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

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Top Rated Comments

CharlesShaw Avatar
6 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
6 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
6 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
6 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)
6 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
6 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)
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