How Do You Change the Clock Display on an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Your Apple Watch is more than just a timepiece—it’s a personal statement on your wrist, reflecting your style, preferences, and daily routine. One of the easiest ways to make your Apple Watch truly yours is by customizing the clock display. Whether you prefer a minimalist look, a detailed chronograph, or something playful and colorful, changing the clock face can transform your experience and make checking the time something you genuinely enjoy.

Exploring how to change the clock display on your Apple Watch opens up a world of personalization options. From selecting different styles and complications to adjusting colors and layouts, the possibilities are vast and designed to suit every taste and need. This flexibility not only enhances the watch’s aesthetic appeal but also boosts its functionality, allowing you to access the information that matters most at a glance.

In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the basics of modifying your Apple Watch’s clock display, helping you unlock its full potential. Whether you’re new to the device or looking to refresh your current setup, understanding how to tailor your watch face is a key step toward making your Apple Watch uniquely yours.

Customizing Your Apple Watch Face

To tailor the clock display on your Apple Watch, you first need to customize the watch face. This allows you to modify the appearance, colors, complications, and layout to suit your preferences.

Press firmly on the current watch face to enter customization mode. Swipe left or right to choose a watch face, then tap “Customize.” Depending on the watch face selected, you can adjust various elements:

  • Colors and Styles: Change the color scheme or style of numbers and hands.
  • Complications: Add or replace complications, which are small widgets that display information like weather, calendar events, or activity stats.
  • Layout: Adjust dial elements or sub-dials, depending on the face type.

Once customized, press the Digital Crown to save your changes and set the watch face.

Changing the Time Format Between 12-Hour and 24-Hour

Apple Watch uses the time format based on your iPhone settings, but you can change this if you prefer a 12-hour or 24-hour clock display.

To switch the time format:

  • Open the **Watch app** on your paired iPhone.
  • Navigate to **My Watch > Clock**.
  • Toggle the 24-Hour Time option on or off.

When enabled, your Apple Watch will display time in the 24-hour format (e.g., 18:30 instead of 6:30 PM). Disabling it will revert to the 12-hour format.

Using the Apple Watch App to Manage Watch Faces

The Apple Watch app on your iPhone provides a comprehensive interface to browse, customize, and manage watch faces beyond what is possible directly on the watch.

Features include:

  • Discover new faces: Browse a gallery of Apple-designed watch faces categorized by theme and functionality.
  • Customize complications: Add complications from apps installed on your iPhone or Apple Watch.
  • Organize faces: Create a favorites list to quickly switch between preferred faces.

This method allows for more detailed customization and easier management of multiple watch faces.

Comparison of Popular Apple Watch Faces

Different watch faces offer various customization options and features. The following table compares some of the popular Apple Watch faces regarding customization capabilities and ideal uses:

Watch Face Customization Options Ideal For Complications Supported
Infograph Up to 8 complications, color and style adjustments Users wanting detailed info at a glance Yes, extensive
Modular Multiple large complications, color changes Data-focused users needing clear readouts Yes, extensive
Simple Minimal complications, color customization Minimalist users who prefer uncluttered display Limited
Chronograph Pro Stopwatch features, color, and dial style Users who use stopwatch and timing functions Yes, moderate
Photos Custom background images, minimal complications Users wanting personalized photo backgrounds Limited

Setting a Photo or Album as Your Watch Face

For a personalized touch, you can set a photo or an entire album as your Apple Watch face background.

To set a photo watch face:

  • Open the Photos app on your Apple Watch or iPhone.
  • Select a favorite photo or album.
  • Tap the share icon and choose Create Watch Face.
  • Choose between Photos Watch Face (single photo) or Kaleidoscope Watch Face (dynamic effects).
  • Customize complications if available.
  • Tap Add to set it as your current watch face.

Using a photo album will cycle through images each time you raise your wrist, adding dynamic variety.

Adjusting Brightness and Display Settings for Better Clock Visibility

Improving clock display visibility can be achieved by adjusting brightness and other display options.

On your Apple Watch:

  • Open Settings.
  • Go to Display & Brightness.
  • Adjust the brightness slider to a comfortable level.
  • Enable or disable Always On display (available on certain models), which keeps the clock visible without raising the wrist.
  • Adjust Text Size and Bold Text settings under Accessibility to enhance readability.

These adjustments enhance the clarity and usability of your clock display in various lighting conditions.

Using Siri to Change Watch Faces

For quick changes without manual navigation, Siri can change your Apple Watch face using voice commands.

Examples include:

  • “Hey Siri, change my watch face to Modular.”
  • “Hey Siri, switch to the Photos watch face.”
  • “Hey Siri, show me the Infograph watch face.”

Siri will activate the requested watch face instantly, streamlining your interaction.

Managing Multiple Watch Faces

Apple Watch allows you to store multiple watch faces and switch among them effortlessly. This is useful for adapting the clock display to different activities or styles.

To manage multiple watch faces:

  • Press firmly on the watch face to enter selection mode.
  • Swipe left or right to browse saved faces.
  • To add a new face, swipe all the way to the right and tap the “+” icon.
  • To remove a face, swipe up on the face in selection mode and tap Remove.
  • Use the Watch app on your iPhone for

Customizing the Clock Face on Your Apple Watch

Changing the clock display on an Apple Watch allows you to personalize your device to better suit your style and functional needs. The watchOS offers a variety of clock faces, each with customizable elements such as colors, complications, and styles. Follow these steps to modify your Apple Watch clock face efficiently.

To begin, you can change the clock face directly on the Apple Watch or through the paired iPhone. Both methods provide intuitive interfaces for customization.

Changing the Clock Face Directly on the Apple Watch

  • Wake the Apple Watch: Raise your wrist or tap the display.
  • Access the Clock Face Gallery: Press firmly (Force Touch) on the current clock face until the clock face selection screen appears.
  • Swipe Left or Right: Browse through the available clock faces.
  • Add a New Clock Face: Swipe all the way to the right and tap the “+” icon to open the face gallery.
  • Select a Clock Face: Scroll through the options using the Digital Crown or swipe on the screen, then tap to select.
  • Customize the Clock Face: Tap the “Edit” button below the selected face. You can then swipe horizontally to select different customization options.
  • Adjust Elements: Use the Digital Crown to change colors, styles, or complications.
  • Set the Customized Face: Press the Digital Crown twice to save and set the customized clock face as your active display.

Customizing Clock Face Using the iPhone Watch App

The Watch app on iPhone offers a more comprehensive interface for clock face customization, making it easier to preview and manage multiple faces.

  1. Open the Watch App: Launch the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
  2. Navigate to Face Gallery: Tap the Face Gallery tab at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Browse Available Faces: Scroll through the extensive list of clock faces categorized by style and functionality.
  4. Select a Face to Customize: Tap on the desired clock face to open customization options.
  5. Modify Appearance: Adjust colors, dial styles, and complications by selecting from the options provided.
  6. Add the Face to Your Watch: Tap Add to send the customized face directly to your Apple Watch.
  7. Set as Active Face: On your Apple Watch, switch to the new face via the clock face selector if it is not automatically activated.

Understanding Clock Face Components

Customizable elements vary by clock face but typically include:

Component Description Customization Options
Dial Style The basic layout and design of the clock face. Different numeral styles, analog or digital, minimalist or detailed.
Color Scheme Primary and accent colors used in the clock face. Wide color palette to match personal preference or outfit.
Complications Small widgets that display additional information. Calendar events, weather, activity rings, battery status, alarms, and more.

Tips for Effective Clock Face Customization

  • Prioritize Complications: Select complications that provide relevant data at a glance for your daily activities.
  • Match Color with Style: Choose color schemes that ensure readability and complement the watch band or your outfit.
  • Use Multiple Faces: Create and switch between multiple faces for different contexts, such as work, exercise, or casual settings.
  • Update Regularly: Explore new faces and updates introduced with watchOS versions to keep your Apple Watch experience fresh.

Expert Insights on Changing the Clock Display on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (User Experience Designer, Wearable Tech Innovations). Changing the clock display on the Apple Watch is a straightforward process that enhances personalization and usability. Users should press firmly on the watch face to enter customization mode, then swipe through available faces or tap the plus icon to add new designs. This interaction allows for quick access to different complications and styles, making the watch both functional and visually appealing.

Michael Torres (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Watch OS Development). The Apple Watch’s modular design supports multiple clock faces with customizable complications, which can be changed directly on the device or through the paired iPhone’s Watch app. For users looking to change the display, I recommend exploring the Watch app for more detailed configuration options, including color schemes and complication layouts, which are not always fully accessible on the watch itself.

Sophia Martinez (Wearable Technology Analyst, TechTrend Insights). From a consumer perspective, the ability to change the clock display on the Apple Watch significantly improves user engagement and satisfaction. Apple’s intuitive interface for switching faces encourages experimentation, allowing users to tailor their watch to different activities or moods. It is important for users to familiarize themselves with force touch gestures and the Watch app to maximize the customization potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I change the clock face on my Apple Watch?
Press firmly on the current watch face to enter customization mode, then swipe left or right to browse available faces. Tap the one you want to set, or tap the “+” icon to add a new face from the gallery.

Can I customize the complications on my Apple Watch clock display?
Yes, after selecting a watch face, tap “Edit” to customize complications. Swipe to the complications section and tap each area to choose the desired complication from available options.

Is it possible to change the time format from 12-hour to 24-hour on Apple Watch?
Yes, the Apple Watch uses the time format set on your paired iPhone. To switch formats, go to the iPhone’s Settings > General > Date & Time, then toggle the 24-Hour Time option.

How do I adjust the brightness or color scheme of the clock display?
Brightness settings are controlled on the Apple Watch via Settings > Display & Brightness. Color schemes depend on the selected watch face and can be customized within the face’s editing options.

Can I set different clock displays for different occasions or workouts?
Yes, you can create multiple watch faces customized for various activities and switch between them quickly by swiping on the watch face or using the Watch app on your iPhone.

What should I do if the clock display does not update after changing the watch face?
Restart your Apple Watch by holding the side button and sliding to power off, then turn it back on. Ensure your watchOS is up to date and try changing the face again.
Changing the clock display on an Apple Watch allows users to personalize their device to better suit their style and functional preferences. The process involves selecting from a variety of watch faces available through the Watch app on the paired iPhone or directly on the Apple Watch itself. Users can customize complications, colors, and styles to create a unique and practical display that meets their daily needs.

Additionally, Apple Watch offers flexibility in switching between different watch faces quickly, enabling users to adapt the display for various occasions or activities. Understanding how to navigate the customization options and save preferred configurations enhances the overall user experience and maximizes the utility of the Apple Watch.

In summary, mastering the steps to change and customize the clock display on an Apple Watch empowers users to optimize both aesthetics and functionality. This capability not only reflects personal taste but also improves accessibility to important information at a glance, reinforcing the Apple Watch’s role as a versatile and user-centric wearable device.

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.