Apple Watch 11 Workout app becomes non-responsive during/after workout

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Apple Watch 11 Workout app becomes non-responsive during/after workout

This is an intermittent problem I have with the Workout app. After an interval workout begins, I have no control over the watch face. I can't swipe left or right. I can't end the workout. It goes the through the intervals and displays and records all the information correctly, but I have to wait for the “Do you want to end the workout?” dialog. When I do end the workout from the query screen, the workout shows the rate effort screen. I can't tap it to change the rating or to close the screen. The watch face  has no tactile response in the app. I have to reboot the watch to be able to access the workout app again. While the workout is not tactile responsive, I can switch to other functions with the digital crown, and everything else swipes and taps correctly. I can swipe to change watch faces, for instance. 

This problem doesn't occur in the workout app every time, but once it starts, there is no way not of it but to let it run its course and then reboot. If I reboot while the workout is behaving like this and come back to the workout app, it is still running and still cannot be switched off. I don't think I've ever seen an app that returns to the middle of its functioning state while the watch has been powered down and started up again. 

I don't know if this is a hardware problem, though I suspect not, because I don't see any similar behavior anywhere else in the watch system or any other app. 

Thanks very much for any guidance.

Posted on Apr 14, 2026 7:10 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ingo2711

Community+ 2026

Level 10

86,769 points

Apr 14, 2026 9:07 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

To rule out a software issue inside your backup data, erase the watch and pair it again, setting it up as a new device. You will only lose your created Watch faces and may have to activate the cards in your Wallet app again.

Then test the Workout app again.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

In case it still does not work, let Apple Techs know by using the Feedback link:

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

And also contact the official Apple Support, they can diagnose your watch online:

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Apr 14, 2026 9:24 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom,

If you unpair the watch from the iPhone, watchOS will automatically create a backup on your iPhone, which is also part of the iPhone backup. So, if the issue is not solved by setting the watch up as a new device, you can always erase it again and use the latest watch backup to restore the watch.

All your fitness data is saved in iCloud and will be synced back to the Fitness app even if you set up the watch as a new device.

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Answer 3

Aug 16, 2026 1:05 PM in response to chocfruit

I forgot to mention: I have a series 10 watch, not an 11.

Resetting without reinstalling the backup has everything working, for now at least.

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky Author

Level 10

152,991 points

Apr 15, 2026 7:23 AM in response to Ingo2711

Well, I unpaired and paired the watch back again. I'll see later or tomorrow if there is any change in the Workout app. First, I have to sort through the watch faces. What a mess, and the iPhone Watch software for selecting and adding complications is just appallingly bad. It's been like that for ages, and I see it's not been fixed at all. It's a complete mess of garbage, with most of the functions not working properly.

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Answer 5

Apr 24, 2026 11:22 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Sorry to hear that.

Looks like a software issue after all, and you should report this directly to Apple Techs. Maybe they can implement a fix in an upcoming watchOS update.

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky Author

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152,991 points

Apr 24, 2026 8:15 AM in response to Ingo2711

I just wanted to report back after unpairing and re-pairing my watch. It worked at first for while, for 10 days actually, and today it failed again.

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Answer 7

Apr 15, 2026 12:23 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

If I remember it correctly, there have been a few users complaining about the Interval workouts in watchOS 26, so this might also be a software related issue with the default Workout app.

Since I'm more into cycling without Interval trainings, I'm using the Apple Workout app on my Ultra 2 only for Outdoor Walks from time to time and I have disabled the reminders and confirmation for starting and ending the workouts in the settings for Workouts in the WatchApp on the iPhone.

Those reminders never worked for me correctly and I could not even take a short walk, without being asked if I want to start or end a workout.

Mainly I'm using the WorkOutDoors app and created my own custom workout screens.

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Answer 8

Jun 10, 2026 12:30 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Unfortunately, I am still facing the very same problem. It startet, if I remember correctly, with WatchOS 26.4. Before that, the training app worked just fine. With 26.4, the app hung up completely, only a reboot of the watch would be able to kill it.

Since 26.5, the app may or may not respond to the taskmanager where I can close it. Swiping is still not working, even after just a walk without water/rain or sweat.

I would really love to understand, why this still happens and why it seems to only affect some users...and finally, how to fix it.

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Answer 9

Aug 16, 2026 6:58 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I have the same issue. It’s driving me mad.

Additionally my watch wouldn’t respond at the point it asked me to set up a passcode during the re-pair process.

I’ve restarted both iPhone and watch – no change.

I’ve unpaired, re-paired and reinstalled from backup — no change.

Next step will be to unpair and not use the backup.

Both iPhone and watch already had the latest OS before I started this.

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Answer 10

Tom Wolsky Author

Level 10

152,991 points

Apr 15, 2026 12:37 PM in response to Ingo2711

Thank you for the follow up Ingo. It’s good information, especially if I’m not alone.

I only do interval workouts, even if they’re pretty open, work, recovery, work, recovery, not always timed, just set so I can change from one interval to another with the skip function. A lot of them are also preset times. Depends on where I am, how I feel, and the weather of course.

Take care, and thanks again for your help.

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