Learning how to change Garmin watch face Vivoactive 5 is one of the first things you’ll want to do to make your new device feel personal. Finding the right watch face for your Garmin Vivoactive 5 can optimize how you view your health metrics at a glance.
This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for changing your watch face directly on the device and through the Garmin Connect app. We will also cover where to find new faces, both free and paid, and how to manage your favorites.
By the end, you’ll be able to easily swap faces to match your activity, style, or the data you need most.
How To Change Garmin Watch Face Vivoactive 5
There are two primary methods for changing the watch face on your Vivoactive 5: directly on the watch itself and via the Garmin Connect smartphone app. The on-watch method is quicker for switching between already installed faces, while the app offers the full library and easier browsing.
Let’s start with the simplest method using your watch.
Method 1: Changing The Watch Face Directly On Your Vivoactive 5
This is the fastest way to cycle through watch faces you have already downloaded to your device. It’s perfect for quick changes based on your activity or preference.
Follow these steps:
- Wake your Vivoactive 5 by tapping the screen or pressing the side button.
- From the main watch face, press and hold the center of the touchscreen. You’ll feel a subtle vibration.
- After a moment, the watch face selection carousel will appear. Swipe left or right on the screen to browse through the available faces stored on your watch.
- When you find a face you want to use, simply tap on it. The watch will immediately apply the new face and return to the home screen.
If you don’t see many options here, you likely need to add more faces using the Garmin Connect app, which we cover next. This on-device menu only shows faces currently loaded onto your Vivoactive 5.
Method 2: Using The Garmin Connect App On Your Phone
The Garmin Connect app is your hub for all device customization. It provides access to thousands of watch faces, allows for detailed management, and is where you’ll find faces with the most advanced data fields and customization options.
Here is how to change and add faces using the app:
- Open the Garmin Connect app on your paired smartphone.
- Tap on your Vivoactive 5 device at the top of the screen or go to Devices and select your watch.
- Scroll down and select “Watch Face”.
- You will now see a gallery of watch faces. The top section typically shows “My Watch Faces” (those already on your device). Below that, you’ll find categories like “Featured,” “Popular,” and “New.”
- To preview a face, tap on it. A detailed view will show you its features and customization options.
- To apply a face that’s already in “My Watch Faces,” just tap “Save” or the checkmark icon.
- To add a new face from the Connect IQ store, tap “Get More Watch Faces” or the “+” icon. This opens the Connect IQ store within the app.
Using the app is generally easier for browsing because of the larger screen. You can also read reviews and see ratings before downloading a new watch face, which is very helpful.
Navigating The Connect IQ Store For New Watch Faces
The Connect IQ store is Garmin’s digital marketplace for apps, widgets, data fields, and watch faces. It’s integrated directly into the Garmin Connect app. Here’s how to find the perfect new face for your Vivoactive 5.
Once you tap “Get More Watch Faces” in the app, you’ll enter the Connect IQ store. You can use the search bar at the top to look for specific styles like “minimalist,” “analog,” or “fitness.” You can also browse by category.
When you find a face you like, tap on it to see its details page. Pay attention to these key elements:
- Ratings and Reviews: See what other users think.
- Screenshots: View how the face looks in different states.
- Data Fields: Check exactly which metrics it displays (e.g., heart rate, steps, battery, calendar).
- Compatibility: Ensure it lists compatibility with the Vivoactive 5.
- Price: Many faces are free, while premium ones have a one-time cost.
To install a watch face, tap the “Install” or “Download” button. The app will send it to your watch. A progress bar will appear. Once installed, the face will appear in your “My Watch Faces” list in the app and on your device’s carousel.
Sometimes the transfer can take a minute. Ensure your watch is synced and within Bluetooth range of your phone for a smooth install.
Choosing The Right Watch Face For Your Needs
With thousands of options, selecting a watch face can feel overwelming. The best choice depends on your primary activities and what information you want to see immediately.
For Fitness And Health Tracking
If your focus is on health metrics, choose a data-rich face. Look for faces that clearly display:
- Heart Rate (current and resting)
- Step Count and Daily Goal Progress
- Calories Burned
- Stress Level or Body Battery
- Intensity Minutes
- Floors Climbed
These faces often use graphs, rings, or large numbers to make data easy to digest at a quick glance during a workout or throughout the day.
For Everyday And Professional Use
For daily wear in office or social settings, you might prefer a cleaner, more traditional look.
Consider classic analog designs or sleek digital faces that prioritize:
- Clear time and date
- Day of the week
- Weather information
- Battery level (so you know when to charge)
- Notification indicators
These faces offer functionality without appearing too cluttered, maintaining a professional aesthetic.
For Battery Conservation
Some watch faces, especially those with animated graphics, constant second hands, or always-on detailed displays, can drain your Vivoactive 5 battery faster. If battery life is a top concern, look for faces marked as “Low Battery” or “Simple.”
Features that typically use less power include:
- Static, non-animated backgrounds
- Minimal data fields updating less frequently
- Black backgrounds on AMOLED displays (like the Vivoactive 5’s)
Using a simpler watch face can sometimes add a full day or more to your battery life between charges.
Customizing Your Selected Watch Face
Many watch faces on the Connect IQ store offer customization options. This allows you to tweak a face you like to show exactly the data you want in your preferred style.
How To Access Customization Settings
Customization is usually done through the Garmin Connect app after a face is installed.
- In Garmin Connect, go to your Device > Watch Face.
- Tap on the watch face you currently have active or want to customize from “My Watch Faces.”
- If the face is customizable, you will see a “Settings” or “Customize” option. Tap it.
- A menu will appear with various options you can change.
Common Customization Options
The available settings vary by watch face, but here are some typical adjustments you can make:
- Data Fields: Choose which metrics appear in specific slots (e.g., change “steps” to “floors climbed”).
- Colors and Themes: Alter the color scheme of the background, hands, numbers, and data text.
- Complications: Add or remove small widgets for things like sunrise/sunset, phone battery, or next calendar event.
- Layout: Some faces let you move the position of certain elements on the screen.
- Time Format: Switch between 12-hour and 24-hour format.
After making your changes, tap “Save” or “Apply.” The new settings will sync to your watch. Remember, not all watch faces support deep customization; simpler faces may have no settings at all.
Troubleshooting Common Watch Face Issues
Occasionally, you might encounter problems when changing or installing watch faces. Here are solutions to common issues.
Watch Face Not Appearing On The Watch
If you installed a face via the app but don’t see it on your device’s carousel, try these steps:
- Initiate a manual sync from the Garmin Connect app (pull down on the main screen).
- Restart your Vivoactive 5 by holding the side button down until you see the power off menu, then select Power Off. Turn it back on after a few seconds.
- Check the “My Watch Faces” section in the Connect app to confirm it installed correctly. You may need to select it there and tap “Save” to send it to the watch again.
Watch Face Causing Battery Drain
A new face can sometimes reduce battery life more than expected.
- First, use the watch for a full day or two. The watch may need time to stabilize after a new install.
- If drain persists, check the face’s settings in the Connect app. Disable any unnecessary animations or high-frequency data updates.
- Consider switching to a simpler, less graphically intense watch face to see if the problem resolves.
Installation Fails Or Gets Stuck
If a watch face fails to download or gets stuck during installation:
- Ensure your phone has a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data).
- Verify your Vivoactive 5 is connected via Bluetooth and within range.
- Restart both your phone and your watch. This clears minor glitches.
- Check for updates to the Garmin Connect app in your phone’s app store.
If the problem continues, the watch face file might be corrupted. Try uninstalling it and installing a different face.
Managing And Organizing Your Watch Faces
As you collect more watch faces, keeping them organized makes switching easier. You can manage your collection directly in the Garmin Connect app.
Deleting Unwanted Watch Faces
To remove a watch face from your Vivoactive 5:
- Open Garmin Connect and go to your Device > Watch Face.
- Find the face you want to remove in the “My Watch Faces” section.
- Tap on the face, then look for a trash can icon or a “Delete” option.
- Confirm the deletion. The face will be removed from both your watch and your app library.
Deleting faces you no longer use frees up a small amount of storage on your watch and declutters your selection carousel.
Setting Favorite Watch Faces
While you can’t officially “favorite” faces within the carousel, you can create an effective system. A good practice is to keep only your most-used 5-10 faces installed on the watch at any time. Treat your “My Watch Faces” list in the Connect app as your favorites folder.
You can quickly reinstall any previously downloaded face from your Connect IQ account history if you need it again later, so don’t worry about permanently losing one you delete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Watch Faces From Other Garmin Watches On My Vivoactive 5?
No, you cannot directly use watch faces designed for other models. Watch faces in the Connect IQ store are built for specific device families and screen shapes. You must only install faces that list compatibility with the Vivoactive 5 or the Venu series, which shares a similar screen. Installing an incompatible face may cause errors or not work at all.
Are There Any Free Watch Faces For The Garmin Vivoactive 5?
Yes, there are thousands of free watch faces available in the Connect IQ store. You can browse the “Free” category or filter search results by price. Many high-quality and feature-rich faces are available at no cost, supported by ads or developer donations. Always check reviews for free faces to ensure they are well-maintained.
Why Does My New Watch Face Not Show All The Data It Promised?
This usually happens because the watch face requires specific permissions or access to certain sensors. After installing a new face, open the Garmin Connect app, go to the face’s settings, and review the permissions. You may need to grant access to health stats, phone data, or location for all features to function. Also, ensure your watch’s firmware is up to date, as some data fields require the latest software.
How Many Watch Faces Can I Store On My Vivoactive 5 At Once?
There is no specific published limit, but it is constrained by the watch’s available storage memory. The Vivoactive 5 has limited internal storage for Connect IQ apps and faces. Most users find they can comfortably store 10-15 complex watch faces at a time without issue. If you try to install to many, you may recieve a storage warning.
Can I Create My Own Custom Watch Face For The Vivoactive 5?
Yes, but it requires technical knowledge. Garmin provides a free software development kit (SDK) called Connect IQ SDK that allows developers to create watch faces and apps. There are also third-party online tools and builders that offer a more user-friendly, template-based approach for creating simple custom faces without coding. These custom creations can then be sideloaded onto your watch.