Control center disappeared after updating my Apple Watch

Still no way to get Siri to open Control Centre on watch ( or phone).

Best I can get at this stage is to ask Siri ( on watch) to perform certain Control Center functions:

Find My Phone

Turn on Flash Light .... etc.

Apple watch SE, 3 years old, WatchOS 10.2.

Side button on phone not working so can't use this to get to CC.

This is the watchOS 10 new features and changes

https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/whats-new-apdb93ea3872/watchos

Hilarina

Before you go out and get a new watch, let me replicate it first (I just tried and can't make it work again!). I DEFINITELY did it last night. And now I'm not able to find that sweet spot again... I will keep you posted. <3

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

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“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 timing of 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.

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.

Clareve123 wrote:

100% agree. HATE the control centre on the side button. Most of the time the side button doesn't work, sticks. Impossible now to get to all the features of the Control Center. Beyond frustration. Control centre is virtually rendered useless !!!!

Tell Apple

Feedback - Watch - Apple

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

option can improve the side button experience. Slow or Slowest can make it so you can always bring up the Control Center, or Apple Pay, via double press and release, and less likely to accidentally bring up Emergency services.

AZ5755 wrote:

… After I found the answer on how to get to the control center, I have tried it numerous time and failed each time, …

Change the following setting so that a quick press and release of the flat oval side button always works:

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“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 timing of 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.

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.

Apple is not here. This is a user-to-user technical support forum.

But 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.

David M Brewer wrote:

I definitely like just asking Siri to open Control Center. Less finger prints on the screen.

Tapping the side button doesn't get fingerprints on the screen. But isn't it lovely that we have options!

Organicmamma wrote:

Please give me my control center back with a swipe of my finger. It has taken me weeks to find out it was moved to an inconvenient side bar. This is an aweful change. Put it back!

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

But 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.

You could also enable an Assistive Touch gesture to bring up the Control Center. Maybe that would be more convenient.

Apple Watch -> Settings -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch can be used to access things like:

o Control Center

o Apple Pay

o Emergency Services and the Power Off icon (labeled “Hold Side Button”)

o and many other things...

Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch - Apple Support

Fast and easy way to open control Center.

Just say, “Hey Siri open Control Center.”

2muchwastedtime wrote:

This has been a horrible experience! All because of one update! Why would this nice user friendly system get screwed with just cuz of an update?! I recharged overnight, and woke up to a whole new watch face--and it did not have the "ping" feature-- a feature I use ALL THE TIME-- not only to find my phone when I mislay it , but also to make sure I have it when my hands are full and I just want to make sure I have it before I walk to my car at the end of my work day.

I went physically to Verizon for help-- three people attempted to help--the first is not an Apple watch user-- he tried but knew nothing. The second is an Apple watch user-- but could not help; instead he told me he was done with my watch and turned back to his IPAD-- no apology, no suggestions--; third said " I really hardly use my watch." to which I say-- then why do you have it; and why do you work at Verizon if you don't know anything about helping a customer with a basic use of one of your very popular devices.

So I called Apple support.... the initially very pleasant attendant asked me what kind of watch I have-- I replied it is just a regular Apple watch....and I said I simply wanted it to be like it was before the " update"...she then started a speech about how she couldn't help me unless....I said " Listen, listen, listen" and she disconnected the call.

so I got home, went to Google, searched for a little while and found out that pushing a button on my phone and a bit of scrolling will give me what I want. I tried that, and-- LOW AND BEHOLD-- it worked. I have my old phone control center-- with my "ping" back! I wasted way too much time to make this happen, and got totally turned off and disappointed by both Verizon and Apple workers-- unknowledgeable and unhelpful.

Please, please, all you tech folks-- learn your jobs, learn about your clients' needs-listen to them, learn about the devices you sell, and service and learn to find the simple-usually the best- solution-- usually what is needed and wanted-- and help your clients get what they want from the devices they PAY YOU FOR!!

Apple is not here. This is a user-to-user technical support forum. And no one pays us for our volunteer efforts.

But 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.

NOTE: swipe up takes 2 hands, the same as pressing the flat oval side button. So unless you used Siri to ping your iPhone, and that did not change, so I’m not sure what having your hands full has to do with Verizon staff.

Why people don’t use Siri to their advantage on the Apple Watch is beyond me. Siri can do a lot of things on the Watch… making it hands free. Double tap too!

Lawrence Finch wrote:

I just lifted my arm to my mouth and said “open control center” and it did.

I just lifted my arm to my mouth and said “open control center” and it did.

Try this… “Hey Siri open control center.” Works for me.

ml96761 wrote:

Sure, keep repeating “use the side button”

People will keep repeating it until people stop asking where the Control Center is or freaking out because they think it has been removed.

But it is easier and much more convenient to swipe up to access the control center (a frequently used feature) than to press the side button.

In your opinion. Keep in mind that not everyone has the same needs or preferences that you do.

This access change to Control Center is a big deal and personally I disapprove.

Well, then, if you disapprove, obviously, Apple should change it. ;-)

Clareve123 wrote:

Someone mentioned that you can ask Siri to open Control Center … that would be super awesome and get around this annoying ‘upgrade’.

However, Siri replies ‘no app called Control Center’.

Has anyone found a voice controlled way to open Control Center. ( im motivated to find an alternative because my side button does not work, likely needs cleaning in water to loosen dust etc, but I can’t switch on the water drop feature to prevent water intake because I can’t get to Control Center . Grrrrrr).

Apparently side button can be fixed, but price is 25% cost of new watch, and after the back is opened, it’s no longer waterproof.

Would LOVE a voice controlled way of accessing Control Center.

Try this… “Hey Siri open Control Center.” Works for me!

lmcwil wrote:

Does anyone know of a way to revert it back? I liked the way it was before and this is super annoying.

There is no easy way to go back to WatchOS 9.x and in the current software there are no settings to select this behaviour. It would be possible for Apple to program an optional way of working but that would depend on enough users requesting the feature. Product feedback can be submitted direct to the development teams at Feedback - Watch - Apple