With iOS 11, Apple has inexplicably removed the tremendously useful app-switching gesture on iPhones with 3D Touch. Fortunately, this was just a temporary removal as the company has now confirmed bringing this feature back with a future update to iOS 11.
The Cupertino company previously acknowledged that this app-switching gesture was intentionally removed from iOS 11, but now Apple’s software engineering chief, replying to an email from MacRumors reader Adam Zahn, has confirmed that they’ll be bringing it back in an upcoming iOS 11.x update.
Question from Adam Zahn:
Could we at least make the 3D Touch app switch gesture an option in iOS 11 so that I could retain the ability to switch apps that way instead of having to double tap the home button?
Response from Craig Federighi:
Hi Adam,We regretfully had to temporarily drop support for this gesture due to a technical constraint. We will be bringing it back in an upcoming iOS 11.x update.Thanks (and sorry for the inconvenience)!– Craig
In case you’re not familiar with it, and have an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 9 or 10 lying around somewhere, you can press firmly on the left side of the screen, then drag right to the middle of the screen and release to get to the app switcher.
You can also press the left edge of the screen lightly then drag all the way to the right side of the screen in one seamless motion to switch between two apps, allowing you to quickly switch back to the last app in one swipe.