How to change the watch face on an Apple Watch

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Touch and hold the watch face, swipe left or right to another face and tap it. To add new ones, swipe all the way to the right and tap the plus button, or use the Face Gallery tab in the Watch app on the iPhone.

You can keep several watch faces ready and switch between them, for example a simple one for work and a detailed one for exercise.

Step by step

  1. Touch and hold the watch face

    The face shrinks and shows its name.

  2. Swipe left or right

    You move through the faces in your collection. Tap one to use it.

  3. Add a new face

    Swipe to the far right and tap the plus button. Turn the Digital Crown to browse, and tap Add.

  4. Customise it

    Touch and hold the face and tap Edit. Swipe between the pages for colour, style and complications, the small panels that show data such as weather or battery. Turn the Digital Crown to change each one.

  5. Use the iPhone for a bigger view

    Open the Watch app and tap Face Gallery. Choose a face, set it up and tap Add.

Good to know

To delete a face, touch and hold, swipe up on it and tap Remove.

On recent watchOS versions a simple swipe across the face no longer switches faces by default. Turn it back on under Settings, Clock, Swipe to Switch Watch Face.

A Photos face shows your own pictures. Choose an album or a few favourites in the Face Gallery.

In short: Touch and hold the face, swipe, tap. Plus button for new faces.

Sources
  • Apple Support: Change the watch face on your Apple Watch

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.