Cannot Access Apple Watch Control Center after 10.0.1 Update

I have a series 3 and today discovered I couldn't swipe to control center. I read all of the info in this discussion, I followed all instructions, pressing the side button,NOT the crown, NOT pressing long, getting apps and no control center. I read someone suggesting restarting the watch so I pressed the crown and side button at the same time to turn off my watch. One it was back on, I can now swipe from the bottom to access the control center, the old way ...not sure if that is because my watch is old and can't accept the updates but it's worth trying for some of you that may have the same issue.

itafrombronx wrote:

When I pressed the side button I got the emergency service and then the control center popped up and went away quickly

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:

Apple Watch -> Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

After changing this I never accidentally get the Emergency Services display.

“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The “Side Button Click Speed” is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second press and release timing needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting. And as I said, I do not accidentally get the wrong display.

NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

Hey siri open control center, you have to use Siri on the watch, if I say it to the phone I get no app named control center. I have a series 9.

All of us in this thread are experiencing the same problem-despite pressing the side button, control center will not present itself. Could we please have further trouble shooting for when the standard “press the side button” doesn’t work? I am in same position as well-this didn’t happen until the latest update and it is very bothersome as it eliminates the ability to use any control center function.

Dave_Stu wrote:

Why change a function that was super simple to use? This change makes no sense to me. I struggle to locate that side button.

Tell Apple via

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

The more users that send feedback, the more likely it will reach a decision maker.

RIfather wrote:

This “update” of a major feature in functionality makes no sense. The control center to get phone pinging or water locking is very important, especially for someone who may have limited use of their other hand or who constantly misplaces their phone, think older individuals. There needs to be an easier non-hardware way to access it.

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.

tmfer wrote:

This new design for accessing & displaying the watch’s control center is WORSE than before, not an improvement. Please return to the previous upward swipe and previous display of the control center.

No one here in this user-to-user forum can do what you want. You can let Apple know what you'd like to see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

I think the change is GREAT as I can now access the Control Center from any screen, not just the watch face.

I also have the series 7 and after recent update I cannot access the Control Center…pressing side button just opens the Apps grid

Oh my goodness. The SIDE BUTTON!! Thank you! I was absolutely lost.

If it was that simple. Side Botton now brings up app switcher on watch 7

Read this link

Cannot Access Apple Watch Control Center … - Apple Community

dick278 wrote:

I can’t access the control panel on my watch

Read this link

Cannot Access Apple Watch Control Center … - Apple Community

itafrombronx wrote:

When I pressed the side button I got the emergency service and then the control center popped up and went away quickly

That's because you're pressing and holding, not tapping.

Many of us have an Apple Watch with a side button that does not work. We need another method to access control center without using the side button.

Please do not suggest a new Apple Watch. There must be another software method to access the control center.

Thanks

Rob5658 wrote:

Many of us have an Apple Watch with a side button that does not work. We need another method to access control center without using the side button.

Please do not suggest a new Apple Watch. There must be another software method to access the control center.

I would suggest that you get your watch repaired.

You might want to investigate Shortcuts and see if there's anything you can do with it. I'm not an expert there, though.

Use shortcuts on Apple Watch - Apple Support

Shortcuts User Guide - Apple Support