watchOS 27 Changes Apple Watch Force-Quit to 2-Button Hold
Updated
Updated · MacRumors · Sep 21
watchOS 27 Changes Apple Watch Force-Quit to 2-Button Hold
3 articles · Updated · MacRumors · Sep 21
Summary
watchOS 27 still lets users force quit a frozen Apple Watch app, but the process now starts inside the app: hold the Side button until the sliders appear, then hold the Digital Crown until the watch face returns.
The change follows Apple’s reassignment of the Digital Crown double-click shortcut, which previously opened the App Switcher where users could swipe apps away.
That gesture is now reserved for Apple’s upcoming Live Rewind AI feature, removing the easiest pre-watchOS 27 path to closing apps.
Force quitting is meant for misbehaving or unresponsive apps, not battery savings, since closing apps does not extend Apple Watch battery life.