How to switch from grid view to list view for open apps on Apple Watch Series 9 with iOS 27?

CherM wrote:

Very aggravating that “list view” now appears to mean that you get the stupid circle of icons and have to choose list view every single time you want to see something 🤬

Yes this is a change from OS 26 in going to OS 27. Now, as noted by Kilgore-Trout, recently active apps are shown but the list of all apps is easily accessed by clicking on the icon for it directly below the images of the recently active apps. I see pros and cons of both the old way and the new way. Apple makes changes like this with every new version of the OS. They might have responded to user requests, in fact. Users tend to access the same apps repeatedly so having the recently active apps quickly accessible does have some logic. Users might have complained they have to repeatedly scroll down through the list just to get to the same app, used repeatedly. The new approach makes this much faster. If you want something different, use the feedback link that Kilgore-Trout provided.

When you first press the Digital Crown, you will see a set of recently used apps these will change over time with specific app use). On the bottom center of the array, there will a view button that takes you to the view you selected in Settings (Grid or list).

To exit the views, just press the Digital Crown.

PS: those apps are not “running all the time”.

Since I just updated my watch (Series 11) to 27.0.1 a few minutes ago, I was not aware of this change until I read your post.

I don't want to argue, as I do respect your perspective. However, I really like this new hybrid version of "List View." (I have List View turned on.) I can get to my recently used apps almost immediately by click the little app image and can just as easily go to the list of all apps by clicking the little list. For instance I wanted to check my sleep score, I pushed the crown button and then just clicked the Sleep icon and it showed my sleep score. Before under OS 26, I used to have to click the crown for a list of all apps, then scroll WAY WAY DOWN since Sleep is near the end of the alphabet, I feel the new way works much better for me. Same for the Timer app, which I use a lot, it too is near the end of the alphabet and near the bottom of the app list, so with OS 26 I had to scroll way down on the tiny watch screen, but now, since I use it a lot, it is right there up front when I push the crown.

You should use the feedback link if you want to suggest something different to Apple.

Very aggravating that “list view” now appears to mean that you get the stupid circle of icons and have to choose list view every single time you want to see something 🤬

Sorry to hear you are “aggravated “ (well, no not really). You can offer Apple feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple