● Covered by 1 source · 2 reportsLow impact2 negative
watchOS 27 removes Digital Crown double-click app switching feature
Key points
- watchOS 27 removes double-click Digital Crown app switching.
- The feature allowed quick toggling between two apps or app and watch face.
- New dynamic app grid replaces the functionality.
- Double-clicking Digital Crown now performs the same action as a single click.
- watchOS 27 removes the Walkie-Talkie app.
- Walkie-Talkie was a real-time voice communication app.
- The Walkie-Talkie app only worked between Apple Watches.
- watchOS 27 will be released later this month.
Digital Crown Functionality Altered in watchOS 27
Apple has removed a long-standing multitasking feature from watchOS 27: the ability to double-click the Digital Crown to quickly switch between recent applications. This gesture previously allowed users to toggle between two apps or between the last-used app and the watch face.
Replacement by Dynamic App Grid
The removal of this feature appears to be linked to Apple's promotion of the new dynamic app grid in watchOS 27. A single click of the Digital Crown now displays the Siri app icon, five intelligently suggested app icons, and an icon to view the full app grid. In watchOS 27, double-clicking the Digital Crown performs the same action as a single click.
User Impact and Feedback
The change has been noted by users during the watchOS 27 beta period. While the dynamic app grid offers a new way to access applications, some users find it less direct and efficient than the previous double-click gesture for rapidly switching between specific apps like Workout and Music. The Apple Watch's limited physical buttons make the removal of a dedicated gesture for app switching a notable change.
Updates
- watchOS 27 removes the Walkie-Talkie app.
- Walkie-Talkie was a real-time voice communication app.
- The Walkie-Talkie app only worked between Apple Watches.
- watchOS 27 will be released later this month.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Apple's upcoming watchOS 27 update will remove the Walkie-Talkie app, change the Digital Crown double-click gesture, and introduce a dynamic app grid as the default app launcher. These changes affect how users interact with their Apple Watch, potentially impacting established workflows for some.
Apple's watchOS 27 update removes the ability to double-click the Digital Crown to switch between recent applications. This change replaces a long-standing multitasking gesture with the new dynamic app grid, which some users find less efficient for quick app navigation.