How to Add Your Own Photos to the Apple Watch Face

Scott Daly

space gray Apple Watch with black Sports Band

Personalizing your Apple Watch face with your own photos adds a unique touch to your day-to-day accessory. By customizing the watch face, you can carry cherished memories or your favorite images on your wrist. The process is straightforward, and it allows you to infuse a bit of your personality into the otherwise standardized Apple Watch. With just a few taps, you can select from your photo library and transform the watch face to display moments from important events, loved ones, or any picture that you want to see throughout the day.

Setting up your personal photos as watch faces on the Apple Watch is a feature that is appreciated for its simplicity and personalization. Once you have chosen a photo from your iPhone’s library, you are just a few steps away from seeing it on your watch. You can do this through the Apple Watch companion app or directly from the Photos app. This allows you to breathe new life into your wearable tech by showcasing your photographic moments.

Customizing Your Apple Watch Display

Adding personal photos to your Apple Watch face makes it truly yours! Here’s a simple guide to get it done.

Choose Your Photo Source

Your Apple Watch can pull photos from several places:

  • Synced Albums: Designate an album already synced from your iPhone to your Apple Watch.
  • Memories: Turn cherished Memories (photo collections created by your iPhone) into watch faces.
  • Individual Photos: Select specific photos for a more focused look.
space gray Apple Watch
Apple Watch

Ways to Create Photo Watch Faces

There are two main ways to add photos to your Apple Watch face:

1. Using your iPhone

  • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Go to the “Face Gallery” tab.
  • Scroll down and select “Photos.”
  • Choose your desired photo source.
  • Select the photos you want to include.
  • Customize your watch face with colors, styles, and complications (extra info like date or weather).
  • Tap “Add” to finish.

2. Using Your Apple Watch

  • Open the Photos app on your Apple Watch.
  • Find the photo you want to use.
  • Firmly press the display.
  • Tap “Create Watch Face”.
  • Choose between a “Photos” watch face (single image) or “Kaleidoscope” (abstract pattern from your photo).
  • Adjust as you like and tap “Add”.

Photo Watch Face Types

Face TypeDescription
PhotosDisplays a single chosen photo.
KaleidoscopeCreates an abstract, rotating pattern from your photo.
PortraitsDesigned for Portrait Mode photos, adds depth effects.

Important Note: Syncing photos to your Apple Watch might take some time.

Step By Step Tutorial

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to view photos and memories on your Apple Watch. Whether you want to browse through your favorite snapshots or relive cherished memories right from your wrist, Apple Watch makes it easy.

1. Accessing Photos App on Apple Watch:

  • To start, locate and open the Photos app on your Apple Watch. It should be among your app icons.
  • Tap on either a memory, Featured Photos, or an album that you’ve synced to your Apple Watch.

2. Browsing Photos:

  • Once inside a memory or album, tap on a photo to view it.
  • Swipe left or right to navigate through other photos.
  • Use the Digital Crown to zoom in or out, or drag to pan the photo.
  • Double-tap to toggle between viewing the entire photo and filling the screen.
  • Zoom all the way out to see the entire photo album.

3. Viewing Memories on Watch Faces:

  • Memories can also be displayed on watch faces for quick access.
  • For the Siri watch face, simply choose the Siri watch face and tap on a memory to view it.
  • To see photos from Memories on the Photos watch face, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to Face Gallery, select the Photos watch face, and tap Dynamic.

4. Viewing Live Photos:

  • Live Photos are also supported on Apple Watch.
  • Look for the Live Photo symbol in the bottom-left corner of a photo, then touch and hold the photo to activate it.

5. Sharing Photos:

  • While viewing a photo in the Photos app on your Apple Watch, tap the Action button, then select a sharing option from the menu.

6. Creating a Photo Watch Face:

  • Want to set a special photo as your watch face? While viewing a photo in the Photos app on your Apple Watch, tap the Action button, scroll down, then tap Create Face.
  • Alternatively, you can create a Kaleidoscope watch face based on the photo or add a new Photos watch face using the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

Pro Tip:

  • You can also create a watch face directly from your iPhone. Open the Photos app, select a photo, tap the Action button, swipe up, tap Create Watch Face, and choose the desired watch face type.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy your favorite photos and memories right from your Apple Watch, keeping your most cherished moments just a glance away.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple Watch can display photos from your personal collection as watch faces.
  • Customizing the watch face with a photo is a simple process using your iPhone.
  • This feature lets you make your smartwatch more personal and unique.

Setting Up Your Personal Photos as Watch Faces

With just a few steps, anyone can create a unique look for their Apple Watch by setting personal photos as watch faces. This allows your favorite memories to stay fresh each time you glance at your watch.

Choosing the Right Photos

First, select photos from the iPhone’s Photos app. It’s important to pick snapshots that bring joy and fit well on the Watch screen. Most users prefer choosing from their Favorites album or any custom album they have created.

  • Album Selection: Go to the iPhone’s Photos app and find an album or individual photos you love.
  • Photo Tips: Ensure the subject is centered to display nicely on the watch face.

Creating Your Photo Watch Face

The process of making a Photo Watch Face begins on the iPhone. Here’s what to do:

  • Start in Face Gallery: Open the Watch app and tap on the Face Gallery tab.
  • Pick Photos Face: Scroll to and select the ‘Photos’ watch face.

Customizing Your Photo Watch Face

Once you’ve created the photo watch face, it’s time to customize it to match your style. Here are the details:

  1. Style: Adjust the time position and font.
  2. Complications: Add widgets like weather, music, or reminders to your watch face for quick access.
  • Color & Design: Choose a filter to apply to your photo and pick a new color for a fresh look.
  • Complication Layout: Decide where to show information like date and battery life.

Adding Dynamic and Live Photo Options

For a more lively watch face, you can opt for dynamic or Live Photos, which add movement to your watch face. To do this:

  • Live Photos: Choose a Live Photo from your album for an animated background.
  • Dynamic Selection: Set a dynamic photo selection, which rotates through your chosen photos.