With the iPhone 17 series, Apple has completely moved away from the physical Home button. Everything you do now — from unlocking your phone to switching apps — relies on gestures. At first, it might feel tricky, but once you get the hang of it, gestures make the iPhone experience smooth and natural.
I’ve been using the iPhone 17 Pro Max Deep Blue since launch, and here’s a breakdown of all the basic to advanced gestures you’ll need to master.
Why Gestures Matter on iPhone 17 Series
- No Home button means gestures replace all physical navigation.
- They make multitasking faster and more fluid.
- They’re consistent across iPhone 17, 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air.
Basic Gestures Everyone Should Know
1. Go Home
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Replaces the Home button.
2. App Switcher / Multitasking
- Swipe up and hold at the middle of the screen.
- See all open apps, swipe left or right to navigate, swipe up to close.
3. Quick App Switch
- Swipe left or right along the bottom edge to jump between apps instantly.
4. Control Center
- Swipe down from the top-right corner (near the battery icon).
- Manage Wi-Fi, brightness, AirDrop, etc.
5. Notifications
- Swipe down from the top-left corner (near time/date).
- View recent alerts, messages, and calls.
Intermediate Gestures for Daily Use
6. Spotlight Search
- Swipe down on the Home Screen.
- Search for apps, contacts, emails, or even the web.
7. Reachability (One-Hand Mode)
- Swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen.
- Brings the top of the screen lower so you can reach it with one hand.
8. Screenshot
- Press the Side Button + Volume Up.
- Edit instantly with markup tools.
Advanced Gestures to Master
9. App Switch with Fluid Gestures
- While watching a video or browsing Safari, swipe left/right at the bottom without pausing what you’re doing.
10. Accessibility Shortcuts
- Triple-press the Side button to access accessibility tools like Magnifier, VoiceOver, or AssistiveTouch.
11. Quick Access to Widgets
- From Lock Screen, long-press and swipe left/right to customize and navigate widgets instantly.
Watch the Tutorial in Action
💡 Want to see these gestures live? Watch my full tutorial here:
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 17 series is all about gesture-based navigation. Once you get used to it, you’ll never miss the Home button. Start with the basics, add in a few advanced tricks, and soon enough, your iPhone 17 Pro Max, 17, or Air will feel like second nature.
And remember — if any gesture feels confusing, check out the tutorial video above to see it in action.
