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How to Change an Apple Watch Face After an Update: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve bravely navigated another Apple Watch update, only to find yourself staring at a watch face that’s not quite… you. Don’t panic! Changing your Apple Watch face after an update is a simple process, even if things look a little different post-upgrade. You can change an Apple Watch face after an update by long-pressing the current watch face, swiping left or right to select a different face, and then tapping the “Edit” button (if available for that face) to customize complications and style.

Why Your Watch Face Might Seem Different After an Update

Before diving into the “how,” let’s briefly address the “why.” Apple updates sometimes introduce new watch faces, tweak existing ones, or even reset your preferences if there’s a significant change to the operating system. This isn’t a bug; it’s often a way for Apple to showcase new features or improve the overall user experience. But fear not, your favorite faces are almost certainly still there, waiting to be rediscovered and re-customized.

The Two Primary Methods for Switching Watch Faces

There are two main ways to change your watch face: directly on the Apple Watch itself or through the Watch app on your iPhone. Both methods are straightforward, but choosing one depends on your preference and the level of customization you desire.

Method 1: Changing the Watch Face Directly on Your Apple Watch

This method is perfect for quick swaps and basic customization.

Wake Up Your Watch: Make sure your Apple Watch screen is active.
Long Press the Current Face: Press and hold firmly on the current watch face until you see the customization options appear. This will typically present a view of your currently active watch faces and an option to add more.
Browse and Select: Swipe left or right to browse through your existing watch faces. You’ll see a preview of each face and any associated complications.
Customize (Optional): If you see an “Edit” button below the selected face, tap it. This allows you to adjust colors, complications (those little widgets that display information like weather or activity), and other style elements. Rotate the Digital Crown to cycle through complication options. Tap on a complication to change its function.
Set as Active: Once you’re happy with your selection and any customizations, simply tap the watch face. It will become your new active face.

Method 2: Changing the Watch Face Using the Watch App on Your iPhone

This method is ideal for more detailed customization and managing multiple watch faces.

Open the Watch App: Locate and open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Navigate to “Face Gallery”: At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a navigation bar. Tap “Face Gallery.”
Explore Available Faces: The Face Gallery is a treasure trove of watch faces. You can browse by category (e.g., Activity, Astronomy, Simple) or search for a specific face.
Customize Your Chosen Face: Once you’ve found a face you like, tap on it. This will bring up a detailed customization screen where you can choose colors, styles, complications, and other settings. The customization options will vary depending on the face you’ve selected.
Add the Face to Your Watch: After you’ve customized the face to your liking, tap the “Add” button. This will add the face to your collection of watch faces on your Apple Watch.
Organize Your Watch Faces: Back in the Watch app, tap the “My Watch” tab (usually at the bottom left). Scroll down to “My Faces.” Here, you can rearrange the order of your watch faces by tapping “Edit” in the upper right corner and dragging the faces into your preferred order. The order here determines the order they appear when you swipe on your watch.
Set as Current: To set the newly added and customized face as your current watch face, either swipe to it on your Apple Watch (as described in Method 1) or tap it in the “My Faces” section of the Watch app and then toggle the “Set as Current Watch Face” option.

Tips for Creating Your Perfect Apple Watch Face

Consider Complications: Complications are the heart of a useful watch face. Think about the information you want to see at a glance – activity progress, weather updates, calendar appointments, or even battery life.
Match Your Style: Choose a watch face that reflects your personal style and the occasion. There are faces for everything from workouts to formal events.
Experiment with Colors: Don’t be afraid to play with colors! Most watch faces offer a range of color options, allowing you to create a visually appealing and personalized look.
Keep it Simple: While complications are great, avoid overcrowding your watch face. A clean and uncluttered design can be easier to read at a glance.

What If You Still Can’t Change Your Apple Watch Face?

In rare cases, you might encounter issues changing your watch face. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

Restart Your Apple Watch: A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches.
Ensure Your Apple Watch and iPhone are Updated: Make sure both devices are running the latest version of their respective operating systems (watchOS and iOS).
Check Bluetooth Connection: Ensure your Apple Watch and iPhone are properly connected via Bluetooth.
Reset Your Apple Watch (as a last resort): If all else fails, you can try resetting your Apple Watch to its factory settings. This will erase all data on your watch, so be sure to back it up first.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many watch faces can I store on my Apple Watch?

You can store a substantial number of watch faces on your Apple Watch – typically around 20-30 faces. This allows you to have a diverse collection for different activities and moods.

2. Can I create my own custom watch face from scratch?

Unfortunately, no. You cannot create a completely custom watch face from scratch with your own designs. You are limited to using Apple’s provided watch face templates and customizing them with available options.

3. How do I delete a watch face I no longer want?

To delete a watch face, long press on the watch face on your Apple Watch. Then, swipe up on the face you want to delete and tap the trash can icon. Alternatively, in the Watch app on your iPhone, go to “My Watch” > “My Faces,” tap “Edit,” then tap the minus sign next to the face you want to delete.

4. What are “complications” on an Apple Watch face?

Complications are small widgets or information displays that appear on a watch face. They provide quick access to data from various apps, such as weather, calendar events, activity progress, and more.

5. Are all watch faces customizable?

No, not all watch faces are fully customizable. Some faces offer limited customization options, while others provide a wide range of settings to adjust colors, complications, and styles.

6. How do I share a custom watch face with a friend?

Apple introduced a feature in watchOS 7 that allows you to share watch faces with others. You can do this either through the Watch app or directly on the watch itself by tapping the share icon when customizing a face.

7. Why is the “Edit” button missing on some watch faces?

The “Edit” button is missing on some watch faces because those faces are designed with limited customization options. They may have a fixed layout or a specific purpose that doesn’t allow for extensive modifications.

8. Can I use photos from my iPhone as my Apple Watch face?

Yes, you can! The Photos watch face allows you to use photos from your iPhone’s photo library as your watch face. You can choose a single photo, an album, or even a dynamic collection of photos that change throughout the day.

9. How do I change the order of my watch faces?

You can change the order of your watch faces in the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to “My Watch” > “My Faces,” tap “Edit” in the upper right corner, and then drag the watch faces into your desired order.

10. Is it possible to have different watch faces for different times of day?

While there isn’t a built-in feature to automatically switch watch faces based on the time of day, you can use Shortcuts to create an automation that changes your watch face at specific times. This requires a bit of setup, but it’s a powerful way to customize your Apple Watch experience.

11. What should I do if my Apple Watch is frozen while trying to change the face?

If your Apple Watch freezes while changing the face, try force restarting it. Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.

12. Does changing the watch face affect battery life?

Yes, certain watch faces and complications can impact battery life. Watch faces with animated elements, complex complications that frequently update data, or always-on display enabled will generally consume more battery power than simpler faces. Choose faces and complications that balance functionality with battery efficiency.