The Apple Watch offers a massive array of watch faces to customize the experience – all carefully curated by Apple.
In a decade of Apple Watch, the number of faces available to users has been kept under tight control.
Apple sees watch faces as a key part of the UI, and hasn’t turned control over his experience to third parties for good reason. But there are now a huge array of great Apple Watch faces to choose from.
watchOS 11 will land officially in September 2024 – and while it didn’t bring new watch faces, it did overhaul the Photos face, and killed the older Siri face.
Below, we’ve highlighted our top picks, but make sure to play around with the complications on each and have a good crop of options in your on-watch library that you can switch between when you get bored.
Photos (redesigned in watchOS 11)
This classic watch face has been given a massive overhaul in watchOS 11. If you’re looking for it before it rolls out in September 2024, you’ll need to be on the Public Beta.
Suitable photos will now be suggested and cropped to show the best part of the shot on the square screen. And you can also choose an eye-catching style for the time, which will appear overlaid on the screen. And for the first time, you can also have complications on the Photos watch face.
There’s one small catch. All this needs to be done on the Watch companion iPhone app, and not on the watch itself.
- Customizable: Yes
- Complications: Yes (2)
Snoopy (watchOS 10)
A classic that’s been reimagined for Apple Watch – the Snoopy face is a real delight. We don’t really hold too much nostalgia for the cartoon, but with 148 unique animations drawn from Charles M Schulz’s original 1950s comic.
Snoopy’s animations will match real-world events, such as your location (we’ve seen him surfing near the sea), while also being rained on or sunbathing depending on what’s going on outside. It’s way more than just a cutsie tie-in (see the original Mickey face).
- Customizable: No
- Complications: No
Palette (watchOS 10)
One for the high design category, Palette shows a two-tone face, which rotates around the watch face to create a sweeping second hand. Dive into the settings to take your pick of a wide range of color shades, and control the complications options in each corner.
- Customizable: Yes
- Complications: Yes (4)
Modular Ultra (watchOS 10 – Watch Ultra only)
A new take on the popular Modular watch face, Modular Ultra uses the massive 49mm display of the Apple Watch Ultra to display even more complications and data. You get room for seven in total, and the room around the main display can be used to show seconds, depth, or elevation in real-time. It’s one for power users, but offers so much customization.
- Customizable: Yes
- Complications: Yes (7)
Lunar
Built to help understand how the phases of the moon relate to the calendar, rotate the Digital Crown to scroll through the days of the month and watch how the moon’s phase changes.
You can toggle between the Chinese, Hebrew, and Islamic calendars – and also between a digital and analog clock. Oh, and there’s still room for four complications, too.
- Customizable: Yes
- Complications: Yes (4)
Playtime
This bonkers little watch face displays the time via floating characters, that bounce and kick around when you tap the screen. You can change the color of the background, and toggle on/off the background bling, but that’s your lot for customization, and there are no complications allowed.
- Customizable: Color
- Complications: No
Metropolitan
Finally, another watch face that apes a traditional analog dial – with plenty of customization on offer. You can change the color of the dial and the style of the numbers, and when you twist your wrist to check the time, the numerals will subtly pulse into view. You also get a complication in each corner of Series 7/8.
- Customizable: Color
- Complications: Yes (4)
Wayfinder (Apple Watch Ultra only)
A glorious Apple Watch Ultra exclusive watch face, Wayfinder is designed around the Ultra’s outdoors credentials. You can customize elevation or longitude/latitude around the inner ring, and choose colors and dial style. But its neatest trick is to head into a nighttime mode when you rotate the crown, with a tactical style red hue that looks the business on dark trails.
- Customizable: Yes
- Complications: Yes (4)
Modular
Modular was a key part of previous watchOS editions, but in OS 9 it was given a facelift with gorgeous color gradients that give it a modern lift. It also comes in three variants, Modular, Compact, and XL versions.
- Customizable: Yes
- Complications: Yes
Astronomy
Another face that received a sizeable watchOS 9 overhaul. Astronomy lets you view to put an Earth, moon, or solar system view on your Watch face with room for complications at the top and the bottom of the face. You can also twist the crown to interact with it letting you see information like the next full moon.
In watchOS 9 the visuals got a massive overhaul, with more realistic and detailed Earth, Moon, and constellations views.
- Customizable: Yes
- Complications: Yes
Nike (various)
Previously only wearers of the Nike Apple Watch Editions could take advantage of the special edition watch faces – but in watchOS 9 that changed. They’re not open to everyone, regardless of the model you wear.
That means you can install Nike Analog, Nike Bounce, Nike Compact, Nike Digital, and Nike Hybrid. We’re big fans of Nike Compact, with the multiple complications and simple arrangement.
Contour (Series 7 onwards only)
Contour is made to show off that more curvy case look of Apple’s latest smartwatch. You have the option to have the font displayed flat on the screen or to match the curves of the Watch case. You can also adjust the background color and there’s a special Pride version as well which is a welcome addition to Apple’s growing collection of slick faces.
- Customisable: Background color
- Complications: Yes
Portraits
Portraits was a headline new feature in watchOS 8 and it does work on older Watches (Series 4 or later) letting you bring more dynamic-looking portrait pics to your watch face. You can pick from classic, modern or rounded designs with complication support at the top and bottom of the watch face. You can also tinker with font colors too to make the time and complications stand out too.
It was also given an update in watchOS 9, which means that pet photos will also get the dynamic treatment.
Read our guide to using Portraits and Apple Watch Photos watch faces.
- Customisable: Style
- Complications: Yes (2)
Modular Duo (Series 7 onwards only)
Modular Duo takes full advantage of the extra screen state on Apple’s latest.
You can add up to three complications and adjust the color of those complications and font, but we think the multicolor look is the standout option here.
- Customisable: Font and color
- Complications: Three
Fire and Water
Fire and Water is an animated face option that shines on Apple’s Retina display. You can pick from a rectangle or circle dial with room for up to three complications. You can go all in with fire or water or have the best of both worlds and see them side-by-side.
- Customisable: Dial shape
- Complications: Yes
GMT
The GMT watch face enables you to set a secondary timezone. The colors can be customized, although we like the Rolex vibes of the default. And there’s space for four complications in the corners.
- Customisable: The color of the dial
- Complications: Yes
Artist
Designed by artist Geoff McFetridge, the Artist watch face shows faces that subtly show the time as the eyes and nose. Tap the screen to change and customize the face shown, and the always-on display will show the outline of the drawing when powered down. It’s abstract but has a very unique look.
- Customisable: Tap to change the face
- Complications: No
Memoji
It was always going to happen. If you have a Memoji set up on your iPhone you can port him/her/they onto your Apple Watch. However, you can have one of the now familiar stock Memoji characters if you fancy. You can also customize the small info panel at the bottom.
- Customisable: Change your character or use your personal Memoji
- Complications: Yes
Stripes
- Customisable: Yes (colors/numbers of stripes/direction of stripes)
- Complications: No
These stripes are almost infinitely customizable, with the number of stripes, colors, angles, and stripe direction all up for discussion. You can have them as a square or inset circle with corner complications, between 2-9 stripes, and pick the color of each stripe. We went for the classic football strip look above, but this is one of the most personalizable Apple Watch faces going.
Count up
One for the track runners (possibly), Count Up puts stopwatch functionality straight onto the watch face. Tap the screen to start a timer, which will be shown on the watch face itself. Sadly it doesn’t store laps as the design sort of suggests, but you do get four complication spots on the edge and can change the color of the ring.
- Customisable: Change the color of the dial
- Complications: Yes
Typograph
Another abstract and classy watch face, Typograph shows the time written out in an edgy font with an analog dial in the center. You can change between a host of fonts, switch to a more classic dial, go for numerals instead of digits and change the color. There are no complications available.
- Customisable: Change typeface and color
- Complications: No
Chronograph Pro
The Chronograph Pro shows a tachymeter by default, which is used for measuring speed. However, you can change to different dials including 60, 30, 6, and 3-second timers, which you start by tapping the dial and hitting the green button.
- Customisable: Color and timescale
- Complications: Yes
Infograph
- Customisable: Color
- Complications: Yes
For those obsessed with complications, the Infograph has been sent from watch face heaven – and it’s our pick for the best Apple Watch face you can use.
It can support up to eight complications, with the four in the corner able to show extra information. Check out the weather in the top-right with current, minimum and maximum temperatures on show.
The middle offers shortcuts to common apps as well, such as Activity and Music, but, in truth, you can cut these any way you want.
Meridian
Meridian was added to the Apple Watch Face Gallery with watchOS 6 and has already cemented its place in our high esteem, narrowly missing out on our top slot.
It offers a great blend of design and function, with a clean, bold analog look that’s augmented by the option of four complications in the middle of the dial.
You can’t get quite as much information on there as you can on the Infograph face, but, then again, you might just want to keep things simple.
- Customisable: Color and style
- Complications: Yes
Modular Compact
Another data-heavy option is the new Modular Compact face, which can pack in reams of information.
With six complication spots, the three icons at the bottom can be changed to common contacts, to enable you to make calls straight from the Watch.
Corner complications are out, but you can make use of the middle modular unit, which can even include boarding passes from Qantas, heart rate data, and Citymapper commuting alerts.
- Customisable: Color; analogue/digital
- Complications: Yes
Breathe
The Breathe watch face apes the design of the app, using the same animations. You can pollute the tranquility with complications if you wish, although it does ruin the calm.
Tap on the watch face and you’ll jump straight to the Breathe app for a guided session. This one’s certainly good for those who are keen to get some mindfulness in their day.
- Customisable: Multiple styles
- Complications: Yes
Gradient
New with watchOS 6, Gradient offers a gorgeous, clean look with the benefit of bold colors. If you’re rocking a Series 5 or Series 6, it will invert itself to a darker mode when your wrist is down, too.
You can choose the color that best augments your look, so if you’re wearing a bold outfit Gradient’s a great option to take it a step further.
- Customisable: Color and gradient
- Complications: Yes
Pride
For those attending a Pride event – or looking to show some LGBTQ+ support – the Pride watch face is what you need. Apple has launched a new version every year, and the 2021 version (pictured above) will launch via a watchOS update. This year’s version also adds more colors to celebrate a wider spectrum.
It’s minimalist, but tapping on-screen prompts lush animations that wobble and warp those rainbow lines pleasingly. You can adjust the single complication as well, as a nice bonus.
And if you prefer a previous year’s Pride design you can long press and hit Customize to cycle through them all.
- Customisable: Choose previous years’ styles
- Complications: Yes
Solar Dial
Another new design from watchOS 6, Solar Dial is a pretty flashy face with a real practical side.
The face has complications in each corner, for your choice of details, and features a prominent and striking solar measure that lets you know when you can expect sunset where you are, alongside the time.
You can also tap the watch to see the length of daylight, which is useful if you’re planning anything outdoorsy, such as if you want to squeeze in a run after work.
- Customisable: Digital/analog
- Complications: Yes
Simple
If you’re in Apple’s ecosystem, that might also include some smart home tech, which is why we’ve added the HomeKit complication, while you’ve also got quick access to Remote if you want to control your Apple TV. And of course, don’t forget a handy timer. Home sweet home.
- Customisable: Style/color
- Complications: Yes
Mickey Mouse
Just let loose and click on Mickey, he’ll tell you the time. Don’t be afraid to swap in the Toy Story gang if you prefer some Pixar, by the way.
Get the weather from the sarcastic Carrot, use Magic Guide for theme park ride times, and hatch your Pokemon with Pokemon Go – all at the same time. See also Minnie Mouse and Toy Story.
- Customisable: Mickey or Mini
- Complications: Yes
Numerals
You don’t need much. You’re simple – but classy. You just want the time and date, and you want it in the sleekest way possible. Take on the Numerals watch face, get a nice calm color going, and then strut your stuff.
- Customisable: Color
- Complications: Yes
Unity
Released in February 2021 for Black History Month, the Unity watch face is inspired by the Pan-African flag.
You can customize the color mix, and it’s also designed to be paired up with a limited edition Apple Watch strap released for the event.
The Unity watch face is made for Apple Watch Series 6 and later and that includes the SE. You’ll need to be on watch OS 7.3 or later to get it too.
- Customisable: Color
- Complications: Yes
Kaleidoscope
If you’re looking to calm yourself, or even want to zone out, your best bet is the Kaleidoscope face.
Head to the Watch companion app and choose your picture, then choose a design (we’ve got Radial here) and get your custom piece of art on your wrist.
We’ve gone with the Breathe and Heart Rate complications up at the top, so you’re just a tap away from total zen at all times.
- Customisable: Color/style
- Complications: Yes
Download watch faces with Facer
Below we’re going to go through our favorite Apple Watch faces that come built into the Apple Watch.
But if you want to take customization up to the next level then Facer has added new faces for Apple Watch, with options from the likes of NASA, Star Trek, and Tetris.
Read our full guide to using Facer for Apple Watch to get started.
- Discover: The best Apple Watch apps to download
- Supercharge: Top Apple Watch tips and tricks
- Buy the best: Apple Watch SE review
How to change Apple Watch faces
To change the Apple Watch face on your smartwatch force touch (long press) the screen to access the face gallery. From here you can scroll through your favorites, or press the + icon to access the full gallery.
When you select one it’s added to your favorites, which you can cycle through simply by sliding the watch face left or right.
You can also access the full selection in the Apple Watch companion app, where the full Face Gallery is available to add selections to your watch manually.
More Apple Watch guides
- How to stream music on Apple Watch
- How to change straps on Apple Watch
- How to set up your Apple Watch
- How to use Spotify on Apple Watch
- How to use WhatsApp on Apple Watch
- How to update Apple Watch
- How to use Siri on Apple Watch
- How to take an ECG reading on Apple Watch
- How to pair an Apple Watch
- How to improve Apple Watch battery life
- The best cheap Apple Watch deals