Galaxy Watch models that run Wear OS (Galaxy Watch4 and later) can use watch faces from Google Play, not just the ones Samsung preinstalls. Browsing a store on a 40 mm screen is fiddly, though, so most people find it easier to do the shopping on their phone and let the watch handle the install. Here's how that works, step by step, using Samsung's own instructions.
Before you start
- Your watch must be paired with your Android phone through the Galaxy Wearable app. Wear OS Galaxy watches are set up with an Android phone and aren't compatible with iPhone.
- Keep both devices connected and nearby, with Bluetooth on and an internet connection on the phone.
- Update your software. Samsung recommends keeping the Galaxy Wearable app and the phone's software current.
- Check storage on the watch if you already have a lot of faces and apps installed.
Method 1: Start in the Galaxy Wearable app
- Open Galaxy Wearable on your phone.
- Tap Watch faces. You'll see the faces already on your watch; tap one to apply it.
- To get new ones, scroll to the bottom and tap the options under Get more watch faces. This opens the watch face section of Google Play.
- Pick a face and tap Install.
- The face downloads and is sent to your watch. Samsung notes this can take a few minutes, and the status may sit on "Installing" for a while.
Method 2: Start in the Play Store on your phone
- Open the Play Store on your phone and search for the watch face or app you want.
- On listings marked Available on more devices, tap the arrow next to Install.
- Select your watch (and the phone too, if the face has a companion app), then tap Install.
If a face only installs on the watch, that's normal. Many watch faces have no phone app at all.
Method 3: Install directly on the watch
If your phone isn't handy:
- On the watch, open the Play Store.
- Swipe to Browse watch faces (or search), pick a face, and tap Install.
Alternatively, touch and hold the current face to enter edit mode, swipe left to Add watch face, scroll to the bottom and tap More watch faces to jump into the Play Store.
Apply and customize the new face
Installing a face doesn't always make it active. To switch:
- Touch and hold the watch face on the Home screen to enter edit mode.
- Swipe left or right to find the new face, then tap it.
- If you see Customize, tap it to change colors or complications. Press the Home key when you're done; the changes appear instantly.
You can also apply and customize from the phone: in Galaxy Wearable, tap Watch faces, choose the face, tap Customize, then Save.
Troubleshooting
- The face never shows up on the watch. Confirm the watch still shows as connected in Galaxy Wearable, keep the devices close, and give it a few minutes. Reopening the Play Store listing and installing to the watch again usually clears a stalled transfer.
- "This phone isn't compatible with this app." That message refers to an optional phone companion. The face itself can still install on the watch.
- No Customize button. Not every face supports customization. That's a design choice of the face, not a fault.
- Face app needs a newer Wear OS. Check your Wear OS version in the watch's Settings (under About watch) and install any available update.
Going further with WatchLux
If you'd like a large catalog of animated and video designs to install this way, WatchLux is one option I built. You browse on your phone, send a face to your watch, then switch to it with the touch-and-hold steps above. WatchLux has over 750 faces on both watchOS and Wear OS. All artwork is created with generative AI tools.
WatchLux is free to download and preview; subscription unlocks the full catalog and removes ads.
My team specializes in advanced generative AI art and video, and WatchLux and ScreenLux are where we apply it to the watch and the phone.
- Android and Wear OS: WatchLux on Google Play
Sean McCue, Founder, WatchLux and ScreenLux
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