How do I revert/downgrade from watchOS 10 to watchOS 9?

Without warning, watchos updated and broke the UI.


The issue for me is that I constantly swipe to change the face. A single face is not adequate (even Apple cannot fit a quart into a watch screen size!). By following Apple's own advice on face customisation I created multiple faces that I can swipe through several times an hour. It actually reflects what I do on my Mac and my iPhone.


As of today that functionality is broken (although no-one has yet to tell siri!).


How do I revert to watchOS9 until either the functionality is restored, or Apple deem to give us control over how the watch works?


As far as I can see, this change dedicates swipe to opening the main app in the screen … which tap kind of did at any rate … switching faces/spaces and apps (per rest of apple eco system) is no longer allowed!



[Re-Titled by Moderator]


iPhone 14

Posted on Sep 20, 2023 6:42 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 20, 2023 3:47 PM

You cannot downgrade anWatch's OS.


Many folks complained that they were constantly accidentally changing their watch face. The function is now Tap & hold. Swipe. Tap.


M1 Mac mini, macOS 13.5.2;  Watch, series 7 GPS/cellular, watchOS 10; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 17; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 17; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 17; HomePods, audioOS 17 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 20, 2023 3:47 PM in response to Folbo

You cannot downgrade anWatch's OS.


Many folks complained that they were constantly accidentally changing their watch face. The function is now Tap & hold. Swipe. Tap.


M1 Mac mini, macOS 13.5.2;  Watch, series 7 GPS/cellular, watchOS 10; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 17; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 17; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 17; HomePods, audioOS 17 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

Jun 18, 2024 7:12 AM in response to mapetersons

mapetersons wrote:

I have the same problem with my WatchSE. As soon as I synced it to a new iPhone it updated the WatchOS. Now I can’t use it with my previous iPhone. Has there been any response from Apple on reverting back to the previous WatchOS?

First, Apple doesn't respond here in this user-to-user forum if that's what you were hoping for. And second, Apple has never supported reverting to a previous operating system on iPhones, iPads, or Watches. They are not likely to start now.

Dec 22, 2023 8:08 AM in response to fergus49

fergus49 wrote:

I am very disappointed in the last upgrade. As with others the previous ease of seeing the battery condition by simply swiping up has gone and is now a frustrating multi-step task.

It's exactly the same number of steps. Before, it was swipe the screen then tap. Now it's press a button then tap. Unless, of course your Watch is malfunctioning and you haven't had it fixed.


In my experience the side button is very vulnerable and mine no longer functions.

The fact that yours doesn't work doesn't mean this is a common problem. It's not. You should contact Apple and arrange to have your Watch serviced:


Product Feedback - Apple


Despite that, in the previous OS I could not only easily access the battery charge level, but by swiping up also turn on the watch light which I frequently found very useful. I can no longer access this which is very annoying.
I see we cannot go back to a previous OS and there is a further revision waiting to be installed. I fear what further kiss of functionality this will bring about!

If you mean watchOS 10.2, it actually returns one feature from watchOS 9, the ability to swipe between faces.

I respectfully ask that the ability to swipe up and see the simple functions be reinstated, please!

Apple doesn't read here for feedback or suggestion. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:


Product Feedback - Apple

Nov 25, 2023 9:45 AM in response to Aleedom

Aleedom wrote:

My grandmother, uses her watch everyday and isnt happy witht e update, if i can see a way to undo the update or the watch is going on sale.

No, you cannot undo the update.


this is just unreasonable. please do something to atleast help your customer base that pays you all the money to do so.

No one participating in this user-to-user forum can "do something". You can, however, let Apple know your thoughts here:


Product Feedback - Apple


Oct 16, 2023 7:11 AM in response to dunstanSphacelus

does anyone know how to reset the watch to its default OS, please?

Unlike with the Mac, which can be restored to the version of macOS that was originally installed when it was shipped, there is no process for restoring iOS, iPadOS or watchOS devices to the OS installed when it was shipped.


I'm not aware of a $2K Watch unless you bought an original Watch Edition which started at $10K and is now obsolete. Some 45mm stainless steel models can fetch $1,750!


https://books.apple.com/us/book/apple-watch-user-guide/id6442854652


Dec 2, 2023 8:16 AM in response to drmeyer1

drmeyer1 wrote:

Agree. IOS 10 is terrible. Why introduce extra steps just to change faces and even now you have to scroll to see apps vs old version which was bundled. Why do programmers think they have to update what is not broken Arrrgh!

Tell Apple via

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch


The more users that send feedback, the more likely it will be seen by a decision maker.

Feb 3, 2024 12:18 PM in response to FmsIphone

FmsIphone wrote:

No one that I talked to likes the new version Apple please fire whoever came up with that garbage and give us back the watch we loved

Apple does not read this user-to-user technical support forum for feedback.


The volunteers in this forum do not have that ability.


You can send Apple feedback via:

Feedback - Watch - Apple


If enough users send feedback, it is more likely a decision maker will see it, and maybe take action.


Oct 16, 2023 1:59 AM in response to BobHarris

hmm right, so let me see if I understand the issue from your point of view


I paid almost $2K for my watch. it had limitations, many, like any other device work in progress. however, the dock and swiping faces were essential in the meantime and helped users to get around some of those limitations.


Apple released the OS 10. exciting! however...


(1) no warning, before the update which raises some concerns, particularly considering the type of dramatic changes affecting many many many users


(2) cannot be reversed, so sorry your $2K investment is gone if you don't like what we did with the OS it is your problem not ours. this one sounds like a nightmare from a movie


(3) Apple does not take any responsibility for rendering the device not useful according to the owners' expectations which were set upon seeing what the watch could do from Apple's advertisement about a product with features that Apple has now removed in their OS 10 without prior notice? are you serious?


(4) some of the features removed such as the essential dock - still with 10 limited favourites as the only way to manage dozens of apps quickly - and swiping faces simply, instead of a tedious press and swipe process dedicated to edit the faces instead, were 101 features for the watch. it almost sounds like someone made a mistake with the release or they run out of time and repatched the OS before releasing it?


(5) the features that Apple removed, were carried after each OS upgrade, hence building the core usability of the watch. and responding to the user's expectations


as an example if I buy a Tesla that has self driving capability and Tesla deletes that capability later in a new release while I am driving and without notice, it sounds to me that the car I purchased is not going to be the same car I purchased, right?

these are just some examples as the new limitations expand across the entire usability of the watch. one might thing Apple conducts some serious customer usability testing before doing something like this, right?


so what are we missing here? why would someone remove the self driving capability of a Tesla without prior notice?


and, is this fair and reasonable for customers supporting Apple? let's remember that some of us paid almost $2K for an Apple watch. this is an expensive price tag for a watch. even if we wanted to sell that watch now, the word is already out. potential buyers would not buy this watch because without the self driving capability, not many would buy a second hand Tesla,


right?


does anyone know how to reset the watch to its default OS, please?

Oct 16, 2023 2:06 AM in response to Dah•veed

when you say "Many folks complained that they were constantly accidentally changing their watch face". can you provide the source that says how many folks complained about this?


giving the dramatic change that also "affects many many many other folks" who are now complaining about being unable to do anything with their watch,


wouldn't you agree that a setting in the watch to decide what way you want to use the watch (dock on/off), swipe faces (on/off) would be a smart move to respect everyone, before drastically leaving the watch on one leg running?

Oct 16, 2023 4:15 AM in response to dunstanSphacelus

dunstanSphacelus wrote:

when you say "Many folks complained that they were constantly accidentally changing their watch face". can you provide the source that says how many folks complained about this? …

While I am just a user like you, I have been reading this forum since I obtained my Apple Watch 5 years ago.


And if I’ve seen complaints posted in this forum about unintentionally switching watch faces, I’m sure Apple support has seem many many more.


And Apple does not work in a vacuum. So there must have been a reason to change the UI.


Apple may not have realized the extent of the negative reaction to the change.


So feel free to search https://discussions.apple.com for examples. Some very heated when the watch face switches and they do not know why.


Anyway, send Apple your feedback at

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch


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How do I revert/downgrade from watchOS 10 to watchOS 9?

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