Bartley joined Swansea City on 16 August 2012 for a fee believed to be in the region of £1 million. He signed a three-year contract. He made his debut in the second round of the League Cup on 28 August against Barnsley. Swansea won the game 3–1. After an injury to Chico Flores Bartley was considered to replace him for the 2013 Football League Cup Final, however ultimately he was left out of the squad.