If you’ve ever answered calls on autopilot, you know the feeling: your thumb does “the thing,” your brain stays on
standby, and life continues. So when Google’s Phone app changes that “thing,” it can feel like someone moved your
kitchen light switch two inches to the left. Sure, you’ll adapt… after you fumble through three missed calls and one
accidental decline that haunts you at 2 a.m.
This guide explains what changed, why it changed, and what you can realistically do to get back the classic
vertical swipe-to-answer (the old “swipe up to answer, swipe down to decline” motion). We’ll cover
the official settings, smart workarounds, and the “okay, fine, I’ll roll back the update” optionplus real-world
tips so you don’t have to relearn muscle memory during a call from your boss.
What “Vertical Swipe-to-Answer” Means (and What Replaced It)
For years, many Android users (especially on Pixel and devices using Phone by Google) answered calls
using a single on-screen control: swipe up to answer, swipe down to decline.
It was simple, fast, andonce you learned ithard to unlearn.
Recently, Google began rolling out a refreshed call UI tied to a broader redesign. Depending on your device and
rollout group, you may now see one of these newer behaviors:
- Horizontal swipe: drag a slider/button left or right to decline/answer.
- Single tap: big “Answer” and “Decline” buttons you tap.
Here’s the key reality check: in many cases, Google is offering a choice between horizontal swipe and
single tap, but not a toggle to re-enable the older vertical swipe UI once your app is moved to the new
call screen. That means “bringing back vertical swipe” is sometimes less about flipping a setting and more about
choosing the least-annoying alternativeor rolling back the version that introduced the change.
Why Google Changed the Call Answer Gesture (Yes, There’s a Reason)
Gesture changes usually happen for one of three reasons: consistency, accessibility, or error prevention. In this
case, the big motivation appears to be reducing accidental answers/declinesespecially when pulling a phone from a
pocket, bag, or car mount. Vertical swipes can be easier to trigger unintentionally because the motion overlaps with
common scrolling and one-handed reach patterns.
Whether you agree with the change or want to mail your phone a strongly worded letter, understanding the “why” helps
you pick the best fix: you’re either restoring the old behavior (rollback), or you’re choosing the most reliable
method for your daily use (often “single tap”).
Step 1: Confirm You’re Actually Using “Phone by Google”
Before you hunt settings that don’t exist, verify which dialer is handling calls:
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Go to Apps (or Apps & notifications).
- Tap Default apps (wording varies by manufacturer).
- Find Phone app and confirm it’s set to Phone by Google (or “Phone”).
If you’re on Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, etc., you might be using the manufacturer’s dialerwhich may have its own
answer gesture settings (and sometimes still supports vertical swipe-like behavior). If your goal is purely “bring
back vertical swipe,” switching to your OEM dialer can be the simplest solutionno rollbacks, no fuss.
Step 2: Check the Built-In “Incoming Call Gesture” Setting
On many devices, Google has added an Incoming call gesture option inside the Phone app settings. If
you have it, you can usually choose between:
- Horizontal swipe (answer right / decline left), or
- Single tap (big buttons)
How to find it
- Open the Phone app (Phone by Google).
- Tap the menu (three dots or three lines, depending on your version).
- Select Settings.
- Tap Incoming call gesture.
- Pick Single tap or Horizontal swipe.
Pro tip: If your real problem is “I keep botching the gesture,” try Single tap. It
doesn’t restore vertical swipe, but it often restores sanityespecially if you answer calls one-handed, wear gloves,
or deal with shaky situations (commuting, carrying groceries, wrestling a toddler, etc.).
Step 3: If You Want Vertical Swipe Specifically, Understand the Constraint
Here’s the blunt truth (delivered gently, like a customer support agent with a warm cup of tea): once your Phone app
experience is moved to the newer incoming call UI, Google may not provide an official “vertical swipe” option in the
menu. You might only see the new choices (horizontal swipe or single tap).
So to truly “bring back vertical swipe,” you generally need one of the following:
- Use a dialer that still uses vertical swipe (often the OEM phone app).
- Roll back Phone by Google to a version that still uses vertical swiping.
- Avoid beta/server-side rollouts that force the new call UI.
Step 4: Leave the Phone App Beta (If You Joined It)
A lot of UI changes arrive first via beta, then spread wider. If you’re enrolled in a beta program for Phone by
Google, you’re more likely to see experimental call screens early.
To leave beta, go to the app’s listing in the Play Store, look for beta enrollment, and opt out. Then update the app
again after the change takes effect (it may take a bit for Play Store enrollment to update). If the new call UI was
beta-only on your device, this can revert you to the stable behavior without rolling back versions manually.
If the new UI is already on stable for your device, leaving beta won’t change muchbut it can reduce how often you
get surprise UI experiments.
Step 5: Roll Back to the Factory Version (Uninstall Updates)
If you’re determined to restore the old vertical swipe UI and your phone supports it, the most direct method is to
uninstall updates for the Phone app. This typically reverts the app to the version that shipped
with your device (or the base system version).
How to uninstall updates (the common method)
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps (or Apps & notifications).
- Find Phone or Phone by Google.
- Tap the three-dot menu (top right on many devices).
- Select Uninstall updates.
- Restart your phone (recommended).
Important: This may change more than the answer gesture. You could lose newer features, visual
improvements, spam-call handling tweaks, or bug fixes. Also, some devices receive call UI changes via server-side
configuration, so rolling back might not always fully revert the call screen.
Stop the app from immediately updating again
If you roll back and it fixes your issue, you’ll want to prevent an immediate re-update:
- In the Play Store, open the Phone app listing.
- Disable auto-update for that app (menu option varies).
You don’t have to keep auto-updates off foreverbut if your top priority is preserving the old vertical swipe UI,
you’ll need to manage updates intentionally.
Step 6: Advanced OptionInstall an Older Version (Sideloading) Safely
If “Uninstall updates” doesn’t bring back the vertical swipe UI (or the factory version is still too new), the next
step is installing a specific older version of the Phone app. This is advanced because it involves downloading an
APK outside the Play Store.
Security checklist before you do anything:
- Only use highly reputable APK sources and verify the developer signature when possible.
- Turn Play Protect back on afterward if you changed any security settings.
- Understand that older versions may have bugs or missing security fixes.
If you’re not comfortable with this, skip it. A safer path is switching to your OEM dialer or using the official
in-app gesture choices.
Step 7: The Practical “I Just Need to Answer Calls Reliably” Workarounds
Let’s say vertical swipe was perfect for you, but you’d rather not roll back software and turn your phone into a
museum exhibit. These workarounds help you answer calls consistently even if the UI changes again next week:
1) Switch to “Single tap” if it’s available
Single tap is often the fastest path back to “no more missed calls.” It’s simple, high-contrast, and less dependent
on gesture precision.
2) Use hands-free answering (Bluetooth / earbuds / car)
If you’re frequently calling while driving, cooking, or carrying things, hands-free is the ultimate “gesture-proof”
method. Many headsets and car systems let you answer with a button pressno swiping, no tapping, no drama.
3) Use voice options when available
Some Pixel features allow answering or declining calls with voice commands (availability varies by device, language,
and settings). If you often miss calls because your phone is across the room, voice can be a lifesaver.
Troubleshooting: When the Setting Is Missing (or the UI Is Stuck)
You don’t see “Incoming call gesture” at all
- Update the app (or the opposite: roll back). Some features appear only on certain versions.
- It might be server-side: the app updates, but the feature appears later.
- Manufacturer differences: your device brand may override call UI behavior.
Your call screen changed overnight without an update
That can happen with staged rollouts and server-side configuration. If it’s disruptive, your best options are:
switch to Single tap (if available) or uninstall updates to revert.
You’re getting accidental answers in your pocket
Ironically, this is one reason Google changed the UI. If you’re seeing pocket answers:
- Try Horizontal swipe (harder to trigger accidentally).
- Use a lock-screen sensitive-touch setting (where available).
- Check for screen protector/case issues that cause ghost touches.
FAQ: Quick Answers (So You Can Get Back to Life)
Can I officially restore “swipe up to answer” inside Google’s Phone app?
Sometimes you can if your version/device still uses it. But on many newer rollouts, Google only offers “Horizontal
swipe” or “Single tap” in settings, not the older vertical swipe UI.
Will uninstalling updates always bring back vertical swipe?
Not always. It depends on your phone’s factory version and whether the new call UI is enforced server-side. But it’s
the most effective “official-ish” rollback method for many users.
Is sideloading an older APK worth it?
Only if you understand the risks: reduced security, potential instability, and the possibility the app will update
itself again unless you manage updates carefully.
Conclusion: Your Best Path Depends on Your Priority
If your priority is exactly restoring the classic vertical swipe-to-answer, your best bets are
rolling back Phone by Google (uninstall updates) or switching to a dialer that still uses vertical swipes. If your
priority is simply answering calls reliably, “Single tap” is often the best compromise.
The good news: you’re not stuck. The Phone app is evolving, but you still have meaningful controleither through the
new gesture setting, a rollback, or a different dialer experience. And once you fix it, your thumb can finally go
back to doing its job without a weekly performance review.
Real-World Experiences & Tips (About )
Here’s what this change feels like in real lifebecause the call screen is never the only thing happening when the
phone rings. It rings when you’re carrying groceries, when you’re halfway through opening a stubborn jar, when you’re
balancing your phone on your shoulder like a 2007 sitcom character, and especially when you’re trying to look cool
in public (a task the average incoming call is determined to ruin).
One of the most common “vertical swipe nostalgia” moments happens during one-handed use. With the old swipe-up
gesture, you could brace your phone in your palm and flick upward with a small motion. When the interface switches
to a horizontal slider, your thumb suddenly needs more lateral travel. That’s fine at a desk. It’s less fine when
you’re holding a coffee in the other hand and the call is from someone you must not ignore (doctor, daycare, spouse,
or the delivery person who can’t find your building even though it is literally shaped like a building).
Another frequent complaint is “I keep declining calls by accident.” If you have a newer UI with a left/right slider,
the direction matters. Your muscle memorytrained on years of vertical swipingmay send your thumb in the wrong
direction before your brain catches up. For the first few days, it can feel like you’re playing a tiny reflex game
you didn’t install. That’s why “Single tap” is often the friendliest transition: it’s visually obvious, it doesn’t
require a precise swipe length, and it works better if your hands are cold, shaky, or gloved.
Then there’s the pocket problem. Some people loved vertical swipe until they didn’tusually after a pocket-answer
incident. You know the one: your phone somehow answers a call while you’re walking, and now your pocket is in a long,
intimate conversation with your coworker. If that’s ever happened to you, Google’s push toward horizontal swipe (or
big tap targets) suddenly makes more sense. In practice, many users find horizontal swipe harder to trigger
accidentally, especially when the phone is bouncing around in fabric with a screen protector that occasionally
registers ghost touches.
The most practical “experience-based” strategy is to decide what problem you’re actually solving:
muscle memory, accidental touches, or reliability under stress.
If it’s muscle memory, a rollback may be worth itespecially if you answer dozens of calls a day. If it’s accidental
touches, the new UI might actually help. If it’s reliability, single tap wins in most real-world scenarios because
it’s less sensitive to swipe precision, screen moisture, or awkward grip angles.
Finally, don’t underestimate the “I’m busy” solutions: Bluetooth buttons, car controls, and voice features (where
available) are the ultimate bypass. They don’t care whether Google moved the slider, changed the animation, or added
a whimsical blob around the caller photo. They just answer the calllike technology is supposed to.
