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Original poster

Is there a way to turn off swiping between threads?

51 replies

applegrumbling · 02/04/2025 07:56

I use MN on the Safari browser on my iPhone. I never swipe between threads on purpose, as it’s not how I like to browse. However I regularly swipe between threads by accident, both while trying to write posts and while scrolling up and down. I don’t have this problem on any other site and I don’t think it’s realistic to somehow relearn how to scroll in a web browser. Can I turn off the function where swiping changes the thread? If this isn’t possible now could you consider making it an option? Would be interested to know if anyone actually uses it on purpose, as I can’t imagine people want to swipe through to random threads like that!

OP posts:
SerenaSemolena · 05/04/2025 17:23

I really dislike it. After it's happened a couple of times and I have to search for the thread I did actually want to read, I usually give up and leave the website.

There's been loads of complaints about this from when it first was introduced.

EmpressaurusKitty · 05/04/2025 17:30

FortyElephants · 05/04/2025 17:17

This. Copy and paste has gone really weird since the update. Instead of being easy to highlight the text you want to copy, if you try to expand the copy section it flips you to the next random thread. I have no idea why!

Show quote history

Me too.

Stoneyard · 05/04/2025 17:38

I hate it too! It stops me posting on threads.

PinkArt · 05/04/2025 18:09

Still happening, still hate it. I seem to get it most when writing a reply. When I go back to the thread I actually wanted to be on the quote has unattached itself from my reply.
I don't understand what 'benefit' it's meant to be bringing.

CallIpswichNow · 05/04/2025 18:13

I also dislike it and actually thought it was a bug rather than a feature.

EmeraldRoulette · 06/04/2025 20:15

@HebeMumsnet hi

I actually came on to site stuff to ask about this and I see there's already a thread

It is incredibly annoying and you can't copy and paste anything because it automatically swipes you to the next thread.

Do you mean that some people have been enrolled on a trial for this as well? Please could I be removed from this trial too? Thank you.

DrinkReprehensibly · 09/04/2025 07:22

Surely the best way to test whether people like this feature is to give people the option to turn it off and then you can see how many people keep the option switched on. This is how you handled the expanded view of some forums with previews of the first post. Those who hated it could switch it off.

EmpressaurusKitty · 09/04/2025 08:49

DrinkReprehensibly · 09/04/2025 07:22

Surely the best way to test whether people like this feature is to give people the option to turn it off and then you can see how many people keep the option switched on. This is how you handled the expanded view of some forums with previews of the first post. Those who hated it could switch it off.

That’s a brilliant idea.

Doggymummar · 09/04/2025 08:51

I'm left handed and it's a shit show to be honest. I hate it.

MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 09/04/2025 09:55

Morning, everyone.

@EmeraldRoulette We're afraid it's not possible with this one to move individuals out, unfortunately, but we do want to hear everyone's feedback so we can get this to work better.

For those of you who are being 'swiped' when you're trying to cut and paste. Think that's @EmeraldRoulette , @TwoLoonsAndASprout , @FortyElephants , @EmpressaurusKitty and @TheSassyAmberNewt could you please share the following info:

  • device, model and browser you are using mumsnet on when the copy/paste issue happens
  • a screen recording if possible
We've been trying unsuccessfully to recreate the problem so that info would really help. Thank you.
Pillarsofsalt · 09/04/2025 09:58

Glad someone posted about the accidental swiping. It’s a pain in the arse and I also vote you get rid of it please.

Helleofabore · 09/04/2025 10:27

HebeMumsnet · 09/04/2025 09:55

Morning, everyone.

@EmeraldRoulette We're afraid it's not possible with this one to move individuals out, unfortunately, but we do want to hear everyone's feedback so we can get this to work better.

For those of you who are being 'swiped' when you're trying to cut and paste. Think that's @EmeraldRoulette , @TwoLoonsAndASprout , @FortyElephants , @EmpressaurusKitty and @TheSassyAmberNewt could you please share the following info:

  • device, model and browser you are using mumsnet on when the copy/paste issue happens
  • a screen recording if possible
We've been trying unsuccessfully to recreate the problem so that info would really help. Thank you.

Hello HebeMumsnet

Iphone, safari on iOS 18.3.2.

It is hugely annoying. Thank you for investigating it. I would love it to be turned off too.

I can only copy and paste if I tap on the screen to highlight a word and then scroll downwards. I have to scroll beyond where I want the copy and paste to finish if it has to be reached by moving my finger across the screen. I paste and then I backspace to where I want the paste to finish. If I move either side of the downwards motion it assumes I am swiping and changes pages.

EmpressaurusKitty · 09/04/2025 10:52

iPhone 13 mini on Chrome, and what Hellebore said.

It would be really difficult to get a screen recording on this, I think. Couldn’t you simply write this feature off?

I find it equally annoying on news sites where I’m suddenly on a new page.

PinkArt · 15/04/2025 23:46

It's still doing it. It's still fucking annoying. Turn it off!!!

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 18/04/2025 14:52

PinkArt · 05/04/2025 18:09

Still happening, still hate it. I seem to get it most when writing a reply. When I go back to the thread I actually wanted to be on the quote has unattached itself from my reply.
I don't understand what 'benefit' it's meant to be bringing.

OMG I thought it was just me /my phone! I'm having exactly the same issue and it's driving me bonkers! I suddenly thought to check on Site Stuff... Please get rid of this feature - it's infuriating.

Fgs - it's just happened twice while I was trying to post this reply. Had to find and re-attach the quoted post twice!

NoWordForFluffy · 18/04/2025 22:23

MsSpratt · 02/04/2025 14:50

I also hate it and would like to see it removed. I’m constantly accidentally swiping and not able to get back to the thread I was on.

Same here. I detest it, and getting back to where you were can be challenging!

It's also gone super-sensitive recently, so I'm constantly being navigated away from what I'm reading without even trying!

Chemenger · 19/04/2025 07:18

It’s a pain in the neck. It’s not a feature I would ever use. I also have the problem with cutting and pasting (iPhone and Safari).

SocialEvent · 19/04/2025 07:45

It’s very annoying but sorry to be cynical but I have come to learn that MNHQ don’t seem receptive to acting on feedback about their new innovations even when it’s unanimously negatively received and when people have taken the trouble to post that on Site Stuff and even it’s annoying or upsetting people.

Like the ‘laugh’ emoji that some posters are using in a mean way to punch down on posters who are posting on vulnerable issues.

CanYouTurnItDown · 19/04/2025 07:58

Is that what it is? It’s so annoying! Every time I try and highlight text on a post I end up swiping to a different thread. I usually give up in the end.

Mypoorbody · 19/04/2025 08:12

A very annoying feature. Not sure how it makes you ad revenue. I can see it happening and go back as fast as possible so not on long enough to process an ad.

As PP says have an option and see how popular it is. Can it be turned off in Premium or does it not happen?

Gundogday · 19/04/2025 08:14

I find it annoying as well. I try to ‘copy and paste’ something and end up on a different thread completely. (I don’t want to always requote the whole post if it’s long and/or I want to highlight just one or two sentences).

SocialEvent · 20/04/2025 07:15

The sudden moving me out to the contents list of a thread if I try to select previously posted text to copy is very annoying too. iPhone, Chrome, using website not app.
I have to go back to the contents list and select the thread I wanted again. Can’t even just swipe to move back a page. Website feels glitchy at the moment.
There’s also a Jet2 ad covering up the navigation bar at the foot of the screen completely apart from a sliver of Active to click on.

RollerSkateLikePeggy · 12/05/2025 17:55

I hate it too, and I'd like to raise it as an accessibility issue. My eyesight isn't great and I often zoom my screen by "pinching out". As soon as I try that it move to the next thread - and, almost worse, it doesn't have the ability to go "back" so you completely lose the thread you were on. I'm using Chrome browser on a Moto Edge phone.

PinkArt · 15/05/2025 15:03

FUCKING TURN IT OFF!!!!! 🤬
Amongst all the bugs on MN that aren't actually bugs but deliberate features, this is the most annoying.

Helleofabore · 17/05/2025 12:34

Oh dear god, I used to just highlight downwards to highlight something, then copy and then paste and back space to remove excess because highlighting down means you have no accuracy. But I have no discovered there is a downwards swipe function too !! The little arrow thing displays and my page disappears.

Please turn this function off MNHQ!! Please!