Apple Removed Four Apps in watchOS 27

The update consolidates tracking tools and introduces a new AI feature for specific watch models.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Remote Work

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a metallic circular dial on a plane, representing the physical interface of smartwatch software updates. — Apple released watchOS 27, which removes four built-in applications and repurposes the digital crown gesture to support new AI features on specific models. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Apple has released watchOS 27, removing four built-in applications and the App Switcher feature. The update replaces older tracking tools with a single, consolidated Find My application.

Why it matters

The company redesigned its location tracking software to provide users with a map-centric interface that simplifies how people, devices, and items are shared and located.

The update removed four built-in apps from the platform, including the Walkie-Talkie app and the previous tracking tools. Three of these services were successfully folded into the newly integrated Find My application.

The players

Apple

The technology corporation develops software and hardware including the watchOS operating system and various Apple Watch models.

The details

The App Switcher has been removed to repurpose the Digital Crown double-press gesture, which now triggers the Live Rewind AI feature. This new AI capability is restricted exclusively to users with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models.

The Walkie-Talkie app originally launched with watchOS 5 in 2018.
Apple officially released watchOS 27 in September 2026.

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Market Landscape

This move signals a broader shift toward hardware-locked artificial intelligence features as a primary differentiator for the premium wearable market. By reserving processing capabilities for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, the company continues to accelerate its upgrade cycle for existing users.

Users will notice the disappearance of the App Switcher and the Walkie-Talkie app immediately after updating their devices. Those relying on the Digital Crown gesture for task switching will need to adapt to the new Live Rewind AI functionality if they own a supported model.

The takeaway

Users should explore the new Find My app to re-familiarize themselves with consolidated tracking features after the update. You may want to check if your specific watch model supports the new AI gestures before attempting to use the reprogrammed Digital Crown controls.