How can I get the old Modular Watch face back?

lobsterghost1 wrote:

If we want to limit it to things Apple changed, then changed after user complaints a great example would be how messages are deleted on iPhone when iOS 16 was released. When iOS 16 was released, Apple made it a multiple step process to delete a message, where you forced to decide if the message should be reported as spam. People complained aplenty and soon after, an update was released removing the requirement, giving back a simpler "delete" option for messages.

That's another great recent example!

I guess I should amend my comment to say that I've never experienced a change BACK to what previously worked with Apple, once they make the changes they want. Not in any meaningful way to this Non-tech, regular consumer anyway. I just end up adapting to the new interface or whatever as best I can, and sometimes that means returning the $500 watch and sticking with my trusty 1st gen (or whatever gen was working for me) as long as I can. I am super busy in the real world and dealing with Long Covid for over 2 years now, trying to get my life back together and I just don't have time to struggle with a bad watch interface that just makes me more miserable when there are other options - like wearable O2 monitors that actually work, etc. and will save me $100's in the process. I did love the always-on feature working in Healthcare, but there are other options for that as well when counting respirations and heartbeats for a full minute in a newborn for instance.

Why don't I just give up on Apple all together you ask? Well, the answer is really simple actually. 1. All the tech companies do the same thing. 2. The other options are MS Windows (hate it!!!) and Android/Google. Hate that as well. I have a Samsung phone for my business and it's awful and not nearly as intuitive as the iPhone.

Maybe someday by the time my Apple Watch SE 1st gen quits working, Apple will have returned the good modular interface to the Apple Watch, but I don't have the time or energy to struggle with it now so I will do what I have always done: find another solution that works for me.

Good luck to all and again, I hope everyone finds the best solutions for them.

P.S. Tried the Watch Smith app and didn't like that interface either! ;-)

My husband and I are no longer going to use our Apple Watches because we can’t read new modular face…even with our glasses and we’re only in our 60’s. No other face offers that set of legible complications.

I’m so outraged by this removal. This was the most elegant and most enduring watch face. As others mentioned the larger text available in some of its unique complications were valuable to some of us. I also cannot stand the bright white time of Infographic Modular, which they simply renamed to Modular to replace the original, superior Modular…. Give back the original Modular, Apple!

With the new SW release 9.2... the center Date has been restored. We just need the Weather (Temp) restored to previous, and that will be good.

We need the Temperature restored to larger font as below.

I liked having the temp/conditions in the middle like it was before - the current one with the city one is in. Now it is a blow-by-blow of every hour's worth of temp/conditions for 5 hours and it makes the whole thing so busy and distracting that it's hard to figure out what is what and what is where. It was really elegant before but now it's just a mess. I put sunrise/sunset in the middle which is decent but more info than I want or need but it's less busy and gives the city - sometimes.

[Edited by Moderator]

Hi Lobster -

Apple definitely reads these. I just posted six different ways we can contact them, and they apparently don’t like us discussing that, so they just deleted my post. Now let’s see if I get deleted for meta-commentary. Suffice to say, the repeated mantra that Apple does not read these forums is a lie.

I posted one of the first posts indicating that the removal of visible easy to read complications on the Modular face was an accessibility issue my post was removed an I was scolded.

There is something called the American disability act that is supposed to keep this kind of thing in check. For good reason people with disabilities shouldn’t suffer unnecessarily. Poor vision is in fact a disability Yea it’s a legal thing!!!

Yes i know tell Apple . I did!

[Edited by Moderator]

I appreciate your comment, because many of the smaller complications are not legible to me most of the time (exception being when I use close readers). I definitely mentioned accessibility when I submitted feedback to Apple on this, which I did via several avenues. Apparently the only avenue they allow us to mention here is the feedback form, but people should be resourceful.

You're welcome. I hope everyone can use this fix. I can finally enjoy the simplicity and clarity of my Series 7.

Hopefully Apple will fix this problem in their iPhone Watch app in the next WatchOS release. I spoke with two second level support people (Ronnie & David) on this problem & fix and they were receptive and going to bring it forward.

So disappointed in my brand, new Apple Watch, and the options for watch faces. The old modular face was perfect. I absolutely hate the five day forecast, you can’t see it! It’s pretty apparent this was designed by somebody young. Come on Apple you can do better! Appeal to the masses not just younger people.

ok ok people Understand not everyone is Tech savy and wanting to get back what she had. I did try what some said might work and it didn’t .You have all made your point CLEAR. Forgive me for imposing on your reply’s . Have a Blessed Day to you all.

Apple absolutely reads these forums. You should also use the feedback link. This assertion that Apple doesn’t monitor these pages is based in partial (mis)information. Apple collects case notes at every official point of contact. Case notes are harvested for feedback. Apple has user studies. The feedback form is not Apple’s sole or even key point of feedback. You can’t become as successful as Apple relying solely on a feedback form that most users don’t even know exists.

David Hill9 wrote:

Apple absolutely reads these forums. You should also use the feedback link. This assertion that Apple doesn’t monitor these pages is based in partial (mis)information. Apple collects case notes at every official point of contact. Case notes are harvested for feedback. Apple has user studies. The feedback form is not Apple’s sole or even key point of feedback. You can’t become as successful as Apple relying solely on a feedback form that most users don’t even know exists.

The Hosts and Community Specialists, the only Apple employees charged with the daily reading of these forums, do not have time to take "case notes" on posts here. They barely have the ability to keep up with making sure that people adhere to the terms of use. On some occasions, if there is a known issue, engineers may be tasked to search the forums for reports and may even reach out to the posters.

Apple has become successful while largely ignoring customer feedback. Historically, Apple has operated on the premise that they know better than the customer what the customer should have. It's changed some since Mr. Cook took the helm and there have certainly been some recent examples, especially in small interface issues, of Apple responding to feedback.

I also have “direct access” to Apple, but if I detailed it here (not that I would), one of you would just get it deleted. So I know what I know, and you know what you know. Your insistence on partial knowledge is amazing. Do you assert that Apple ignores all case notes from Apple Genius Bar? From AppleCare phone support? From other points of contact? That’s pretty funny if you really believe that. I understand that some parties within Apple are agendized to push you to the feedback form, but if you actually believe that’s the only or most likely way to be heard that’s interesting.