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How to Close Apps on a New Apple Watch Update: A Masterclass

So, you’ve got the latest and greatest Apple Watch update humming on your wrist, but something feels…off? Maybe your battery is draining faster than usual, or an app is acting wonky. The culprit? Likely, an app lingering in the background. Fear not, fellow wrist-computer enthusiast, because closing apps on your Apple Watch is a breeze once you know the trick. Here’s the definitive guide:

The Simple Solution: Force Quitting on Your Apple Watch

Closing apps on your new Apple Watch, regardless of the update, is achieved using a force quit method. Apple Watch doesn’t typically have a traditional “close all” feature like your iPhone. Here’s how it’s done:

Access the Dock: Press the side button (the elongated button, not the Digital Crown) to reveal the Dock. The Dock displays your recently used and/or favorite apps.
Navigate to the App: Use the Digital Crown or swipe to scroll through the Dock until you find the app you want to close.
Force Quit: Once the app is displayed, press and hold the side button again. This is crucial. You’re not just pressing it; you’re holding it down until the power options screen appears.
Power Options: You’ll see options like “Power Off”, “Medical ID”, and “Emergency SOS”. Ignore those for now.
Force Quit (Again!): Continue holding the side button. After a few seconds, the power options will disappear, and the app icon will reappear on the screen. Now, press and hold the side button one more time. You should now see a “X” displayed in the corner of the display for each application.
Tap to Quit: Finally, tap the “X” on the app you wish to close. This will force quit the app, effectively removing it from the background.

That’s it! Repeat for any other apps you want to close. Remember this simple process: Dock, Side Button (hold), X, Tap.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Apple Watch App Management

Here are some common questions and expert answers to help you master Apple Watch app management:

Why Should I Close Apps on My Apple Watch?

Closing apps that are running in the background can significantly improve your Apple Watch’s battery life and performance. Background activity can consume power and processing resources, even when you’re not actively using the app. Additionally, force quitting a misbehaving app can often resolve glitches and responsiveness issues.

How Can I Tell if an App is Actually Running in the Background?

Unfortunately, Apple Watch doesn’t provide a clear indicator of which apps are actively consuming resources in the background. However, if you notice rapid battery drain or sluggish performance after using a particular app, it’s a good candidate for force quitting. If you have multiple apps open, closing the ones you aren’t using is always a good practice.

Does Closing Apps Really Save Battery Life?

Yes, definitely! While the Apple Watch is designed to manage background processes efficiently, some apps are simply more resource-intensive than others. Force quitting these apps, especially those that use location services or stream data, can make a noticeable difference in your battery life.

How Often Should I Close Apps?

There’s no magic number, but a good rule of thumb is to close apps that you know you won’t be using for a while, especially those with background refresh capabilities. Consider force quitting apps before charging your watch or when you anticipate needing maximum battery life.

Will Closing an App Delete Its Data?

No, closing an app will not delete its data. Force quitting simply removes the app from the Watch’s active memory. Your app data and settings will remain intact. The next time you launch the app, it will simply restart from its last saved state.

Is There a Way to Prevent Apps from Running in the Background?

Yes! You can manage background app refresh settings in the Watch app on your iPhone. Navigate to General > Background App Refresh and disable background refresh for individual apps or turn it off entirely. This can significantly improve battery life but might mean apps don’t have the latest information when you open them.

Why Doesn’t My Apple Watch Have a “Close All Apps” Button Like My iPhone?

Apple has intentionally designed the Apple Watch differently from the iPhone. The goal is to provide a streamlined and focused user experience. A “close all” button might inadvertently close apps that are providing essential notifications or background functionality. However, it’s a feature many users have requested!

The Side Button Isn’t Working. What Should I Do?

First, ensure the side button isn’t physically obstructed by dirt or debris. If it is, gently clean it with a soft, dry cloth. If the button still doesn’t work, try restarting your Apple Watch. Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown until the Apple logo appears. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support for assistance.

I Closed an App, But It Keeps Reopening. Why?

Some apps are designed to automatically relaunch in the background to provide continuous functionality, such as health tracking or messaging apps. Check the app’s settings within the Watch app on your iPhone to see if there’s an option to disable automatic relaunch. Alternatively, restricting background app refresh, as mentioned earlier, can help.

Is Force Quitting the Same as Uninstalling an App?

Absolutely not! Force quitting only closes the app; it doesn’t remove it from your Apple Watch. Uninstalling an app completely removes it from your device, freeing up storage space. To uninstall an app, press and hold the app icon on the watch home screen until all the icons jiggle, then tap the “X” to delete the app (if the Apple allow that app to be deleted).

How Do I Update My Apple Watch Apps?

Your Apple Watch apps are typically updated automatically when your iPhone is updated, and both devices are connected to Wi-Fi and charging. You can also manually check for updates in the App Store app on your iPhone. Navigate to the “Updates” tab and look for any available updates for your Apple Watch apps.

Is There a Difference in Closing Apps Between Different Apple Watch Models (e.g., Series 3 vs. Series 8)?

The fundamental method for closing apps – the Dock, Side Button (hold), X, and Tap sequence – remains consistent across different Apple Watch models and watchOS versions. However, the visual appearance of the Dock and the speed of app switching may vary slightly depending on the processing power of your watch model. With each new Apple Watch and WatchOS update, the performance improves on app loading, and closing.

By mastering these simple steps and understanding the nuances of app management, you can keep your Apple Watch running smoothly and efficiently, ensuring you get the most out of your wearable technology. Happy watching!