You can't technically "turn off" Apple Watch apps in the same way you close apps on a phone. However, you can force quit unresponsive apps or remove them from your watch entirely.
Force Quitting Unresponsive Apps
If an app freezes or becomes unresponsive, you can force quit it to free up resources. Here's how:
- Press and hold the side button until the Power Off menu appears.
- Release the side button.
- Press and hold the Digital Crown until the app closes and the watch face returns. This method is mentioned in various Apple community discussions and confirms it as a valid technique for force-quitting apps.
This process doesn't "turn off" the app permanently; it simply closes it and frees up memory. The app will still be available on your watch.
Removing Apps from Your Apple Watch
If you want to remove an app completely from your Apple Watch, you can uninstall it:
- Press the Digital Crown to view all your apps.
- Touch and hold the app you want to remove until the apps begin to jiggle.
- Tap the "X" that appears on the app icon.
- Confirm that you want to remove the app.
This will remove the app from your Apple Watch, but it will remain installed on your iPhone. You can reinstall it at any time from the App Store.
Addressing Misconceptions
Some users mistakenly believe that swiping up from the bottom of the watch face will close apps. This action displays the Control Center. It does not close applications. Also, while Apple's support pages mention managing app updates and notifications, these actions do not directly turn off or close running apps.
