Change your watch face through the Watch app on your iPhone

The fastest way to change your Apple Watch clock face is through the Watch app on your paired iPhone. Open the Watch app, tap the My Watch tab at the bottom, then tap Clock. You'll see a list of available faces. Tap the one you want, and it appears on your watch within seconds. This method works for all Apple Watch models and takes about 30 seconds.

If you don't see the Clock option in My Watch, scroll down—it may be below other settings. The Watch app organizes features alphabetically, so Clock appears early in the list.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to My Watch, and tap Clock to see all available faces.
  • You can also change faces directly on your watch by swiping left or right on the current face and tapping the plus sign.
  • Some clock faces let you customize colors, complications, and style—tap Edit next to the face name to adjust these.
  • If a face doesn't appear in your list, you may need to update your watchOS through the Watch app's General settings.

Change your clock face directly on the watch itself

You don't need your iPhone every time you want to switch faces. On your watch, press firmly on the current clock face (or swipe left or right across it) until the face zooms out and shows nearby options. Swipe left or right to browse available faces, then tap the one you want to use. The face loads when ready.

If you want to add a new face to your rotation, swipe all the way to the right until you see a plus sign (+). Tap it, choose a face from the full list, and it's added to your watch. You can have multiple faces stored and switch between them anytime.

Customize colors and details on your chosen face

Many clock faces let you change colors, add information displays (called complications), and adjust the style. In the Watch app on your iPhone, go to My Watch, tap Clock, then find the face you're using. Tap Edit next to its name. You'll see options to change the color, add or remove complications (like weather, calendar, or activity rings), and adjust other visual settings depending on the face.

Not all faces offer the same customization options. straightforward faces like Solo Loop have fewer choices, while faces like Modular or Infograph let you add up to eight complications and pick from many color schemes. Tap through the options to see what's available for your specific face.

Remove clock faces you no longer use

If your watch has too many faces, you can delete the ones you don't wear. On your watch, press firmly on a face to zoom out, then swipe to find the one you want to remove. Swipe left on it, and a trash icon appears. Tap the trash icon to delete it. The face is removed from your watch but stays available in the Watch app if you want to add it back later.

You can also remove faces through the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to My Watch, tap Clock, scroll to the face you want to remove, swipe left on it, and tap the trash icon. This method is easier if you're removing several faces at once.

Troubleshoot when a face won't change or appears grayed out

If a clock face is grayed out in the Watch app, your watchOS version may be too old to support it. Check for updates by opening the Watch app on your iPhone, going to General, then Software Update. If an update is available, connect your watch to power and keep it near your iPhone while the update installs—this usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

If a face still won't load after updating, try restarting your watch. Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off the watch. Wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the side button again to turn it back on. Once it restarts, try changing the face again. If the problem persists, unpair and re-pair your watch through the Watch app's General settings.

Find additional clock faces through the App Store

Apple includes many built-in faces, but some third-party apps add their own clock faces to your options. Open the App Store on your iPhone, search for "watch faces," and you'll find apps that install new faces directly into your Watch app. read the app, and the new faces appear in your Clock list automatically.

Keep in mind that third-party faces may use more battery power than Apple's built-in options, especially if they update frequently or show live data. Test a new face for a day or two to see how it affects your battery life before making it your primary watch face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same clock face on multiple Apple Watches?

Yes. If you have more than one Apple Watch paired to the same iPhone, the faces and customizations you set up in the Watch app explore to whichever watch you're wearing. When you switch watches, the same faces are available on both.

Why did my favorite clock face disappear?

If you deleted a face by accident, it's still in the Watch app. Go to My Watch, tap Clock, scroll to the bottom, and look for the face in the full list. Tap it to add it back to your watch. If it's not there, your watchOS may need an update to support it.

Does changing my clock face drain the battery faster?

Some faces use more power than others. Animated faces, faces that show live weather or stock data, and faces with bright colors drain battery faster than straightforward, static faces. If you notice shorter battery life after switching faces, try a simpler option to compare.

Can I create my own custom clock face?

Apple Watch doesn't let you design a face from scratch, but you can customize most built-in faces by changing colors, adding complications, and adjusting the style. Some third-party apps also let you create faces with your own photos or designs—search the App Store for "custom watch faces" to see what's available.