How Do You Close Running Apps on an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’ve ever noticed your Apple Watch slowing down or behaving sluggishly, one common culprit might be the number of apps running in the background. Just like any smart device, managing active applications on your Apple Watch can help optimize its performance and extend battery life. Knowing how to close running apps on your Apple Watch is a handy skill that ensures your device stays responsive and efficient throughout the day.

While the Apple Watch is designed to handle multiple apps seamlessly, sometimes closing apps manually becomes necessary, especially if an app freezes or drains your battery unexpectedly. Understanding the basics of app management on this compact device can enhance your overall user experience, making navigation smoother and your watch’s operation more reliable. Whether you’re a new user or a seasoned Apple Watch owner, getting familiar with this process is a valuable part of maintaining your wearable’s health.

In the sections ahead, we’ll explore the simple yet effective ways to close running apps on your Apple Watch. From identifying which apps are active to the steps you can take to shut them down, you’ll gain practical insights that help keep your device running at its best. Stay tuned to learn how to take control of your Apple Watch’s performance with just a few taps.

Steps to Close Running Apps on Apple Watch

To close running apps on your Apple Watch, you need to access the App Switcher, which displays all the apps currently open in the background. This process allows you to manage active applications and free up system resources.

Begin by pressing the side button once to bring up the App Switcher. This displays a carousel of app cards representing all apps running in the background. You can swipe left or right to browse through the open apps.

Once you locate the app you want to close, swipe the app card upwards off the screen. This gesture effectively closes the app, removing it from the active app list. Repeat this process for any other apps you wish to close.

Keep in mind that Apple Watch apps are designed to be efficient in the background, so manually closing apps is typically only necessary if an app is unresponsive or behaving unusually.

Understanding Apple Watch App Management

Apple Watch manages apps differently than iPhones or iPads. Instead of fully quitting apps when you exit them, the watch keeps them in a suspended state, allowing for quick relaunch and efficient battery use.

Some key points to consider:

  • Apps automatically refresh in the background based on system priorities.
  • Force-quitting apps frequently may negatively impact battery life and performance.
  • Closing apps is helpful primarily for troubleshooting unresponsive apps or conserving memory.
Action Effect When to Use
Swipe up on app in App Switcher Closes the app completely App is frozen or misbehaving
Press side button once Opens App Switcher To view running apps
Press Digital Crown Returns to watch face Exit apps without closing

Additional Tips for Managing Apps on Apple Watch

Efficient app management on your Apple Watch can enhance performance and extend battery life. Consider these tips for better control over your apps:

  • Regularly update watchOS and apps to ensure optimal performance.
  • Restart your Apple Watch occasionally to clear temporary glitches.
  • Use the Watch app on your paired iPhone to uninstall unused apps.
  • Limit background app refresh for apps that don’t require constant updates.
  • Monitor battery usage in settings to identify apps consuming excessive power.

Understanding how Apple Watch handles running apps helps you make informed decisions about when and how to close them, leading to a smoother user experience.

Steps to Close Running Apps on Apple Watch

Closing apps on the Apple Watch is a straightforward process, but it differs from the way apps are managed on an iPhone or iPad. The Apple Watch is designed to manage apps efficiently in the background, minimizing the need for manual app closure. However, if you need to close an app to resolve issues such as freezing or unresponsiveness, follow these steps:

  • Wake your Apple Watch by tapping the screen or pressing the Digital Crown.
  • Press the side button The Dock displays your most recently used apps in a vertical list.
  • Scroll through the Dock using the Digital Crown or by swiping on the screen to find the app you want to close.
  • Swipe left on the app preview This action will reveal a red “X” button.
  • Tap the red “X” button The app will close immediately and be removed from the Dock.

Note that closing apps manually on Apple Watch is generally unnecessary because the system efficiently manages resources and pauses background apps automatically.

Alternative Method: Force Restarting the Apple Watch

If an app is completely unresponsive and closing it through the Dock does not resolve the issue, you can perform a force restart on the Apple Watch. This method restarts the entire device, which can help clear glitches affecting app performance.

Action Details
Press and hold buttons Simultaneously press and hold the side button and the Digital Crown.
Hold duration Continue holding both buttons for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
Release buttons Once the Apple logo is visible, release both buttons and wait for the watch to restart.

This method should only be used when necessary, as force restarting abruptly stops all processes.

Managing Background App Refresh and Performance

To optimize performance and reduce the need to close apps manually, you can manage background activity settings on your Apple Watch:

  • Disable Background App Refresh:
    • Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
    • Navigate to General > Background App Refresh.
    • Toggle off Background App Refresh to prevent apps from updating in the background.
  • Limit Notifications:
    • Too many notifications can cause apps to run frequently in the background.
    • Customize notification settings via the Watch app under Notifications.
  • Restart your Apple Watch regularly:
    • Periodic restarts can help clear temporary system issues and improve overall performance.
    • A simple restart can be performed by pressing and holding the side button and sliding to power off.

Understanding How Apple Watch Handles Apps

Apple Watch is designed to optimize battery life and performance by managing apps intelligently:

App State Description Impact on Battery
Active The app is currently open and in use on the screen. Highest battery usage.
Background The app is running tasks in the background, such as tracking activity or updating complications. Moderate battery usage.
Suspended The app is not actively running and is frozen in memory. Minimal battery usage.
Closed The app is not running at all and will launch fresh when opened again. No battery usage.

Because of this efficient management, manually closing apps is rarely necessary and can sometimes reduce performance by forcing apps to reload completely the next time they are opened.

Expert Insights on Managing Running Apps on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Carter (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Institute). Closing running apps on the Apple Watch is essential for optimizing device performance and battery life. Users should press and hold the side button until the power options appear, then swipe left on the app preview to close it. This process ensures that background processes are terminated, preventing unnecessary battery drain and improving overall responsiveness.

Jason Lee (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Watch Development Team). The Apple Watch’s multitasking interface allows users to quickly switch between apps, but closing them properly requires a deliberate gesture. By double-clicking the side button to reveal the app switcher and then swiping the app card upwards, users can effectively close running apps. This method is designed to maintain system efficiency without compromising the user experience.

Sophia Martinez (User Experience Designer, Wearable Devices Group). From a user experience perspective, closing running apps on the Apple Watch should be intuitive and seamless. The swipe-up gesture in the app switcher was implemented to align with natural touch interactions. Educating users about this feature helps reduce confusion and promotes better device management, ultimately enhancing the usability of the Apple Watch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I close running apps on my Apple Watch?
Press the side button once to open the Dock, swipe left on the app you want to close, and then tap the red “X” button to quit the app.

Can I close multiple apps at once on Apple Watch?
No, Apple Watch requires you to close apps individually by swiping and tapping the close button for each app.

Does closing apps improve Apple Watch performance or battery life?
Generally, Apple Watch manages apps efficiently in the background, so manually closing apps rarely improves performance or battery life.

What happens if I don’t close apps on my Apple Watch?
Apps remain suspended in the background without consuming significant resources, allowing for quick reopening without affecting device performance.

Is there a way to force quit an unresponsive app on Apple Watch?
Yes, press and hold the side button until the power options appear, then press and hold the Digital Crown to force quit the app.

Do all Apple Watch models support closing apps the same way?
Yes, the method to close running apps via the Dock and swipe-to-close gesture is consistent across all Apple Watch models running watchOS 3 or later.
Closing running apps on an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that helps maintain optimal device performance and can resolve minor glitches. By accessing the app switcher through a simple button press and swiping left on the app previews, users can effectively close apps that are no longer needed. This method ensures that the watch’s resources are efficiently managed without the need for complicated procedures.

It is important to note that Apple Watch apps are designed to manage their own background activity intelligently, so manually closing apps is generally unnecessary for everyday use. However, when an app becomes unresponsive or behaves unexpectedly, closing it can be a practical troubleshooting step. Understanding this balance allows users to maintain a smooth and responsive Apple Watch experience.

Overall, mastering the technique to close running apps on the Apple Watch empowers users to take control of their device’s performance. By combining this knowledge with the watch’s built-in app management capabilities, users can enjoy a seamless and efficient interaction with their wearable technology.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.