Feeling festive, blue, missing someone, or needing tons of data handy, instantly switch your Apple watch face to match your mood, occasion, or requirements. Set photos or animated Memoji, add varied complications or change it as per a schedule.
Thankfully Apple gives you several ways to customize your watch face. Here’s how it is done in iOS 17 and watchOS 10.
How to change Apple Watch face
Adding an Apple Watch face is effortless and quick. Follow the steps discussed below to get started:
On iPhone
- Access the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Navigate to the Face Gallery menu.
- Here, you can select any of the available faces.
- Choose a face of your liking to proceed.
- Every face features a ton of customization options.
- Depending on the face you’re customizing, you can choose colors, symbols, and dials.
- Scroll down, and you can allocate a series of Complications to the chosen Watch Face.
Complications are small icons that provide quick access to apps or data. Users can add or remove them based on preferences, giving complete control over available information. - Once set, click Add to save.
- Your Apple Watch face will be automatically changed.
On Apple Watch
- Tap and hold the existing Watch Face.
- Swipe left until the (+) icon appears → Tap the (+) icon.
- Scroll through the available faces. Here, you can tap the watch face’s thumbnail and scroll down to learn what the watch face entails.
- Once you find your preferred face, select Add or Add Face to proceed.
- Here, you can swipe left and use Digital Crown to scroll through the styling options available for the watch face.
Users can customize the watch’s face background color or choose from analog and digital time display styles. - Swipe left to go to Complications. Here, depending on your watch face, you can customize weather, activity, or other info.
- Once ready, press the Digital Crown to apply the face.
How to view Apple Watch Face collection
If you are wondering how to find all the watch faces you’ve created, here’s what you need to do.
On iPhone
- Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Under My Faces, you will see your collection. Swipe horizontally. You may also tap on Edit to see them in the list view
On Apple Watch
- Tap and hold an active watch face.
- As you swipe left or right, all of the saved faces will be available to choose from. Just tap the preferred watch face to apply it.
How to rearrange Apple Watch faces from collection
You can rearrange watch faces easily from your iPhone. However, it’s a bit tricky on the Apple Watch. Here’s how it is done.
On iPhone
- Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
- In the My Watch tab, tap Edit from the top-right corner.
- Press and hold the hamburger icon of your favored Watch Face and place it in the desired position.
- Once rearranged, tap Done to conclude the process.
On Apple Watch
- Tap and hold the existing watch face.
- Again, tap and hold the minimized watch face. Do not lift your finger.
- Now, move it across the display (left or right), bring it to your desired position, and lift your finger to place it there.
You can repeat the process with other watch faces to align those per your preference.
How to delete Apple Watch faces from collection
You can remove watch faces easily from your iPhone and Apple Watch.
On iPhone
- Go to Watch app → Tap Edit.
- Hit the (-) icon next to the watch face → Select Remove when prompted.
On Apple Watch
- Tap and hold the existing watch face.
- Swipe left or right to get to the face you wish to delete.
- To delete, swipe up on the watch face → Tap Remove.
Remember that this action cannot be undone. So, kindly exercise caution. If you wish to add the same watch face again, you know the drill!
How to set your own photos to Apple watch face
To customize the watch face on your Apple Watch and set a photo as the display, follow these easy steps.
On iPhone
- First, go to the Watch app on your iPhone → Select Face Gallery.
- Scroll down and choose Photos to proceed.
- Select a color that fits your style.
- Scroll to the Content menu and pick any one of the following:
- Album: It portrays photos from your favorite albums. (Make sure you have created an album and added photos to it. The default Recents album won’t be displayed)
- Photos: You can add up to 24 pictures of your choice.
- Dynamic: It displays photos from your recent memories and updates as new ones are added.
- Now, under Time Position, pick where you want to display it. You can choose from Top or Bottom.
- If curious, try out a few Complications combinations for the available positions. You can choose what goes Above Time and Below Time.
- Once the Watch Face is customized to your liking, hit Add.
- Once you hit Add, the changes will be reflected on the Apple Watch face.
On Apple Watch:
- Launch the Photos app on your Apple Watch.
- Select any picture you desire.
- Tap the share icon and scroll to the bottom.
- Choose Create Watch Face when prompted.
- Here, you can pick any one of the following:
- Kaleidoscope: It provides a throbbing effect to your chosen picture.
- Photos: It saves the image as Watch Face without making any changes.
- Press the Digital Crown to see the changes.
Now, you can enjoy glimpses of meaningful memories right from your wrist, all while maintaining a polished and professional aesthetic.
How to automatically change Apple Watch faces based on your time and location
Apple Watch doesn’t have a built-in feature to automatically change faces based on time and location, but you can achieve this with the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
Leveraging GPS technology and time-based algorithms, Apple Watch seamlessly updates its face design as the user moves between different locations or arrives at preset destinations.
To learn how this is done, follow our detailed guide on how to change your Apple Watch faces automatically.
How to share Apple Watch faces
Have you stumbled upon the most amazing Apple Watch face ever? Then, follow our guide on how to share Apple watch faces to learn how you can spread the joy to your friends and family.
It’s super easy. But first, make sure the person you are sharing with has a compatible version of watchOS.
Yes, you can. In the customization mode, touch and hold a complication, then drag it to the desired position.
Yes, some third-party apps provide additional watch faces and customization options. Check the App Store on your Apple Watch or iPhone for compatible apps.
Get ready to turn heads and wrists alike!
Here’s your passport to a uniquely tailored Apple Watch experience! As you navigate through complications, colors, and countless design elements, remember that the beauty of customization lies in its reflection of you.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Read more:
- How to add and customize Snoopy watch face on your Apple Watch
- Best Apple Watch faces
- How to change Apple Watch app layout for ease and productivity
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