Cannot Access Apple Watch Control Center after 10.0.1 Update

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.

I have a Series 3 with the 8.8 update which is the latest for that Series. Touching the side button below crown only brings up "recently used app / all apps". Did the accessibility controls. did full restart twice. nothing works. please help. cannot prompt the control center to display.

pequotpower wrote:

I have a Series 3 with the 8.8 update which is the latest for that Series. Touching the side button below crown only brings up "recently used app / all apps". Did the accessibility controls. did full restart twice. nothing works. please help. cannot prompt the control center to display.

For that version of watchOS you swipe up from the bottom edge of the Apple Watch screen.

I really, really dislike the updates! Like others i cannot get the control button to work. About 5 months ago i fell outside and broke my hip on a very cold and snowy day. I was alone and had left my phone inside. I used the control button to call 911 which truly saved my life. Now when I depress the control button nothing happens. I have read and reread the comments and tried to follow instructions on how to reach the quick controls we were so familiar wit. What was Apple thinking?? I used to love my Apple Watch but now just use it for telling time. What a terrible shame. Is there another brand of smartwatch that we can turn to?

I am pressing the oval button, (not the round button) and it doesn't bring up anything other than the screen requesting my passcode. I can't find the control center to make any corrections. Does anyone know what to do. I'm not sure why apple doesn't provide this information to their customers. Do better Apple.

njmorri53 wrote:

I am pressing the oval button, (not the round button) and it doesn't bring up anything other than the screen requesting my passcode. I can't find the control center to make any corrections. Does anyone know what to do. I'm not sure why apple doesn't provide this information to their customers. Do better Apple.

If it wants your passcode, then it is not going to do much of anything until you unlock it with the passcode.

If you have tattoos on your wrist, often the Apple Watch will not detect it is on your wrist.

No matter what you do the side button does not bring up the Control Panel screen that you used to get when scrolling down on the screen. I love the diagrams to ensure we’re not pressing on the Crown button and the instructions to just click on the button once and quickly…. It still doesn’t work! So if someone can provide instructions on how to fix it or just tell me I’ll never see that screen again unless I choose to buy a more recent version, I’d greatly appreciate it.

[Edited by Moderator]

If it was that simple. It refers to the watch 9. I have a 7. I have been able to click the side button to bring up the control center since I got the watch. Now it brings up the app switcher. Many people have claimed the same issue, but no one has addressed it. People like you, well intended, just don't seem to read the posts and keep stating the obvious but wrong answer.

Why do you keep ignoring what people are posting? The side button is being pressed and it doesn't bring up the control center, it brings up the app switcher. You've been told that a few times but you keep saying just press the side button. And who wants the hassle of assisted touch?

People have repeatedly posted that the side button press does NOT bring up te control Center, it brings up the app switcher. Please respond to the inquiry after reading the posts so you know what the problem is. I have scoured this thread and have not found an answer. If you have one please share it, but stop telling us to press the side button. Thas the problem not the solution.

kepgard wrote:

I have an Apple Watch 3. My husband has a 4. On his watch the new way to access the control center works - he just has to tap the side flat button now instead of swiping. But on my old watch that button simply brings up apps. I can no longer find the control center. Help!!!

On your older watch, the Control Center is accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.

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.

douglasfromenfield wrote:

After last updat I can not open Apple Watch control canter!!??

Scroll through the different pages of this reply thread, and you will find the answer specified about 10 times, including pictures and arrows.

LBReynolds wrote:

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.

Yes, your watch is not capable of the update that moves the Control Center access.

yes! This is a widely used feature often needed to be accessed quickly. Why take something away and make it so complicated?! Agree this is the worst update and I want a watch with better ping features