How Do I Close Apps on Apple Watch? 6 Steps

Introduction

How Do I Close Apps on Apple Watch? The Apple Watch is a marvel of modern technology—tiny, stylish, and incredibly powerful. It’s more than just a timepiece or fitness tracker; it’s your personal assistant, health coach, music controller, and even a miniature phone, all strapped to your wrist. But just like any other smart device, your Apple Watch can run into small hiccups now and then—slowdowns, unresponsive apps, or battery drains that seem to come out of nowhere. That’s when you start wondering: “How do I close apps on Apple Watch?” You’re not alone. This is one of the most commonly asked questions by Apple Watch users around the world.

While Apple’s ecosystem is known for its seamless functionality and optimized software, it’s still helpful to know how things work behind the scenes. Unlike your iPhone or iPad, where closing apps is a common troubleshooting step, the Apple Watch works a bit differently. It’s designed to manage apps in the background efficiently—but that doesn’t mean you should never close an app. In some cases, doing so can give your Watch the boost it needs to function better, especially when an app freezes, lags, or drains more battery than it should.

Now, if you’re new to the Apple Watch or maybe not super tech-savvy, don’t worry. This guide is written just for you. We’re going to cover everything you need to know about managing apps on your Apple Watch—from viewing what’s running to closing or force-quitting misbehaving ones. You’ll learn when it’s actually necessary to close an app, how the Dock works, what “force quit” really means, and why sometimes less really is more when it comes to installed apps.

But before we dive into the “how-to” part, let’s talk about why this topic even matters.

Why Should You Care About Closing Apps on Apple Watch?

Let’s face it—no one likes a laggy gadget. Imagine you’re about to start your morning run and want to launch your workout app quickly. But instead of opening instantly, the app freezes or lags. Frustrating, right? Or worse, you’re tracking your heart rate during a stressful meeting, but the app refuses to refresh. These little issues can make a big difference, especially when you’re relying on your Watch for real-time feedback and updates.

Knowing how to close apps is a simple trick that can save you a ton of headaches. It helps with:

• Improving overall performance
  
• Freeing up memory
  
• Reducing app-related bugs
  
• Conserving battery life
  
• Making the user experience smoother
  

Apple devices are pretty good at managing background activity, but they’re not perfect. Sometimes an app just needs a little nudge—or a full shove—to get back on track.

How Apple Watch Handles Apps Differently

Here’s something cool: Apple designed the watchOS (the operating system that powers Apple Watch) to be lean and efficient. It doesn’t keep all your apps running in the background like a computer or even an iPhone does. Most apps on the Apple Watch pause when you’re not using them. They don’t use processing power unless they’re actively open or updating in the background through features like Background App Refresh.

So if apps aren’t really “running” all the time, why would you need to close them? The truth is, while the system handles a lot automatically, it’s not foolproof. Apps can get stuck, fail to update, or drain more resources than they should. And when they do, knowing how to manually close or force quit them can be a game changer.

It’s like giving your watch a quick refresh—think of it as rebooting your brain after a long day. You don’t need to do it often, but when you do, everything just works better.

What Happens When You Don’t Close Apps?

The short answer? Probably nothing… most of the time. But over time, small issues can start to add up:

• That workout app you haven’t used in a week? It might still be refreshing in the background.
  
• The weather app you opened this morning? It could be pulling location data.
  
• The timer app you forgot to stop? Yup, still ticking.
  

None of these will destroy your Watch, of course, but together, they can slow things down or make your battery run dry faster than usual. In worst-case scenarios, an app might even freeze entirely, making your screen unresponsive. In these cases, closing the app (or force quitting it) is often the fastest and easiest fix.

Different Types of “Closing” Apps

One common misunderstanding is that there’s only one way to shut down an app. In fact, there are two main ways to do it on Apple Watch:

1. Closing an App from the Dock – This removes the app from your recently used list or favorites. It doesn’t always stop it from running in the background but is often enough to solve minor hiccups.
   
2. Force Quitting an App – This is the ultimate shutdown. If an app is frozen or completely unresponsive, force quitting closes it entirely. It’s like pulling the plug and plugging it back in.
   

Knowing when to use each method is part of being a savvy Apple Watch user—and that’s exactly what you’ll be by the end of this guide.

Who Needs This Guide?

Whether you’re rocking the latest Apple Watch Series 9, a rugged Apple Watch Ultra, or an older Series 4 still going strong, the steps and advice in this article apply to you. The methods for closing apps are mostly universal across watchOS versions, with only slight differences in visuals or button behavior depending on your software version.

This article is especially useful for:

• New Apple Watch users who are still exploring what their device can do.
  
• Busy professionals who depend on apps for productivity and communication.
  
• Fitness enthusiasts using multiple health and workout apps daily.
  
• Seniors or less tech-savvy folks looking for simple, practical tips.
  
• Tech lovers who want to optimize performance and get the most out of their gear.
  

In other words, if you’ve ever used an app on your Apple Watch—you’re in the right place.

More Than Just Closing Apps

Here’s the bonus part: In this guide, we’re not just going to show you how to close apps—we’ll also explore related tips to help you optimize your Watch’s performance, extend battery life, and troubleshoot common problems.

Some of the helpful nuggets you’ll find here include:

• How to customize your Dock so it only shows useful apps.
  
• The best ways to delete unused apps directly from your Watch.
  
• How Background App Refresh affects performance and battery.
  
• When and how to force quit apps without restarting your Watch.
  
• Troubleshooting steps if an app keeps crashing or won’t open.
  

By the time you’re done reading, you won’t just be closing apps—you’ll be managing your Apple Watch like a pro.

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So, What’s Next?

Now that you understand why closing apps on your Apple Watch matters, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and learn how to do it. Whether you need a quick fix for a frozen app or you just want to clean things up for better performance, the steps are simple, fast, and easy to remember.

In the next sections, we’ll walk you through everything step-by-step, with clear instructions and helpful tips along the way. No tech jargon, no complicated settings—just straightforward advice that works.

Let’s get started and unlock the full potential of your Apple Watch—one closed app at a time.

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Understanding How Apple Watch Runs Apps

Before we jump into the how-to, it’s helpful to know what’s going on under the hood.

How Apps Function in the Background

Unlike your iPhone, the Apple Watch doesn’t keep apps running constantly. Most apps pause or go into a suspended state when not in use. This helps preserve battery and performance.

App Refresh Behavior on Apple Watch

Apple Watch uses something called Background App Refresh to update apps silently. This means your weather app stays current, and your fitness stats remain accurate, without you having to open them every time.

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When Should You Close Apps?

You don’t always need to close apps, but here’s when it can really help:

• The app becomes unresponsive
  
• The app is stuck loading
  
• Battery drains faster than usual
  
• The watch is running slower than normal
  

Think of closing apps as giving your watch a quick reset in certain areas.

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How to Use the Apple Watch to See Open Apps

To close an app, you first need to see which ones are running. Here’s how:

Using the Side Button

1. Instead of pressing the Digital Crown, press the Side Button.
   
2. You’ll see the Dock, which shows your most recent or favorite apps (depending on your settings).
   

Understanding the Dock

The Dock on your Apple Watch is like the App Switcher on your iPhone. It helps you hop between recently used apps or pinned favorites.

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How to Close Apps on Apple Watch

Step-by-Step Guide to Closing Apps

Here’s how to shut down apps from the Dock:

1. Press the Side Button to open the Dock.
   
2. Scroll to the app you want to close.
   
3. Swipe left on the app preview.
   
4. Tap the red “X” to close it.
   

And just like that, it’s gone!

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Force Quit an Unresponsive App

Sometimes an app just refuses to cooperate. In that case, do this:

1. Open the app you want to force close.
   
2. Holding down the Side Button will cause the power off screen to appear.
   
3. Release the Side Button.
   
4. Now press and hold the Digital Crown until the app quits and you’re returned to the home screen.
   

Boom. Force quit complete.

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How to Remove Apps from the Dock

Tired of seeing an app in your Dock all the time?

Manual Removal vs. Recent Use

• If your Dock shows Recent Apps, they’ll appear automatically as you use them.
  
• If you use Favorites, you can remove apps manually.
  

Customizing Your Dock Settings

On your iPhone:

1. Open the Watch app.
   
2. Go to Dock.
   
3. Choose Favorites or Recents.
   
4. Tap Edit to add or remove apps.
   

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How to Delete Apps on Apple Watch

Need to free up some space? Here’s how:

On the Watch Itself

1. To access the app grid, press the Digital Crown.
   
2. Touch and hold any app icon.
   
3. Tap the small “X” that appears.
   
4. Confirm deletion.
   

Using the iPhone Watch App

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
   
2. Scroll down to see installed apps.
   
3. Tap an app, then toggle Show App on Apple Watch off.
   

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Best Practices for App Management

Keep things tidy by following these tips:

• Only keep apps you use regularly.
  
• Update apps often to fix bugs and improve performance.
  
• Use Favorites in the Dock for easy access.
  

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Battery Life and App Management

Apps can eat up battery—even if they’re not always in use.

How Running Apps Affect Battery

Some apps like GPS, heart rate trackers, or third-party workouts can drain battery quickly. Turn them off if you’re not using them.

Monitoring App Activity

Check which apps are hogging the juice:

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
   
2. To view battery usage by app, select General > Usage.
   

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Differences Between watchOS Versions

Apple tweaks things with every update.

Changes from watchOS 7 to watchOS 10

In recent versions:

• The Dock looks sleeker.
  
• App switching is faster.
  
• The force quit method is more consistent.
  

So always stay updated for the best experience.

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Troubleshooting Common App Issues

App Crashes

Update the app or delete and reinstall it.

App Not Opening or Updating

• Restart the watch
  
• Make sure your iPhone is connected
  
• Check for software updates
  

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Restarting and Resetting Apple Watch

When all else fails…

Restart the Watch

1. Press and hold the Side Button.
   
2. Slide to power off.
   
3. Turn it back on after a few seconds.
   

Factory Reset as a Last Resort

This wipes everything clean.

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
   
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
   

Make sure you back up first!

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Do You Always Need to Close Apps?

Nope! Apple designed watchOS to manage memory very efficiently. But if an app is acting weird or you’re running into issues, it’s good to know how to manually close things.

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Expert Tips for Better Performance

• Turn off Background App Refresh for non-essential apps.
  
• Use the Watch app on iPhone to manage everything from one place.
  
• Keep your software and apps updated.
  

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Conclusion

So, there you have it—everything you need to know about closing apps on your Apple Watch, and then some.

Whether you’re using your Apple Watch to track your workouts, keep up with notifications, control your music, or even respond to messages on the go, keeping it running smoothly is key to enjoying the full experience. And one of the simplest ways to ensure peak performance is by learning how to manage and close apps effectively.

As we’ve discussed, the Apple Watch is designed to be efficient. It doesn’t keep all apps running in the background like a typical smartphone. Instead, it intelligently pauses them when not in use. But that doesn’t mean glitches never happen. Sometimes an app gets stuck, becomes unresponsive, or starts hogging resources—and that’s when a quick close or a force quit can work wonders.

By now, you know the two main ways to close apps on the Apple Watch: from the Dock and using the force quit method. You also understand the difference between simply removing an app from the Dock and fully shutting it down. These aren’t just cool tricks—they’re essential tools in your Apple Watch toolbox.

Think of it like tidying up your workspace. You wouldn’t leave all your tools scattered around your desk, right? The same goes for your Apple Watch. Managing your apps, removing the ones you don’t use, customizing your Dock, and knowing when to step in and force quit an app will make your Watch feel faster, more responsive, and more reliable.

We also looked at other useful tips like managing Background App Refresh, deleting apps directly from your watch, and checking which apps might be draining your battery. These proactive steps are great habits to build, especially if you use your Apple Watch throughout the day.

The beauty of all this? Being a specialist in technology is not necessary. Everything we’ve covered is simple, straightforward, and easy enough for anyone to do. It takes just a few seconds to close or force quit an app—but those few seconds can save you from a lot of frustration and battery drain in the long run.

So, the next time your Apple Watch slows down, or an app doesn’t behave the way it should, you’ll know exactly what to do. No more random tapping and hoping for the best. You’ve got this!

And remember, just because the Watch can manage apps on its own doesn’t mean you can’t take a little control when needed. It’s your device. Instead of making things work for you, make it work for you.

Whether you’re troubleshooting a frozen app or just want to clean things up a bit, managing apps on your Apple Watch is one of those small but powerful habits that can make a big difference.

Now that you’re armed with all the tips and tricks, go ahead—take charge of your Apple Watch like a pro.

FAQ?