Remove News App From Apple Watch: A Quick Guide

Nov 2, 2025 by Admin 48 views

Hey guys! Are you looking to declutter your Apple Watch and ditch the News app? Maybe you're not a big news junkie, or perhaps you prefer getting your updates on your iPhone. Whatever the reason, removing the News app from your Apple Watch is a simple process. This guide will walk you through it step-by-step, ensuring you can customize your watch to perfectly suit your needs. Let's dive in and get that News app off your wrist!

Why Remove the News App?

Before we jump into the how, let's quickly cover the why. You might be wondering, "Is it really worth the effort to remove the News app?" Well, here are a few compelling reasons:

Conserving Battery Life: Every app on your Apple Watch consumes a bit of battery, even when it's not actively in use. By removing apps you rarely use, like the News app, you can squeeze a little more life out of your watch's battery. This can be especially helpful if you're often away from a charger.
Freeing Up Storage Space: Apple Watches have limited storage space. Over time, this space can fill up with apps, cached data, and other files. Removing unused apps, such as the News app, frees up valuable storage, which can improve your watch's performance and allow you to install new apps or store more music.
Reducing Clutter: A cluttered app screen can be overwhelming and make it harder to find the apps you actually use. By removing the News app, you can simplify your watch's interface and make it easier to navigate. This can save you time and frustration in the long run.
Minimizing Distractions: Constantly receiving news notifications on your wrist can be distracting, especially when you're trying to focus on work, exercise, or spending time with loved ones. Removing the News app eliminates these distractions and helps you stay present in the moment.
Personal Preference: Ultimately, the decision to remove the News app comes down to personal preference. If you simply don't use the app, there's no reason to keep it installed. Removing it allows you to customize your watch to better suit your individual needs and habits.

Removing the News app from your Apple Watch offers several benefits, from conserving battery life and freeing up storage space to reducing clutter and minimizing distractions. It's a simple way to optimize your watch's performance and customize it to better suit your needs. So, if you're ready to say goodbye to the News app, let's move on to the how.

Method 1: Removing the News App Directly from Your Apple Watch

This is the most straightforward method. You can uninstall the News app directly from your Apple Watch in just a few simple steps. Here’s how:

Locate the News App: On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to access the app screen. Find the News app icon. It usually has a white background with a stylized "N" on it.
Enter Edit Mode: Press and hold the News app icon until the icons start to jiggle. This indicates that you've entered edit mode, allowing you to rearrange or delete apps.
Delete the App: Look for a small "x" in the corner of the News app icon. Tap the "x" to delete the app. A confirmation message may appear, asking if you're sure you want to delete the app. Confirm your decision.
Exit Edit Mode: Press the Digital Crown again to exit edit mode. The News app should now be gone from your Apple Watch.

This method is quick and easy, making it ideal for those who prefer to manage their apps directly on their watch. Removing the News app directly from your Apple Watch is a simple and efficient way to declutter your device and free up valuable storage space. By following these four easy steps, you can quickly uninstall the app and customize your watch to better suit your needs.

Troubleshooting Tips

If the icons don't jiggle when you press and hold, make sure you're pressing firmly enough. You might need to apply a bit more pressure.
If you accidentally delete the wrong app, don't worry! You can always re-download it from the App Store on your iPhone.

Method 2: Removing the News App Using the Watch App on Your iPhone

If you prefer managing your Apple Watch apps from your iPhone, this method is for you. It involves using the Watch app on your iPhone to remove the News app from your Apple Watch. Here's the breakdown:

Open the Watch App: On your iPhone, locate and open the Watch app. This is the app you use to manage various settings and features of your Apple Watch.
Navigate to the App List: In the Watch app, scroll down until you find the section labeled "Installed on Apple Watch." This section lists all the apps currently installed on your Apple Watch.
Find the News App: Scroll through the list of installed apps until you find the News app. It should be listed alphabetically.
Uninstall the App: Tap on the News app in the list. This will take you to a screen with more information about the app. Look for the toggle switch labeled "Show App on Apple Watch." Toggle this switch to the off position. This will uninstall the News app from your Apple Watch.

Using the Watch app on your iPhone offers a convenient way to manage your Apple Watch apps. This method is particularly useful if you prefer to manage your apps from a larger screen or if you want to uninstall multiple apps at once. It's a simple and efficient way to declutter your watch and customize it to better suit your needs. If you’re having trouble finding the News app in the list, make sure you’re looking in the “Installed on Apple Watch” section and not the “Available Apps” section. The “Available Apps” section lists apps that are compatible with your Apple Watch but are not currently installed.

Additional Tips for Managing Apps via the Watch App

Rearranging Apps: You can also rearrange the order of apps on your Apple Watch using the Watch app. Simply tap on the "Edit" button in the "App Layout" section and drag the app icons to your desired positions.
Hiding Apps: If you don't want to completely uninstall an app, you can hide it from the app screen by toggling the "Show App on Apple Watch" switch to the off position. The app will still be installed on your watch, but it won't appear on the app screen.
Installing New Apps: You can also install new apps on your Apple Watch using the Watch app. Simply browse the "Available Apps" section and tap on the "Install" button next to the app you want to install.

Method 3: Preventing Automatic Re-installation of the News App

Sometimes, even after you've removed the News app, it might automatically re-install itself when you update your Apple Watch or restore it from a backup. To prevent this, you need to adjust a setting on your iPhone:

Open the Watch App: Again, start by opening the Watch app on your iPhone.
Navigate to General Settings: Scroll down and tap on "General."
Disable Automatic App Install: In the General settings, find the "Automatic App Install" option. This setting automatically installs apps that are compatible with your Apple Watch whenever you install them on your iPhone. Toggle this switch to the off position.

By disabling automatic app install, you can prevent the News app (and other apps) from automatically re-installing on your Apple Watch. This gives you more control over which apps are installed on your watch and helps you keep it clutter-free. This setting is particularly useful if you frequently install new apps on your iPhone and don't want them automatically appearing on your Apple Watch.

Why This Matters

Leaving this setting enabled can lead to a frustrating cycle of constantly removing unwanted apps from your Apple Watch. By disabling automatic app install, you can break this cycle and ensure that only the apps you want are installed on your watch.

Reinstalling the News App (If You Change Your Mind)

Okay, so you've removed the News app, but what if you decide you want it back? No problem! Reinstalling the News app is just as easy as removing it. Here's how:

Open the App Store: On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to access the app screen. Then, find and open the App Store app.
Search for the News App: Use the search function to find the News app. You can either type the name using the on-screen keyboard or use Siri to search for it.
Download and Install: Once you've found the News app, tap the "Get" button to download it. After the download is complete, the button will change to "Install." Tap "Install" to install the app on your Apple Watch.

Alternatively, you can also reinstall the News app from the App Store on your iPhone. Simply search for the app and tap the "Get" button. The app will automatically be installed on your Apple Watch if the "Automatic App Install" setting is enabled. If it's disabled, you'll need to manually install the app from the Watch app on your iPhone.

Conclusion

Alright, there you have it! You now know how to remove the News app from your Apple Watch using three different methods. Whether you prefer to do it directly on your watch, through the Watch app on your iPhone, or by preventing automatic re-installation, you're now equipped to customize your Apple Watch to your liking. Enjoy your clutter-free and personalized Apple Watch experience! Remember, these steps are simple and reversible, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. Happy customizing!