How to change the app layout on Apple Watch

There's an alternative way to display your Watch app faves
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There's a lot to like about watchOS on the Apple Watch, but if there's one feature that divides people, it's the way apps are presented on the smartwatch.

By default, all Apple Watch models feature the honeycomb app grid. That's the place where all of your native and downloaded apps live. 

It looks great, but in our experience, it's fiddly to use and hard to find what you need. That's why the first thing we do with a new Apple Watch is switch to List view.

Here's a breakdown of how you can do it, no matter which Apple Watch model you have.

> 66 essential Apple Watch features you need to know

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How to change app layout on Apple Watch

wApp layout menu

1. Press the Digital Crown on the side of your Watch to launch the app screen.

2. Force press the screen by holding down your finger for a couple of seconds

3. There are two options: Grid or List view. Choose which option you want.

4. You will immediately be whisked back to the menu, in the format you chose. If you're not happy, just repeat the steps above to switch back.

If you choose List view, you can twist the Digital Crown to scroll through the list of available apps, which should be displayed in alphabetical order.

Unfortunately, you cannot change how these apps are listed, so you'll have to live with scrolling from A-Z.

If the process of switching menu screens had made you realize you have way too many apps, you can hit Edit Apps on the force press menu. This will send you back to your chosen menu, this time with little 'X' options to remove apps from your Apple Watch straight from the wrist.


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Michael Sawh

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Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.

He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.

Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech. 

Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.


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