If you’re wondering how do you close an app on Apple Watch, the process is straightforward. To close an app on Apple Watch, you simply use the side button to access the app switcher. This quick guide will show you the exact steps, explain why you might want to close apps, and cover some related tips to keep your watch running smoothly.
How Do You Close An App On Apple Watch
The primary method for closing apps uses the app switcher view. This is similar to how you might close apps on an iPhone. Follow these steps to do it correctly.
Step By Step Instructions For Closing Apps
Here is the detailed process for force quitting applications on your Apple Watch.
- Press the side button (the one below the Digital Crown) on your Apple Watch. Do not hold it down, just a single press.
- You will see the app switcher screen. This shows preview cards for your recently used apps in a cascading view.
- Swip left or right with your finger to navigate through the open apps until you find the one you want to close.
- Once the app card is centered, swipe it upward firmly. Flick it up and off the top of the screen.
- The app card will disappear, indicating the app has been closed.
- You can repeat this for any other apps you wish to close.
- To exit the app switcher, press the Digital Crown or tap on an app preview to open it.
Remember, a single press of the side button is key. Holding it down will activate the power off or SOS screen instead, which is a common mistake.
Why You Might Need To Close Apps
While Apple designs watchOS to manage memory efficiently, there are valid reasons to manually close an app. Here are the most common scenarios.
- An App Is Frozen or Unresponsive: If an app stops reacting to taps or is stuck on a screen, force closing it is the first troubleshooting step.
- To Conserve Battery Life: A misbehaving app running in the background can sometimes use more power than usual. Closing it may help.
- To Free Up Memory: Before starting a resource-intensive task like a long workout, closing other apps can ensure the best performance.
- To Restart an App’s Session: Some apps, like music streaming or maps, may need a fresh start if they aren’t functioning correctly.
- Personal Preference: Some users simply prefer to keep their app switcher clean and organized.
Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
Many users encounter a few hiccups when first learning this process. Let’s clarify these points.
Pressing The Side Button Too Long
As mentioned, a long press activates SOS or the power menu. Aim for a firm, quick click. If you see the sliders for power off, you’ve held it to long.
Swiping The App Card Incorrectly
You must swipe the individual app card upward, not the entire screen. Make sure the specific app preview is highlighted in the center before you swipe.
Confusing The Digital Crown And Side Button
The Digital Crown is for returning to the watch face or scrolling. The flat side button is for the app switcher and friends list. Mixing these up is easy to do at first.
Alternative Methods And Related Actions
Closing an app via the switcher is the main method, but there are other related actions you should know about.
Returning To The Watch Face Without Closing The App
If you just want to leave an app but keep it running in the background, simply press the Digital Crown once. This returns you to your watch face. The app remains open in the app switcher for quick returning.
Using The Friends List Feature
A double-press of the side button used to bring up the Friends list. In newer versions of watchOS, this feature has been replaced. A double-press now opens Apple Pay or your most recent app, depending on your settings.
Restarting Your Apple Watch
If multiple apps are frozen or the watch is sluggish, a full restart can help. Hold down the side button until you see the power off slider. Drag that slider, then wait 30 seconds before holding the side button again to turn it back on.
Force Restarting A Frozen Watch
If your watch is completely unresponsive and you can’t access the app switcher, you may need a force restart. Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo appear.
Managing Background App Refresh
To further control how apps behave, you can manage Background App Refresh settings. This determines how often apps update their content when not in active use.
How To Adjust Background App Refresh Settings
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap on ‘General’.
- Select ‘Background App Refresh’.
- You can toggle the feature off entirely, or select it to manage permissions for individual apps.
- Turning this off for non-essential apps can help preserve battery life.
It’s worth noting that adjusting these settings is different from force closing an app, but it contributes to overall app management.
Troubleshooting Specific App Issues
Sometimes, closing an app is part of a larger fix. Here’s how to handle persistent problems.
What To Do If An App Keeps Crashing
- Force close the app using the app switcher method.
- Check for updates. On your paired iPhone, open the Watch app, go to the App Store tab, and see if updates are available.
- Reinstall the app. Delete it from your Apple Watch (via the Watch app on iPhone), then install it again from the App Store.
When To Update WatchOS
General system instability can sometimes cause apps to misbehave. Ensure your Apple Watch is running the latest version of watchOS. You check for updates in the Watch app on your iPhone under General > Software Update.
FAQ Section
How Do I Quit Apps On Apple Watch Series 8?
The method is the same for all Apple Watch models from Series 4 onward. Press the side button once to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the app card you wish to close. The Apple Watch Series 8 uses the same watchOS as other recent models.
Is It Bad To Close Apps On Apple Watch?
Not necessarily. Apple states that watchOS is efficient at managing apps, so you don’t need to regularly close them for battery or performance. However, closing an app that is frozen or misbehaving is a recommended troubleshooting step and is not harmful.
How Do You Force Close An App On Apple Watch SE?
The process for force closing on the Apple Watch SE is identical to other models. Use the side button for the app switcher and swipe the app away. The SE shares the same fundamental hardware button layout and operating system.
Why Won’t My Apple Watch Close Apps?
If swiping up isn’t working, ensure you are swiping the individual app preview card, not the background. Also, confirm you are pressing the side button (not the Crown) briefly. If the issue persists, a restart of the watch may resolve a temporary software glitch.
What’s The Difference Between Closing And Uninstalling An App?
Closing an app simply stops it from running in the background; it remains on your watch. Uninstalling removes the app completely from your Apple Watch. You uninstall apps by pressing and holding their icon on the home screen until they jiggle, then tapping the delete button.
Final Tips And Best Practices
To keep your Apple Watch experience smooth, keep these final pointers in mind.
- You don’t need to close apps daily. Let watchOS handle memory management for the most part.
- Use the app closing method primarily for troubleshooting unresponsive apps.
- Regularly updating your watchOS and individual apps can prevent many common issues.
- If battery life seems poor, check Background App Refresh settings before assuming closing apps will solve it.
- Familiarize yourself with the difference between a single press and a long press of the side button to avoid confusion.
Now you know exactly how do you close an app on Apple Watch and when you should do it. The process is quick and simple once you get the hang of using the side button and the app switcher. With this knowledge, you can manage your watch’s apps effectively and keep everything running as it should.