You can use Google Photos to put up to 30 personal photos on a Pixel Watch face, then choose a style and complications—the small watch-face displays for information such as weather or steps. Set up the Photos face in the Pixel Watch app or start from the watch; the steps below follow Google’s current instructions.
Before you start
Google’s instructions call for the latest Google Pixel Watch app on your phone and the latest Google Photos app on both your phone and watch. The Photos face can use up to 30 photos from a personal photo album. Google’s help page does not specify which Pixel Watch generations support this feature.
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Set a photo face from your phone
- Open the Pixel Watch app on your phone.
- Tap Watch faces, then Add new.
- Tap Photos, then choose a watch face in Google Photos.
- Select up to 30 photos, tap Add at the top, then tap Save.
If Photos does not appear, update the watch apps and try again. Google Pixel Watch Help: Use photos as your watch face
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- Touch and hold the current watch face.
- Swipe to Add new, choose Photos, then choose Edit when prompted.
- Open Google Photos on the watch when asked.
- On your phone, select the photos you want and tap Add.
If the watch cannot find Photos, update the watch apps and try again. Google Pixel Watch Help: Use photos as your watch face
#1 Best Overall
- The new Google Pixel Watch 5 offers a smarter way to a healthier you.[1,2]; Designed for Gemini Intelligence, get proactive help, and personalized insights from Google Health[3,4]; watch is compatible with Android devices only; not compatible with iOS devices
- Precision-crafted to do it all: The Google Pixel Watch 5 features the domed Actua 360 display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and up to 40 hours of battery life[1,5]
- Metrics that matter: Advanced sensors help you stay ahead of your health and wellness; and Google Pixel’s most accurate heart rate tracking is fine-tuned for your activity[6,7]
- Understand your sleep like never before: Your watch captures insights like the time spent in sleep stages to breathing regularity, then summarizes it all in a personalized Sleep Score[8,9]
- Detects loss of pulse, then calls for help: Pixel Watch 5 is the only smartwatch to feature Loss of Pulse Detection, which can prompt a call to emergency services[10]
Choose a style and complication layout
A complication is a watch-face element that displays information beyond the time. Google gives weather and step count as examples. To edit a face, touch and hold it and tap Edit, then swipe left through the available styles and complication layouts. In the Pixel Watch app, choose a face and tap Edit before applying it. The available layouts and complications can vary, so choose from what the face offers.
Pick complications that fit what you need
Weather and UV Index
Pixel Weather complications can show Weather or UV Index. Google says Pixel Weather is compatible with Pixel Watches running Wear OS 6 or newer. To add one, touch and hold the home screen, edit the face, and select Weather or UV Index from the available complications. The app and some related features are not available in every country or language. Google Pixel Watch Help: Use Pixel Weather on your watch
Rank #2
- The new Google Pixel Watch 5 offers a smarter way to a healthier you.[1,2]; Designed for Gemini Intelligence, get proactive help, and personalized insights from Google Health[3,4]; watch is compatible with Android devices only; not compatible with iOS devices
- Precision-crafted to do it all: The Google Pixel Watch 5 features the domed Actua 360 display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and up to 40 hours of battery life[1,5]
- Metrics that matter: Advanced sensors help you stay ahead of your health and wellness; and Google Pixel’s most accurate heart rate tracking is fine-tuned for your activity[6,7]
- Understand your sleep like never before: Your watch captures insights like the time spent in sleep stages to breathing regularity, then summarizes it all in a personalized Sleep Score[8,9]
- Detects loss of pulse, then calls for help: Pixel Watch 5 is the only smartwatch to feature Loss of Pulse Detection, which can prompt a call to emergency services[10]
Smart-home controls
Google Home for Wear OS offers complications that can show a selected home device and provide access to supported controls. Google’s examples include lights, thermostats, and supported TVs or cameras. The controls available depend on the device and the features it supports. Google Pixel Watch Help: Control smart home devices from your watch
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Steps and other information
If you want a quick glance at activity, use a layout that offers a step-count complication. For any complication, confirm that the relevant app and feature are available on your watch and that the chosen layout includes a suitable slot.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Google Pixel Watch 3 is designed for performance, with advanced fitness from Fitbit[1,2]; the 45mm screen is twice as bright and 40% larger than before, making it easier to see your stats and info[1]
- Maximize your performance with advanced running features; build custom run workouts and get real-time guidance and advanced form tracking[3]
- Enhance your run routine with Fitbit Premium; Google AI uses your goals, past runs, and readiness to power personalized run recommendations[3]
- Know what your body is ready for each day with readiness; it uses sleep, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability to show if you’re ready to take on a workout or prioritize recovery[3]
- Cardio load measures how hard your heart works so you can see how hard you’ve pushed; compare trends to see if you’re under- or over-training[3]
Rank #4
- Google Pixel Watch has a beautiful circular, domed design and new experience with Wear OS by Google, so it’s easy to get help at a glance
- Stay on top of activity, calories burned, and more with Fitbit activity tracking
- Track your heart rate and get insight into your sleep
- Save time with things like Google Wallet for contactless payments, turn-by-turn directions using Maps, and event notifications from Calendar
- Stay connected and productive wherever you go; respond to messages, manage your inbox, and make calls right from your wrist
Rank #3
- The Google Pixel Watch 4 is a stunning display of precision craftsmanship, with Gemini, your built-in AI assistant, Google’s longest-lasting battery, and comprehensive tools for next-level health and fitness performance[1,2,3,4]
- See it all and do the most with the Actua 360 domed display; it’s 10% larger and 50% brighter than Pixel Watch 3, and as durable as ever with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass[1]
- The Google Pixel Watch 4 has Gemini built in[4]; just ask questions and your ultra capable AI assistant will deliver quick responses for personalized help; and stay connected when you’re texting with AI-powered quick replies that are hyper-relevant[5,6]
- Get up to 30 hours of battery life or up to 48 hours in Battery Saver mode[3]; plus, the new side charging dock gives you 15 hours of battery in 15 minutes or less[7]
- Train smarter with 40+ exercise modes and real-time stats on your wrist[8]; and with high-precision dual-frequency GPS, you get more accurate route tracking on runs and hikes[1]
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