App Switcher Returns in watchOS 27.2 Beta With New Launch Gesture - MacRumors
Skip to Content

App Switcher Returns in watchOS 27.2 Beta With New Launch Gesture

Apple has apparently listened to user feedback and brought back the App Switcher screen in the latest watchOS 27.2 beta, but accessing it is a little different than before.

watch
In watchOS 26 and earlier versions, a double press of the Digital Crown would bring up the App Switcher, where you could easily switch to the last-used app and view and open other recently used apps. You could also swipe left on a misbehaving app to force close it.

In watchOS 27, the Digital Crown double-press gesture is now reserved for Apple's upcoming new Live Rewind AI feature, so it no longer brings up the App Switcher screen. There were concerns that this meant the App Switcher would be gone for good, but Apple has reinstated it in the second watchOS 27.2 beta, released yesterday.

The gesture for opening it has changed, though.

As shown in the video below, you now access the App Switcher by pressing and holding the bottom of the screen while you're in an app.


Apple says Live Rewind, which which offers a transcript of what was said in the last 15 seconds, will be available later this year on Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Related Roundups: watchOS 26, watchOS 27
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

watchos 27

PSA: watchOS 27 Removes This Useful Feature From Your Apple Watch

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:34 am PDT by
Apple released watchOS 27 on September 14, bringing a new Audio Intelligence feature set to its latest Apple Watch models, but as a result, owners of previous models are set to lose out doubly in the process. Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models later this year will get Live Rewind, a feature that provides a transcript of any spoken audio that was picked up by the device in the last 15...
watchos 27

Apple Releases watchOS 27.0.1 for Additional Models

Monday September 28, 2026 2:08 pm PDT by
After releasing watchOS 27.0.1 for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 last week to address a bug that was causing devices to restart unexpectedly, Apple has now released the update for all eligible watches, which includes Series 9 and later. Apple's release notes say only that the update "provides bug fixes for your Apple Watch" and the company does not list any security fixes,...
watchos 27

Apple Releases watchOS 27.0.1 With Fix for Restart Bug

Wednesday September 23, 2026 12:44 pm PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 27.0.1, a minor update to the watchOS 27 operating system that came out last week. The update is limited to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. watchOS 27.0.1 can be downloaded through the Settings app on the watch or the Apple Watch app on a connected iPhone. Software can only be installed when the Apple Watch is on the charger and has over 50...

Top Rated Comments

CharlesShaw Avatar
3 weeks ago
It's presumptuous of Apple to believe enough wearers will actually use Live Rewind on their eligible watches, so the function of the crown double-click should be customizable so those who developed muscle memory with app switcher can continue to do so, and others, like me, could perhaps choose another function for that input.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
insomniac86 Avatar
3 weeks ago

It's presumptuous of Apple to believe enough wearers will actually use Live Rewind on their eligible watches, so the function of the crown double-click should be customizable so those who developed muscle memory with app switcher can continue to do so, and others, like me, could perhaps choose another function for that input.
How dare you speak such obvious common sense!

Really though, it seems unreasonable for Apple to impose this change on every existing Apple Watch user to accommodate a new feature that none of the existing models support.

It would make sense if older models also acquired the rewind feature, then Apple would simply be remapping the function.

So, as you said, they should allow us to control the behaviour of what the double press does.

Also, the new implementation doesn’t allow for quick app switching between 2 apps like the previous implementation did.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HazeAndHahmahneez Avatar
3 weeks ago
It’s too early for this! Lmao

What do you guys mean you never use app switch? What do you just launch an app from main screen whenever you need? But with new modes now Home Screen is an extra click away (also another terrible design change)

Alright, tho yeah let’s bring app switcher back, but hey, let’s make it a swipe gesture instead even with ya know, rain and swimming pools and exercise sweat and washed hands with no towel nearby…great

It should be a user choice, crown presses, fingers swipes, pinch gestures etc
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Happy_John Avatar
3 weeks ago

It’s too early for this! Lmao

What do you guys mean you never use app switch? What do you just launch an app from main screen whenever you need? But with new modes now Home Screen is an extra click away (also another terrible design change)

Alright, tho yeah let’s bring app switcher back, but hey, let’s make it a swipe gesture instead even with ya know, rain and swimming pools and exercise sweat and washed hands with no towel nearby…great

It should be a user choice, crown presses, fingers swipes, pinch gestures etc
Just let the user be able to assign certain gestures to their chosen use, like the "action button" on iPhone.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3 weeks ago
Ok, better than nothing but why can they just not give us the option to use the double crown click for it instead?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maszaikasza Avatar
3 weeks ago

How many times have you needed to access the app switcher on Apple Watch in a rainstorm, pool, or while washing dishes? I don’t understand you people who use it all all, let alone in these fictional scenario you’re making up to get mad about.
Apple Watch Ultra was advertised as a sports watch for divers, endurance athletes, climbers etc. and I can easily imagine scenarios when one rely on physical buttons more than a touchscreen. I wrote a comment about it earlier - running with sweaty hands and trying to toggle between workout and music app without the App Switcher was a painstaking task. Glad Apple brought back an alternative for App Switcher. Maybe not a perfect solution, but still better than nothing.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Oops, Apple's Website Just Hinted at iPad Mini 8
Oops, Apple's Website Just Hinted at iPad Mini 8
5 hours ago
OLED MacBook Pro Won't Get M7 Chips Until Late 2027
OLED MacBook Pro Won't Get M7 Chips Until Late 2027
7 hours ago
Apple Pledged $25 Million to Trump's White House Ballroom
Apple Pledged $25 Million to Trump's White House Ballroom
9 hours ago
Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Launch on November 6
Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Launch on November 6
10 hours ago
New Withings Users Must Pay $99/Year for Apple Health Syncing
New Withings Users Must Pay $99/Year for Apple Health Syncing
10 hours ago
Meta and Apple Bring Muse Spark Open AI Model to Mac Studio
Meta and Apple Bring Muse Spark Open AI Model to Mac Studio
12 hours ago
iPad Mini 8: Apple Has Tested Both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion Displays
iPad Mini 8: Apple Has Tested Both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion Displays
12 hours ago
Apple TV 4K 2022 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
Apple TV 4K 2022 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
13 hours ago
Apple CEO John Ternus on Early Foldables: 'Kind of Cheap and Crappy'
Apple CEO John Ternus on Early Foldables: 'Kind of Cheap and Crappy'
14 hours ago
Greg Joswiak Says Apple Isn't Focused on Making AI for 'Lunatic Fringe'
Greg Joswiak Says Apple Isn't Focused on Making AI for 'Lunatic Fringe'
15 hours ago
Amazon Offers $120 Discount on AirPods Max 2, $50 Off AirPods Pro 3
Amazon Offers $120 Discount on AirPods Max 2, $50 Off AirPods Pro 3
15 hours ago
Apple CEO John Ternus Featured on Cover of TIME Magazine: 'New Era'
Apple CEO John Ternus Featured on Cover of TIME Magazine: 'New Era'
16 hours ago
Apple Announces Deadline to 'Get Ready' to Pre-Order the iPhone Duo
Apple Announces Deadline to 'Get Ready' to Pre-Order the iPhone Duo
16 hours ago
MKBHD is 'Not Convinced' About Apple's New HomeView, Here's Why
MKBHD is 'Not Convinced' About Apple's New HomeView, Here's Why
17 hours ago
Apple's Wall-Mounted HomeView Ships Without a Power Adapter
Apple's Wall-Mounted HomeView Ships Without a Power Adapter
17 hours ago
Rare Apple-1 With Steve Jobs Letter Sells for $1.15 Million
Rare Apple-1 With Steve Jobs Letter Sells for $1.15 Million
17 hours ago
Apple Now Inviting Media to October 28 'Launch Experience'
Apple Now Inviting Media to October 28 'Launch Experience'
18 hours ago
iPhone Duo's A20 Pro Chip Benchmarked Ahead of Launch
iPhone Duo's A20 Pro Chip Benchmarked Ahead of Launch
1 day ago
10 HomeView Features You Might Have Missed
10 HomeView Features You Might Have Missed
1 day ago
Apple Becomes Second Company to Close Above $5 Trillion
Apple Becomes Second Company to Close Above $5 Trillion
1 day ago
Which Apple Home Devices Get Siri AI, and When
Which Apple Home Devices Get Siri AI, and When
1 day ago
Apple's Long-Delayed HomeView Was Already Being Tested in 2024
Apple's Long-Delayed HomeView Was Already Being Tested in 2024
1 day ago
Apple Intelligence Coming to China in December With iOS 27.3
Apple Intelligence Coming to China in December With iOS 27.3
1 day ago
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
1 day ago
OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to Apple
OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to Apple
1 day ago
Discover the Best Cases and Screen Protectors for Your New iPhone Duo
Discover the Best Cases and Screen Protectors for Your New iPhone Duo
1 day ago
Apple Store Near Los Angeles Closed Due to 'Events Beyond Our Control'
Apple Store Near Los Angeles Closed Due to 'Events Beyond Our Control'
2 days ago
No, HomePod Mini 1 Won't Support Siri AI as CNET Reported
No, HomePod Mini 1 Won't Support Siri AI as CNET Reported
2 days ago
iPhone Duo Compromises: Everything You Have to Give Up
iPhone Duo Compromises: Everything You Have to Give Up
2 days ago
Apple HomeView Has These 15 Apps, Some CarPlay Apps and Widgets Also Supported
Apple HomeView Has These 15 Apps, Some CarPlay Apps and Widgets Also Supported
2 days ago