I believe that at some point the Apple Watch should get third-party watch faces . By the way, rumors even hinted at this before the announcement of watchOS 7. But during WWDC 2020, it became clear that this was not destined to happen: the watch was taught to transfer settings to standard watchfaces, but nothing more.
However, there is a way out, and more than one. First, you can try picture dials, and then play with Kaleidoscope. The next step will be to use the Chinese watch face store Jing Watch Face. Let's discuss it.
Interesting introductory notes: where does Jing Watch Face get its legs from?
The first custom watch faces for Apple Watch, created through Xcode based on SpriteKit
In October 2022, reviews of the release build of watchOS 5 began to appear online. The latest version of the operating system for smart watches was again criticized for not receiving support for third-party watch faces. Today, nothing much has changed: even the method of bypassing this limitation has been preserved .
Then Steve Troughton-Smith, whose regular leaks are used by IT journalists, surprised the world with another interesting find. He posted several videos on Twitter of unofficial custom watch faces for the Apple Watch.
Hermèzing? pic.twitter.com/rrs9QwCaae— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) October 10, 2018
Doesn't alleviate the 'third-party watchfaces would be full of knockoffs and copyright issues' concerns, but still, this kind of custom face looks awesome pic.twitter.com/dU4UtO2wAI— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) October 10, 2018
This is not the first year he has been delving into the insides of Apple's operating systems and publishing interesting findings that are related to the company's new hardware and software developments. Then he explained to the world how to create a custom watch face as a separate application for the Apple Watch.
To do this, I needed to understand Xcode and learn SpriteKit. Moreover, without a paid developer subscription, the watch face did not work for more than a week. It’s good that the method was adopted by the Chinese , who created the Jing Watch Face platform.
Printer
Typographic face
The style, similar to the dial style, allows Typograph to use the fonts of the time. There are two variations of the dial face: one with large numbers 12, 3, 6 and 9, and another with all the numbers closer to the image, like traditional watch faces. Additionally, there are three styles: classic with some flair, modern with clean lines, and rounded.
Apple provides a choice of Roman, Arabic, Indian, and Devanagari characters. Then there are a huge number of colors, some with a solid background, and when choosing the second dial option there are difficulties.
see also
AirPodsApple WatchiPhone
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First you need to install Jing Watch Face on Apple Watch
Basic third-party watch face for Apple Watch by Jing Watch Face
Please note : all the steps presented below could theoretically damage your iPhone. They have been tested by the author of this material, but we are not responsible for their safety. You use them at your own risk.
Step 1. First, you need to install the free JingMotion application from the App Store using the link.
Step 2: Now you need to make sure that the app has also been installed on your Apple Watch via the Watch app on your iPhone.
Step 3: Next, you need to open the JingMotion app on your Apple Watch.
Step 4. The last step is to hold the smartwatch screen for a long time and update the information on it.
After the specified set of actions, when opening the JingMotion application, a basic third-party watch face from the Jing Watch Face set will be displayed on the screen of the wearable gadget. In the future, you will be able to install new ones from the set, which is regularly updated by the community.
This store of third-party watch faces for the Apple Watch is constantly disguised in the App Store under the guise of various informers, which seem to provide information about activity and other “useful” data for the user in a convenient form.
This is why moderators of the Apple app store continually remove applications related to Jing Watch Face from it. However, developers are finding new ways to work around the limitations of the iPhone and Apple Watch. They usually appear on the company's official website via a link.
Stripes
Face stripes in support of The Ohio State Buckeyes
Stripes are one of our favorites. It's a simple design that has many uses. The dial consists of a series of stripes from two to nine. Each stripe can have its own user-selected color, and the angle of the stripes can be adjusted in 15-degree increments.
For example, you could create a scuba diving flag with a set of red, white and angled red stripes. Or celebrate the return of football with your favorite team, like the OSU Buckeye helmet pattern above. Match it to your outfit, match it to the season, or match it to your group.
The Stripes face can be full screen or round in the center. We think the full-screen mode looks better, but the circular option keeps things complicated.
Now it's important to turn on Jing Watch Face when you raise your wrist
Apple Watch can remember the last app you used on your smartwatch and automatically show it whenever you lift your wrist. This is exactly what you need to use Jing Watch Face.
Step 1: Open the Watch app on iPhone.
Step 2. Go to the "Basic" section.
Step 3: Expand the Screen Activation menu.
Step 4 : Select an option:
- “After pressing the wheel” in the “Return to the Clock” item if you are using iOS 14 and watchOS 7;
- “Always” in the “Show the latest app when the screen is activated” option if you are using iOS 13 and watchOS 6.
Now you just need to open the JingMotion app on your Apple Watch and use it instead of the standard smartwatch watch face launcher. It will continue to be on the screen until you exit it yourself .
This method has a disadvantage if you actively use third-party applications. Once you exit them using the Digital Crown, you'll be automatically returned to the base watch faces.
But you can speed up the launch of the JingMotion application by using an extension for one of the basic watchfaces.
Creating a watch face in Photoshop
If you know Photoshop, you can make a custom watch face in it. It is enough to create an image that will be used for the main background. The finished image must be synchronized with Apple Watch. On top of it will be the clock and other apps you select.
For the background image, the following dimensions in pixels must be observed according to the size of the clock:
- 3.8 cm-272*340.
- 4 cm-324*394.
- 4.2 cm-312*394.
- 4.4 cm-368*448.
To transfer the finished image to the watch, you need:
- Export it from Photoshop to your computer.
- Transfer the image to iPhone. It's better to make a new folder for it.
- On iPhone, open “Watch”.
- Go to "Photos".
- Select the folder you created earlier.
To set an image on the watch screen:
- Pinch the watch face screen.
- In the window that appears, select “Create”.
- Click on "Photo".
After this, the synchronized picture will be displayed like a clock face.
Jing Watch Face has forced watch face usage
The JingMotion app on Apple Watch has a couple of options that can be accessed by the More button that appears after holding the watch screen for a long time: Always Show and Activate. They will help you force the use of Jing Watch Face watch faces.
Almost immediately after going to any of the applications or the system menu, the watch will automatically return to the JingMotion application and show the installed watch face.
This is useful if you use the Apple Watch as a fashion accessory and don't bother with its additional features like workout tracking, music control, and so on.
Settings
In the Watch app there are several items that you can change in the watch face:
- Style. At this point you can choose the appearance of the watch, leave or remove seconds.
- Color. Various dial colors are available here.
- Extensions. In this section, the user can add widgets to the screen such as weather, player, battery charge, etc.
We can even add workout apps to your watch face. The developers do not limit you in this.
Jing Watch Face offers a ton of third-party watch faces
To add new and install downloaded watch faces as current ones, use the JingMotion application on the iPhone. It is an impressive store with a wide variety of options. And thanks to a truly active community, this set is regularly updated.
It’s no coincidence that I call JingMotion a store, because most of the watch faces in it are available on a paid basis . To purchase them, a special currency, J Currency, is used, which can be purchased using a bank card or PayPal. Rate: $1 = 5 J Currency.
The cost of one dial rarely exceeds 2-3 J Currency, so it will rarely cost more than 40-50 rubles. It seems to me that it’s not that much for the ability to install a unique watch face on the Apple Watch.
Facer
Another application for downloading watch faces. Ready-made designs are presented here. You can download some of them without paying. Although you cannot create your own watch face in the program, the downloaded version can be adapted to suit you. All designs are available in the premium version.
To install the design you like:
- Click on the blue circle icon with a clock next to the clock face picture.
- Click on “Add to my faces.”
- Click on the desired option and select “Set as current...”.
If you want to share the design you create, you can do so in Facer. Then anyone can use your design.
Disadvantages of Using Jing Watch Face on Apple Watch
My Apple Watch Series 5 with the basic Jing Watch Face watch
face First , watch faces installed through JingMotion do not support the extensions that make the Apple Watch so convenient. This is why Jing Watch Face is more suitable for using smartwatches as a fashion accessory rather than as a really useful gadget.
Of course, the overall usability of the Jing Watch Face system bears little resemblance to what we've come to expect from Apple. But this is a price for using an undocumented device feature.
Secondly , with many dials the Apple Watch looks extremely collective farm. To find something useful in the built-in store, you need to spend quite a bit of time.
After an active test of Jing Watch Face, I personally understood exactly why Apple has not yet opened up the possibility of creating third-party watch faces for the Apple Watch and publishing them in the App Store. I can’t imagine what requirements it would have to impose on developers.
Third , the always-on screen on the Apple Watch Series 5 is completely useless with the Jing Watch Face. Dials created on its basis are not displayed in any way in standby mode. It couldn't be any other way.
To sum it up: is it worth bothering so much?
On the one hand, I regularly have the desire to customize my Apple Watch in order to stand out from the crowd. On the other hand, apart from “Photo” and “Kaleidoscope”, there are simply no normal options for this today. Everything else is nothing more than crutches. But let's look at the dials that the Chinese store offers. Yes, many of them look good and are drawn quite well. However, they absolutely do not match the look of an Apple smartwatch. It was they who once again made me understand that it was not in vain that Apple limited the creation of something like this.
If you love the Apple Watch but have a relatively older model like the Series 2 or Series 3, I recommend setting aside your money for the new Series 4 or Series 5. Along with them, you'll also get a set of smart additional watch faces that Apple designers have worked on. The rest is crutches.
Types of watch faces on AppleWatch
How to remove the strap from Apple Watch 4 - instructions and recommendations
At the moment, the principle of operation of the application is not clear, but with a detailed examination of the types of watch faces for Apple Watch, all questions will go away.
Activity (analog)
This is an application overlaid on an analog watch face that displays the activity of the watch owner. He can choose to display the activity ring as a standard or as separate scales. This type of dial allows you to install additional extensions. For example, displaying battery charge, date, voice recorder, owner’s breathing, world clock, calculator and calendar, current weather conditions and other functions.
Activity (analog)
Activity (digital)
A similar application to the previous version, only here the time is displayed in digital format. You can track the owner’s activity and display the time in seconds. The resources available for use include:
- date;
- Dictaphone;
- alarm;
- audiobooks;
- cards;
- calculator;
- remote controller;
- cycle tracking;
- stopwatch;
- messages;
- training and so on.
Note! In some regions, you can install a walkie-talkie and ECG in the application. The latter helps in tracking a person’s condition during training.
Astronomy
Recommended for people who are interested in this field. The application is presented in the form of a 3D model of the Earth, the Moon and the entire solar system. Updates occur periodically, which interests the owner every time he looks at the watch (the screen automatically activates, recognizing the owner's face).
Here you can only customize the view of the Solar System with its components. Additionally, activity, audiobooks, alarm clock, heart rate, radio, messages and other extensions can be configured.
Note! Updates of changes in the solar system can be installed at a certain interval. You can also set up to receive updates every time you activate your watch.
Astronomy
Chronograph
An application is needed for people who often have to check the correct time down to the second. All you have to do is activate the display and get the necessary information. You can customize the color functions and time scale. Additionally, home, rain, favorite contacts, music, reminders, weather and other extensions can be configured.
Other possible
You can add other dials, which are presented in a huge variety. The most common and possible applications include “California” and “Color”. The California dial appears to be a standard format that combines Roman and Arabic numerals. In the “Color” application, the owner of a smartwatch can simply update the colors and use the device as intended.
It is noted that both dials are designed for Apple Watch 4 and newer models. Each of them involves setting up additional extensions, including voice recorder, monogram, lunar phase, people search, mail and other features.
California dial
Changing themes and wallpapers
The developers have come up with a new application for smart watches - Watch Faces. It allows you to make the interface more colorful and original by replacing the wallpaper. Pictures or even your own photographs can serve in this capacity. You can also select and change the wallpaper theme for your device; there are a huge number of them available on the Internet.
Live Photo is another nice addition. You can use a short video as a screensaver that will remind you of pleasant moments.
Change iWatch view to original view
Changing the strap
An interesting and pleasant aspect of this popular device is that the strap is removable. Considering that this manipulation is performed only:
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- by pressing and holding a special button;
- after which, with sleight of hand, the strap is removed.
Apple branded stores sell a huge number of similar accessories in a variety of variations.
The most popular are men's straps for the “Sport” model; they are made of high-quality rubberized material and come in a variety of color variations: from classic black to bright blue.
Agree, this opportunity is very cool!
Vibrant Red Look for Apple Watch
Dials and their functions
The dials are changed with a special Watch Faces program. This is a special application that helps you install new images with additional functions for AppleWatch.
Types of applications
The benefits of using the new watch faces include the following:
- You can additionally use the main function. The selected screensaver is not just an attractive picture, but functionality that is used when necessary.
- Often a type of dial is set according to interests, so with its help you can satisfy your knowledge and needs.
- The dial can act as an organizing tool. For example, if the owner often uses a calendar, he can install such a screensaver and use it as needed.
Note! The functions of the dial are to display new information that is constantly updated. Therefore, the owner of a smart watch is always up to date with the latest events.
