The fastest way to change your Apple Watch lock screen
You change your Apple Watch lock screen through the Watch app on your paired iPhone, not on the watch itself. Open the Watch app, go to Clock, then select the watch face you want. Tap Edit, then swipe left to find Customization options where you can change colors, complications (the small widgets that show time, weather, or activity), and the overall style of the face.
If you want a completely different watch face instead of just customizing the current one, go back to the Clock section in the Watch app and tap the plus sign to browse the full gallery. Select a new face, customize it if you want, and tap Add. Your watch will update within seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Watch face changes happen in the Watch app on your iPhone, not on the watch itself.
- You can customize colors and complications on your current face without switching to a new one.
- The plus sign in the Clock section of the Watch app opens the full gallery of available faces.
- Changes sync to your watch when ready once you confirm them in the app.
Customizing your current watch face without changing it
If you like your current face but want to adjust how it looks, tap Edit in the Clock section of the Watch app. You will see options to change the color or style of the face itself. Swipe left to see Customization, where you can add or remove complications — those are the small information boxes that display things like weather, calendar events, activity rings, or the next alarm.
Each complication slot shows what is currently there. Tap a slot to open a list of what that position can display. Some faces have multiple slots; others have just one or two. You can also swipe left again to find additional options like font style or dial appearance, depending on which face you are using.
Switching to a completely different watch face
To browse and add a new face, open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to Clock. Tap the plus sign at the top left. You will see a gallery organized by category: Modular, Chronograph, Solar, Numerals, and others. Each category shows faces designed for different purposes — some are minimal, some show lots of information, and some are designed for specific activities like workouts or diving.
Tap any face to preview it. Once you choose one, you can customize it before adding it. Tap Add to install it on your watch. The new face will appear in your Clock list, and you can switch between faces anytime by swiping on the watch itself or by selecting a different one in the Watch app.
Managing multiple watch faces
You can have as many watch faces installed as you want. In the Clock section of the Watch app, you will see all of them listed. To switch between them on your watch, swipe left or right on the current face. To delete a face you no longer use, open the Watch app, find the face in the Clock list, swipe left on it, and tap the trash icon.
You can also reorder your faces by dragging them in the Watch app list. The order you set there is the order they will appear when you swipe on your watch. This is useful if you have a face you use every day — move it to the top so it is the first one you see.
Watch faces that require specific watch models or software versions
Some watch faces are only available on certain Apple Watch models. For example, faces designed for the Ultra model may not appear in the gallery if you have a Series 9 or SE. Similarly, newer faces require watchOS 10 or later, so if your watch is running an older version, you will not see them in the gallery.
To check your watchOS version, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to General, then About. If you see a face you want but it does not appear in your gallery, check whether your watch model supports it or whether a software update is available. You can update watchOS in the Watch app under General > Software Update.
Troubleshooting when changes do not appear on your watch
If you customize a face in the Watch app but the changes do not show up on your watch within a few seconds, make sure your iPhone and watch are connected. Check that Bluetooth is on and that your watch is in range. You can also try restarting the Watch app by closing it completely and opening it again.
If a new face you added does not appear on your watch, check that you tapped Add in the Watch app and that the watch is synced. You can force a sync by opening the Watch app and waiting a few seconds. If the problem persists, restart your watch by holding the side button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds and hold the side button again to turn it back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my watch face directly on the Apple Watch without using my iPhone?
No. You must use the Watch app on your iPhone to add new faces or customize existing ones. On the watch itself, you can only swipe between faces you have already added. All changes go through the iPhone app.
Do I lose my customizations if I delete a watch face?
Yes. If you delete a face from the Watch app, all the customizations you made to it are gone. If you want to use that face again later, you will need to add it fresh and set it up again. You can always add it back from the gallery.
What is the difference between a complication and a watch face?
A watch face is the entire display — the background, numbers, and overall design. Complications are the small information boxes you add to a face, like weather or calendar. One face can have multiple complications, and you choose which ones appear.
Why do some watch faces not appear in my gallery?
Some faces are only available on certain watch models or require a newer version of watchOS. Check your watch model and software version in the Watch app under General > About. If your watch is older, you may not see newer faces in the gallery.
Can I use watch faces from third-party apps?
No. Apple Watch faces come only from Apple. Third-party apps can add complications to existing faces, but they cannot create entirely new watch faces. All faces you see in the gallery are made by Apple.