Deleting apps from Apple watch

Edward Irvine wrote:

Thanks for this. In my case no “X” appears. I can make it go jiggly, but don’t see an “X” to tap on. Same with every other app including the ones that are NOT built in.

Hi Edward,

Sorry for the back and forth with Dah•veed. I was trying to understand why I saw those apps and Dah•veed did not.

After some testing, I think I know now why you can't see the "x". On the iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Deleting Apps and select Allow. Wait a minute or two for the Apple Watch to view this setting change and you'll be able to see the "x" and probably delete the app from your Apple Watch.

Yes, it's in the list of applications in the Watch app on your iPhone but if you tap it, you'll see that you would have to set it up.

You won't be able to remove it from the list in the Watch app on the iPhone.

I just tried to remove it from the Apple watch itself by pressing the "x". It prompted me to confirm to delete the app. I chose "Cancel" as I don't want to modify my default configuration.

My understanding is that you are not offered to confirm the deletion when you tap the "x". If that's correct, try to force restart the Apple Watch by pressing simultaneously on the crown and the side button until the Apple log appears.

Was this someone else's watch? Why was cycle tracking activated on your devices in the first place?

This is everything Apple says about cycle tracking.

Track your period with Cycle Tracking - Apple Support

M1 Mac mini, macOS 14.5;  Watch, series 7 GPS/cellular, watchOS 10.5; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 17.5; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 17.5; HomePods, audioOS 17.5 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

I do not know what you mean by “activated” - it is only present on my watch.

As the link I provided explains in the first section, setting up Cycle Tracking is an intentional act. It isn't activated by default on a new Watch.

Do you have a relative or friend who may have activated it as a joke?

I don't have anything more to offer here. This is beyond my scope of experience with my Watches.

Ciao

Hi Dah•veed,

I've never set Cycle Tracking either on the iPhone Health app or the iPhone Watch app but I do have the app shown on the Apple Watch. No one has access to either my iPhone or Apple Watch, so no miscreant could have set it.

I haven't tried to delete it on the Apple Watch using the "x" button as I like to keep things as "standard" as possible on my devices.

Could you double-check whether you have the app in the app list of the Apple Watch?

Thanks again. That's also what I see in the Health app.

You seem to have a different setup somehow in the Watch app on your iPhone. Your previous screenshots show no "Audiobooks" in the list of apps. I do see it on mine.

I can't fathom why but that may explain why I also see "Cycle Tracking" in my list of apps and you don't. I guess we'll have to chalk this one up to the mysteries of iOS.

Do you have any restrictions set up in Screen Time on your paired iPhone, that keep you from removing apps on all shared devices?

The Cycle Tracking app does not appear on my Watch nor in the Watch app on my iPhone.

Thanks Dah•veed, now I'm at a loss to explain why I have them. Do you see "Cycle Tracking" in the Health app on the iPhone in the Browse tab? I do.

I do and it has never been set up.