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

So now, I have to hit a side button, scroll to find the app I want to use (even though it’s right there on my watch face) and then use the app.

What do you mean by this? If an app is a complication on a watch face there is no need to press the side button and scroll to find the app.

Big Fail for me as well. The apple watch (as well as all apple products) is suppose to be efficient with its functionality but now with this new update I have to press buttons or hold down the screen to get to different faces. Not sure how they thought this is considered more efficient. I would go to the control center to check battery life, airplane mode or put it in silent mode. The easy swipe up function seems the most easies. Changing watch faces swiping left or right, how much easier could that be, especially when I use a few faces everyday. For me I would have to grade this update a F as well.

No one here can help you with that. Call & report it to the police. Help the police by trying to locate it with The Find My app on your iPhone.

M1 Mac mini, macOS 14.1.1;  Watch, series 7 GPS/cellular, watchOS 10.1.1; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 17.1.1; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 17.1.1; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 17; HomePods, audioOS 17.1.1 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

That's a great explanation and I now understand how to get what I need. I'm also a senior and the changes are simply awkward. When I work out I switch between faces (when I have timed exercises with one swipe. Or when I need a flashlight it's one swipe. The changes are simply awful from my perspective--especially the forced use of the side button for people with arthritis.

Here’s the deal, I appreciate

Dah-veed’s reply and he is right, you can still do the things you used to be able to do, albeit in a different way. I just don’t understand who asked for these changes, and why they were made.

There is an adage “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Apple seems to violate this literally every update

Jhensley21 wrote:

There is an adage “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Apple seems to violate this literally every update

Adage are not laws to be violated. And people don't necessarily agree on whether or not a feature works. For example, I love that I no longer accidentally change watch faces. From my perspective, that was something that was broken and is now fixed.

Never thought of the arthritis piece of it. That definitely serves as reminder to apple that making changes to just make changes isn't always necessary. I hope they provide an option to let us go back to the old settings which where more easier and more efficient to use.

I just updated it. I HATE IT. can someone please tell me how this is more user-friendly?! I’m having to click more buttons and swipes not last to get to basic features that I use very regularly and swipe up, which is one of the easiest things to do I have all these things that I have no need for like tips etc. I am so angry. Can someone tell me how I switch back to what I had? I’ve had this for a day and I feel like I don’t even want my darn Apple Watch anymore. Maybe I need to adjust but I’m just feeling like whoever did this did not do a lot of user testing to see how people feel about it I’ve been other forms, and there was discussion about having certain features people to be able to choose. Additionally, I don’t know why , brilliant person would’ve considered trying to make the apple watch iPad and iPhone, swipes clicks, presses, etc. all be somewhat similar…. I feel like I need to go back to school and now relearn how to use my Apple Watch. I don’t know about you all but I don’t have time for that. This was supposed to be something that made my life easier and today I’m just utterly frustrated

Oh my gosh, that is such a really good point about arthritis and hands and quite frankly, even if you don’t have arthritis having to do all of these movements, repetitively for features that are used more regularly than others really does number on your joints. I’m so unhappy about these updates, I would love to know how can I go back to what I originally had I wish I didn’t make the update. I wish Apple would allow the option to do an update for what is critically necessary and then be able to view things that are not to be able to select if they want the new features , that would be a great way for them to see works for people and what doesn’t in fact they should do that during any user testing that they do if they find people don’t want the update that’s a clear sign it’s not helpful

I am very lost now that I cannot silence my watch with just swiping up. Last time I went into settings to silence it. My phone now also has issues. I also miss the easy ability to find my phone.

When I swipe up now I get access to my apps. I get these from pressing the side button. That seems redundant to me. Apple please restore phones to the old settings.

I also hate the update. I frequently check the battery life and utilize the focus (especially when half asleep). I rarely click into an app. I do all of that on my phone. If I do instantly need an app, it’s a widget on my watch face. Apple should’ve replaced the side button with the stacking widgets. Or even the rotary button. I have my Apple products set on automatic updates because I’ve trusted their vision. But this isn’t getting used to an improvement. It’s actually taking a step backwards or 20. Might benefit those that have cellular data watches. But that’s not me. Luckily, I still have a first edition watch that will no longer take updates. I wear it more now. I almost updated it this holiday because I wanted more options with focus like my Apple Watch Series 5. I’m so glad I didn’t. It would’ve ****** me off. I’d rather have Do Not Disturb only that I can swipe than all focus options that require clicking the side button. What a waste. And I will not buy another if stacking stays as a swipe. I'm all for innovation but sometimes “don’t fix it if it ain’t broken.”

This latest update is appalling, has made the watch less usable, and is typical of change for change's sake and fixing something that isn't broken. It is truly awful and I wish I had never installed it.

Apple is addicted to continual software change and an ever-accelerating schedule of unwanted major updates, changing the User Interfaces in ways that alienate users. Excellent hardware being let down by inconsistent, ever-changing software. WatchOS UI was fine the way it was.

Apple should learn to leave UIs alone. Change is not always a good thing.

I’ve grown to rely on the find my iPhone feature on a pathological level and not having it is making me realize how stupid this watch is and making me not want to wear it at all. I now have to unlearn the the habit of relying on Apple Watch for anything and the only way that makes sense is eliminating it completely you’ve reduced its value to me substantially and added additional stress layer to everything!!! I hate this!!

YES! but there is a fix. I just spoke to AppleCare, and they suggested turning on reduce motion. it’s under settings, accessibility, scroll down to turn on reduce motion. That fixed it for me. I had an app I couldn’t use consistently, but I had to scroll all the way down because alphabetically it started with a V. Because it’s not an apple application, the **** watch wouldn’t let me put it as a complication eithet. (FYI I am now finding that name even more ironic.)

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.