How to swipe to change Apple Watch faces on watchOS 10 or 11
Posted on
by
Kirk McElhearn
One of the great features of the Apple Watch is the ability to use different watch faces. Some people like a digital watch, others like an analog watch; Apple gives options for both, and more. Some Apple Watch users like to set up multiple watch faces and switch depending on what they’re doing. For example, you could set up one Apple Watch face for you for when you are at work, and another for when you are active and want to track workouts and your activity.
The Apple Watch has always allowed you to switch watch faces easily, but starting with watchOS 10, Apple changed the method for this. Many users were flustered that they were no longer able to quickly change their watch face as before. With watchOS 10.2, Apple brought back the original method of changing watch faces, but it’s hidden behind a setting.
Here’s how you can change Apple Watch faces on watchOS 10.
Standard method of switching watch faces in watchOS
The standard way of switching Apple Watch faces in watchOS is as follows:
- Tap and hold the watch face until you get haptic feedback and see an Edit button.
- Swipe to the left or right; you’ll see any watch faces you’ve set up in the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Press the digital crown once (or tap on the new face) to switch to the desired watch face.
New method of swiping to switch watch faces in watchOS 10 or 11
The optional way of switching watch faces in watchOS 10.2 and later (including watchOS 11) is as follows:
- Press the digital crown, then turn it until you see Settings.
- Tap Settings, then turn the digital crown until you see Clock.
- Tap Clock, then enable “Swipe to Switch Watch Face.”
- Press the digital crown again to return to the active watch face.
- You can now swipe left or right to switch among your watch faces.
You can use either of these two methods to change watch faces in watchOS 10 or later. The second method is much quicker, and is great if you like to change your Apple Watch face often.
How can I learn more?
We explained how to swipe to change Apple Watch faces on episode 322 of the Intego Mac Podcast.
Each week on the Intego Mac Podcast, Intego’s Mac security experts discuss the latest Apple news, including security and privacy stories, and offer practical advice on getting the most out of your Apple devices. Be sure to follow the podcast to make sure you don’t miss any episodes.
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Image credit: Apple Watch on wrist and watchOS 10 home screen images by Apple; all rights reserved. Swipe Left by Yaroslav Samoilov from Noun Project; CC BY 3.0. Composition by Joshua Long, Intego.
