How to Reset and Rebuild Apple Watch Faces

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Delete the problematic watch face

   Wake your Apple Watch and firmly press the current watch face to enter the face gallery editor. Swipe left or right to locate the specific watch face that is malfunctioning. Swipe upward on the face and tap the red Trash icon to remove it from your device.

   Note: Deleting a watch face is permanent and removes all custom complications settings for that instance.
2. 1 min

   Refresh the Watch app on iPhone

   Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone. Navigate to the My Watch tab and verify the face has been removed from the My Faces section at the top of the screen. If the face persists, force close the Watch app by swiping up from the bottom of the home screen and swiping the app card away.

3. 1 min

   Rebuild the watch face from scratch

   In the Watch app, tap the Face Gallery tab at the bottom of the screen. Select the same watch face style you previously deleted. Customize the Color, Style, and Complications to your preference, then tap the blue Add button.

   Note: Avoid using backups if the issue persists; rebuilding manually prevents corrupt configuration files from carrying over.
4. 30 sec

   Confirm the new face on the device

   Raise your wrist to wake the Apple Watch. Swipe horizontally across the display until you find the newly created watch face. Confirm that all complications display current data and that the crown interaction functions correctly.

5. 2 min

   Force restart the Apple Watch

   If the new face fails to render or interact properly, perform a force restart. Press and hold both the Digital Crown and the side button simultaneously for at least 10 seconds. Release both buttons only when the Apple logo appears on the display.

   Note: A force restart clears system cache without erasing user data.