In iOS 26.1, Apple has introcued a welcome change for anyone who's ever accidentally launched the Camera app while pulling their iPhone out of their pocket or bag. For the first time, you can now disable the Lock Screen's swipe-to-open-camera gesture.
The Lock Screen camera gesture has been a staple iPhone feature for years, allowing you to quickly swipe left to capture spontaneous moments. But its convenience has always come with a downside – it's all too easy to trigger the Camera app unintentionally, potentially draining your battery or filling your Photos library with accidental shots of the inside of your pocket.
With iOS 26.1, Apple has added a simple toggle that gives you control over this gesture. Here's how to turn it off.
Disabling the Lock Screen Camera Gesture
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Camera.
- Scroll down and toggle off the switch next to Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera.
That's all there is to it. The Camera app will no longer launch when you swipe left on the Lock Screen. Note that you can still access the Camera app from the Lock Screen through the Control Center or via the app icon itself. If you have an iPhone 16 or newer, you can also use the Camera Control button.
To restore the swipe gesture, simply toggle the associated switch back on in Settings ➝ Camera. Apple released iOS 26.1 on November 3, 2025.
