watchOS 27 Developer Beta: App Switcher no longer accessible via double-press of Digital Crown

Question

Created 2w

Replies 2

Boosts 7

Participants 4

Hello,

I updated my Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular, 44 mm) to watchOS 27 Developer Beta (Build 24R5289n) and noticed what appears to be a change in the Digital Crown behavior.

After the update:

• A single press of the Digital Crown now shows fewer applications, which seems consistent with the changes announced for watchOS 27.

• However, a double press of the Digital Crown no longer opens the App Switcher as it did previously.

• As a result, I can no longer access the interface that allowed users to view recent apps and force-close applications by swiping them away.

Before updating, double-pressing the Digital Crown opened the App Switcher and provided a way to close running apps. That functionality now appears to be missing.

I would like to know whether:

This is an intentional design change in watchOS 27.
This is a known issue in the current Developer Beta.
There is a new gesture or workflow for accessing recent apps and force-closing applications.

Device:

Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular)
44 mm Aluminum
Model: MEPJ4LW/A

Software:

watchOS 27.0 Developer Beta
Build: 24R5289n

The behavior is reproducible after restarting the watch.

Thanks.

Answer 1

RobTabor OP

2w

What is the new gesture or work flow to close apps?

Answer 2

PauGRichardson OP

10h

Here’s what I found online and it seems to work. On your watch go to the app you want to close and hold the button below the crown until you get the the power off/sos/siren screen. Once that screen appears press and hold the crown button until the window clears back to the dynamic grid. This seems to work.