Find My iPhone button on my Apple Watch is gone

The latest update of December 2023 (version 10.2) returns to watch wearers the choice to swipe to change clock faces (which I prefer) or continue with the previous update (of October 2023) to press & hold the current face until the edit mode pops up, then swipe to change clock faces. I found that cumbersome and it didn't always work, so I've changed it back to the good ol' swipe and change mode.

Apple responded very quickly to watch wearers' complaints about this and provided the perfect fix.

With the 'find my phone' feature, however, I prefer the October update (and it hasn't reverted to the former method with the December update) where you quickly press the side button and the find-my-phone icon comes up along with a host of other handy and often used settings. I like that better because, for one thing, that window stays open until you press (either the side button or crown) to release it. With the former 'swipe up' method, you had to keep swiping up until you finally found your phone. I never found my phone on the first 'ding.'

I just learned that a double press on the side button brings up the wallet. Very cool. Three quick presses and you bring up the emergency setting (which I hope to never have to use).

I don't see why anyone would find this new method of getting to these settings a problem. It works quickly and well.

PeaNoodle wrote:

...

EDIT: thanks Bob for sharing the fix. I definitely complained before reading the thread because this has had me pulling my hair out. The side oval is easier than the swipe up, so I’ll eat my words a little. Hopefully I won’t accidentally notify 911 when trying to find my phone…

PeaNoodle -- I'm glad you edited your comment. After reading the first part of your comment on my email -- I came on the site to ask you, "What additional step is there?"

I see you've discovered that the new way of accessing "Find My Phone" is actually as fast --if not faster-- and better in that it will stay on for quite a while, whereas with the wipe-up method, you'd wipe-up & touch the icon once and if you didn't discover your phone at that point, you'd have wipe-up again. And again.

I went through the same process--was furious with the change at first until I learned, here, about the oval-button click. I have let Apple know I like the newer method.

Chili10 wrote:

I agree that this is a slower less consumer friendly update.

I find it to be a very consumer-friendly option. You can now access the Control Centr from any screen, not just the watch face. It's great.

Don’t fix with what works please respect us the consumer

Please don't presume to think you speak for everyone. Not everyone has the same needs and preferences that yu do.

jhendrixdo wrote:

I hate the new side button thing needed now! I pretty much only buy an Apple Watch to find my iPhone! If anyone makes just a little bracelet that can do the same thing I will buy that asap.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the side button! I can open the control center when I’m using an app and not only when looking at the watch face! And it is exactly the same effort as swiping up, so don’t tell me it is more effort or any nonsense like that. And now swiping up is much more useful in quickly launching apps I have used recently.

BRAVO, Apple, for this huge improvement in the user interface!

The find device or find items on the watch finds only my keys. I need it to find my phone. I never asked to upgrade my watch but you did it anyway. If you are going to take features away that your customers use, you are going to have a lot of UNHAPPY ☹️ customers.

Kindergartenteacherretired wrote:

I am very upset I did the update on my watch. The find my phone swipe button was the best feature ever. Can I take the update away?

The Press the Side Button is a Much Better way to launch the Control Center than the swipe up. And the Swipe Up now has a new function that the phone never had before.

There is another button below the crown button on the side (can’t readily see it). Push that button and the old Control Center

is back!

micmaris wrote:

Can’t find my iPhone on my i Watch since upgrade..why do they do these silly things?

Tap on the flat oval side button

https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/control-center-apd06bc15da1/watchos

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up the emergency calling display.

Just a quick tap.

If you do not find the iPhone ping icon, then scroll to the end and tap “Edit”, where you should be able to all the iPhone ping icon to the Control Center display.

As to why, you would have to as Apple. You can tell Apple what you would like to see in future user interface changes via

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

susanna77 wrote:

Find My IPhone on watch doesn't work since the Update! Instead of my phone ring/buzzing, my watch does! What good does that do? And it takes forever to find itself and then makes me log into again.

The swipe up function moved to rge flat oval side button (see picture)

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

A quick press and release brings up the Control Center, just like previously a swipe up did.

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up the Emergency services display.

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

Adjusts how fast you need to perform the quick press and release.

I like the Slow setting. My Wife likes Slowest.

jhawk-jm wrote:

Like many, I am frustrated that the up swipe to locate my iPhone is gone —how can I find the spot in another place ??

Quick press and release the flat oval side button (see picture)

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that will bring up Emergency services

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

will adjust just how fast you need to do the press and release to always get the Control Center, and your iPhone ping icon.

The Side Button Click Speed is also useful for reliably invoking Apple Pay, with its double press and release. I like Slow and my Wife likes the Slowest setting.

janefrompleasant hill wrote:

mine as well. Its so frustrating

Quick press and release the flat oval side button (see picture)

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up the Emergency services display.

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

Will allow you to adjust the timing for the press and release. It is also very useful getting the Apple Pay double press and release timing correct. I find the Slow setting works for me, but my Wife likes Slowest to reliably get the Control Center and Apple Pay to activate.

Control Center has the iPhone ping icon you are looking for.

Smsb5151 wrote:

I agree I need that button. I use it every day!!!and no it does not appear on my watch using the second side button!!

If you are getting Emergency Services, that comes from pressing and holding the flat oval side button.

A quick press and release gets the Control Center.

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

If you are getting the Control Center, but it is missing the iPhone ping icon, then scroll to the end and tap “Edit”, where you will be able to add services.

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

The above option can adjust the timing for the press and release, so you get the Control Center every time. This option is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release timing. I like the Slow setting, while my Wife likes Slowest.

You may also find this page useful:

What’s new in Apple Watch and watchOS 10 - Apple Support

joflo1234 wrote:

When I do as you instruct, the ping IPhone icon does not appear. I cannot find that icon anywhere. Now what?

Are you doing a quick press and release of this button (see picture)

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up the Emergency services display.

If the iPhone ping icon is not there, scroll to the end and tap “Edit”, where you can add missing services, and rearrange the icons in an order you prefer.

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.

Sunny2023 wrote:

Apple please bring back swipe and hit find my iPhone. After the update it’s like we have regressed. Apple has declined in quality the helpful and efficient access of finding my iPhone. Please bring back the old way which is the BEST.

"Hey Siri, Find my iPhone"

what could be easier?

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

"Hey Siri, find my iPhone"

"Hey Siri, Flashlight"

"Hey Siri, Battery"

"Hey Siri, Airplane mode"

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.

60soon wrote:

Why has the find my phone button disappeared after the current update? I used that frequently as I did forget where I’d put my phone. Give it back Apple please!!

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

“Hey Siri, find my iPhone”

“Hey Siri, Flashlight”

“Hey Siri, Battery”

“Hey Siri, Airplane mode”

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.