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Apple Watch Ultra 4 apps screen defaults to mixed display instead of list view

This showed up when I 'upgraded' to an Ultra 4 from my Ultra 1. It may be an artifact of Watch OS 27.x or of the hardware. I have no way to determine which it is. I am able to determine that I'm annoyed by this and questioning why, if this is an intended behavior, what benefit I'm supposed to get from it.


When I press the crown to open up the Apps screen I get mixed display. There are seveb icons one of which is a graphic with three horizontal lines. Press the lines graphic and a list view of the apps displays.


In my Ultra 1 with Watch OS 26.x I could set the watch to respond to a pure list view when I pressed the crown. I'd like to get that behavior back. As it stands, to get to my apps I need to press the crown and then press the lines icon to get where I got to with the Ultra 1 by simply pressing the crown.


OK, this isn't a world shaker but it has me questioning if I spent quite a bit of money up to 'upgrade' wisely. Every time I need to get to apps on the Ultra 4 I miss my Ultra 1.

1 reply

Hi there


Please try this

  • Quick Access Shortcut: Tap the three horizontal lines icon (list view) at the bottom of that initial screen once you press the crown. While it is an extra tap, it is currently the only way to get back to the full alphabetical layout. 
  • Provide Feedback to Apple: Because this is an OS design choice that frustrates users who prefer a direct launch, you can submit feedback directly to Apple via the Apple Feedback Website to request an option to disable the recent-apps landing page.