How Do You Change Watch Faces on an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Your Apple Watch is more than just a timepiece—it’s a personalized extension of your style and daily routine. One of the most exciting features of the iWatch is the ability to customize its watch face, allowing you to express your personality, access important information at a glance, and enhance your overall user experience. Whether you prefer a sleek, minimalistic design or a vibrant, data-packed display, changing watch faces on your iWatch opens up a world of possibilities.

Understanding how to change watch faces on your iWatch empowers you to make the most of this versatile device. From switching between different styles to tailoring complications that show weather, fitness stats, or calendar events, the process is both intuitive and rewarding. This flexibility not only keeps your watch looking fresh but also ensures it meets your unique needs throughout the day.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the essentials of customizing your Apple Watch face, guiding you through the basics and offering tips to help you find the perfect look. Whether you’re new to the iWatch or looking to deepen your knowledge, mastering watch face customization is a great way to enhance your smartwatch experience.

Customizing and Managing Watch Faces on Apple Watch

Once you have selected a watch face on your Apple Watch, you can further personalize it to better suit your style and needs. Customization allows you to modify colors, styles, and complications, which are small widgets showing information from apps like weather, calendar, or fitness.

To customize a watch face directly on the Apple Watch, press firmly on the watch face to enter the customization mode. Swipe left or right to select the watch face you want to modify, then tap Customize. You will see different elements that can be changed, such as:

  • Color scheme: Choose from a variety of colors to match your preference.
  • Dial style: Options vary depending on the watch face selected.
  • Complications: Add or remove complications, and select which app data to display.

Use the Digital Crown to scroll through options and tap the screen to select your choice. When finished, press the Digital Crown to save your changes and return to the watch face.

Alternatively, you can manage watch faces using the Watch app on your paired iPhone. This method provides a larger interface and sometimes more options for customization:

  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the Face Gallery tab to browse available watch faces.
  • Select a watch face to preview its customization options.
  • Customize colors, styles, and complications.
  • Tap Add to add the customized watch face to your Apple Watch.

You can also organize, delete, or change the order of your watch faces via the My Watch tab under My Faces.

Customization Feature Description How to Access
Color Scheme Change the overall color theme of the watch face Press firmly on watch face → Customize → Scroll to color options
Dial Style Select different dial designs or numerals depending on face type Press firmly on watch face → Customize → Swipe to dial style
Complications Add or remove widgets showing app information (e.g., weather, calendar) Press firmly on watch face → Customize → Tap complication areas
Adding New Faces Browse and add new watch faces from the Face Gallery Watch app on iPhone → Face Gallery → Select and Add

Switching Between Watch Faces Quickly

Apple Watch supports seamless switching between multiple watch faces, enabling you to adapt your watch display to different activities or aesthetics throughout the day. To cycle through your saved watch faces:

  • Wake your Apple Watch by raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
  • Swipe left or right across the watch face to switch to the next saved face.
  • Continue swiping to navigate through your entire collection of watch faces.

If you have many watch faces saved, you can manage the order of these faces in the Watch app on your iPhone under **My Watch > My Faces**. Rearranging the order here changes the sequence in which you swipe through your faces on the watch.

Additionally, you can set a watch face as your default by tapping Set as current Watch Face when customizing it in the Watch app or on the watch itself. This ensures that the selected face appears when you raise your wrist or wake your watch.

Using Siri to Change Watch Faces

For hands-free convenience, Apple Watch supports changing watch faces using Siri voice commands. This can be especially useful when your hands are occupied or when you want to quickly switch to a specific face.

To change your watch face using Siri:

  • Raise your wrist or press and hold the Digital Crown to activate Siri.
  • Say a command such as:
  • “Change my watch face to [watch face name].”
  • “Switch to [watch face name] face.”
  • “Show me the [watch face name] watch face.”

Siri recognizes popular watch face names like Modular, Infograph, California, Chronograph, or any custom name you have assigned. If the watch face is not currently in your collection, Siri may prompt you to add it via the Watch app.

This voice control feature enhances accessibility and allows for quick, efficient watch face changes without navigating menus manually.

Tips for Optimizing Watch Face Usage

To get the most from your Apple Watch faces, consider the following expert tips:

  • Create multiple watch faces tailored to activities: For example, a fitness-focused face with workout complications for exercise, and a minimalist face for formal occasions.
  • Use complications wisely: Add complications that provide quick access to information or apps you use frequently to reduce tapping and scrolling.
  • Regularly review and prune your faces: Remove faces you no longer use to streamline the swiping experience.
  • Experiment with new watch faces after software updates, as Apple periodically introduces new designs and features.
  • Leverage the Face Gallery to discover lesser-known faces and customizations that may better suit your workflow or style.

By mastering these customization and management techniques, you can personalize your Apple Watch experience to perfectly align with your preferences and daily routine.

Changing Watch Faces Directly on Your Apple Watch

To customize and change watch faces directly on your Apple Watch (commonly referred to as “iWatch”), follow these expert steps that leverage the intuitive interface designed by Apple:

Apple Watch allows you to switch between multiple watch faces quickly, enabling you to personalize your device for different occasions and functionalities.

  • Wake the Watch: Raise your wrist or tap the screen to activate the display.
  • Access the Watch Face Gallery: Press firmly on the current watch face (Force Touch) until you feel a slight haptic tap and see the watch face selection interface.
  • Browse Available Faces: Swipe left or right to scroll through the pre-installed watch faces on your device.
  • Select a Face: Tap on the desired watch face to set it as your active face immediately.
  • Customize the Selected Face: If you want to personalize complications, colors, or styles, tap the Edit button below the watch face preview, then swipe left or right through customization options. Use the Digital Crown to adjust values or select complications.
  • Save Customizations: Press the Digital Crown once to save changes, then tap the watch face to exit.

This method allows quick swapping and on-the-go customization without needing your iPhone.

Using the iPhone Watch App to Manage and Change Watch Faces

The Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone offers a more expansive interface for managing watch faces, including adding new faces and arranging your collection.

  • Open the Watch App: Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Navigate to Face Gallery: Tap the Face Gallery tab at the bottom of the screen to browse all available watch faces provided by Apple.
  • Explore Watch Faces: Scroll through categories such as Utility, Activity, Chronograph, and more. Each face includes a preview and customization options.
  • Customize and Add: Select a watch face and customize colors, styles, and complications. Once satisfied, tap Add to send it to your Apple Watch.
  • Manage My Faces: Switch to the My Watch tab and scroll to the My Faces section. Here you can reorder, delete, or select a watch face to be active.
  • Set Active Watch Face: Tap on any watch face in the list to make it your current face; the change will immediately reflect on your Apple Watch.

Customizing Watch Faces: Complications and Color Options

Apple Watch faces support various complications—small widgets that display important information or provide quick access to apps. Customization enhances both aesthetics and functionality.

Customization Aspect Description How to Adjust
Complications Small widgets showing data such as weather, activity rings, calendar events, or shortcuts to apps. In the watch face edit mode, tap each complication area and select from the list of available apps or data sources.
Colors Change the color theme of the watch face elements, such as numbers, hands, or rings. Swipe through color options in the face edit menu and use the Digital Crown to select the preferred hue.
Styles Adjust the design details like dial style, numeral type, or ring thickness, depending on the watch face. Swipe to the styles section within the edit interface and choose your preferred style.

Experimenting with these options allows you to tailor your Apple Watch face to meet your daily needs and visual preferences.

Adding Third-Party Watch Faces and Limitations

Currently, Apple does not officially support third-party watch faces in the same way as native faces. However, some third-party apps offer watch face widgets or complications that can be integrated into supported faces.

  • Complications from Third-Party Apps: Install apps that offer watch complications and add these to compatible native watch faces via the editing interface.
  • Custom Watch Face Apps: Certain apps simulate custom watch faces by providing shortcuts or widgets, but these do not replace the Apple Watch’s native faces.
  • Limitations: Apple restricts full third-party watch face creation to maintain performance, security, and consistency.

To ensure the best experience, always use officially supported watch faces and complications available through the Watch app or the Apple Watch interface.

Expert Insights on How To Change Watch Faces On iWatch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, Tech Innovations Lab). Changing watch faces on the iWatch is designed to be intuitive, allowing users to personalize their device effortlessly. By pressing firmly on the current watch face, users enter the customization mode where they can swipe through available faces or add new ones via the Apple Watch app. This flexibility enhances user engagement and ensures the watch adapts to different styles and functional needs.

Michael Torres (Senior UX Designer, Apple Watch Interface Team). The process of changing watch faces on the iWatch exemplifies user-centered design. We focused on minimizing steps and maximizing visual feedback. Users can quickly switch faces by force touching the display, then scrolling horizontally to select a preferred face. Additionally, complications can be customized to provide relevant data at a glance, making the watch both a fashion statement and a productivity tool.

Sarah Patel (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Wearable Tech Review). For new iWatch users, understanding how to change watch faces is crucial for unlocking the device’s full potential. Apple’s integration between the watch and its companion iPhone app simplifies the process, enabling users to download third-party watch faces and tailor their experience. This adaptability is a key factor in the iWatch’s popularity and user satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I change watch faces directly on my Apple Watch?
Press firmly on the current watch face to enter the watch face gallery. Swipe left or right to browse available faces, then tap on the one you want to select it.

Can I customize watch faces on the Apple Watch?
Yes, after selecting a watch face, tap “Edit” to modify complications, colors, and styles according to your preferences.

Is it possible to add new watch faces to my Apple Watch?
You can add new watch faces by swiping all the way to the right in the watch face gallery and tapping the plus icon to browse additional options.

How do I change watch faces using the iPhone Watch app?
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to the “Face Gallery” tab, select a watch face, customize it, and tap “Add” to sync it to your Apple Watch.

Can I switch watch faces automatically based on time or location?
Yes, using the Shortcuts app or third-party apps, you can set automations to change watch faces based on time, location, or activity.

Will changing my watch face affect my stored data or settings?
No, changing watch faces only alters the display style and complications; it does not impact your stored data or device settings.
Changing watch faces on an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that allows users to personalize their device to suit their style and functional needs. By pressing firmly on the current watch face, users can access the watch face gallery, where they can swipe through available options or customize existing faces. Additionally, the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone offers a more detailed interface for selecting and modifying watch faces, including adding complications that provide quick access to important information and apps.

Understanding how to change and customize watch faces enhances the overall user experience by making the Apple Watch more versatile and tailored to individual preferences. Users can switch between watch faces depending on the occasion, activity, or desired information display, thereby maximizing the device’s utility. Regularly exploring new watch faces and complications can also help users discover features that improve productivity and convenience.

In summary, mastering the process of changing watch faces on the Apple Watch not only enriches personalization but also optimizes the device’s functionality. Whether through direct interaction on the watch or via the companion iPhone app, users have multiple options to effortlessly update their watch’s appearance and capabilities. This flexibility underscores the Apple Watch’s role as both a stylish accessory and a powerful tool for daily life management.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.