Apple Restores App Switcher in watchOS 27.2 Beta 2 With New Hold Gesture

Q: Could the beloved double-click shortcut be secretly reserved for an exclusive new feature on upcoming Apple Watch models?

Yes, that is plausible, but it remains unconfirmed. The strongest clue is Apple’s own rollout of Live Rewind, an Audio Intelligence feature for newer Apple Watch hardware that uses a double-press of the Digital Crown. Multiple reports tied the disappearance of the old App Switcher shortcut in early watchOS 27 betas to Apple freeing that gesture for Live Rewind on newer models such as Series 12 and Ultra 4. Apple’s support and product materials also describe Live Rewind as being triggered by that same Digital Crown action. That said, watchOS 27.2 beta 2 suggests Apple may be trying to split the difference. The App Switcher appears to be coming back through a new long-press gesture at the bottom of the screen, while the Crown double-click may stay available for newer AI-driven features on supported watches. This would let Apple restore multitasking without giving up a valuable hardware shortcut. What is not clear yet is whether Apple intends this as a permanent model separation by device generation, or just a temporary beta experiment. The current evidence shows Apple is responding to complaints about losing fast app switching, but it has not publicly said that the old double-click is being permanently “reserved” for premium or newer watches. So the idea is credible and fits Apple’s current feature design, but for now it is still inference, not confirmed policy.

3 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Sep 21

watchOS 27.2 beta 2 brings back the Apple Watch App Switcher, reversing a watchOS 27 change that had removed quick access to recently used apps.
A press-and-hold at the bottom of the screen while inside an app now opens the switcher, replacing the old double-click Digital Crown shortcut.
Once opened, users can scroll through recent apps with the Digital Crown and remove apps by swiping left and tapping the X.
Apple released beta 2 less than a week after beta 1, and the change suggests it is responding to complaints ahead of an expected final 27.2 release next month.