Apple Is Bringing Back an Apple Watch Feature That Was Removed With the Release of WatchOS 27.
Software updates typically add new features rather than remove them. So, after installing watchOS 27 on your compatible Apple Watch , you probably won’t be surprised by updates like Siri AI or a pedometer on the watch face . But you might be surprised by what’s missing—the multitasking feature your Apple Watch has had for years.
watchOS 27 removed the app switcher on Apple Watch.
As 9to5Mac reports , Apple quietly removed the app switcher from the Apple Watch in watchOS 27. As a result, users who tested the beta in the summer or updated their device in September were likely confused by the double-tap gesture on the digital crown: in watchOS 26 and earlier, this gesture brought up a menu with all open apps, similar to the app switcher on the iPhone. This allowed users to quickly return to a previously used app without having to delve into the “cellular” main app menu.
In watchOS 27, things have changed. Not only is the app switcher gone, but so is the honeycomb-style app drawer. In its place, Apple is pushing a new “dynamic app grid.” A single press of the Digital Crown reveals a new menu displaying apps Siri thinks you’re most likely to use. These include both recently used apps and apps you frequently use, even if you haven’t used them in a while.
This could be useful. The cellular menu certainly makes it difficult to find apps, especially if you have a lot of them on your watch. But completely replacing the app switcher doesn’t make much sense: there’s no guarantee that Siri will display the recently used app you want to use in the new menu, so you might still have to search for it manually. With the app switcher, you could quickly return to any app, provided you’ve recently opened it.
This isn’t the only feature Apple removed from watchOS 27 —the company also discontinued the Walkie-Talkie feature in this update . But it looks like it won’t be gone for long.
The watchOS app switcher is back
It looks like Apple is changing its mind (or coming to its senses): 9to5Mac recently discovered that the app switcher has returned in the watchOS 27.2 beta . Apple didn’t mention this feature in any of the changelogs, so it’s unclear why the company reverted the change, but it’s a welcome return—though there’s no guarantee it’ll make it into the official watchOS 27.2 build. If you were hoping for similar news about the Walkie-Talkie feature, unfortunately, that feature has been officially discontinued, so don’t expect to see it in future updates.
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By the way, the only way to try watchOS 27.2 right now is to install the watchOS beta on your Apple Watch. This is a risky undertaking, as if you encounter any issues, you won’t be able to revert to watchOS 27. However, if you really miss the app switcher, you can get it back by enrolling your watch in Apple’s beta testing program .