cleaner look, while others mourn the loss of a small but familiar detail. “They said we’ve been here long enough now!” joked a Reddit user. For better or worse, the move highlights Apple’s confidence in its gesture-driven navigation — no instructions needed.

That said, there’s always a possibility that this is a simple error and Apple might bring the text back with future updates, just like it did the last time around. We’ll just have to wait and see if it’s gone for good or not.

Featured image credits: TechYorker