Watch second (lower) button

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Watch second (lower) button

I just upgraded my Apple Watch OS and Apple took away my favorite function, the list of most used Apps from the second (lower button). It now brings up only functions that I used to be able to get to at a swipe up.

I guess that Apple is now forcing me to use something called 'Smart Stack' and I cannot figure out how to 'pin' something to it. If I get to an app by pressing the crown, then select an App and press and hold it, Apple asks me if I want to delete it. No, I want to be able to get to that App easily.

I want to go back to the previous watch App, but I suspect Apple will not let me.

BTW, don't do this upgrade overnight. After it was finished, I woke up, put the watch on and it started making loud noises waking up my spouse even though I had Do Not Disturb on. Thanks for that.

Apple Watch Series 4

Posted on Oct 18, 2023 9:04 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

IdrisSeabright

Community+ 2026

Level 10

193,769 points

Oct 18, 2023 2:46 PM in response to LexVAPin

I would say Smart Stack is not intended as a replacement for the Dock. If anything, it's more like "Glances" which the Dock replaced a few years ago (I really liked Glances). The closest replacement to the Dock is the App Switcher which you access by double taping the Digital Crown. It is not identical to the Dock as you can't re-order it or mark apps as favorites. It's more like the App Switcher function on a phone. As I rarely used the Dock, I can't give too much feedback about how the App Switcher is similar beyond what I've read.

Use the App Switcher on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

The second button now brings up the Control Center.

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Answer 2

Oct 19, 2023 8:18 AM in response to LexVAPin

Lawrence Hammer wrote:

Someone at Facebook gave me a somewhat useful suggestion. By changing the view of the Apps from a list view to a grid view, I can change the App location using my iPhone. That allows me to move the most used Apps to the top. Not a great substitute for the Dock, but better than random or alphabetical.

That's a great suggestion. It wouldn't have occurred to me to suggest it as I've never used the list view and tend to forget about it.

For what it's worth, you can move icons around directly on the watch. But, it is easier to do it on the phone.

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Answer 3

BobHarris

Level 9

57,623 points

Oct 18, 2023 12:20 PM in response to LexVAPin

watchOS 10 features and changes

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

This is a user-to-user forum, so it is best to actually tell Apple you wishes via

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

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Answer 4

LexVAPin Author

Level 1

75 points

Oct 19, 2023 8:09 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks.

Not being able to prioritize the Apps the way I want it makes my watch a whole lot less easy to use and discourages me from upgrading my current fairly old watch.

I sent my request for changes to Apple.

Someone at Facebook gave me a somewhat useful suggestion. By changing the view of the Apps from a list view to a grid view, I can change the App location using my iPhone. That allows me to move the most used Apps to the top. Not a great substitute for the Dock, but better than random or alphabetical.

This cannot be done with the List View. It is always alphabetical.

And, as far as I can tell, I cannot offload Apps I do not use which clutters up my search.

Thanks for trying to help me out.

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Answer 5

LexVAPin Author

Level 1

75 points

Oct 18, 2023 2:40 PM in response to BobHarris

Thanks Bob. Telling Apple my wishes has resulted in no changes to my liking. That said, I still do it even if it is 'tilting at windmills.'

I was asking for user experience on this question. I have found the Apple Guide on the watch OS update to be confusing. As I mentioned in my comment, I tried to figure out how to use the Smart Stack without success and am not certain if that was intended as a replacement for the second button or not.

Perhaps someone with some experience with the new Watch OS would be of help.

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Watch second (lower) button

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