Learning how do you close apps on apple watch is a helpful habit for maintaining smooth operation throughout your day. While your watch manages background tasks efficiently, occasionally closing apps can resolve minor glitches and free up system resources. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for every method.
You might want to close an app if it becomes unresponsive, drains battery faster than usual, or simply to start fresh. The process is quick and straightforward once you know the gestures. Let’s look at the primary method first.
How Do You Close Apps On Apple Watch
The standard way to close apps on your Apple Watch involves using the side button and the app switcher view. This method works on all Apple Watch models, from the earliest Series to the latest Ultra. It’s the equivalent of force quitting an application.
Follow these numbered steps to close any app:
- Press the side button (the button below the Digital Crown) on your Apple Watch. Do not hold it down; just a quick press.
- This action opens the app switcher, showing you a vertical list of your recently used apps in a card-like view.
- Swip left or right with your finger on the screen to navigate through the open apps until you find the one you want to close.
- Once the app card is centered on the screen, swipe it all the way up from the bottom edge to the top of the display.
- The app card will disappear, indicating the app has been closed.
You can repeat this process for any other apps you wish to close. To exit the app switcher without closing anything, press the Digital Crown or the side button again. It’s a simple process, but sometimes an app might be frozen.
What To Do If An App Is Frozen
If an app becomes completely unresponsive and you cannot access the app switcher, you may need to force restart the Apple Watch itself. This is a last resort, but it will close all running apps and processes.
To force restart your Apple Watch:
- Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously for at least 10 seconds.
- Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
- Wait for the watch to reboot completely. This can take a minute or two.
After the restart, all apps will be closed. You can then reopen the app that was causing trouble to see if it functions normally. Remember, force restarting should not be done regularly, only when necessary.
Using The Dock To Close Applications
For watchOS versions prior to watchOS 7, the app switcher was accessed through the Dock. If you have an older watchOS version, or if you prefer using the Dock setting, here is the method.
First, ensure your Dock is set to show “Recent Apps” and not “Favorites”:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap on “Dock.”
- Select “Recent Apps.”
Now, to close apps using the Dock:
- Press the side button once to open the Dock.
- Find the app you wish to close in the horizontal list.
- Swipe the app’s preview all the way to the left.
- Tap the red “X” button that appears or swipe the app card up off the screen.
This method is visually different but achieves the same result. Apple changed this with watchOS 7 to the more consistent swipe-up gesture used today.
Why You Might Close Apps On Your Apple Watch
Unlike on a computer, you typically do not need to manually close apps on your Apple Watch for performance or battery life. watchOS is designed to manage background activity effectively. However, there are specific situations where it is beneficial.
To Troubleshoot A Misbehaving App
The most common reason to close an app is troubleshooting. If an app is frozen, not updating information, or crashing, force closing it is the first step.
- Close the app using the app switcher method.
- Wait a few seconds, then reopen the app from the Home Screen.
- This clears the app’s current state from memory and often resolves temporary software issues.
To Restart A Workout Or Timer
Some apps, like the Workout app or third-party timers, may benefit from a fresh start. Closing the app ensures that when you next open it, it begins from its default state.
This can be useful if a workout session seems to have incorrect metrics or if a timer app is stuck. It provides a clean slate for the application.
For Personal Preference And Organization
Some users prefer to keep their app switcher tidy. If you have many apps in the recent list, it can be quicker to swipe through and close the ones you know you won’t use again soon.
It’s a matter of personal workflow. While it doesn’t significantly impact battery, it can make navigating recent apps faster if the list is managable.
Common Misconceptions About Closing Apps
There are several myths surrounding the practice of closing apps on Apple devices. Let’s clarify what closing apps does and does not do for your Apple Watch.
Does Closing Apps Save Battery Life?
Generally, no. In fact, constantly force-closing apps can sometimes lead to slightly worse battery life. This is because when you relaunch an app from a fully closed state, the watch uses more processing power than if it was simply resumed from a suspended state in the background.
watchOS is very efficient at managing which apps are allowed to run background processes. Apps in the app switcher are typically in a paused state, not actively using significant CPU or battery resources.
Does Closing Apps Make The Watch Faster?
Not in a noticeable way for daily use. The Apple Watch has limited RAM, but the operating system automatically handles memory management. It will suspend or close background apps as needed when you open a new one.
Manually closing apps will not make your watch operate faster under normal circumstances. The only performance benefit comes from closing an app that is currently malfunctioning and using excessive resources.
Managing Apps From Your Paired iPhone
You can also manage and uninstall apps directly from your iPhone, which can influence overall performance more than simply closing them. This is helpful for removing apps you no longer use.
Using The Apple Watch App On IPhone
The Apple Watch app on your iPhone is the control center for your watch’s software and layout.
- Open the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Tap on “My Watch” at the bottom if you aren’t already there.
- Scroll down to the list of “Installed on Apple Watch” apps.
- Tap on an app name from the list.
- Toggle off “Show App on Apple Watch” to uninstall it.
Uninstalling unused apps frees up storage space on your watch, which can contribute to smoother software updates and operation. You can always reinstall them later from the App Store.
Checking App Permissions And Background Refresh
Within the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, you can also control which apps are allowed to run in the background. Limiting this can help if you suspect a specific app is causing issues.
- In the Apple Watch app on iPhone, go to General > Background App Refresh.
- You can toggle Background App Refresh off entirely, or select which specific apps can use it.
- Apps that refresh in the background can update their content periodically, which uses some battery.
Disabling this for non-essential apps is a better strategy for battery management than constantly force-closing apps from the switcher.
Tips For Maintaining Apple Watch Performance
Beyond closing apps, a few simple habits can help keep your Apple Watch running smoothly. These practices reduce the need for frequent troubleshooting.
Keep Your Software Updated
Always install the latest versions of watchOS and iOS. Updates contain bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches that can resolve app-related problems at their source.
To check for updates, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to General > Software Update. Ensure your watch is on its charger and within range of your iPhone during the update.
Restart Your Watch Periodically
A weekly restart can clear out temporary software glitches. This is different from a force restart. Simply turn your watch off and on again through the settings.
- Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears.
- Drag the “Power Off” slider to the right.
- After the watch turns off completely, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.
This gentle reboot closes all apps and refreshes the system without being as abrupt as a force restart.
Manage Your Storage Space
If your watch’s storage is nearly full, performance can suffer. Check your available storage and remove unused music, podcasts, or photos.
Go to Settings > General > Storage on your Apple Watch to see a breakdown of what is using space. You can offload content from your paired iPhone’s Apple Watch app as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about managing apps on the Apple Watch.
How Do I Close All Apps At Once On My Apple Watch?
There is no single gesture to close all apps simultaneously on Apple Watch. You must swipe up on each app card individually in the app switcher. For a fresh start, restarting your watch will close all apps.
Is It Bad To Close Apps On Apple Watch Frequently?
It is not necessarily bad, but it is also not required for battery life. The main impact is that frequently closed apps may take a fraction of a second longer to launch next time, as they load from scratch instead of resuming.
Why Can’t I Swipe Up To Close An App?
If the swipe-up gesture isn’t working, ensure you are swiping from the very bottom edge of the app card. Start your swipe just above the curved bottom lip of the watch screen. If the app is frozen, you may need to force restart your watch.
What Is The Difference Between The Side Button And The Digital Crown?
The side button (below the crown) opens the app switcher or Dock. The Digital Crown is primarily for scrolling and pressing to return to the Home Screen. Knowing these functions is key to navigating your watch efficiently.
Do I Need To Close Apps After A Workout?
The Workout app is designed to run in the background to track your activity. It will pause and suspend itself appropriately. You do not need to manually close it after every session, but you can if you prefer.