watchOS 2, the first major update to the Apple Watch’s operating system, was released in September, just five months after the device’s debut. If you didn’t face any download issues getting watchOS 2 on your Apple Watch, you are well on your way towards looking for the new features the update brings.
One major change we’d been anticipating for months is the ability to personalize watch faces with the photos we’ve taken, and third-party complications are another fantastic addition that will add more variety and more functionality to the look of the Apple Watch. A third addition, time-lapse video watch faces, is sure to wow your friends and will give you some dynamic scenery to look at each time you raise your wrist.
To help you get started, we’ve created this how-to guide to show you how to set up each of the new watch face features.
This guide assumes you know how to customize your Apple Watch’s watch face. If you don’t already know the process, head over to our how-to guide on that topic for reference.
Photos Watch Faces
Adding photos to your watch face only takes a few minutes to set up. In watchOS 2, you can either select a specific photo to display all of the time, or choose a photo album to see a different image every time you wake your watch.
You cannot customize complications when using a personal photo as a watch face. The watch face will display only the date and time.
Time-Lapse
With watchOS 2, you can add a pre-made time-lapse video to your watch face. Apple has provided six locations: Mack Lake, New York, Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai.
Once you’ve selected a time-lapse video as your watch face, it will play for approximately three seconds and then stop every time you wake your Apple Watch. Just lift your wrist to see the video play out. Videos will be different based on the time. If you check your watch at 9:00 p.m. you’ll see the night sky. When you check it in the morning, you’ll see a sunny sky.
You cannot customize complications with the time-lapse watch face. The watch face will display the date and time.
Third-Party Complications
Apple has given third-party app developers the ability to add certain features to watch face complications, like flight status, precipitation, and more.
Head over to the forums to find out which apps support complications in watchOS 2.
Live Photos
Live Photos are exclusive to iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. They allow users to capture a few seconds of bursts before and after a picture is taken. If you have a compatible device, you can add Live Photos to Apple Watch the same way you do with regular photos, and they’ll animate each time you raise your wrist.
You cannot customize complications with Live Photos. The watch face will display the date and time.
Now that watchOS 2 adds more watch face possibilities, you can really personalize your look for every occasion.