Can You Make or Install Custom Watch Faces on Each Platform?

Quick answer

You can almost always change the watch face on a modern smartwatch, and most platforms also let you create or install custom faces. The main difference is how much control you have. Apple Watch keeps customization inside the watchOS environment: you pick from a gallery, add complications, share faces, and use your own photos. Wear OS gives you a similar starting point with a variety of faces and customizable tiles, and you can extend it with apps from Google Play. If you want to build a face from scratch, you may need a third-party editor, but that is not part of the built-in experience on either platform.

For a deeper look at what watch faces are and how they affect battery life, see our guides on smartwatch watch faces and photo watch faces.

Apple watchOS: face gallery, complications, and Photos

Apple Watch runs watchOS, and the Apple Watch User Guide describes several ways to personalize the face. You can change the face from a selection, add complications to show information from apps, and share your face design with others. The guide also mentions a dedicated Photos face, which lets you turn one of your images into the watch face.

Complications are small pieces of data that sit on the face, like heart rate or calendar items. For example, the ECG app on Apple Watch records your heart rhythm, and you can add its data as a complication if the app supports it. The Apple support page for the ECG app explains that the app records your heartbeat and rhythm, and you can view the results. That kind of health data can appear on your face, but the face itself is not tied to the ECG recording.

If you want a watch with a rich library of faces and a simple way to switch between them, Apple Watch is a strong choice. Our best watchOS smartwatches guide can help you pick a model.

Wear OS: faces, tiles, and customization

Wear OS by Google is the other major smartwatch platform. The official Wear OS page says the system offers “a variety of faces and styles, along with customizable tiles and apps.” Tiles are like widgets that you can swipe to see quick information. You can change the face on the watch or through a companion app, and you can rearrange tiles to match how you use the watch.

Wear OS also supports apps from Google Play, and some of those apps include additional faces or face editors. The page highlights that “your favorite watch apps on Google Play” are available, which suggests you can extend the default face options. However, the built-in face editor is not as deep as a desktop design tool. For most people, picking a face from the gallery and adding a few tiles is enough.

Samsung, Google, and many other brands use Wear OS, so you have a wide range of hardware to choose from. See our best Wear OS smartwatches and best Samsung smartwatches guides for recommendations.

Comparing customization depth

Apple Watch and Wear OS both let you change the face, but they approach customization differently. Apple provides a curated gallery with a set of faces designed by Apple, and you can customize complications and colors. Wear OS gives you a more open system where you can install third-party faces from apps, but the default faces may be less polished.

If you want tight integration with health data and a consistent design language, watchOS is a good match. If you prefer to tinker and want more variety, Wear OS might suit you better, especially if you like to change faces frequently. Both platforms let you use your own photo as a face, but the process is more direct on Apple Watch because the Photos face is built in.

For a broader comparison of ecosystems, read our articles on watchOS vs. Garmin and Wear OS vs. Garmin, or the guide to Apple vs. Android smartwatch ecosystems.

Photo faces: using your own images

A photo face turns a picture you choose into the background of the watch. On Apple Watch, the Photos face is a built-in option, and you can select an album or a specific image. On Wear OS, you can usually set a photo as the face from the phone app, though the exact steps vary by manufacturer and watch model.

Photo faces are a fun way to make the watch feel personal, but they have a tradeoff. A static photo uses more battery than a simple analog face because it requires the screen to light up more. If you want to keep the look but save power, consider a face with a dark background or an always-on display that dims. Our dark watch face battery savings article explains the impact.

For a detailed look at the options, see our photo watch faces guide.

What to look for in a watch for custom faces

Before buying a smartwatch, think about how much you want to customize the face. If you only want to switch between a few built-in faces, almost any watch will do. If you want complications for health data, check that the watch supports them and that the apps you use offer complications. If you want to use your own photos, make sure the platform has a photo face option or a simple way to set a photo as the background.

Also consider the screen. A larger, higher-resolution display shows more details on a face, and a brighter screen is easier to read outdoors. Read our guide on smartwatch display resolution and screen brightness to understand what to look for.

Finally, remember that custom faces are just one part of the purchase decision. Look at the overall feature set, battery life, and compatibility with your phone. Our buying guide archive covers many models, and you can filter by platform using the appropriate guide.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Can I make my own watch face from scratch on Apple Watch?

Not directly on the watch. Apple Watch has a built-in face gallery and a Photos face, but there is no face editor for drawing your own design. You can use third-party apps that generate faces, but they are not officially part of watchOS.

Can I install custom watch faces on Wear OS?

Yes. Wear OS supports third-party face apps from Google Play. You can install an app that offers additional faces, and you can often customize complications and colors. The built-in options are also customizable.

Do custom watch faces drain more battery?

Heavily animated faces and those with bright backgrounds consume more energy. Static, dark faces use less. The effect is similar across platforms, and you can usually choose a face with a simple design to extend battery life.

Can I use a photo as a watch face on any smartwatch?

Most platforms allow you to set a photo as the background, but the process varies. Apple Watch has a dedicated Photos face. Wear OS and other platforms offer the option through the companion app or a face app. Check the specific watch's settings.