I need guidance on how I can use my Apple Watch after the iOS 10.1.1 update

The side button is just a button, it isn't an emergency button. One press brings up the Control Center and 2 quick presses bring up your credit card wallet for  Pay. A press & hold of the side button still brings up the 3 options, one of which is the Emergency SOS.

Many folks complained that switching watch faces by accident was too easy, so now it is more intentional. You tap and hold on the watch face and then you can swipe to change the face. Then tap the one you want and it installs.

M1 Mac mini, macOS 13.5.2;  Watch, series 7 GPS/cellular, watchOS 10.0.1; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 17.0.1; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 17.0.1; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 17; HomePods, audioOS 17 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

The Control Center moved to the flat oval side button (see picture)

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

DO NOT hold the button, as that beings up the Emergency calling display.

Just a quick press and release.

MaryB1 wrote:

The one reason I loved my Apple watch is because I could find my phone in an instance. With The lastest “Update” it has rendered my apple watch just about useless to me! Since the HORRIBLE update. The find my iphone watch application takes minutes to use instead of what use to be seconds. It alerts my watch on my wrist which is Not obviously lost because it is on my wrist. Due to the fact It is SO DIFFICULT to determine which find my apple “ “ icon is my watch and which one is the iphone. WHY is it called an update when it is CLEARLY must more diffucult to USE. Clearly a DOWN GRADE! We apple customers are getting screwed in my humble opinion.

A quick press and release on the flat oval side button, will bring up Control Center, where you will find the iPhone ping icon, just like you could with the swipe up (see picture)

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

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

Please tell Apple what you would like to see in future releases via

Feedback - Watch - Apple

If enough users send feedback, it is more likely it will reach a decision maker. Vote today.

Instead of swiping up from the bottom of the watch face, you press the side button one time to get to the Control Center. The iPhone ping icon is right there, in the same location, in the Control Center.

KatieChang wrote:

Not having find my iPhone / other settings on the swipe up is the dumbest thing you could have done and is literally ruining my life

Control Center has just moved to the flat oval side button (see picture)

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

A quick press and release will bring up the Control Center display as the previous swipe up did.

DO NOT hold the button, as that will bring up the Emergency Services display.

Please tell Apple what you would like to see in a future release

Feedback - Watch - Apple

Press the little button flush with the watch below the dial now instead. I have been so lost without that feature too but found out it’s just that button now instead. It’s a more inconvenient button but at least still there. Press it twice for Apple Pay items.

Bvinton wrote:

update 10.1.1 is the worst update ever. It would be nice to understand why the control center does not swipe up. after reading from another user that the side button now controls this function when I pressed it first I got the emergency call option. After trying it a second time, the control center came up. Whoever came up with these changes made life more complicated. The swipe up info is less useful. Trying to mimic the iphone widget page was not helpful for swiping up as much as having ready access to the control center. It would be nice if Apple makes sweeping changes why not send a notice with instructions of how to operate a device after the update.

Quick Press and Release to get Control Center (used to be favorites)

Quick Double Press and Release to get Apple Pay and Apple Wallet (this has been there for years)

Press and Hold for 5-6 seconds brings up Emergency Services display (also been there for years).

Please tell Apple what you would like to see in future releases via

Feedback - Watch - Apple

kristinafromcharleston86 wrote:

Yessss!! I loved having the most used apps at easy access!! Now you have to swipe up and can only have three

Swiping doesn't bring up the most used apps. It brings up Widgets. And you can have more than three widgets.

Use the Smart Stack to show timely widgets on Apple Watch - Apple Support

KH2273 wrote:

I agree with the responder here who suggested Apple provide a crosswalk between/among updates. I liked (AKA interacted well with) the configuration I had prior to this most recent update.

Tell Apple:

Product Feedback - Apple

What I miss the most (so far) is the ability to swipe up to see the apps I use most. Specifically, I use the timer several times a day. Now, even if the timer is the last app I used, when I go back into the app the list again starts with A. So I have to scroll to timer every time. What a waste! Couldn’t there have been a bit more room for personalization of the Control Center?

Add a timer widget to the Smart Stack. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Press and hold at the top, near the date. Tap the "+". Scroll down to Timers. One of then widgets is "Set Time". Add that. If you also remove any widgets you won't need, your list will probably be fairly short and your timer will be readily accessible.

You can also add the timer as a complication to your watch face.

Or, you can do what I do and just say, "Siri, set a timer for 10 minutes".

SheESheT wrote:

Why would you have updates that made the Apple Watch less user friendly!! I’m very disappointed that it that’s several steps to find my phone!!! Who thought this was a good idea? UGH!!!

Tell Apple, as we are just fellow users here.

Feedback - Watch - Apple

The more users that send in feedback, the more likely a decision make at apple will see it, and maybe take action on it.

But nothing will happen unless everyone send feedback. Telling your fellow users doesn't get to Apple.

Amandamay67 wrote:

This update has made it more likely for me to throw my watch against a wall rather than use it.

Selling it and destroying it would both make the Apple Watch not useful to you any more. Selling it gives you some cash to buy something else.

Or you could send feedback to Apple

Feedback - Watch - Apple

And explain why the current interface features do not work for you. Try to be constructive as ranting will most likely be ignored.

And of course you could attempt to embrace the changes until such a time as they change in a direction you prefer.

NOTE: I understand that any change inflicted on another person is unwelcome, and any change we decide to make for ourselves is considered a good thing. Unfortunately, Apple is in the drivers seat, and we either adapt or find a different way that we choose to do things.

This may help in adapting

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

A watch face is closer in comparison to the iPhone's Lock Screen, which is changed exactly the same way as a watch face; tap & hold, swipe and tap.

You cannot revert.

Tell Apple via

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

mtngoat62 wrote:

I’m with you, I hate it too!! Please let me know how to revert to the last version. Before I was able to swipe and had 4 sets of 24 pics each, now I only see one set. I can’t swipe up and see how much juice I have left on my watch, plus the sound/bell button, theater mode is gone, etc etc.

There is no going back to the previous version.

You can send Apple feedback, and ask for future changes that would be better for you via

Feedback - Watch - Apple

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

I thought this was a horrible update as well until someone posted a picture of the side button below the dial. Push that in, and it brings the original screen back with everything that was previously on the screen when you tapped it.