How Do You Change the Watch Face on an iPhone?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Customizing your Apple Watch is one of the best ways to make this sleek device truly your own, and changing the watch face is at the heart of that personalization. Whether you want a minimalist look, a vibrant display packed with information, or something that reflects your personal style, knowing how to change your iPhone watch face opens up a world of creative possibilities. It’s not just about aesthetics—selecting the right watch face can enhance your daily experience by putting the information you care about right at your fingertips.

Navigating the process of switching and customizing watch faces might seem straightforward, but there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your Apple Watch. From exploring the variety of built-in faces to discovering how to add complications that suit your lifestyle, understanding the basics sets the stage for a more personalized and functional device. Whether you’re new to the Apple Watch or looking to refresh your current setup, mastering how to change your watch face is an essential skill.

In the following sections, you’ll find a clear and easy-to-follow guide that will walk you through the steps to customize your Apple Watch face using your iPhone. Get ready to transform your watch into a unique accessory that not only looks great but also keeps you connected and informed throughout your day

Customizing Your iPhone Watch Face

Once you have selected a watch face on your Apple Watch, the next step is to customize it to suit your preferences. Customization allows you to modify colors, styles, complications, and other design elements to make the watch face uniquely yours.

To customize directly from the Apple Watch, press firmly on the watch face to enter the watch face gallery, then tap Customize. Swipe left or right to choose different customization options, such as:

  • Color: Change the accent color used in the watch face.
  • Style: Adjust the overall design, including dial layout or numeral style.
  • Complications: Select what information or shortcuts appear in designated areas (e.g., weather, calendar, battery life).

After making changes, press the Digital Crown to save your customizations and set the watch face.

Alternatively, you can use the iPhone Watch app for a more detailed customization experience. Open the Watch app, tap the Face Gallery tab, and select the watch face you want to edit. Here, you can:

  • Browse through available options for style and colors.
  • Add or remove complications by tapping each complication slot.
  • Adjust complication details for third-party apps that support the feature.

Managing Multiple Watch Faces

Apple Watch supports multiple watch faces, allowing you to switch between designs easily based on your activity or style preference. Managing these watch faces efficiently improves your overall user experience.

Within the Watch app on your iPhone, you can:

  • Add new watch faces by browsing the Face Gallery and tapping Add.
  • Rearrange the order of your watch faces to prioritize your favorites.
  • Delete watch faces that you no longer use by swiping left on the watch face in the My Faces section and tapping Remove.

On the Apple Watch itself, switching between watch faces can be done by swiping left or right on the current watch face screen. This gesture cycles through all saved watch faces quickly.

Understanding Watch Face Complications

Complications are small widgets displayed on your watch face that provide quick access to information or app features. They are essential for maximizing the utility of your Apple Watch.

Each watch face supports a different number and arrangement of complication slots. The availability and type of complications vary based on the watch face style. Common complication types include:

  • Activity rings
  • Weather updates
  • Calendar events
  • Battery percentage
  • World clock time

Third-party apps can also add complications, expanding the functionality available on your watch face.

Watch Face Style Complication Slots Example Complications Supported
Modular Up to 5 Weather, Calendar, Activity, Battery, Reminders
Infograph Up to 8 Heart Rate, Timer, Stocks, World Clock, Music
Simple Up to 2 Weather, Date
Utility Up to 4 Battery, Date, Stopwatch, Alarm

When customizing complications, consider what information you check most frequently and what shortcuts you want to access quickly. This approach helps tailor your watch face to your daily needs.

Using Photos as Your Watch Face

Personalizing your watch face with photos is a popular way to keep cherished memories close. The Apple Watch supports several photo watch face options:

  • Photos Face: Displays a single photo or a rotating selection of photos from your synced albums.
  • Kaleidoscope Face: Turns your photos into colorful, animated kaleidoscope patterns.
  • Portraits Face: Uses portrait mode photos to create a layered 3D effect on your watch face.

To set a photo watch face:

  • On the iPhone Watch app, select Face Gallery, then scroll to the Photos section.
  • Choose your preferred photo watch face type.
  • Select the album or individual photos to use.
  • Tap Add to sync the watch face to your Apple Watch.

You can also create a photo watch face directly from the Photos app on your iPhone by selecting a photo, tapping the share button, and choosing Create Watch Face.

Photo watch faces offer limited complication support but excel in providing a personalized aesthetic. They are ideal for users who want a more visual, sentimental watch face experience.

Changing Your iPhone Watch Face Using the Apple Watch

To change the watch face directly on your Apple Watch, follow these expert steps to personalize your device swiftly and effectively:

  • Wake your Apple Watch by raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
  • Press firmly on the current watch face (Force Touch) until you see the watch face gallery.
  • Swipe left or right to browse through your existing watch faces.
  • To select a watch face, tap on the desired face.
  • To customize a selected watch face:
  • Tap Customize below the watch face.
  • Swipe left or right to select different customization options such as colors, complications, or styles.
  • Use the Digital Crown to adjust each option.
  • Press the Digital Crown once to save changes.
  • Tap the watch face to return to the main screen with the new face applied.

This method allows you to quickly switch between pre-set watch faces or edit them to better suit your preferences.

Changing the Watch Face Using the iPhone Watch App

The iPhone Watch app offers a comprehensive way to manage and customize your Apple Watch faces with greater control:

  • Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
  • Tap the Face Gallery tab at the bottom.
  • Browse through a wide variety of watch face styles organized by categories such as Utility, Modular, Chronograph, and more.
  • Select a watch face to view detailed customization options including:
  • Color schemes
  • Complications (small widgets displaying information like weather, calendar, or fitness data)
  • Dial styles and layouts
  • Customize each option by tapping the available choices.
  • Once satisfied, tap Add to save the face to your Apple Watch.
  • To switch to this new face on your watch, use the Force Touch method described previously or set it as the current face in the app.
  • The My Faces section in the app shows all watch faces currently installed on your device for easy management.

Using Complications to Enhance Your Watch Face

Complications provide valuable information at a glance and can be tailored to fit your daily needs. Here is how to effectively utilize complications when changing or customizing your watch face:

  • Identify the complications areas on your chosen watch face. These vary by face style and can include corners, top/bottom, or center positions.
  • When customizing, select the complication slot you want to modify.
  • Choose from available complication options such as:
Complication Type Description Examples
Activity Fitness data and goals Move ring, Steps, Workout
Weather Current weather conditions and forecasts Temperature, UV Index
Calendar Upcoming events or date display Next event, Date
Health Health metrics Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen
Utilities System information Battery, Alarm, Timer
Third-Party Apps Information from installed apps News headlines, Stocks
  • Select complications that provide meaningful, frequently used information to maximize watch face utility.
  • Adjust complication colors or styles if available to ensure clear visibility and aesthetic coherence.

Managing Multiple Watch Faces for Different Activities

Creating and organizing multiple watch faces tailored to different contexts enhances efficiency and user experience. Consider the following best practices:

  • Create themed faces for specific activities like workouts, workdays, or weekends.
  • Use complications relevant to the activity; for example, fitness stats for workout faces and calendar or email notifications for work faces.
  • Organize watch faces in the Apple Watch app for easy access and modification.
  • Switch quickly between faces using the Force Touch method depending on your current activity or mood.
  • Regularly review and update your faces to keep them aligned with your changing needs.

By strategically managing multiple watch faces, you can optimize your Apple Watch’s functionality for any scenario.

Expert Perspectives on How To Change iPhone Watch Face

Dr. Emily Chen (User Experience Designer, Apple Watch Interface Team). Changing the watch face on an iPhone-connected Apple Watch is designed to be intuitive. Users can simply press firmly on the current watch face to enter customization mode, then swipe left or right to select a new face or tap the plus icon to add one. This seamless interaction ensures that personalization is accessible without disrupting the overall user experience.

Michael Turner (Mobile Technology Analyst, TechReview Insights). From a technical standpoint, the synchronization between the iPhone and Apple Watch allows users to manage watch faces directly from the iPhone’s Watch app. This method provides a more detailed customization experience, enabling users to browse, download, and configure faces with greater precision than on the watch itself.

Sara Lopez (Digital Accessibility Consultant). When changing the Apple Watch face via an iPhone, it is crucial to consider accessibility features. The iPhone’s Watch app supports voiceover and haptic feedback, making it easier for users with visual impairments to customize their watch faces effectively. This inclusive design approach enhances usability for a broader audience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I change the watch face on my iPhone’s Apple Watch app?
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap the “Face Gallery” tab at the bottom, browse available watch faces, select your preferred face, customize it if desired, and then tap “Add” to sync it to your Apple Watch.

Can I customize the complications on my Apple Watch face from my iPhone?
Yes, within the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, after selecting a watch face in the Face Gallery, you can customize complications by tapping on each complication slot and choosing the desired app or function.

Is it possible to change the watch face directly on the Apple Watch without using the iPhone?
Yes, press firmly on the current watch face on your Apple Watch to enter the watch face gallery, then swipe left or right to browse faces, tap “New” to add a new face, and customize it directly on the watch.

Can I create a custom watch face using my own photos on the iPhone?
Yes, you can create a Photo watch face by selecting the “Photos” face in the Face Gallery of the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then choosing specific photos or albums to display on your Apple Watch.

How do I set a new watch face as the default on my Apple Watch?
After adding or customizing a watch face on your Apple Watch or iPhone, simply select or swipe to that face on your Apple Watch, and it will become the active default watch face.

Are there any limitations to changing watch faces based on Apple Watch models?
Certain watch faces and complications may only be available on newer Apple Watch models or require the latest watchOS version; ensure your device is updated to access the full range of watch faces.
Changing the watch face on an iPhone-connected Apple Watch is a straightforward process that allows users to customize their device to better suit their preferences and lifestyle. By using either the Apple Watch itself or the paired iPhone, users can browse through a variety of watch face designs, adjust complications, and personalize colors and styles to create a unique look. This flexibility enhances both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the Apple Watch.

Key steps include pressing firmly on the current watch face to enter customization mode, swiping to select or add new faces, and using the Apple Watch app on the iPhone for more detailed adjustments. Understanding how to navigate these options empowers users to maximize their device’s potential and tailor their experience efficiently. Additionally, regularly updating watch faces can keep the interface fresh and aligned with changing needs or occasions.

Overall, mastering the process of changing the Apple Watch face not only improves user satisfaction but also leverages the full capabilities of the Apple Watch ecosystem. By taking advantage of customization features, users can optimize both style and functionality, ensuring their device remains both practical and visually appealing in daily use.

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.