Now Playing no longer on top of the watch in WatchOS9

[TorontoSS]

As the title says, no more Now Playing media controls on top of the watch which was useful when you were away from the phone and wanted to rewind 30 seconds of an audiobook or podcast. Is there a quicker way of using these functions or is it just going to the app from your watch face?

Thanks!

 

[MVPinFLA]

I have the same problem. Quite frustrating! Plus the now in the dock doesn’t connect to my Sirius app any more.

 

[Rok73]

I too, have no icons for active apps like ‘Now Playing’ or active ‘Training’ at the top of the screen. None at all. Series 7 with watchOS 9. Same with my gf’s Series 5 and watchOS 9. I checked all relevant settings, everything’s turned on as it should. I restarted and hard rebooted iPhone (13 Pro Max, iOS 16) and Watch to no effect. This surely must be a bug that more people are experiencing?

 

[TorontoSS]

I don't think it's a bug actually because I went to the apple support pages and if you see on Watch OS9, it doesn't mention taping on the screen for it. But if you switch to Watch OS8, it has it.

Use Now Playing on Apple Watch

Now Playing lets you control audio playback on your Apple Watch, iPhone, and other devices.

support.apple.com

Don't get why this feature was taken out, I used to use it so much!

 

[applefan19]

I don't think it's a bug actually because I went to the apple support pages and if you see on Watch OS9, it doesn't mention taping on the screen for it. But if you switch to Watch OS8, it has it.

Use Now Playing on Apple Watch

Now Playing lets you control audio playback on your Apple Watch, iPhone, and other devices.

support.apple.com

Don't get why this feature was taken out, I used to use it so much!

Now Playing was removed in OS 9 per another Apple Support guide posted in a different forum. They expect us to click into dock and then select the music now playing app.

However, active status icons for phone and workouts should be working and do not for me in OS 9.

 

[applefan19]

I don't think it's a bug actually because I went to the apple support pages and if you see on Watch OS9, it doesn't mention taping on the screen for it. But if you switch to Watch OS8, it has it.

Use Now Playing on Apple Watch

Now Playing lets you control audio playback on your Apple Watch, iPhone, and other devices.

support.apple.com

Don't get why this feature was taken out, I used to use it so much!

Second this. It was one of my most used features. I rely more on complications for notifications than the notification dot and use the Watch to control my phone while in my pocket.

 

[applefan19]

Not sure Apple is aware of issue with active status icons for workout and phone. Wondering if more people need to report to Apple for this to be addressed? Tech support not able to resolve so far for me.

 

[applefan19]

Icons back in OS 10!