How Do You Close Open Apps on Apple Watch 9?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’re an Apple Watch 9 user, you’ve likely experienced the convenience of having multiple apps running right on your wrist. Whether you’re tracking your workouts, checking notifications, or managing your calendar, the seamless multitasking capabilities of the Apple Watch enhance your daily routine. However, just like any smart device, keeping too many apps open can affect performance and battery life, making it essential to know how to efficiently close them when needed.

Understanding how to close open apps on the Apple Watch 9 not only helps maintain smooth operation but also ensures your device stays responsive throughout the day. While the watch’s interface is designed for quick interactions, managing active apps requires a few simple gestures and steps that every user should be familiar with. Mastering this skill can optimize your watch’s functionality and extend its battery endurance.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the best methods to close open apps on your Apple Watch 9, helping you keep your device running at peak performance. Whether you’re a new user or just looking to refine your smartwatch experience, this guide will provide clear and practical tips to manage your apps effectively.

Steps to Close Open Apps on Apple Watch 9

To close open apps on Apple Watch 9, you will need to navigate through the app switcher and manually quit the apps you no longer wish to keep running. Unlike iPhones, the Apple Watch does not automatically provide a dedicated “close all” feature, so each app must be closed individually.

First, wake your Apple Watch by raising your wrist or pressing the Digital Crown. Then, follow these steps:

  • Press the side button once to reveal the app switcher, which displays all recently used apps in a scrollable list.
  • Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close.
  • Once the app is selected, swipe it upwards off the screen to close it. This gesture removes the app from the active memory.

Repeat this process for each app you wish to close. Keep in mind that closing apps on Apple Watch 9 is generally only necessary if an app is unresponsive or draining battery excessively, as the operating system efficiently manages background apps.

Using the Digital Crown and Side Button for App Management

The Digital Crown and side button play crucial roles in managing apps on the Apple Watch 9. Understanding their functions helps streamline app navigation and closure.

  • Digital Crown: Pressing it once returns you to the watch face from any app. Pressing it twice opens the app switcher, but on Apple Watch 9, the side button is used to open the app switcher instead.
  • Side Button: Pressing this button once opens the app switcher, where you can view and manage open apps. Pressing and holding brings up options such as power off and emergency SOS.

The side button is your primary tool for accessing and closing open apps. The Digital Crown complements this by allowing quick returns to the home screen, minimizing unnecessary app switching.

Considerations for Closing Apps on Apple Watch 9

Unlike smartphones, Apple Watch operating system (watchOS) is designed to manage active apps automatically, suspending them when not in use to preserve battery life and system resources. This means that closing apps manually is often not required unless you experience specific issues like:

  • An app freezing or becoming unresponsive.
  • Excessive battery drain linked to a particular app.
  • Troubleshooting performance problems.

It is important to note that frequently closing apps manually can sometimes reduce performance efficiency because watchOS will need to reload the app entirely when you reopen it.

Comparison of App Management Across Apple Devices

Understanding how app management differs between Apple Watch 9, iPhone, and iPad can clarify why the process varies and highlight the unique design philosophy behind watchOS.

Feature Apple Watch 9 iPhone iPad
Access Open Apps Side button opens app switcher Swipe up and hold (or double-click home button) Swipe up and hold (or double-click home button)
Close Apps Swipe app card up in app switcher Swipe app card up in app switcher Swipe app card up in app switcher
Close All Apps No built-in option No built-in option No built-in option
System App Management Automatic suspension and resource management Automatic suspension and resource management Automatic suspension and resource management

This table illustrates the similarity in app closure mechanics across Apple devices but highlights the small interface differences due to device form factors and input methods.

Tips for Efficient App Management on Apple Watch 9

To maintain optimal performance and battery life on your Apple Watch 9, consider the following tips when managing open apps:

  • Regularly update watchOS to benefit from the latest performance and resource management improvements.
  • Only close apps manually if they are causing issues or draining battery.
  • Restart your Apple Watch occasionally to clear background processes and refresh the system.
  • Use the app switcher sparingly to avoid unnecessary app reloads.
  • Monitor battery usage in the Watch app on your paired iPhone to identify apps that consume excessive power.

By following these practices, you can ensure your Apple Watch 9 remains responsive and efficient without the need for constant manual app closures.

Steps to Close Open Apps on Apple Watch Series 9

Closing open apps on the Apple Watch Series 9 is a straightforward process designed to help manage app activity and conserve battery life. Unlike iPhones or iPads, Apple Watch apps do not run in the background extensively, but force-quitting can be necessary if an app becomes unresponsive or you want to refresh its state.

Follow these steps to close open apps on your Apple Watch Series 9:

  • Wake your Apple Watch by tapping the screen, pressing the Digital Crown, or raising your wrist.
  • Access the App Switcher by pressing the side button once (below the Digital Crown). This action brings up a horizontal carousel of recently used apps.
  • Navigate through open apps by swiping left or right on the screen or by rotating the Digital Crown to highlight the app you want to close.
  • Force close an app by swiping up on the app card. This gesture immediately terminates the app’s current session.
  • Exit the App Switcher by pressing the Digital Crown once to return to the watch face or the Home screen.

Note that closing apps frequently is generally unnecessary, as watchOS intelligently manages app states. However, force-quitting is useful for troubleshooting or when an app behaves abnormally.

Additional Tips for Managing Apps on Apple Watch 9

Effectively managing apps on your Apple Watch Series 9 can improve performance and battery life. Consider these expert recommendations:

Tip Description Benefit
Limit Background App Refresh Disable or restrict background activity for apps via the Watch app on your iPhone under General > Background App Refresh. Reduces battery drain and limits unnecessary data usage.
Restart the Watch Periodically Reboot your Apple Watch by holding the side button and sliding to power off, then pressing the side button again to restart. Clears temporary caches and can resolve minor app glitches.
Update watchOS and Apps Keep watchOS and installed apps updated to the latest versions via the Watch app or Apple Watch settings. Ensures optimal app performance and bug fixes.
Remove Unused Apps Delete apps you rarely use by pressing and holding the app icon on the Home screen and selecting “Remove App.” Frees storage space and reduces clutter.

Understanding App Behavior on Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch apps operate differently compared to apps on iOS devices, primarily to optimize battery efficiency and performance. Apps generally enter a suspended state shortly after being used, which means they remain in memory but do not consume significant system resources.

Key points about app lifecycle and behavior on Apple Watch Series 9:

  • Suspended State: After closing the app interface, apps are suspended and do not actively run in the background unless performing specific tasks such as playing music or tracking workouts.
  • Background Execution: Some apps are allowed limited background execution for functionalities like health monitoring, timers, or location tracking.
  • Force-Quitting Effects: Manually closing apps forces them to quit, which can help resolve freezing or unresponsiveness but may slightly increase launch times on the next use.
  • System Management: watchOS manages app memory automatically and may close apps without user intervention to free resources if needed.

Understanding these behaviors helps users make informed decisions about when to manually close apps versus relying on the system’s automatic management.

Expert Guidance on Managing Open Apps on Apple Watch 9

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechForward Institute). Understanding how to efficiently close open apps on the Apple Watch 9 is crucial for optimizing battery life and system performance. Users should press and hold the side button to bring up the app switcher, then swipe left on any app to close it. This method ensures that the watch’s resources are freed promptly, maintaining smooth operation throughout the day.

Marcus Lee (Senior UX Designer, Apple Watch Development Team). The Apple Watch 9’s interface was designed with intuitive multitasking in mind. To close open apps, users simply need to access the app switcher by pressing the side button once, then swipe left on the app previews to close them. This gesture-based approach minimizes disruption and aligns with the watch’s overall user experience philosophy.

Sophia Martinez (Mobile Device Analyst, Wearable Insights Group). Closing apps on the Apple Watch 9 is straightforward but often overlooked. Unlike smartphones, the watch’s operating system manages background apps efficiently, so closing apps is primarily recommended when an app is unresponsive. Access the app switcher by pressing the side button, then swipe left on the app you wish to close. This practice helps maintain optimal device responsiveness without unnecessary battery drain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I close open apps on Apple Watch 9?
Press the side button once to open the app switcher, then swipe left on the app you want to close and tap the red “X” button.

Can I close multiple apps at once on Apple Watch 9?
No, Apple Watch 9 requires you to close apps individually by swiping and tapping the close button for each app.

Does closing apps improve battery life on Apple Watch 9?
Generally, closing apps does not significantly improve battery life, as watchOS manages background activity efficiently.

Will closing an app on Apple Watch 9 delete its data?
No, closing an app only stops it from running; it does not delete any saved data or settings.

Is there a way to force close an unresponsive app on Apple Watch 9?
Yes, press and hold the side button until the power options appear, then press and hold the Digital Crown to force close the unresponsive app.

How can I check which apps are currently open on Apple Watch 9?
Press the side button once to access the app switcher, which displays all recently used and currently open apps.
Closing open apps on the Apple Watch Series 9 is a straightforward process that helps optimize device performance and manage battery life. By accessing the app switcher through a simple button press and swiping left on the desired app, users can effectively close any running applications. This method ensures that the watch remains responsive and conserves resources by preventing unnecessary background activity.

It is important to note that the Apple Watch operating system is designed to efficiently manage apps in the background, so closing apps is generally only necessary if an app is unresponsive or behaving unusually. Regularly closing apps is not required for normal operation, as watchOS automatically suspends inactive apps to preserve battery life.

Overall, understanding how to close open apps on the Apple Watch 9 empowers users to maintain optimal device functionality and troubleshoot minor issues. Employing this knowledge judiciously can contribute to a smoother and more efficient user experience without compromising the watch’s built-in system management capabilities.

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.