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When a new Apple Watch model is released with the latest version of WatchOS, I’m always curious to see what Apple came up with with the new watch face design. Some are artistic, some recall the design of classic mechanical watches, and others adapt other information as much as possible. So, apple watch series 10 and apple watch ultra 2 Expand with Watch OS 11 — Can be installed on Series 5 and newer models — It was a shame that there were only three new face designs.
But there are still alternatives, just a few. If you’re looking to add more variety to your Apple Watch, and take advantage of its high-resolution screen that can display almost anything, you should check out these third-party face-swapping apps. You don’t even need to hack or modify your watch.
read more: Apple Watch X: Everything we know about release date, rumors, leaks, and more
First, we’ll explain how to switch the watch face on your Apple Watch.
Apple’s collection of watch faces includes dozens of designs, from simulated analog faces that evoke minimal real-world clocks to information-dense displays that pack as much data as possible into a small space. and variations included. You can have up to 50 faces. The easiest way to switch is by swiping from the left or right edge of your Apple Watch screen. (If this doesn’t work, make sure you’ve updated to at least WatchOS 10.6. This useful feature was removed in the original 10.0 release.)
There are two ways to add a face: using the watch itself or using your iPhone.
On the watch:
- Touch and hold the watch face until the selector interface appears. The clock face shrinks to make room for your name, share button, and edit button.
- Swipe left until you see . new Tap the screen and + button.
- Scroll through the options. They are listed alphabetically, so if you know what you want, use the Digital Crown to quickly scroll and jump to the bottom of the alphabet. tap addition For whoever you want.
- Change face options, such as color and complications (features built into some faces).
- Press the Digital Crown to finish editing and activate the face.
![Three Apple Watches demonstrating the process of adding new faces:[追加]Click and select a complication to add a new face.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/bc353f7c7efda8ea42349abf2dd18a3b48de419b/hub/2024/08/13/60079d3b-7b97-49e4-a285-5f146d11de82/alt-watch-apple-3up.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Add new watch faces using Apple’s built-in watch faces.
On your iPhone:
- Open the Watch app and tap face gallery It’s at the bottom.
- Select and set the face you want.
- Tap. addition button.
Custom faces are possible thanks to complementary complications
![vc04.jpg](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/d7c48a89d35909f06a512a17072a392bac225688/hub/2015/09/22/67682122-b29d-41d5-99ab-1f8631692f24/vc04.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
The Vacheron Constantin Reference 57260 is equipped with a record number of complications.
In traditional watchmaking, complications It’s usually an additional mechanism beyond the main hands of the watch, such as an integrated stopwatch or a smaller clock that can be set to a different time zone to suit a jet-setting lifestyle.
On Apple Watch, complications are assigned dedicated areas that display information such as current weather conditions, the activity ring, and current compass heading. Tapping a complication usually opens a related app, like weather or calendar.
Third-party developers have taken advantage of this opportunity and created their own complications to run in those spaces. In fact, the app I’m referring to here provides a framework that allows anyone to create their own designs, resulting in hundreds of possibilities.
Please note that while some app faces are free to use, you will need to sign up for a paid subscription to access most designs.
Modify complications in Facer
Facer replaces Apple’s existing face with a proprietary complication. For example, a licensed Atari design builds on a portrait face with a unique image in the background. Many other faces utilize Apple’s modular faces, adding custom designs and features to complications.
![Apple Watch lying on a wooden table.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/1dd8143a168ce77e08bcabf47bf4bb13823adf13/hub/2024/08/13/8f416688-5444-442b-bf97-e91bdc176cc1/alt-watch-facer-real.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Facer uses existing Apple Watch faces and complications to display other designs for your data.
Under the hood, the Facer app resides on your iPhone and communicates with the accompanying Apple Watch app, which displays your face. To add a new face, follow these steps:
- Open Facer on your iPhone and tap the one you want to enable.
- Tap the blue Add button with an arrow icon on a clock. Switch to the Watch app.
- tap Add to my face.
After a moment, the clock face will become active and your custom complication will be loaded.
![Side-by-side screenshots of the Facer app. On the left side you will see various watch faces and brand icons. On the right is Atari's iconic retro watch face on the Apple Watch, complete with a blue button to add to your collection.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/35b43d8d92098ab79ace71a34d4350113ea72a15/hub/2024/08/13/9f5a970f-d610-4b3e-b600-2ea657794902/alt-watch-facer-app-atari-2up.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Choose a watch face design in the Facer app on your iPhone.
Facer also has an app for Android smartwatches. Some watch faces, especially those that mimic luxury watches, such as the official design by MVMT, are only available on round Android models and do not appear on the Apple Watch.
Take over entire watch faces with Clockology
Like Facer, the Clockology app includes faces that work with Apple’s existing frameworks. However, some faces break out of that mold with a full screen option, but there are some limitations.
Rather than forcing functionality onto an existing complication, Clockology’s full screen face takes over the entire watch. But wait, did I mention that WatchOS doesn’t allow that?
Yes, but nothing prevents horology app From displaying whatever you want. To bypass the default clock (a separate Clock app with special system permissions), Clockology runs as the frontmost app. That means you’re running another app on top of the Clock app that’s also a clock.
![The Apple Watch rests on its side on a wooden table, displaying a pseudo-LCD watch face filled with data.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/f4d1bce743dbedcc8f802c320e490a4dc593b3c7/hub/2024/08/13/bcf67c91-1e85-41d9-bcfb-4cb21bf7db41/alt-watch-clockology-real.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Clockology runs as a separate app and allows you to use the entire watch screen for creative watch faces.
Installing faces in Clockology is similar to Facer’s approach.
- Open the Clockology app on your iPhone and tap the design you want to add.
- Make sure the Clockology app is open on your watch.
- Tap. synchronization iPhone button.
![Two iPhone screenshots of the Clockology app. On the left side, you can choose from a variety of Apple Watch faces. On the right is an Apple Watch showing selected watch faces with mechanical-looking parts.](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/869514289fc4cc1eba91d130470436a65f145dd5/hub/2024/08/13/d6a73dc0-ba37-4a57-9ce7-1c8a6438b370/alt-watch-clockology-app-2up.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
Select a watch face in the Clockology app on your iPhone.
To prevent your regular Clock app from taking over every time you lower your wrist, you’ll need to change an important setting. In the Watch app on your Apple Watch or iPhone, go to: Settings > General > Return to Clock and select 1 hour later. This will ensure that the last app you opened remains active. If you don’t check your watch or trigger it in any way after an hour, the Clock app will be brought to the forefront. Open Clockology to start a timer and make it stand out. Press the Digital Crown twice to see recent apps, then tap Clockology.
Keep these tradeoffs in mind when replacing your watch face
While the novelty of running a new watch face won’t wear off quickly, there are some downsides to using an alternative watch face that you should know about. In exchange for a new look for the Apple Watch, it will be giving up some features.
For faces that create custom complications, tapping the face will take you to the Facer or Clockology app instead of the underlying data source like weather or heart rate. This means there are no quick access tools like a timer app. However, once Face is installed, you can replace the complications with complications from other apps.
Most of Clockology’s full-screen screens are not interactive at all. It shows you information in a variety of ways, including how much battery you have left and how many steps you’ve taken that day, but tapping your face doesn’t give you any more data. The exceptions are some Clockology faces that contain button layers that change what appears when tapped. Also, the notification indicator (the red dot at the top of the screen) is not displayed when full screen is active.
And there’s one small annoyance. Normally, pressing the Digital Crown takes you to the app list, but if you’re running the Clockology app, pressing it takes you to the Clock app. Press it again and the app will appear.
The Apple Watch has been a constant companion for millions of people, even though it faces competition from devices like Android smartwatches and smart rings. Whether you’re finding a use for an old watch or finding a hidden gem in the App Store, watches have proven to be more than just watches, and even their key features can be accessed in more ways than ever before. Now you can customize it.