Let's be honest: that default Apple Watch face gets boring after a while. I remember staring at mine during a meeting thinking, "This looks like something my accountant would wear." Good news? Switching it up takes seconds once you know how. I've changed faces dozens of times – sometimes because I got tired of the color, other times because I needed quick weather updates before hiking.
Step-by-Step: Changing Your Apple Watch Face Right Now
Whether you're using the watch itself or your iPhone, here's how I do it daily:
On Your Apple Watch Directly
Press and hold your current watch face. Seriously, just long-press until things wiggle. Saw this trick first from a barista who customized hers for workout tracking.
- Swipe left/right to browse existing faces
- Tap "Edit" to tweak colors/complications
- Swipe to the far left and tap "+" to add new faces
- Force touch the screen (older models) or keep pressing firmly
Using Your iPhone
Open the Watch app > Face Gallery tab. This is where Apple hides all the good stuff. I found the Solar Dial face here last month.
- Browse categories like Activity, Modular, GMT
- Tap any face > Customize complications/colors
- Hit "Add" to push it to your watch
Pro tip: Swipe up on any face preview to see it in dark/light mode. Saved me from choosing a white face that blinded me at 3 AM.
Watch Face Priority Hack: Your most-left face loads fastest when raising your wrist. Drag your favorite to that slot.
Top 5 Apple Watch Faces I Actually Use (And Why)
After testing 20+ faces for months, these are my workhorses. Nike Hybrid? Pure running genius.
| Face Name | Best For | Customization Depth | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infograph Modular | Data lovers (8 complications!) | Colors, sub-dials, complication types | ★★★★★ |
| Nike Hybrid | Runners & gym workouts | Activity metrics, bold typography | ★★★★☆ |
| Siri Face | Predictive info (flights, meetings) | Limited - focuses on auto-suggestions | ★★★☆☆ |
| Solar Dial | Outdoor enthusiasts | Sun position tracking, gradient colors | ★★★★☆ |
| Memoji | Personalization fun | Your animated avatar + 2 complications | ★★★☆☆ |
Honestly, I avoid the Kaleidoscope face – looks trippy but useless for telling time quickly.
Complications: Your Secret Productivity Weapon
Complications = those tiny widgets on your watch face. Setting these right? Game changer. Here’s my setup:
- Top Left: Weather (Dark Sky - minute-by-minute rain alerts)
- Top Right: Heart rate (during workouts)
- Bottom: Calendar next event
- Center: Activity rings (guilt-tripping works)
To edit complications: Enter edit mode > tap a complication slot > scroll with Digital Crown. Some apps like WaterMinder or AutoSleep add killer complications.
Advanced Complication Setup
| Complication Slot | Best Apps to Use | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Corner Sub-dials | World Clock, Timer, Battery | Glanceable timezones for calls |
| Large Center Area | Fantastical, Things 3 | Shows task descriptions |
| Tiny Circular Slots | HeartWatch, Carrot Weather | Minimal space, max data |
My failsafe combo? Top left: next meeting. Bottom: rain forecast. Never get caught without an umbrella again.
Creating Custom Faces from Scratch
Apple’s "Portrait" face stunned me when I tried it last month. Uses depth effect from iPhone photos. Steps:
- Open Watch app > Face Gallery
- Scroll to "Portrait" section
- Tap "Customize" > select your photo
- Position the clock with drag handles
- Add 1-2 complications max (keeps it clean)
Works best with pet/portrait shots having clear foregrounds. My dog’s nose makes time pop out.
Third-Party Apps That Expand Options
Apple's selection is limited. These apps helped me:
- Clockology: Thousands of designer faces (free + paid)
- Facer: Custom animated faces ($5/month)
- Watchsmith: Dynamic complications ($2.99)
Clockology’s learning curve is steep though. Spent 3 hours building a Star Wars face once.
Fixing Common "Change Clock Face" Issues
Ran into these myself:
Watch Face Won't Change
Happened after watchOS 9 update. Fixes:
- Restart both iPhone and Watch
- Check for software updates
- Ensure Bluetooth is ON
Complications Not Updating
My weather widget froze for 2 days. Solutions:
- Reinstall the problematic app
- Toggle Airplane mode on/off
- Reset sync data: Watch app > General > Reset
Deleted Faces Still Showing
Force restart: Hold side button + Digital Crown for 10 secs until logo appears. Worked when Mickey Mouse face haunted me for weeks.
Face Recommendations by Activity
Different days demand different faces. My rotation:
| When I'm... | Face I Use | Key Complications |
|---|---|---|
| At work | Infograph | Calendar, Messages, Timer |
| Hiking/running | Wayfinder (Ultra only) | Compass, Elevation, Workout |
| Traveling | GMT | World Clock, Weather, Alarms |
| Sleeping | Simple (red mode) | None (minimal light) |
Wayfinder’s night mode saved me during a camping trip – glows dim red to preserve night vision.
Bonus: Sharing Faces with Friends
Found this last Christmas sending my sister a face with her kids' photos:
- Long-press desired face on watch
- Tap the share icon (box with arrow)
- Choose contact via Messages
- Recipient opens message > taps face > "Add"
Works best with simple faces. Sent one with 6 complications? My friend’s watch choked.
FAQs: What People Actually Ask
Based on forum lurking and my own confusion:
Can I use custom photos as full watch faces?
Yes! Portrait face or Photos face. But avoid text-heavy images – time becomes unreadable. My pizza photo failed spectacularly.
Why does my watch face change automatically?
Check Focus Modes in Settings. Sleep Focus can switch to Simple face. Drives me nuts when it activates during naps.
Do third-party faces drain battery?
Animated ones do. My Star Wars Tie Fighter face drained battery 40% faster. Static faces? Negligible impact.
How many faces can I store?
Technically unlimited, but I keep 15 active. More than 20 causes lag when swiping between them.
Can I schedule face changes?
Not natively. Workaround: Use Shortcuts automations triggered by time/location to switch faces. My "Work" face auto-loads at 9 AM.
My Personal Watch Face Strategy
After 4 years of daily Apple Watch use:
- Keep 3 core faces: Work, Fitness, Minimalist
- Seasonal rotation keeps things fresh (snowy face in winter!)
- Delete unused faces monthly – reduces clutter
- Always test readability outdoors before committing
The real power move? Changing your face to match your band color. Impresses absolutely no one except fellow nerds at coffee shops.
At its core, learning how to change clock face on Apple Watch transforms it from a gadget into something truly personal. Took me 10 attempts to perfect my daily driver face. Worth every second.
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