Apple Watch users can once again enjoy the ease of changing watch faces with a simple swipe gesture, thanks to the reintroduction of this feature in the watchOS 10.2 firmware update. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to enable swipe to switch the watch face on your Apple Watch, restoring a familiar and convenient interaction method.
With the advent of watchOS 10, Apple Watch users experienced a significant shift in how they navigated the device. While the introduction of widgets was well-received, changes to gestures, particularly the removal of the swipe feature to change watch faces, left some users dissatisfied. Responding to feedback, Apple has reintroduced the ability to switch watch faces with a swipe gesture in the watchOS 10.2 firmware update.
Apple explained that the initial change in the gesture was prompted by user complaints that it was too easy to accidentally change watch faces. The transition to a long-press before swiping to change the active watch face, however, received mixed reviews.
For users who prefer the earlier method, watchOS 10.2 provides the option to revert to the swipe gesture, with the caveat that the feature must be manually enabled in the settings. Here’s a quick guide on how to enable the swipe to switch watch face option on your Apple Watch:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap on the Clock option.
- Toggle on the “Swipe to Switch Watch Face” option.
It’s important to note that watchOS 10.2 is currently in the Beta testing phase, with the recent release of WatchOS 10.2 beta 3. The update will be made available to all users once it successfully completes the testing phase.
As Apple continues to refine the user experience, the ability to choose between different interaction methods reflects the company’s commitment to addressing user preferences. This reintroduction of the swipe gesture is designed to provide users with a more flexible and personalized experience.
