You might be wondering: Does Apple Watch have wallpaper? The answer is yes. Your Apple Watch doesn't just track your fitness. It's built to reflect your style. If you're tired of default faces, just change the wallpaper on your Apple Watch to give it a personal touch.
In this guide, we'll show you how to change wallpaper on Apple Watch, step-by-step. From choosing your own photos to using the Watch app, the Photos app, or Zedge, we'll cover everything you need to know to turn your Apple Watch face into something uniquely yours.
Quick Answer: How to Change Apple Watch Wallpaper (Watch Face Background)
Apple Watch does have “wallpaper,” but it’s controlled through watch faces (especially the Photos face). The fastest way is:
- On iPhone: Photos → pick a photo → Favorite it → Watch app → Face Gallery → Photos → Content: Favorites → Add.
- On Apple Watch: Long-press the screen → swipe through faces → tap a face to set it → Edit to customize.
- From Zedge: Download an Apple Watch wallpaper → save to Photos → Favorite it or use Share → Create Watch Face.
Do you want your watch to shuffle photos? Favorite multiple images and use the Favorites Album in the Photos watch face.
What You Need Before the Apple Watch Wallpaper Change
Before I explain how to set wallpaper in Apple Watch, here's what you'll need:
- An Apple Watch paired with an iPhone
- The Watch app is installed on your iPhone
- Access to your Photos app (with your chosen images saved)
- Optional: A Zedge account for premium Apple Watch wallpapers
- Basic familiarity with how to open the Photos app and create a watch face
How to Set a Wallpaper on Apple Watch Using Your iPhone
Using your Photos app is one of the simplest ways to customize your Apple Watch background.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone
- Select the photo you want to use
- Tap the heart icon to favorite it
- Repeat for as many photos as you want to cycle through
- Open the Watch app
- Tap the Face Gallery tab
- Scroll to the Photos watch face
- Under “Content,” select Favorites Album
- Tap Add to set it as your new watch face
That's how to change wallpaper in iWatch, simple, isn't it? Check this out if you want to know how to make your own phone wallpaper.
đź’ˇ Tip: Want your Apple Watch face to shuffle through several pictures? Just favorite more than one!
Alternative Method: Using the Watch App on Your iPhone
You can also use the Face Gallery inside the Apple Watch app for more control.
Here’s how:
- Open the Watch app
- Tap Face Gallery
- Select Photos under the gallery options
- Choose between:
- Favorites Album
- Custom photo selection
- Dynamic (from Memories)
- Set your Time Position (Top or Bottom)
- Choose your Complications
- Tap Add — and just like that, you’ve got a fresh Apple Watch face
🎨 Want more styling ideas? Explore the best wallpaper apps to fuel your creativity.
How to Change Your Apple Watch Wallpaper Directly from the Watch
No iPhone nearby? No problem — you can still update your watch face right from your wrist.
Here’s how:
- Raise your Apple Watch
- Press firmly (long-press) on the screen
- Swipe to browse available faces
- Tap to set a new one
- Want to tweak it? Tap Edit to adjust complications or time position
Tip: Not all watch faces allow full customization, so play around to find what works best.
Where to Find Unique Apple Watch Wallpapers
You're not limited to photos in your library. You can even use different media types. Here's how to set a video as wallpaper on iPhone. But if you'd rather stick with high-quality, ready-to-use Apple Watch backgrounds, check out wallpaper platforms like Zedge.
They offer stylish, curated options that fit your device perfectly. There's no cropping or guesswork on how to add wallpaper to Apple watch, everything is tailored to your device.
How to Download Apple Watch Wallpapers from Zedge
Follow these steps to find and use Apple Watch-ready wallpapers on Zedge.com:
- Visit zedge.net/wallpapers on your phone
- Browse by category or search for "Apple Watch"
- Tap on an image to view details
- Tap Download or Save to device
- Open the Photos app, locate the image
- Favorite it or use Create Watch Face from the share button
🔥 Pro Tip: Use the Create Watch Face shortcut to go directly from image to wrist.
Best Apple Watch Wallpapers from Zedge
Tips for Customizing Your Apple Watch Face
Once your Apple Watch background is set, level it up with these ideas:
- Choose Time Position (top or bottom) based on photo layout
- Add Complications like calendar, battery, or step counter
- Mix static and dynamic images using as many photos as you'd like
- Use a live photo or short video converted to a live wallpaper (if your watchOS supports it)
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here's how to fix common wallpaper setup problems:
❌ Wallpaper not showing?
➡ Make sure the photo is in your selected album (e.g., Favorites) ➡ Re-sync via the Watch app
❌ Wrong size or crop?
➡ Crop or adjust photo orientation in the Photos app before setting
❌ Live photo isn't animating?
➡ Your Apple Watch must support motion faces (some versions only support static images)
❌ Changes not syncing?
➡ Reboot both your iPhone and Watch ➡ Open the Watch app, unpair and re-pair if needed
For more fixes, check out our guide on how to customize your home screen. In case you need more help, check out how to delete wallpaper on your iPhone.
Final Word on How to Set Wallpaper on Apple Watch
Whether you want to show off your pet, a memory, or a motivational quote, your Apple Watch deserves to feel like yours. By learning how to put wallpaper on Apple Watch, you open up tons of ways to express your style, mood, or even your day's focus.
FAQs
How to set Apple Watch wallpaper?
You can’t set a custom “wallpaper” on Apple Watch like on iPhone; your background comes from the watch face. On your iPhone, open the Watch app → Face Gallery (or My Watch), pick a face like Photos/Portraits, choose the photo(s), then tap Add / Set as current Watch Face.
Can I use any photo as my Apple Watch wallpaper?
Yes, as long as it's in your Photos app, you can set it as your Apple Watch face.
How do I make sure my photo fits the Apple Watch screen?
Crop it to a square format and preview it using Create Watch Face to check the layout.
Why isn't my wallpaper showing up on my Apple Watch?
Make sure the photo is in your Favorites or the album selected in the Watch app.
How do I remove or change my current Apple Watch wallpaper?
Use your Apple Watch or the Face Gallery in the Watch app to switch faces.
Can I set a live photo or animated wallpaper on my Apple Watch?
Yes, on watchOS 11.2 or earlier, you can use live photos for animated backgrounds.
How to put wallpaper on an Apple Watch?
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, choose a Photos watch face, pick a photo, and set it as your current watch face.
How to change wallpaper on iPhone easily?
Unlock your iPhone, long-press the Lock Screen, swipe to the wallpaper you want (or tap + to add one), then tap Set as Wallpaper Pair (or customize Home Screen separately).