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Apple's watchOS 10 initially introduced several interface changes to the Apple Watch, but one notable omission was the ability for users to swiftly swipe between different watch faces. This absence was a source of annoyance for some. However, the latest beta version of watchOS 10.2 has reinstated this popular gesture.
In the new watchOS 10.2, as highlighted by Aaron on X (previously known on Twitter), the third beta version, which was released to developers and public beta testers earlier this week, restores the ability to switch watch faces by simply swiping on the screen. In earlier iterations, users had to press the screen for a moment and then navigate the list of faces using the Digital Crown.
"I was upset that Apple had removed this gesture – I even filled out a radar during the first watchOS 10 betas, and the company told me this was an intentional change," a user noted. It turns out, they weren't alone in missing this feature.
However, there are a couple of points to remember. In its current beta form, this swipe gesture isn't enabled by default. Users must manually activate it in the Clock settings of their Apple Watch. Interestingly, this toggle can only be found on the Apple Watch itself and not through the Watch app on the iPhone. Thankfully, the feature is back and functioning as before.
Meanwhile, the existing version, watchOS 10.1, which was released last month, introduced NameDrop for sharing contact details easily between Apple Watches or iPhones. It also brought the Double Tap gesture to the latest Apple Watch models.
The forthcoming watchOS 10.2 update is set to coincide with the release of iOS 17.2, which boasts its own array of enhancements for iPhone users. iOS 17.2 introduces the new Journal app, initially announced at WWDC, along with collaborative playlist support in Apple Music, alterations to Tapback reactions, and new Clock and Weather widgets. For iPhone 15 Pro users, there's the added bonus of being able to record Spatial Videos with Apple Vision Pro.
Both iOS 17.2 and watchOS 10.2 are expected to be available to the public by the end of the year.