Learning how to change Garmin watch face is a simple way to refresh your device’s look instantly. Swapping your Garmin watch band is an easy method to change the appearance of your device for any occasion, but updating the watch face offers even more personalization. Whether you want a data-rich display for a workout or a sleek, minimalist look for an evening out, your watch face can match your style and needs.
This guide covers every method, from using your phone to the watch itself, and addresses common issues you might encounter. You’ll find step-by-step instructions for all current Garmin models.
How To Change Garmin Watch Face
The process for changing your watch face depends on whether you want to use a pre-installed option or download a new one from the Connect IQ store. The primary tools are the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone and the watch itself. The following sections break down each method in detail.
Using The Garmin Connect App On Your Phone
This is the most common and visual way to browse and apply new watch faces. The Garmin Connect app acts as a hub for all your device customizations.
- Open the Garmin Connect app on your paired smartphone.
- Tap on your device’s picture or name at the top of the app’s home screen.
- Select “Watch Face” from the list of device settings and options.
- You will see a gallery of available faces. Browse through the preloaded options.
- Tap on the watch face you want to use. A preview will appear.
- If the face has customizable complications (data fields), you may see a “Customize” option to select what data is shown.
- Finally, tap “Save” or “Apply” to send the new watch face to your device. The change happens within a few seconds.
Changing Watch Face Directly On Your Garmin Watch
You can quickly cycle through installed faces without needing your phone. This is handy during an activity or when your phone isn’t nearby.
For Touchscreen Models (Venu, Vivoactive, etc.)
- From your watch’s home screen, press and hold the center of the display.
- After a moment, the watch face selection menu will appear.
- Swipe left or right to browse through your installed watch faces.
- Tap on the one you want to select it. The watch will immediately switch.
For Button-Based Models (Fenix, Instinct, Forerunner 9xx, etc.)
- From the watch face, press and hold the “Up/Menu” button.
- Navigate to “Watch Face” using the buttons and select it.
- Use the buttons to scroll through the available options.
- Press the “Start/Select” button to choose the highlighted watch face.
Finding And Installing New Watch Faces From Connect IQ
Garmin’s Connect IQ store offers thousands of free and paid watch faces created by Garmin and third-party developers. This is where you can truly personalize your device.
- Open the Garmin Connect app on your phone.
- Tap “More” in the bottom right corner (or the three-line menu icon).
- Select “Connect IQ Store” from the list.
- Tap on “Watch Faces” at the top of the store screen. You can browse categories or use the search bar.
- When you find a face you like, tap on it to see details, ratings, and screenshots.
- Tap “Install” or the price button. For paid faces, you will need to complete a payment process.
- The app will download and install the watch face directly to your paired watch. A confirmation will appear when it’s done.
- Once installed, follow the previous steps to apply the new watch face from your device’s list.
Customizing Your Selected Watch Face
Many watch faces, especially from Connect IQ, allow you to adjust what information is displayed. These settings are called “complications”.
- Common customizable data fields include: heart rate, steps, battery level, next calendar event, weather, and sunrise/sunset times.
- To customize, usually you either long-press on the watch face on your device or find a “Customize” option in the Garmin Connect app under that specific watch face’s settings.
- Some advanced faces have their own settings menu on the watch where you can change colors, data layouts, and more.
Troubleshooting Common Watch Face Issues
Sometimes, changing a watch face doesn’t go smoothly. Here are solutions to frequent problems.
Watch Face Not Appearing on Device
If you installed a face but can’t find it on your watch, try these steps.
- Ensure the installation completed. Check the Connect IQ app’s “My Devices” section to see if it’s listed.
- Restart your Garmin watch. This often refreshes the list of available faces.
- Sync your watch with the Garmin Connect app by pulling down on the app’s home screen to force a sync.
- Check if the watch face is compatible with your specific model. Some older faces may not work on newer software versions.
Battery Drain After Installing a New Face
Some third-party watch faces, particularly those with animations or constant data updates, can reduce battery life.
- Switch back to a simpler, pre-installed Garmin watch face for a day to confirm the new face is the cause.
- Check the watch face’s settings (if available) to disable animations or reduce update frequency for data like weather.
- Read reviews in the Connect IQ store; other users often report battery performance.
Watch Face Freezes or Glitches
A malfunctioning watch face can sometimes cause the device to behave poorly.
- First, try to change the watch face using the physical button method described earlier, as a touchscreen might be unresponsive.
- If you can change it, remove the problematic face by going to the Connect IQ app > My Devices > select the watch > Watch Faces, and then uninstall it.
- As a last resort, restart your watch or perform a soft reset (holding the power button for 15-20 seconds).
Managing Multiple Installed Watch Faces
If you install many faces, it’s good to keep them organized to avoid clutter.
- You can uninstall watch faces directly from the Garmin Connect app. Go to your device settings > Watch Face, tap on the face you want to remove, and look for an uninstall or trash icon.
- In the Connect IQ store app, you can view all installed faces under “My Devices” and remove them from there.
- Regularly removing faces you no longer use can free up a small amount of storage on your watch and simplify your selection menu.
Choosing The Right Watch Face For Your Needs
With so many options, selecting a face can be overwhelming. Consider these factors.
- Activity Focus: For running or training, choose a data-dense face with metrics like heart rate zones, training load, or pace. For everyday use, a clean face with time, date, and steps might suffice.
- Readability: Ensure the time and data are easy to read at a glance, both in daylight and at night. Some faces offer a “negative” display option for better visibility.
- Battery Impact: As noted, animated graphics and constant second hands can use more power. Simpler is often better for battery longevity.
- Personal Style: Don’t underestimate the value of a watch face that you simply enjoy looking at, whether it shows a favorite photo or a classic analog design.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own photo as a Garmin watch face?
Yes, many Garmin models support this. In the Connect IQ store, search for “photo” or “picture” watch faces. These apps allow you to select a photo from your phone’s gallery and set it as the background, often with customizable data overlays. Some newer Garmin watches also have a built-in “Photo” watch face option in their preloaded selections.
Why won’t my Garmin watch face change?
If your Garmin watch face is not changing, first ensure your watch is synced with the app. A weak Bluetooth connection can interrupt the process. Also, check for software updates for both your watch and the Garmin Connect app, as an outdated system can cause glitches. Finally, try restarting both devices, as this clears temporary software errors.
Are Connect IQ watch faces safe to download?
Generally, yes. Garmin reviews apps before they are listed, but they cannot guarantee all performance aspects. Stick to watch faces with good ratings and a high number of downloads, as these are typically more reliable. Be cautious with faces requesting excessive permissions that seem unrelated to their function.
How do I get more free Garmin watch faces?
The Connect IQ store has thousands of free watch faces. Use the “Filter” option within the Watch Faces section and select “Price: Free” to browse only the no-cost options. You can also sort by “Most Popular” or “Newest” to find the best free designs.
Can I design my own Garmin watch face?
Yes, Garmin provides a free software development kit (SDK) called Connect IQ SDK for developers. If you have programming experience, you can create and publish your own watch faces. For non-developers, some third-party websites offer simple, web-based tools to design basic watch faces by arranging pre-made elements, which you can then sideload onto your device.