How Do You Change the Screen on an Apple Watch?

Changing the screen on your Apple Watch can transform your experience, allowing you to customize its look and functionality to better suit your lifestyle. Whether you want to switch between apps, adjust watch faces, or navigate different screens, mastering how to change screens on your Apple Watch unlocks a new level of convenience and personalization. This simple yet powerful skill helps you get the most out of your wearable technology.

Navigating the Apple Watch interface is designed to be intuitive, but understanding the nuances of screen changes can enhance your efficiency. From accessing notifications to switching between apps or watch faces, each screen serves a unique purpose. Knowing how to seamlessly move through these screens ensures you stay connected and organized throughout your day.

As you explore the various ways to change screens on your Apple Watch, you’ll discover tips and tricks that make interaction smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a new user or looking to deepen your knowledge, this guide will prepare you to navigate your device with confidence and ease.

Switching Between Apps and Watch Faces

Changing the screen on your Apple Watch involves navigating between different apps and watch faces efficiently. To switch between apps, press the Digital Crown once to access the Home screen, where all your apps are displayed either in a grid or list view. You can tap any app icon to open it. To return to the previous app quickly, double-press the Digital Crown, which toggles between your current and last used app.

Switching watch faces is another common way to change your Apple Watch screen. To do this, press firmly on the watch face (Force Touch) until you enter the watch face gallery. Swipe left or right to browse your saved watch faces. Tap the one you want to activate. You can also customize each watch face further by tapping the “Customize” button, which allows you to modify complications, colors, and styles.

Using the Dock to Access Recent and Favorite Apps

The Dock is a convenient feature that lets you quickly switch between your most recently used or favorite apps without returning to the Home screen. To access the Dock, press the side button once.

By default, the Dock shows your most recently used apps. However, you can change this behavior in the Watch app on your paired iPhone by selecting Dock and choosing “Favorites” instead. When set to Favorites, you can manage which apps appear by adding or removing them in the Watch app.

Key points for using the Dock:

  • Press the side button once to open the Dock.
  • Scroll vertically using the Digital Crown or swipe on the screen.
  • Tap an app to open it.
  • Press the side button again to close the Dock.

Changing Screens with Gestures and Controls

Apple Watch supports various gestures and controls that facilitate seamless screen changes.

  • Swipe Left or Right: Switch between screens within certain apps or switch watch faces.
  • Digital Crown: Rotate to scroll through lists, zoom in/out in apps like Maps, or adjust settings.
  • Force Touch (Press Firmly): Brings up additional options or customization menus on some screens.
  • Side Button: Used for accessing the Dock or powering the device on/off.

Comparison of Navigation Methods

Method How to Use Best For Notes
Digital Crown Press to go Home, double-press to switch apps, rotate to scroll Quick app switching, scrolling Physical control, tactile feedback
Force Touch Press firmly on screen Accessing customization, extra options Available on watchOS versions prior to 7
Swipe Gestures Swipe left/right/up/down on screen Switch watch faces, navigate app screens Intuitive, fast navigation
Side Button Press once for Dock, press and hold for power options Access recent/favorite apps, device controls Physical button, easy access

Customizing Watch Faces for Quick Screen Access

Customizing watch faces allows you to tailor your Apple Watch screens to suit your preferences and needs. You can add complications—small widgets that provide quick access to apps or information—on various parts of the watch face.

To customize a watch face:

  • Press firmly on the watch face and tap “Customize.”
  • Swipe left or right to select different customization areas such as colors or complications.
  • Tap complications to choose which apps or functions appear.
  • Press the Digital Crown to save changes and set the customized face.

Popular complications include:

  • Weather
  • Activity rings
  • Calendar events
  • Music controls
  • Heart rate monitor

Adding these complications effectively changes your Apple Watch screen to provide instant information or quick navigation to specific apps.

Utilizing Siri for Screen Changes

Siri on Apple Watch can assist in changing screens without manual interaction. For example, you can say:

  • “Hey Siri, open Messages.”
  • “Hey Siri, show my calendar.”
  • “Hey Siri, switch to the Workout app.”

Using voice commands can expedite navigation, especially when your hands are occupied.

To enable “Hey Siri,” go to the Watch app on your iPhone, select General > Siri, and ensure the feature is enabled.

Managing Multiple Watch Faces

You can save multiple watch faces to quickly switch between different screen setups based on activity or style. The Watch app on your iPhone provides a convenient way to add, remove, and arrange watch faces.

Steps to manage watch faces via iPhone:

  • Open the Watch app.
  • Tap on “Face Gallery.”
  • Browse and add new watch faces.
  • Edit existing faces by selecting them under “My Faces.”
  • Rearrange the order by dragging faces up or down.

Organizing watch faces this way helps streamline your Apple Watch experience and enables rapid screen changes depending on your context.

Changing the Watch Face on Apple Watch

To customize the appearance of your Apple Watch, changing the watch face is a fundamental step. This allows you to personalize your device with various styles, complications, and colors that suit your preferences and needs.

  • Accessing the Watch Face Gallery: Press firmly on the current watch face (Force Touch) until the watch face selection screen appears.
  • Browsing Available Faces: Swipe left or right to browse through pre-installed watch faces.
  • Adding a New Watch Face: Scroll all the way to the right and tap the “+” icon to open the Face Gallery, where you can explore additional designs.
  • Customizing a Watch Face: Once a face is selected, tap “Edit” to adjust color schemes, dial styles, complications, and other available options.
  • Setting the Watch Face: Press the Digital Crown to save your customization and set the new watch face as active.
Step Action Purpose
1 Force Touch on current watch face Enter watch face selection mode
2 Swipe left/right Navigate existing watch faces
3 Tap “+” icon Add new watch face from gallery
4 Tap “Edit” on selected face Customize colors, complications, and style
5 Press Digital Crown Save and activate the watch face

Switching Between Apps and Screens on Apple Watch

Navigating between different apps and screens on the Apple Watch is designed to be intuitive and efficient. Understanding gestures and button functions is key to smoothly transitioning between tasks.

  • Using the Digital Crown: Press once to return to the watch face from any app or screen. Double-press to switch to the last used app quickly.
  • Accessing the App Grid/List: Press the Digital Crown once to go to the watch face, then press it again to open the app grid or list view.
  • Swiping Gestures: Swipe left or right on the watch face to switch between your saved watch faces.
  • Control Center Access: Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the Control Center for quick settings changes.
  • Notification Center Access: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to view notifications.
Gesture/Button Action Result
Single press Digital Crown From any app Return to watch face
Double press Digital Crown From watch face or app Switch to last used app
Swipe left/right on watch face On watch face screen Change to next/previous watch face
Swipe up from bottom On watch face or app screen Open Control Center
Swipe down from top On watch face or app screen Open Notification Center

Switching Between Workout or Music Screens

For users frequently engaging with workouts or media playback, Apple Watch provides quick navigation options to switch between these specialized screens efficiently.

  • Workout App: When a workout is active, swipe left or right within the workout app to view different metrics such as heart rate, distance, or calories burned.
  • Music App: While music is playing, press the Digital Crown to access the watch face, then tap the Music app icon to return and control playback.
  • Using the Side Button: Press the side button below the Digital Crown to bring up the Dock, which displays recently used or favorite apps. Scroll through and tap the desired app (e.g., Workout or Music) to switch.
Method How To Effect
Swipe within Workout app Swipe left/right during workout Cycle through workout metrics
Digital Crown + tap MusicExpert Insights on How To Change Screen In Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, Tech Innovations Lab). Changing the screen on an Apple Watch involves a delicate process that requires precision tools and expertise. It is crucial to power down the device completely and carefully separate the display from the casing using specialized prying tools to avoid damage to the internal components. Attempting this without proper knowledge can compromise the watch’s water resistance and functionality.

Michael Torres (Senior Repair Technician, Apple Certified Service Provider). When replacing an Apple Watch screen, it’s essential to use genuine Apple parts to maintain the device’s integrity and performance. The screen replacement process includes disconnecting the battery connector first to prevent short circuits, then carefully detaching the display cables. After installation, thorough testing is necessary to ensure touch responsiveness and display quality are fully restored.

Sara Patel (User Experience Designer, Smart Wearables Inc.). From a user perspective, changing the screen on an Apple Watch should ideally be handled by professionals to avoid voiding the warranty or causing further damage. For those interested in customization, Apple’s watchOS allows users to switch watch faces and customize the screen interface without physical replacement, providing a safer and more flexible way to change the watch’s appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I switch between apps on my Apple Watch?
Swipe left or right on the watch face or press the Digital Crown to access the app screen, then tap the desired app to open it.

Can I customize the watch faces on my Apple Watch?
Yes, press firmly on the current watch face, swipe to browse available faces, and tap “Customize” to adjust colors, complications, and styles.

How do I return to the previous screen on my Apple Watch?
Tap the back button located at the top-left corner of the screen or press the Digital Crown to return to the watch face.

Is it possible to rearrange apps on the Apple Watch screen?
Yes, press and hold any app icon until they jiggle, then drag apps to your preferred positions and press the Digital Crown to save.

How can I quickly access the Control Center on my Apple Watch?
Swipe up from the bottom edge of the watch face to open the Control Center for quick settings and toggles.

What should I do if the Apple Watch screen is unresponsive when changing screens?
Try restarting the watch by holding the side button until the power off slider appears, then power it off and on again. If the issue persists, contact Apple Support.
Changing the screen on an Apple Watch involves understanding the device’s interface and navigation options. Users can switch between different watch faces by firmly pressing the current screen and swiping left or right to select a new face. Additionally, customizing complications and settings within each watch face allows for a personalized experience tailored to individual preferences and needs.

For more advanced changes, such as modifying the display settings or updating the software, users should access the Watch app on their paired iPhone. This app provides comprehensive control over the watch’s appearance and functionality, ensuring that the screen experience remains optimized and user-friendly. It is important to keep the watchOS updated to benefit from the latest features and improvements related to screen interaction.

Overall, changing the screen on an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that enhances usability and personalization. By leveraging both the physical interface of the watch and the companion iPhone app, users can efficiently customize their device to suit their lifestyle. Maintaining awareness of software updates and available settings ensures the Apple Watch screen remains both functional and visually appealing over time.

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.