watchOS 27
Apple (release notes, security, developer):
Explore what’s new for watchOS 27.
See also:
Previously:
Update (2026-09-16): Sarah Reichelt:
If anyone like me is struggling to update their Apple Watch, the Install button in the Watch app scrolls almost off the bottom of the screen on my iPhone 17 Pro. You can just see a few orange pixels. Try to tap them and it should work.
Update (2026-09-22): Tim Hardwick:
Fortunately, there’s still a way to force quit apps in watchOS 27.
From the app you want to quit, press and hold the Side button until the sliders appear. Then simply press and hold the Digital Crown until the watch face appears.
Previously:
Update (2026-09-25): Juli Clover:
Apple’s release notes [for watchOS 27.0.1] say the update fixes bugs, including an issue that could cause the Apple Watch to restart unexpectedly.
Update (2026-10-21): Tim Hardwick:
After updating to watchOS 27, the Digital Crown double-click no longer works to switch between apps. All it does is bring up the new dynamic app grid, which is the same behavior that a single click offers. This is despite the fact that the new Live Rewind feature is hardware-bound to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. Owners of previous models are simply out of luck in both senses, losing a useful function while also missing out on the new feature that usurps it.
2 Comments RSS · Twitter · Mastodon
watchOS 27.2 beta has added a new way to trigger the task manager. Still no setting to revert to the crown double press.
So early betas of 27.2 had a functionality where long press on the lower part of the screen would show the task switcher. It seems some asshole in Apple has removed it. Maybe it was some asshole designer or product manager. Maybe it’s a compatibility issue with some apps. But it’s gone again. Settings you say? Don’t make the assholes at Apple laugh.
