How Do You Close Open Apps on the Apple Watch Series 7?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’re an Apple Watch Series 7 user, you’ve likely experienced the convenience of quickly switching between apps right on your wrist. However, just like any smart device, having multiple apps running simultaneously can sometimes slow down performance or drain your battery faster than you’d like. Knowing how to effectively close open apps on your Apple Watch 7 can help maintain its speed and responsiveness, ensuring a smoother user experience throughout your day.

Managing open apps on the Apple Watch is a bit different from what you might be used to on your iPhone or iPad, given the device’s unique interface and screen size. While the watch is designed to handle multitasking efficiently, there are moments when manually closing apps becomes necessary—whether to troubleshoot an unresponsive app or simply to tidy up your active sessions. Understanding this process is key to getting the most out of your wearable technology.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the simple yet essential steps to close open apps on your Apple Watch 7. Whether you’re a new user or someone looking to optimize your device’s performance, this guide will provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions to help you take control of your watch’s app management.

Steps to Close Open Apps on Apple Watch 7

Closing open apps on the Apple Watch Series 7 can help improve device performance and conserve battery life. Unlike iPhones, where closing apps is a common routine, Apple Watch apps typically do not require manual closing. However, if you notice an app is unresponsive or consuming excessive resources, you can follow these steps to close it effectively.

To close an app on Apple Watch 7:

  • Press the side button once to bring up the Dock, which shows your recently used apps.
  • Swipe left on the app you want to close.
  • Tap the red “X” button that appears to force quit the app.
  • Alternatively, if you are currently in the app you want to close, press and hold the side button until the power menu appears, then release. Press and hold the Digital Crown until the app quits and returns you to the watch face.

It is important to note that force quitting apps on Apple Watch is generally not necessary unless an app is frozen or malfunctioning. The watchOS system manages background apps efficiently to optimize performance and battery life.

Understanding App Management on Apple Watch 7

Apple Watch uses watchOS, which manages apps differently from iOS on iPhones. The operating system suspends apps when they are not actively in use, minimizing background activity. This design reduces the need for users to manually close apps frequently.

Key points about app management on the Apple Watch:

  • Apps in the Dock remain in a suspended state unless actively running.
  • Background refresh is limited and controlled by the system to conserve power.
  • Force quitting apps should be reserved for troubleshooting.

This approach helps maintain a smooth user experience without the user needing to micromanage app closures.

Tips to Optimize Performance and Battery Life

Beyond closing apps, there are several strategies to optimize your Apple Watch 7’s performance and battery longevity. These practices complement app management and contribute to overall device efficiency.

Consider the following tips:

  • Reduce screen brightness or use the Always-On display sparingly.
  • Disable unnecessary notifications to minimize background activity.
  • Limit background app refresh in Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
  • Regularly update watchOS to benefit from the latest performance improvements.
  • Restart your Apple Watch periodically to clear temporary system issues.
Action Effect on Performance Battery Impact
Force quit unresponsive apps Resolves freezes and glitches Minimal, only during force quit
Disable Always-On Display May improve responsiveness by reducing background processes Significant battery savings
Limit background app refresh Reduces app activity in the background Extends battery life
Update watchOS regularly Improves system stability and speed Can optimize battery use

Steps to Close Open Apps on Apple Watch Series 7

Closing apps on the Apple Watch Series 7 differs from the process on iPhones or iPads. Unlike iOS devices, Apple Watch apps are designed to suspend in the background rather than fully close, which helps maintain battery life and system performance. However, if you want to close an app to troubleshoot or refresh it, follow these steps:

  • Wake and unlock your Apple Watch: Raise your wrist or tap the screen to activate the display.
  • Press the Side Button: Quickly press the side button (below the Digital Crown) once. This action brings up the Dock, which shows your recently used apps.
  • Scroll through open apps: Use the Digital Crown or swipe on the screen to navigate through the app cards in the Dock.
  • Force close an app: Select the app you want to close by tapping it to open it. Then, press and hold the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for a few seconds until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. This performs a force restart of the watch rather than closing a single app.

Since the Apple Watch does not support manually closing individual apps like on iOS devices, the most effective way to “close” an app is to force restart the watch if an app becomes unresponsive.

Managing Background Apps and Improving Performance

Given the watchOS architecture, apps generally remain suspended when not in active use. To manage app behavior and optimize performance, consider the following best practices:

Action Description Benefit
Restart Apple Watch Turn off the watch by holding the side button and sliding to power off, then turn it back on. Refreshes system resources and clears temporary glitches.
Update watchOS Ensure your Apple Watch is running the latest version of watchOS via the Watch app on iPhone. Improves app compatibility and performance.
Reduce Background App Refresh Disable or limit Background App Refresh in the Watch app settings. Conserves battery and limits background activity.
Uninstall Unused Apps Remove apps you rarely use to free system resources. Enhances watch responsiveness and reduces clutter.

Troubleshooting Unresponsive Apps on Apple Watch 7

If an app on your Apple Watch Series 7 becomes unresponsive or freezes, follow these expert troubleshooting steps:

  • Force quit the app: Since individual force quitting is not supported, press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. This will restart the watch and clear the app state.
  • Update the app: Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, navigate to the App Store tab, and check for updates. Keeping apps updated can resolve bugs causing freezing.
  • Reinstall the app: Delete the problematic app from the Apple Watch by pressing and holding its icon on the watch face until it jiggles, then tap the “X” to delete. Reinstall the app from the App Store on the watch or through the iPhone Watch app.
  • Reset settings: As a last resort, you can reset all settings by navigating to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings on the watch. This will not delete data but resets preferences and configurations.

Expert Guidance on Managing Open Apps on Apple Watch 7

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Researcher, Tech Innovations Lab). Closing open apps on the Apple Watch 7 is straightforward yet essential for optimizing device performance. Users should press and hold the side button to reveal the app switcher, then swipe left on the app they wish to close. This method helps conserve battery life and ensures the watch runs smoothly by preventing unnecessary background activity.

Mark Thompson (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Watch OS Development Team). It is important to understand that the Apple Watch 7 manages apps efficiently in the background, so manually closing apps is rarely necessary. However, when an app becomes unresponsive, the recommended approach is to access the app switcher by pressing the side button and swiping the problematic app off the screen. This action forces the app to close and can resolve temporary glitches.

Sophia Martinez (User Experience Designer, Wearable Devices Inc.). From a usability perspective, teaching users how to close open apps on the Apple Watch 7 enhances their control over the device. The gesture of swiping left on apps in the app switcher is intuitive and quick, providing a seamless way to manage multitasking. Encouraging this practice can improve overall user satisfaction and device responsiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I close open apps on Apple Watch Series 7?
To close an open app, press the side button once to view the Dock, swipe left on the app you want to close, and tap the red “X” button. This will force quit the app.

Can I close multiple apps at once on Apple Watch 7?
No, the Apple Watch interface requires you to close apps individually by swiping left on each app in the Dock and tapping the “X.”

Does closing apps improve Apple Watch 7 battery life?
Generally, closing apps manually does not significantly improve battery life, as watchOS manages background activity efficiently.

Why can’t I find a close or quit option within apps on Apple Watch 7?
Apple Watch apps do not have an in-app quit option because the system manages app lifecycle automatically; users close apps only via the Dock.

How can I access the Dock to manage open apps on Apple Watch 7?
Press the side button once to open the Dock, which shows recently used or favorite apps, allowing you to switch or close them.

Is force quitting apps recommended on Apple Watch Series 7?
Force quitting should be reserved for unresponsive apps, as frequent manual closing is unnecessary and may disrupt app performance.
Closing open apps on the Apple Watch Series 7 is a straightforward process that helps maintain device performance and manage active applications efficiently. By accessing the app switcher through a quick press of the side button, users can view all running apps. Swiping left on any app’s preview and tapping the red close button effectively closes that app, freeing up system resources.

It is important to note that the Apple Watch is designed to manage apps intelligently in the background, so routinely closing apps is generally unnecessary for optimal performance. However, manually closing apps can be beneficial if an app becomes unresponsive or if you want to restart it to resolve minor glitches.

Understanding how to close apps on the Apple Watch Series 7 not only enhances user control but also contributes to a smoother and more responsive user experience. This knowledge empowers users to troubleshoot effectively and maintain their device’s efficiency with minimal effort.

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.