Hands-On With the New 'Face Gallery' for Apple Watch in iOS 10

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In iOS 10, there's a new Face Gallery in the Watch app, which is designed to let users customize their Apple Watch faces in watchOS 3 right from their iPhones. Tweaking an Apple Watch face from an awkward angle on a wrist and on a tiny screen can be a hassle, making the Face Gallery a welcome addition to the Watch app.

Face Gallery is accessible through the Watch app in iOS 10, available via a new "Face Gallery" tab, which replaces "Explore" and "Featured" tabs that have been combined into a new "App Store" tab.

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"My Watch," the section the Watch app opens to, has been updated with a direct view of all the faces you've added to your Apple Watch, allowing for quick tweaks to complications, colors, and other options. Creating entirely new watch faces on the iPhone is done through Face Gallery, which displays all of the available watch faces in one easy-to-see scrollable grid.

Selecting a watch face opens up full customization options for choosing the look of the face, its color scheme, and the complications you'd like to use with the face. Faces created on the iPhone are then synced over to the Apple Watch by tapping "Add", and then you can swap between them with left and right swipes through the revamped watchOS 3 interface.

Face Gallery will be available in the fall when iOS 10 and watchOS 3 are released to the public.

For details on new features coming in iOS 10, make sure to check out our iOS 10 roundup. Don't miss out on our previous videos, which have covered watchOS 3, tvOS 10, and macOS Sierra:

- WWDC 2016 Overview in Seven Minutes
- iOS 10's Overhauled Lockscreen
- The New iOS 10 Photos App
- The New iOS 10 Messages App
- macOS Sierra - Siri
- iOS 10 Hidden Features
- watchOS 3 Overview
- iOS 10's Redesigned Apple Music Experience
- 3D Touch in iOS 10
- The New Home App for Controlling HomeKit Devices
- Everything New in tvOS 10
- Apple's Upcoming Apple TV Remote App

We've also got roundups for all of the upcoming operating systems, including watchOS 3, macOS Sierra, and tvOS 10.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 6
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Related Forums: Apple Watch, iOS 10

Top Rated Comments

Mascots Avatar
Mascots
66 months ago
While not there, it's another step closer to 3rd party watch faces.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Karma*Police Avatar
Karma*Police
66 months ago
To me, watchOS 3 was the biggest news and surprise of WWDC.

I'm really looking forward to that and iPhone 7 running iOS 10 this fall.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BornAgainMac Avatar
BornAgainMac
66 months ago
I want my Watch to have a Star Trek next generation graphics.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RoboCop001 Avatar
RoboCop001
66 months ago
I'd say it's 100% certain that 3rd party watch faces are coming. But there needs to be an API built first (and whatever security concerns have to be dealt with). I'm sure they're definitely working on it, but not as a top priority. I'd bet we'll see this in watchOS 4.

Besides. It's another revenue stream. So it's definitely coming.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcfrazieriv Avatar
mcfrazieriv
66 months ago
Here's my current face gallery...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac Fly (film) Avatar
Mac Fly (film)
66 months ago
I think Apple did a phenomenal job with watchOS 3. The finesse, the features, the restraint, the UX, the boost in performance, the choices across the board. Phenomenal is the word. Damn, one less reason to fire Tim Cook. MR won't sleep tonight. Oh but yeah, this comment means I'm incapable of criticising Apple. That's always a great next-best argument. If you can't counter the point, attempt to discount the point-maker.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

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