To quit an app on Apple Watch in watchOS 27, open the app, press and hold the side button until the sliders appear, then press and hold the Digital Crown until the watch face appears. On watchOS 10 through watchOS 26, you can also double-click the Digital Crown to open the App Switcher, swipe left on the app, and tap the red X.
Apple’s watchOS 27 Apple Watch User Guide no longer includes the App Switcher; recently used apps now appear in the dynamic app grid instead. This guide covers both versions, using Apple’s watchOS 27 and watchOS 26 guides, checked in October 2026. To see which version you have, open Settings on the watch and go to General > About.
How to Quit an App in watchOS 27
- Open the app you want to quit, so it is on the screen.
- Press and hold the side button (the flat button below the Digital Crown) until the sliders appear. Result: you see the power and Emergency SOS sliders. Do not drag either slider.
- Press and hold the Digital Crown until the watch face appears. Result: the app quits.
- Press the Digital Crown to open the app grid, then tap the app to reopen it if you need it.
This method also works on earlier versions of watchOS, so it is the one to use if an app is frozen and the App Switcher will not respond.
How to Quit an App With the App Switcher (watchOS 10 to 26)
- Double-click the Digital Crown. Result: the App Switcher opens with your most recently used apps.
- Turn the Digital Crown to scroll to the app you want to remove.
- Swipe left on the app.
- Tap the red X. Result: the app is removed from the App Switcher.
Apple notes that apps running a session, such as Maps navigation or a workout, appear at the top of the App Switcher.
How to Get Back to Recent Apps in watchOS 27
Without the App Switcher, press the Digital Crown from the watch face to open the dynamic app grid. Apple says it shows the apps you use most and have used most recently, so the app you just left is usually easy to find. Turn the Digital Crown to see more apps. On watchOS 10 through 26, double-click the Digital Crown and tap an app in the App Switcher to jump back to it.
What Happened to the Apple Watch Dock?
Before watchOS 10, pressing the side button opened the Dock, which held your favorite or recent apps. watchOS 10 moved the side button to Control Center and replaced the Dock with the App Switcher on a Digital Crown double-click. watchOS 27 then removed the App Switcher from Apple’s guide. Apple may change this again in a future update, so check your watch’s version if the steps above do not match what you see.
Do You Need to Quit Apps at All?
Usually not. Apple says there is typically no reason to quit an app, and quitting does not save battery power. watchOS manages apps in the background for you. Quit an app only when it is frozen, not responding, or acting up.
If an App Keeps Freezing
- Restart the watch. Press and hold the side button, tap the power icon, and drag the slider. See how to turn off an Apple Watch.
- Force restart if the whole watch is frozen. Press and hold the side button and the Digital Crown together for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Update watchOS. On your iPhone, open the Watch app and go to General > Software Update.
- Delete and reinstall the app. Then download the app on your Apple Watch again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does double-clicking the Digital Crown not open the App Switcher?
Your watch is probably on watchOS 27, where Apple’s guide no longer includes the App Switcher. Use the side button and Digital Crown method to quit apps.
Can I close all apps at once?
No. Apple Watch has no close-all option. You quit apps one at a time, which is rarely needed.
Will quitting an app stop a workout or navigation?
Yes. Quitting the Workout or Maps app ends what it was doing. To stop directions properly, see how to turn off Maps directions on Apple Watch.
More Apple Watch Guides
- How to switch between grid and list view on Apple Watch
- How to download an app on Apple Watch
- How to turn off Maps directions on Apple Watch
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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