● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
watchOS 27.2 beta 2 Reintroduces App Switcher with New Gesture
Key points
- watchOS 27.2 beta 2 released to developers.
- App Switcher returns after being removed in watchOS 27.
- New gesture: press and hold bottom of screen to activate.
- Digital Crown scrolls through recent apps in switcher.
App Switcher Returns in watchOS 27.2 Beta 2
Apple has released watchOS 27.2 beta 2 for developers, less than a week after the initial beta. This update reintroduces the App Switcher feature, which was previously removed in watchOS 27. The App Switcher allows users to quickly navigate between recently used applications on the Apple Watch.
New Activation Gesture
Instead of the previous double-click of the Digital Crown, the App Switcher is now activated by pressing and holding the bottom of the screen while inside an app. This new gesture was identified by the Apple Den Discord server and shared by user Bones on X.
Functionality Remains Similar
Once activated, the App Switcher operates similarly to its previous iteration. Users can scroll through recently used apps using the Digital Crown or remove apps from the switcher by swiping left and tapping the "X" button. This restoration addresses a feature gap noted by users after the watchOS 27 update.
Addressing User Feedback
The reintroduction of the App Switcher, even with a new gesture, suggests Apple is responding to user feedback. While beta features are not guaranteed for final release, its inclusion indicates Apple's intent to restore this functionality in a future public update, likely next 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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Reporting from
Apple's watchOS 27.2 beta 2 restores the App Switcher functionality, which was removed in watchOS 27. Users can now access it by pressing and holding the bottom of the screen while in an app. This change addresses user feedback regarding the removal of quick app switching.