Among the big changes coming to Apple Watch this fall is the ability to remove many of the applications that come pre-installed on it. watchOS 6 will reportedly make it as easy to delete Apple’s own apps as third-party ones.
This change appears to be a side effect of the Apple Watch App Store debuting in watchOS 6. It makes sense to allow Apple’s offerings to be removed once they can be easily reinstalled.
Deleting pre-installed Apple Watch apps
All the apps that can be uninstalled just appeared in the App Store. According to TechCrunch, on the list are Alarm, Breathe, Camera Remote, ECG, Radio, Remote, Stopwatch and Timer. Also there are ones debuting in watchOS 6, including Cycle Tracking and the amazing Noise app.
Removing these will reportedly involve the same quick process as taking off third-party software: press and hold on the app’s icon until an “X” appears, then tap on the “X.”
There are exceptions; Heart Rate and Messages apparently can’t be deleted.
This isn’t the first time Apple Watch wearers could delete some pre-installed apps. If certain ones are removed from a linked iPhone, the equivalent Watch version would be taken off as well. The change coming soon will include additional software, and be more direct.
watchOS 6 is currently in beta testing. The full version is expected some time this fall.
