The simplest way to close an app
To close an app on your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button (the one below the Digital Crown) until you see the power-off screen, then release. This does not turn off your watch — it closes whatever app is currently open and returns you to the watch face. If you want to close multiple apps in a row, you can repeat this step for each one.
The side button method works the same way on all Apple Watch models. You do not need to swipe, tap, or navigate menus. Press, hold for about two seconds, then release when the screen changes.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the side button to close the current app and return to your watch face.
- This action closes only the app you are viewing, not your entire watch.
- You can close multiple apps one after another by repeating the side button press for each app.
- Closing apps manually can help free up memory if your watch is running slowly or an app has stopped responding.
When you might need to close an app
Most of the time, your Apple Watch manages apps in the background without you doing anything. Apps pause when you are not using them and do not drain your battery significantly. However, there are situations where closing an app manually helps.
If an app is frozen or not responding to taps, closing it and reopening it often fixes the problem. If your watch is running slowly or feels sluggish, closing a few apps can free up memory. You might also close an app if it is using location services or playing audio in the background and you want to stop it when ready.
The difference between closing and force-closing
Closing an app with the side button is a normal close — the app shuts down cleanly. Force-closing is different and is only necessary when an app is completely unresponsive. To force-close an app on your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until the power-off screen appears, then keep holding for another five seconds until the app closes and you return to the watch face.
Use force-close only when an app is truly stuck. A normal close is the right choice for everyday use.
Closing apps versus swiping them away
On older Apple Watch models, you could swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close an app. This feature was removed in watchOS 3 and later. If you have a newer watch, swiping up opens the Control Center instead, which shows battery, connectivity, and other settings. The side button method is the standard way to close apps on all current Apple Watch models.
If you are used to swiping on an iPhone, this difference can feel unfamiliar at first. The side button becomes your muscle memory for closing apps on the watch.
What happens to apps after you close them
When you close an app, it stops running and returns you to your watch face. The app is not deleted from your watch — it remains installed and ready to open again. Your data inside the app is saved, so if you were reading an email or checking a score, that information stays there when you reopen the app.
Closing an app does not sign you out or erase any settings. It straightforward pauses the app's activity. The next time you open it, it picks up where you left off.
Closing apps to improve battery life
Closing apps does not significantly extend your Apple Watch battery life in most cases. Apps that are paused in the background use very little power. However, if an app is actively using location services, playing audio, or running a workout, closing it stops that activity when ready and can preserve battery.
If your watch battery is draining faster than usual, the problem is more likely a setting (like always-on display or constant location tracking) than open apps. Closing apps is a helpful troubleshooting step, but checking your settings in the Watch app on your iPhone is often more effective.
Troubleshooting when the side button does not work
If pressing the side button does not close your app, the button itself may be stuck or dirty. Try pressing it firmly and holding for the full two seconds. If nothing happens, gently clean around the side button with a dry cloth to remove any debris.
If the button still does not respond, restart your watch by holding the side button until the power-off slider appears, then drag the slider to turn off your watch. Wait a few seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on. This restart often fixes button responsiveness issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing apps on my Apple Watch save battery?
Closing paused apps does not save much battery because they use minimal power when not active. However, closing an app that is actively using location, audio, or running a workout stops that activity when ready and can help preserve battery in those situations.
Will I lose my data if I close an app?
No. Closing an app saves your data and settings. When you reopen the app, it returns to the same state you left it in — the same email, the same score, the same page you were viewing.
Can I close multiple apps at once?
No, you can only close one app at a time using the side button method. You must close each app individually by pressing and holding the side button while that app is open.
What is the difference between closing an app and restarting my watch?
Closing an app stops only that one program and returns you to your watch face. Restarting your watch turns the entire device off and back on, which clears all running apps and resets system processes. Restart your watch only when closing individual apps does not fix a problem.
Why does my app keep freezing even after I close it?
If an app freezes repeatedly, try force-closing it by holding the side button for five seconds instead of two. If the problem continues, the app may need an update. Check the App Store on your iPhone, find the app, and see if an update is available.