How to change the watch face on your Apple Watch

It requires the same amount of effort as swapping out your watch bands.
By Brenda Stolyar  on 
An apple watch with a bright orange band.
It's as simple as tapping on the display. Credit: brenda stolyar / mashable

One of the best things about an Apple Watch is how customizable it is. Any old watch lets you switch the band, but with an Apple Watch, even your watch face can match your mood, your outfit, or both.

While changing your watch band is straightforward, switching up your watch face might not seem so simple (at first). Don't worry, though — once you get the hang of it, it's child's play.

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Here's how to change the watch face on your Apple Watch in a few easy steps.

How to change it directly on your Apple Watch

Total Time
  • 1 minute
What You Need
  • Apple Watch

Step 1: Press your Apple Watch's Digital Crown so that the current watch face appears.

Apple Watch face sceen.
All it takes is a long press on the display. Credit: screenshot / apple

Step 2: Long press on the display until the watch face is minimized.

Apple Watch face.
You can scroll to the left or right to see some of your options. Credit: screenshot / apple

Step 3: Swipe to the right or left and choose from your already saved watch faces.

Step 4: If you don't like any of the already saved options, you swipe all the way to the left until you reach the 'New' option.

Apple Watch 'new' screen.
Credit: screenshot / apple

Step 5: Scroll up and down through the additional watch faces and tap 'Add' when you find one you like

Apple Watch face "Add" screen.
When you find one you like, you can tap 'Add.' Credit: SCREENSHOT / APPLE

Step 6: Once you've settled on your new Apple Watch face, press the Digital Crown to save and set the watch face.

Step 7: If you want to edit an existing watch face, long press on the display and tap 'Edit' underneath each one. Swipe to the left to cycle through your editing options.

How to change it using your iPhone

Total Time
  • 1 minute
What You Need
  • Apple Watch
  • iPhone
  • Apple Watch App

Step 1: Open the Watch app.

Step 2: Select "My Watch."

Here you'll find all your saved watch faces.

Step 3: Tap on 'Edit' in the right-hand corner.

On this screen you can rearrange the sequence of the watch faces that appear on your Apple Watch.

Step 4: Once you're done, tap 'Set as current Watch Face.'

Screenshot of the Apple Watch App.
You can also change the complications. Credit: screenshot / apple

Topics Apple Watch


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