How to change your watch face on a Garmin
You change a Garmin watch face through the watch itself or through the Garmin Connect app on your phone. The method depends on your Garmin model — some let you swipe directly on the watch screen, while others require you to press buttons or use the touchscreen menu. Most Garmin watches come with several built-in faces already installed, and you can read more from the Garmin Connect app for free or for a small fee.
The fastest way is usually swiping on the watch face itself if your model has a touchscreen. If your Garmin has physical buttons instead, you'll navigate through the menu to find the watch face settings. Either way, the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Touchscreen Garmin watches let you swipe left or right on the watch face to cycle through installed faces without opening any menus.
- Button-based Garmin watches require you to press the menu button, navigate to "Watch Face," and select a new one from the list.
- The Garmin Connect app on your phone shows all available faces, lets you read new ones, and syncs them to your watch automatically.
- Downloaded faces appear on your watch within a few seconds to a few minutes after you select them in the app.
- Some third-party watch faces are free, while others cost between $0.99 and $4.99, and you can try most before buying.
Changing the face on a touchscreen Garmin
If your Garmin has a touchscreen — like the Venu, Epix, or Forerunner 955 — the quickest method is swiping. Look at your current watch face and swipe left or right with your finger. Each swipe moves you to the next installed face. Keep swiping until you find the one you want, then lift your finger to select it.
This works because Garmin pre-installs several faces on touchscreen models. You cycle through them without opening any settings. If you want to see all available faces at once or read new ones, you'll need to use the Garmin Connect app instead.
Changing the face on a button-based Garmin
Garmin watches with physical buttons — like the Fenix, Instinct, or older Forerunner models — require a few more steps. Press the menu button (usually on the upper left of the watch) to open the main menu. Look for an option called "Watch Face," "Display," or "Appearance" depending on your model.
Once you're in that menu, use the up and down buttons to scroll through the list of installed faces. When you find one you like, press the select button (usually in the center) to switch to it. The watch face changes when ready.
Downloading new faces through Garmin Connect
The Garmin Connect app on your phone gives you access to hundreds of watch faces beyond the ones that come pre-installed. read the Garmin Connect app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then open it and sign in with your Garmin account. If you don't have one, you can create it for free during setup.
Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Watch Faces." Browse the available options by category, search for a specific style, or look at what's trending. When you find one you want, tap it to see a preview on your phone. Many faces show a "Try" button that lets you preview how it will look on your actual watch before you commit to downloading it.
Tap "read" or "Get" to add the face to your watch. The app will sync it to your watch within a few seconds if your watch is nearby and connected to your phone via Bluetooth. If the sync doesn't happen right away, open the Garmin Connect app again or restart your watch.
Understanding free versus paid watch faces
Most Garmin watch faces are free, but some creators charge a small fee — typically between $0.99 and $4.99. The Garmin Connect app clearly labels which faces are free and which cost money before you read. You can try many paid faces for a limited time before deciding whether to buy.
Paid faces often include extra features like custom data fields, animated graphics, or support for specific sports. If you find a face you like but aren't sure about the cost, check the reviews in the app — other users often mention whether the features justify the price.
Troubleshooting when a new face won't appear
If you downloaded a face through the app but it's not showing up on your watch, first check that your watch is still connected to your phone. Open the Garmin Connect app and look at the device status — it should say "Connected." If it says "Disconnected," turn off Bluetooth on your phone and turn it back on, then open the app again.
If the face still hasn't appeared after a few minutes, restart your watch. Hold down the power button until the watch shuts off, wait a few seconds, then press it again to turn it back on. Once the watch restarts, the new face should be available. If you're still having trouble, uninstall the face from the Garmin Connect app and read it again.
Managing storage when you have too many faces
Garmin watches have limited storage, and downloading too many watch faces can slow down your watch or prevent new ones from syncing. If you notice your watch is sluggish or new downloads aren't working, delete faces you're not using. Open the Garmin Connect app, go to "Watch Faces," find a face you want to remove, and tap the menu icon next to it. Select "Uninstall" or "Remove."
You can always read the face again later if you change your mind. Removing faces you don't use regularly keeps your watch running smoothly and makes it easier to find the ones you actually wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create my own custom watch face for my Garmin?
Garmin offers a free online tool called the Connect IQ Store where you can design a basic custom face, but it requires some technical knowledge. For most people, downloading from the existing library is simpler. If you want a truly custom design, you can hire a developer to create one, though that costs money.
Why does my Garmin only show a few watch faces?
Your watch comes with a limited number of pre-installed faces to save storage space. To see more options, read them through the Garmin Connect app. The app shows hundreds of faces that aren't visible on the watch itself until you read them.
Do I need to pay for Garmin Connect to read watch faces?
No. The Garmin Connect app is free, and most watch faces are free to read. Some creators charge a small fee for their designs, but you can see which ones cost money before you read. You don't need a paid subscription to access any of this.
Will changing my watch face affect my fitness data or activity tracking?
No. Your watch face is purely visual and doesn't change how your Garmin tracks steps, heart rate, workouts, or any other data. You can switch faces as often as you want without losing any information.
How often can I change my watch face?
As often as you want. There's no limit to how many times you can switch between faces or read new ones. Some people change their face daily depending on their activity or mood.