watchOS 27 Update Removes Multitasking Shortcut Feature
The release of watchOS 27 has removed a multitasking button shortcut from Apple Watch models. While the reason for the removal was not initially clear, reports indicate the change affects both new and older devices.
First reported 1 day ago · latest update 7 hours from now
watchOS 27 removes a useful multitasking shortcut from Apple Watch. While we don’t know if it will make a return, we at least now know why the gesture was removed.
Prior to updating to watchOS 27, Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 support a shortcut for jumping between apps.
You can double-click the Digital Crown to instantly switch between the current app and the previously used app. It also works for jumping between the watch face and the last viewed app.
It’s great for quickly switching contexts with just muscle memory and not tapping the display.
But, as we’ve flagged a few times, the double-click gesture is gone from watchOS 27.
The reason in part is a hardware-specific feature that’s coming to Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 later this year.
Apple announced last week that Live Rewind, a feature that provides a 15-second transcript of spoken audio, is coming to the new watches. It’s part of the Audio Intelligence feature set that includes Siri Recap as well.
The way to invoke Live Rewind is by double-clicking the Digital Crown.
That explains why the gesture was freed up for watchOS 27. However, it’s not an especially satisfying explanation for a few reasons.
First, what about Apple Watches without Live Rewind? The gesture just opens the new dynamic app grid — same as a single click.
Second, not everyone will want to use the Live Rewind feature. That’s fine. You can control when and how Audio Intelligence features are used. However, we shouldn’t expect Apple to give us back the missing gesture.
At any rate, it seems like an opportunity for a nice settings option. Maybe watchOS 27.1 or 27.2 can do something with the feedback.
For now, it’s a bit of an awkward situation with the feature not shipping yet and only on new hardware. The answer may just be to trust the dynamic app grid, hoping that one of the five suggested apps around Siri includes what you need.
Apple Watch Series 12 is currently available for pre-order from $399. Apple Watch Ultra 4 is available for pre-order from $799. Both models launch in one week on September 18.
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Citations · 3 reports from 3 outlets
Tap a citation to read it above, right here on T.A.M.
Why watchOS 27 removes the useful multitasking feature on Apple Watch
watchOS 27 removes a useful multitasking shortcut from Apple Watch. While we don’t know if it will make a return, we at least now know why the gesture was removed. more…
1 day ago · Zac HallPSA: watchOS 27 Removes This Useful Feature From Your Apple Watch
Apple released watchOS 27 on September 14, bringing a new Audio Intelligence feature set to its latest Apple Watch models, but as a result, owners of previous models are set to lose out doubly in the process. Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models later this year will get Live Rewind, a feature that provides a transcript of any spoken audio that was picked up by the device in the last 15 seconds. To activate the feature, users need to double-click the Digital Crown. Unforunately, this double-click action is the same one that in watchOS 26 switches between the current app and the previously …
57 minutes from now · Tim HardwickWatchOS 27 removes a feature from your Apple Watch
The new WatchOS will excise a useful button shortcut from all Apple Watch models, even older ones.
7 hours from now