Changing this Apple Watch setting makes a huge difference - here s how Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. Changing this Apple Watch setting makes a huge difference - here s how By Kate Kozuch published 28 April 2022 Here's how to keep apps open on your Apple Watch for longer (Image credit: Future) Knowing how to use the Apple Watch helps you make the most of the best smartwatch on the market, but there are hidden settings and features you probably haven't tried before. One of those settings might even fix something that bothers you about the Apple Watch experience. It bothered me, at least. By default, your Apple Watch will return to your clock or watch face after two minutes when you lower your wrist or idle. So if I was reading a message or had an app open, my Apple Watch 7 would go back to my current watch face shortly after entering always-on mode. Sure, sometimes I no longer need the app open, but sometimes I would simply get distracted for a moment and still intended to use whichever app I launched. And no, opening it on my wrist again isn't a huge hassle. It gets tiresome after a while, though. Recently I discovered a setting that makes operating the Apple Watch on an everyday basis so much better. The Return to Clock setting gives you the option to leave the best Apple Watch apps open for up to an hour. It's a quick fix - so quick, I showed it off on TikTok (which you might've seen if you follow Tom's Guide on TikTok (opens in new tab).) @tomsguide (opens in new tab) ♬ malibu - favsoundds (opens in new tab) It's a great setting to change if you don't like when your apps close automatically on your Apple Watch. It's not so much of a hack, but it's definitely one of the more underrated or lesser known Apple Watch features. Better yet, you can customize the setting on an app-to-app basis. Here's how to use Return to Clock settings to keep apps open on your Apple Watch. How to keep apps open on your Apple Watch (Image credit: Future) 1. Open settings on your Apple Watch. You can also open the Watch app on your iPhone and open the My Watch tab. 2. Select General. 3. Select Return to Clock. 4. Change from 'Always' or 'After 2 minutes' to 'After 1 hour.' Alternatively, you can scroll down and customize the return to clock setting for each individual app downloaded on your Apple Watch. It's that simple. Looking for more ways on how to make the most of your Apple Watch? See our guide to the Apple Watch settings you should enable and disable now. We also recently shared the steps on how to control your Apple Watch with hand gestures. And if you're in the market for a new smartwatch, we can help you choose the best Apple Watch model for you - and a shout-out the best Apple Watch deals available right now, because who doesn't love saving money?Today's best Apple Watch Series 7 dealsReduced Price (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$399 (opens in new tab)$329 (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)Reduced Price (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$399 (opens in new tab)$329 (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)Reduced Price (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$399.99 (opens in new tab)$334.99 (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)Show More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Be In the Know Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Kate KozuchKate Kozuch is an editor at Tom's Guide covering smartwatches, TVs and everything smart-home related. Kate also appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account (opens in new tab), which you should be following. When she's not filming tech videos, you can find her on an exercise bike, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef. Topics Smartwatches Wearables See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1Amazon AU's Big Smile Sale sale is live: these are the best deals2Walmart Rollback sale live blog - Apple Watch 8 for $349, 55" 4K TV for $198, and more3Prime Day deals LIVE - the best from Amazon Prime Early Access sale4Over 1 million Facebook users' passwords compromised - what to do now5Google Pixel Fold tipped for an early 2023 release window 1Amazon AU's Big Smile Sale sale is live: these are the best deals2Walmart Rollback sale live blog - Apple Watch 8 for $349, 55" 4K TV for $198, and more3Prime Day deals LIVE - the best from Amazon Prime Early Access sale4Over 1 million Facebook users' passwords compromised - what to do now5Google Pixel Fold tipped for an early 2023 release window