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How to Close Apps on Your Apple Watch (watchOS 10)

The Apple Watch, a marvel of miniaturized technology, allows us to access a plethora of applications directly from our wrists. However, just like on our iPhones, leaving numerous apps running in the background can impact performance and battery life. Fortunately, watchOS 10 provides a straightforward method for closing apps. Here’s how to do it: Press the side button (the elongated button below the Digital Crown) to bring up the Dock. Then, scroll through the apps in the Dock until you find the one you want to close. Swipe left on the app card, and a red “X” button will appear. Tap the “X” button to force close the app.

Understanding App Management on Your Apple Watch

Think of your Apple Watch as a tiny computer on your wrist. While watchOS is incredibly efficient at managing resources, apps that are actively running or frequently updating in the background consume processing power and drain your battery. Closing apps, while not always necessary, can be a useful troubleshooting step if you’re experiencing performance issues or want to maximize battery longevity. watchOS 10 has made this process even more intuitive, empowering you to take control of your device’s performance.

Why You Might Want to Close Apps

There are several compelling reasons to consider closing apps on your Apple Watch. Let’s delve into some of the most common scenarios:

Battery Life Optimization

Perhaps the most frequent reason users close apps is to extend battery life. Apps constantly checking for updates, processing data, or maintaining connections via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi consume energy. Closing these apps when they’re not needed can significantly reduce battery drain, especially on older Apple Watch models.

Improving Performance

If your Apple Watch feels sluggish or unresponsive, closing background apps can free up valuable memory and processing resources. This is particularly noticeable when switching between apps, launching new applications, or using features like Siri.

Troubleshooting Issues

Sometimes, an app may become unresponsive or exhibit unusual behavior. In such cases, force-closing the app is a quick and effective way to reset it. This can resolve glitches, prevent further errors, and allow the app to function properly upon relaunch.

Preventing Unwanted Background Activity

Some apps may perform background tasks that you’re unaware of, such as tracking your location or syncing data. Closing these apps when they’re not in use can enhance your privacy and prevent unintended data consumption.

Step-by-Step Guide to Closing Apps on Apple Watch (watchOS 10)

Let’s reiterate the exact steps to close apps on your Apple Watch with watchOS 10. The process is designed for simplicity and speed:

Press the Side Button: Locate the elongated side button on the right side of your Apple Watch, just below the Digital Crown. Press it firmly to activate the Dock.
Navigate the Dock: The Dock displays a carousel of your recently used and favorite apps. Scroll through the apps by swiping left or right on the screen until you locate the app you wish to close.
Swipe Left: Once you’ve found the app you want to close, swipe left on its app card.
Tap the “X” Button: A red “X” button will appear on the left side of the app card. Tap this button to force-close the app. The app will disappear from the Dock, indicating that it has been closed.
Repeat for Other Apps: Repeat steps 2-4 for any other apps you wish to close.

Alternative Methods and Considerations

While the Dock method is the primary way to close apps, here are a few additional points to consider:

The Dock Configuration: You can customize the Dock to display either your favorite apps or your most recent apps. Adjust this setting in the Watch app on your iPhone (Watch app > Dock).
Background App Refresh: Controlling background app refresh settings can also impact battery life. Navigate to Watch app > General > Background App Refresh on your iPhone to manage which apps are allowed to refresh in the background. Disabling this feature for non-essential apps can significantly improve battery performance.
Force Restart: If your Apple Watch becomes completely unresponsive, a force restart might be necessary. Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. This will restart the watch without closing apps but can resolve deeper software issues.
App Glances (Legacy): While watchOS has evolved beyond Glances, if you’re using an older version of watchOS, the method for closing apps might differ. Generally, you would swipe up from the watch face to access Glances and then force-close apps from there.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions related to closing apps on your Apple Watch, designed to provide even more clarity and guidance:

1. Does closing apps on my Apple Watch really save battery?

Yes, closing apps, especially those that actively use location services or constantly sync data, can contribute to battery savings. However, watchOS is designed to manage resources efficiently, so closing every app isn’t always necessary. Focus on apps you know are resource-intensive or that you rarely use.

2. How can I tell which apps are using the most battery on my Apple Watch?

Unfortunately, the Apple Watch doesn’t provide a detailed battery usage breakdown per app like the iPhone does. However, you can monitor your battery usage throughout the day to identify patterns and potential culprits. If you notice that your battery drains quickly after using a specific app, it might be a good idea to close it when you’re finished.

3. Is it bad to close apps on my Apple Watch all the time?

While there’s no inherent harm in closing apps frequently, it might be counterproductive in some cases. When you close an app and then reopen it later, the app needs to reload, which can consume more processing power and battery than simply leaving it in the background. Use your judgment and close apps strategically.

4. How do I know if an app is actually closed after I swipe it away in the Dock?

When you swipe left on an app in the Dock and tap the “X” button, the app is force-closed. It will no longer run in the background until you manually reopen it. However, some apps might still send notifications even when closed, depending on their settings.

5. Why are some apps not showing up in the Dock?

The Dock can be configured to show either your favorite apps or your most recent apps. If an app isn’t appearing in the Dock, it might not be designated as a favorite, or you might not have used it recently enough. You can adjust the Dock settings in the Watch app on your iPhone.

6. Can I close all apps on my Apple Watch at once?

Unfortunately, there is no built-in feature to close all apps simultaneously. You must close each app individually using the Dock method.

7. Will closing apps affect the notifications I receive?

Closing an app will not necessarily stop you from receiving notifications. Notifications are typically handled by the watchOS system, and apps can still send notifications even when they’re not actively running in the background. You can manage notification settings for each app in the Watch app on your iPhone.

8. How does background app refresh affect my Apple Watch battery?

Background App Refresh allows apps to update their content in the background, even when you’re not actively using them. This can be convenient for staying up-to-date, but it also consumes battery. Disabling Background App Refresh for non-essential apps can help extend your battery life.

9. My Apple Watch is frozen. How do I close apps then?

If your Apple Watch is completely frozen and unresponsive, you won’t be able to access the Dock to close apps. In this situation, perform a force restart by pressing and holding both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.

10. What’s the difference between closing an app and simply returning to the watch face?

Returning to the watch face doesn’t close the app; it simply minimizes it. The app remains running in the background, potentially consuming resources and battery. To truly close an app, you must use the Dock method.

11. Are there any apps that I should never close on my Apple Watch?

There are no apps that you absolutely shouldn’t close, as it depends on your usage and preferences. However, some apps, like those that provide essential notifications or track your activity, might be more convenient to leave running in the background.

12. Will closing apps on my Apple Watch affect the functionality of those apps on my iPhone?

No, closing apps on your Apple Watch will not affect the functionality of those apps on your iPhone. The two devices operate independently, and closing an app on one device will not close it on the other.