How to add and remove Apple Watch clock faces

Posted:
in Apple Watch edited May 2015
One of the most customizable Apple Watch features is its clock face, with multiple "styles" like Modular, Chronograph and Solar each having individual options for complications, or sub-displays containing glanceable information.




Out of the box, Apple Watch is configured with all available designs active in the clock face selection menu. Users can add and customize faces to taste, then delete unused designs to streamline their Watch's clock face collection. It's also possible to create multiple versions of the same face, for example two or more Modular clock faces with varying complications.

To add or remove clock faces on Apple Watch, raise your wrist (or tap the screen) and click the Digital Crown until you return to the clock face.




Force Touch on the clock face to enter "editing mode." To add an additional clock face, swipe all the way to the right and tap the "+" Plus icon.




You'll be given a choice to add one of Apple's clock face styles. Tap one, like Simple, and you're ready to go.




Force Touch again and select Customize to edit the complications and color of your clock face.




To remove any unwanted clock faces, Force Touch the screen to enter editing mode, then swipe upward to reveal a trash can and the world Delete.




Tap on the trash can to delete that clock face. If you delete one by accident, follow the steps to add a new clock face and choose the style that has been removed.

You can also follow the steps above to modify and customize existing clock faces on the fly.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 19
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,822member
    I'm not one but curious, for a lefty can one change swipe directions as a default if they wanted to keep it on the left wrist but instinctively wanted to swipe the other way?
  • Reply 2 of 19
    mehranmehran Posts: 53member

    "Yes, We can" customize it for both arms and also customize which side are the buttons.

  • Reply 3 of 19
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,822member
    mehran wrote: »
    "Yes, We can" customize it for both arms and also customize which side are the buttons.



    I would have expected nothing less. I was tempted to ask how about customizing it for the arms on the other way around! ;)
  • Reply 4 of 19
    pfisherpfisher Posts: 758member

    Amazing how complex this can get. Designed by engineers, but not for the average person. How many people will just stick to the default?

     

    It's been said before, Steve J. thought the original interface for the iPod was was too complicated and he said he wanted users to be able to get to a song from the top level in 3 clicks. If he hadn't been around, maybe we'd have an iPod with 5 clicks? With undue complexity?

     

    I don't mean to get into a "Steve J. would have never allowed this", but I guess that's what I mean.

     

    And the trash can? Really? Does that mean gone forever? Why not have the watch face shake a little and have the "x" in a corner?

     

    Nevermind.

  • Reply 5 of 19
    peejaybeepeejaybee Posts: 54member
    pfisher, this may look complicated but like all Watch UI, it's really simple and intuitive when you're actually using it. And the trashcan and corner X surely mean the same thing?
  • Reply 6 of 19
    nolamacguynolamacguy Posts: 4,758member
    pfisher wrote: »
    Amazing how complex this can get. Designed by engineers, but not for the average person.
    what utter and complete nonsense, spoken by a person whos never used one let alone has the product.

    I don't mean to get into a "Steve J. would have never allowed this", but I guess that's what I mean.
    yeah, because thats what trolls do. you have already established yourself to be a troll.

    And the trash can? Really? Does that mean gone forever?
    yes, your customized instance of that face is gone forever.

    Why not have the watch face shake a little and have the "x" in a corner?
    why not have a little jester come out and shake his jester bells at it? or have a UFO fly over it and zap it w/ a laser?
  • Reply 7 of 19
    pfisherpfisher Posts: 758member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NolaMacGuy View Post

     
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pfisher View Post



    Amazing how complex this can get. Designed by engineers, but not for the average person.


    what utter and complete nonsense, spoken by a person whos never used one let alone has the product.

     
    Quote:

    I don't mean to get into a "Steve J. would have never allowed this", but I guess that's what I mean.


    yeah, because thats what trolls do. you have already established yourself to be a troll.

     
    Quote:

    And the trash can? Really? Does that mean gone forever?


    yes, your customized instance of that face is gone forever.

     
    Quote:

    Why not have the watch face shake a little and have the "x" in a corner?


    why not have a little jester come out and shake his jester bells at it? or have a UFO fly over it and zap it w/ a laser?



    Snarky, are we?

  • Reply 8 of 19
    pfisherpfisher Posts: 758member

    I'm just giving my honest feedback based on what' I've seen as a potential customer. I've owned every Apple product, except the Apple I, and including the Newton and the eMate 300, MacSE - almost every laptop and iMac, all iPhones (except the first) and most all iPods.

     

    Anyway, the watch user guide is 96 pages long.

    https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1708/en_US/apple_watch_user_guide.pdf

     

    I'm not trying to raise a ruckus. I'd love to own one, but I'd personally prefer something that didn't need 96 pages, not that you'd need to read every page. I feel I'm speaking for a lot of people who might not own a watch (I have a $25 Casio digital with hands, also), but might consider a smart watch. I'm sure a lot would prefer something they can quickly pick up on without too many features.

     

    That's it. To me, the watch has featuritis. I'm not saying you are wrong if you buy one. Not at all. Too many features is great for the geek-type. My own watch has many I don't use, but you can ignore them, and setting and using digital watches hasn't changed in 30 years, more or less.

     

    But back to the 96 pages - then go and add apps.

     

    I hope it is successful. I hope they allow people to not have to use all of the features to understand why they are getting haptic feedback or not.

     

    If they dumbed it down a little, kept some essential, like maps, notifications like other "smartwatches" and used what really made sense...then that would be cool.

     

    Essentially, a person should be able to pick up an Apple product and not have to spend too much time learning the essential and being able to live with the basics. The iPad was the apex of this concept. An 80 year old and a 5 year old can use one in no time. That is simply magical.

     

    I was hoping the watch would have been in the same league.

     

    Fare enough, if a segment of the population love their watches, and it sounds like they do, that's awesome. Good for Apple. But many of us, I am certain, don't want or need the complexity.

     

    Cheers,

  • Reply 9 of 19
    tenlytenly Posts: 710member
    pfisher wrote: »
    Amazing how complex this can get. Designed by engineers, but not for the average person. How many people will just stick to the default?

    It's been said before, Steve J. thought the original interface for the iPod was was too complicated and he said he wanted users to be able to get to a song from the top level in 3 clicks. If he hadn't been around, maybe we'd have an iPod with 5 clicks? With undue complexity?

    I don't mean to get into a "Steve J. would have never allowed this", but I guess that's what I mean.

    And the trash can? Really? Does that mean gone forever? Why not have the watch face shake a little and have the "x" in a corner?

    Nevermind.

    Just stop posting about it until you try it. Obviously you have a problem envisioning the written description of how to use the watch. That's fine - not all people are of average intelligence. But even a moron (iq less than 25) would find this easy to use after doing it only once. If you put one on, use it for a few days and still think it's difficult - feel free to post away...but until then - just go away and stop trolling. This watch exceeds my expectations in every possible way.
  • Reply 10 of 19
    tenlytenly Posts: 710member
    pfisher wrote: »
    I'm just giving my honest feedback based on what' I've seen as a potential customer. I've owned every Apple product, except the Apple I, and including the Newton and the eMate 300, MacSE - almost every laptop and iMac, all iPhones (except the first) and most all iPods.

    Anyway, the watch user guide is 96 pages long.
    https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1708/en_US/apple_watch_user_guide.pdf

    I'm not trying to raise a ruckus. I'd love to own one, but I'd personally prefer something that didn't need 96 pages, not that you'd need to read every page. I feel I'm speaking for a lot of people who might not own a watch (I have a $25 Casio digital with hands, also), but might consider a smart watch. I'm sure a lot would prefer something they can quickly pick up on without too many features.

    That's it. To me, the watch has featuritis. I'm not saying you are wrong if you buy one. Not at all. Too many features is great for the geek-type. My own watch has many I don't use, but you can ignore them, and setting and using digital watches hasn't changed in 30 years, more or less.

    But back to the 96 pages - then go and add apps.

    I hope it is successful. I hope they allow people to not have to use all of the features to understand why they are getting haptic feedback or not.

    If they dumbed it down a little, kept some essential, like maps, notifications like other "smartwatches" and used what really made sense...then that would be cool.

    Essentially, a person should be able to pick up an Apple product and not have to spend too much time learning the essential and being able to live with the basics. The iPad was the apex of this concept. An 80 year old and a 5 year old can use one in no time. That is simply magical.

    I was hoping the watch would have been in the same league.

    Fare enough, if a segment of the population love their watches, and it sounds like they do, that's awesome. Good for Apple. But many of us, I am certain, don't want or need the complexity.

    Cheers,

    Hilarious post! Are you so dumb that you can't ignore features you don't need or want? The watch is usable right out of the box with a limited set of features that I'm sure even you could understand! Why do the extra features annoy you so much? Do you think you're paying more because of the extra features? Not much. Perhaps Apple should ship it in "Simple Mode" for simple people - where all it does is tell time, provide a stopwatch and an alarm. Really - if that's all you're able to comprehend - go buy a Casio. Do you spend much time on Television sites complaining that smart tv's are loaded with too many features? Do you ask for a model with a dial on it to change channels and a know that pulls out to turn on the power? Why are you here posting about a product that is obviously light years ahead of your capacity to understand? You are obviously a troll. This watch is easier to use and more intuitive than many of the Casio digital watches I've owned in the past. Really - if you think the Apple Watch is too complex, I don't understand how you are able to feed and bathe yourself. It really is *that* easy!
  • Reply 11 of 19
    booboobooboo Posts: 49member
    I played around with different watch faces the first few days I had the Apple Watch. Then I settled on a watch face layout that I like, because it has the info I want, looks nice and is easy to read at a quick glance.

    Maybe I'll grow tired of this face and want to start customizing again, but for now I don't feel the need. I just go on happily using the thing as-is.
  • Reply 12 of 19
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,898moderator

    I've settled happily with this one...

     



    Oh, look!  I have a message (red dot).  Better swipe down to view it, but that seems too complex.  /s

  • Reply 13 of 19
    pfisherpfisher Posts: 758member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tenly View Post

     
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pfisher View Post



    I'm just giving my honest feedback based on what' I've seen as a potential customer. I've owned every Apple product, except the Apple I, and including the Newton and the eMate 300, MacSE - almost every laptop and iMac, all iPhones (except the first) and most all iPods.



    Anyway, the watch user guide is 96 pages long.

    https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1708/en_US/apple_watch_user_guide.pdf



    I'm not trying to raise a ruckus. I'd love to own one, but I'd personally prefer something that didn't need 96 pages, not that you'd need to read every page. I feel I'm speaking for a lot of people who might not own a watch (I have a $25 Casio digital with hands, also), but might consider a smart watch. I'm sure a lot would prefer something they can quickly pick up on without too many features.



    That's it. To me, the watch has featuritis. I'm not saying you are wrong if you buy one. Not at all. Too many features is great for the geek-type. My own watch has many I don't use, but you can ignore them, and setting and using digital watches hasn't changed in 30 years, more or less.



    But back to the 96 pages - then go and add apps.



    I hope it is successful. I hope they allow people to not have to use all of the features to understand why they are getting haptic feedback or not.



    If they dumbed it down a little, kept some essential, like maps, notifications like other "smartwatches" and used what really made sense...then that would be cool.



    Essentially, a person should be able to pick up an Apple product and not have to spend too much time learning the essential and being able to live with the basics. The iPad was the apex of this concept. An 80 year old and a 5 year old can use one in no time. That is simply magical.



    I was hoping the watch would have been in the same league.



    Fare enough, if a segment of the population love their watches, and it sounds like they do, that's awesome. Good for Apple. But many of us, I am certain, don't want or need the complexity.



    Cheers,




    Hilarious post! Are you so dumb that you can't ignore features you don't need or want? The watch is usable right out of the box with a limited set of features that I'm sure even you could understand! Why do the extra features annoy you so much? Do you think you're paying more because of the extra features? Not much. Perhaps Apple should ship it in "Simple Mode" for simple people - where all it does is tell time, provide a stopwatch and an alarm. Really - if that's all you're able to comprehend - go buy a Casio. Do you spend much time on Television sites complaining that smart tv's are loaded with too many features? Do you ask for a model with a dial on it to change channels and a know that pulls out to turn on the power? Why are you here posting about a product that is obviously light years ahead of your capacity to understand? You are obviously a troll. This watch is easier to use and more intuitive than many of the Casio digital watches I've owned in the past. Really - if you think the Apple Watch is too complex, I don't understand how you are able to feed and bathe yourself. It really is *that* easy!

    How do you know I feed and bathe myself? That's a big assumption.



    Anyway, nothing wrong with forming an opinion, stating it, and defending it with facts. Except here.

  • Reply 14 of 19
    tenlytenly Posts: 710member
    pfisher wrote: »
    How do you know I feed and bathe myself? That's a big assumption.


    Anyway, nothing wrong with forming an opinion, stating it, and defending it with facts. Except here.

    Then defend it with facts. Go and buy the apple watch, use it for a week and THEN come back and tell us why you find it complex. Until then you are just trolling.

    Someone complained about a 98-page manual. How many pages in the iPad manual? 600+? The manuals exist strictly for documentation purposes. Nobody needs to read even a single page of it to start using their watch. There are also a few tutorial videos accessible right from within the Watch app itself. If you want to troll about something - choose something other than "complexity" because anybody that actually gets their hands on one - even for just 5 minutes - will immediately know that you were intentionally full of shit or too stupid to be alive.
  • Reply 15 of 19
    bluefire1bluefire1 Posts: 1,309member
    The Apple Watch is no more complicated than the original revolutionary iPhone was in 2007. And for those who decide they need some assistance, they can arrange either an online Personal Setup video session, or go to an Apple Store and ask to meet with a Specialist for a Personal Setup session.
    As usual, Apple knows what the its customers need and want.
  • Reply 16 of 19
    idreyidrey Posts: 647member
    I've settled happily with this one...

    <img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="58845" data-type="61" src="http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/58845/width/200/height/400/flags/LL" style="; width: 200px; height: 250px">



    Oh, look!  I have a message (red dot).  Better swipe down to view it, but that seems too complex.  /s

    That's the same one I use. Is simple and yet very informative. I have the date where you have the temp and weather where you have the date.
  • Reply 17 of 19
    snookiesnookie Posts: 143member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pfisher View Post

     

    Amazing how complex this can get. Designed by engineers, but not for the average person. How many people will just stick to the default?

     

    It's been said before, Steve J. thought the original interface for the iPod was was too complicated and he said he wanted users to be able to get to a song from the top level in 3 clicks. If he hadn't been around, maybe we'd have an iPod with 5 clicks? With undue complexity?

     

    I don't mean to get into a "Steve J. would have never allowed this", but I guess that's what I mean.

     

    And the trash can? Really? Does that mean gone forever? Why not have the watch face shake a little and have the "x" in a corner?

     

    Nevermind.




    There is nothing complex about it.  It should be obvious from reading the article you are commenting on.

  • Reply 18 of 19
    pmzpmz Posts: 3,433member

    Having actually USED the ?WATCH, I can say its incredibly simple...far more simple than someone who has never seen it before could realize. I thought it was more complex than it is. Its not. Its ridiculously simple. The best part is, being an iPhone accessory, it just comes to life, and doesn't require endless amounts of setup and config (like, buying a new iOS device, for instance).

  • Reply 19 of 19

    This site is putting up articles for the sake of it. There is no need for these instructions that make simple, intuitive things seem complex. I customised my watch faces with no help or instruction, it is an intuitive and simple process. 

     

    I'm expecting further articles on 'How to Tell the Time' and 'How to Raise Your Arm to View Your Watch'. Perhaps an advanced one on 'How to Sleep While Your Watch Charges'. Plenty of pictures please!

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