How to Remove Default Apps on Apple Watch [watchOS 9.4 or later]

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Yesterday, Apple released watchOS 9.4, an incremental software upgrade for Apple Watch. The new update comes with a small set of changes, but, these small changes bring big changes for Apple Watch owners. The first change comes with watchOS 9.4 addresses the accidental cancellation of alarms while sleeping, whereas, the second change lets users remove built-in apps from the watch. If you own an Apple Watch and want to remove the default apps which you are not using, here’s how you can remove built-in apps from Apple Watch.

Apple didn’t reveal the change of removing built-in apps from the watch in the release notes of watchOS 9.4, instead, Apple updated its support page for the apps which users can remove for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. And according to the updated support page, Apple Watch owners running on watchOS 9.4 or later can remove a number of built-in apps easily from their watch.

Here’s the complete list of default apps that you can remove from your Apple Watch.

  • Activity
  • Depth
  • Emergency Siren
  • Find My
  • Heart Rate
  • Maps
  • Wallet
  • Workout
  • World Clock

Before diving into the steps, here’s your quick look at the release notes of watchOS 9.4.

  • Wake-up alarms are no longer silenced with cover to mute gesture to avoid accidental cancellations during sleep
  • Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates and cycle deviation alerts now supported in Moldova and Ukraine
  • Afib History now available in Colombia, Malaysia, Moldova, Thailand, and Ukraine

How to Delete Default Apps from Apple Watch

If your Apple Watch is running on the watchOS 9.4 or newer version, then you can uninstall or remove the above-mentioned apps from your Apple Watch. Obviously, your iPhone requires to be updated to iOS 16.4 or later. If your Apple devices are on the latest software version then you can follow below steps to remove built-in apps from your Apple Watch.

how to remove default apps on apple watch
  1. First things first, update your Watch to watchOS 9.4 by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update.
  2. Once your Apple Watch is on the latest software.
  3. Open the apps list or app drawer.
  4. Select the app which you want to uninstall by using the left swipe gesture.
  5. Tap on the Recycle bin icon to delete the app.
  6. That’s it.

If you opted for the Grid view in the apps list, then you can tap and hold any app then select the Edit apps option and remove the apps easily by tapping the cross icon on the apps.

If you still want to know more, then leave a comment in the comment box.

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By Haneet Singh

Haneet is a passionate tech writer and a consumer. He loves tinkering with new wearable devices. Haneet is covering smartphones at YTECHB. For tips, you can connect Haneet at haneetsingh@outlook.com

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