User level: Level 1 (79 points)On my Apple Watch 9 series, I must now tap a list icon instead of directly bringing up my list of apps. It’s set for list on the iPhone 14 watch app and never did this before.
[Edited by Moderator]
Posted on Oct 21, 2026 2:27 PM
User level: Level 10 (280,982 points)Oct 21, 2026 2:46 PM in response to Portreest
See this from the Apple Watch User Guide.
Use apps on Apple Watch - Apple Support
To see more apps, simply turn the Digital Crown (rotate the bottom away from your wrist) while in the view shown on your first photo.
This change was introduced with watchOS 27.
User level: Level 10 (280,982 points)Oct 21, 2026 3:37 PM in response to Portreest
Apple makes its design decisions.
From MacRumors:
”Now, watchOS 27 shows a dynamic grid made up of suggested apps, your most-used apps, and your most recently used ones. The Siri app sits in the middle, but the alphabetical list remains available – simply turn the Digital Crown to navigate through all of your apps.”
Your photo does not show the Siri app, so apparently you have chosen not to activate Apple Intelligence.
How to get Siri AI - Apple Support
UPDATE - Sorry, the iPhone 14 is too old to support Siri AI.
User level: Level 10 (238,530 points)Oct 21, 2026 4:59 PM in response to Portreest
Portreest wrote:
Why are 2 steps necessary? I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch for over 10 years. Dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
Because that's the way Apple designed it. If you're not happy about it, you can leave Apple feedback at https://apple.com/feedback.
This is a user forum. We can't change it.
User level: Level 7 (20,243 points)Oct 21, 2026 9:37 PM in response to Portreest
Portreest wrote:
Why are 2 steps necessary? I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch for over 10 years. Dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
This is a personal preference kind of thing, and not all agree with you. For instance, see this thread:
My Apple Watch app menu isn't how I like … - Apple Community
I find that the new 27.0.1 method is way better than the old one. Nine times out of ten (maybe more than nine times) I simply want a recent app or a commonly used app, which appears right there. For the once in a while times I want something else, I'll scroll. I like this approach way more.
User level: Level 1 (79 points)Oct 21, 2026 3:02 PM in response to sberman
Why are 2 steps necessary? I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch for over 10 years. Dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256380491