If an Apple Watch app freezes or stops responding in watchOS 27, you can close it from the App Switcher or force quit it directly. Start with the App Switcher for a slow app. Use the force-quit gesture only when the app will not respond normally.
Apple’s current watchOS 27 user guide confirms that the Digital Crown opens the Home Screen and returns you from an app. The separate force-quit gesture still uses both the Side button and Digital Crown, as explained below.
Force quit the frozen app
- Keep the unresponsive app open on the screen.
- Press and hold the Side button until the power controls appear.
- Release the Side button, then press and hold the Digital Crown.
- Release the Digital Crown when the app closes and the watch face returns.
Open the app again and check whether it responds normally to taps and scrolling. Our broader guide to closing Apple Watch apps also covers the App Switcher and older watchOS versions.
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Try the App Switcher first
For an app that is sluggish but still responds, double-press the Digital Crown to open the App Switcher. Find the app, swipe left on its card, and tap the red X. This is less disruptive than restarting the entire watch.
If the whole watch ignores touch and button presses, follow the normal restart process before forcing a reboot. Our Apple Watch troubleshooting guide explains the difference. Apple recommends a force restart only when the watch will not respond, and not while watchOS is updating.
A missing app is a different problem. watchOS 27 can hide software that lacks 64-bit support, so check our guide to apps that disappear after the update before trying to force quit one. If the same app repeatedly freezes after reopening, install its latest update and the latest available watchOS release.
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