I have a simple "timer" watchOS app that uses hierarchical navigation. I can press the digital crown to return to the watch Springboard, then tap the app icon and be returned to the same interface controller I was using.
If I return to the watch face and tap my app's complication, the app is launched, but appears to have restarted: I lose my current state. Is there any way to prevent this?
If you open your watch app by tap complication, the app will automatically back to root interface controller(s). This is a system forced behavior.
If you want to preserve previous state, you need to change your app's hierarchic to page-based interfaces.
User interaction in page-based interfaces can be just like navigation-based interfaces. You can replace pushController(withName:context:), pop() and popToRootController() methods to becomeCurrentPage(). I also found switch from one page interface to another is also faster than navigation (push/pop) to another.