Guide

How to Install a Garmin Watch Face

A clear path from store to wrist. Works the same on iPhone and Android, for free and paid faces.

Takes about 2 minutes

Scan with your other device to open this guide there. Then do the install steps on this phone with the guide in front of you.

arxen.ch/guides/install-garmin-watch-face

The steps are identical. Only the app store name changes: App Store.

Free

Install a free Watch Face

Find it, tap Get, sync. Three steps.

 Paid

Buy & install a paid Watch Face

The flow most people get stuck on, made simple.
The standard way · Connect IQ Store app

Install a free Watch Face

The Connect IQ Store app is Garmin's full catalog. This is the path that works for every compatible watch.

Before you start: you need two free apps. Garmin Connect is your watch's main app and the one that syncs. The Connect IQ Store is the shop for Watch Faces. Have Garmin Connect installed with your watch paired before you begin.
The Connect IQ Store app to install on the phone home screenConnect IQ Store app icon on the phone home screen
Connect IQ Store
Install the Connect IQ Store app

On your phone, open the App Store and install the free Connect IQ Store app. It is separate from the main Garmin Connect app.

Connect IQ Store app with the watch selected at the topSign in screen, then watch selected at the top of the app
Connect IQ Store
Sign in and pick your watch

Sign in with the same Garmin account you use in Garmin Connect. Make sure your watch is paired and shown at the top of the app.

Search result for the Watch Face, with the compatible model list visibleSearch result for the Watch Face, with the compatible model list visible
Connect IQ Store
Find the Watch Face and confirm your model

Search by name or browse the Watch Faces category. On the face's page, confirm your exact watch model is listed as compatible.

The install button on the Watch Face pageThe green Get button on the Watch Face page
Connect IQ Store
Tap Get

Tap Get. If the face asks for permissions like location or heart rate, accept them: that is how it shows that data on your wrist. The face then joins your watch's install queue. Nothing changes on the watch yet.

The Watch Face installing from the Connect IQ StoreGarmin Connect syncing the watch, watch held close to phone
Garmin Connect
Sync your watch

Open Garmin Connect, keep the watch close to your phone, and let it sync. The face arrives after the next sync.

Watch face selection list on the watch, new face highlightedWatch face selection list on the watch, new face highlighted
Select it on your watch

Press and hold the current face, or hold the UP or MENU button (often the middle-left button on Forerunner and Fenix), then choose your new Watch Face. It sits in the list mixed in with the preloaded ones.

The shortcut · Garmin Connect app

Install from the Garmin Connect app

Many newer watches let you install faces without the separate Connect IQ app. If your watch supports it, this is the fastest route.

Garmin Connect home with the watch connectedGarmin Connect home, watch card at the top
Garmin Connect
Open Garmin Connect and tap your watch

Open the main Garmin Connect app and tap your device card or name.

The More menu in Garmin Connect with the Connect IQ Store entryThe More menu in Garmin Connect, with Connect IQ Store
Garmin Connect
Open the Watch Faces catalogue

On watches like Venu or vivoactive, tap Appearance, then Watch Faces. On fenix and most Forerunner models, open More, then Connect IQ™ Store: the catalogue opens in the Connect IQ app.

The install button on the Watch Face pageWatch Face selected, Install button visible
Connect IQ Store
Pick a face and tap Install

Choose your Watch Face and tap Install.

Watch confirms the face has been installed to the deviceSync confirmation, face on the watch
Sync

Let the watch sync. The face appears on the next sync.

Already installed?

Switch faces on the watch itself

Once a face is on your watch, you can change it any time without your phone.

Press and hold the current Watch Face for a second, then swipe through your installed faces and tap the one you want.

Hold the UP or MENU button (often the middle-left button on Forerunner and Fenix), select Watch Face, then scroll to your face and confirm.

Quick answers

If something looks off

My new Watch Face is not on the watch yet.
Nothing appears until the next sync. Open Garmin Connect, tap your device, and tap Sync, or pull down to refresh. Keep the watch within a metre of the phone, with Bluetooth on. The face shows up right after a successful sync.
It synced, but I still do not see the face.
It is installed, just not active yet. Press and hold the current face on touch models, or hold the UP or MENU button, choose Watch Face, then pick your new one.
Sync keeps failing and the face never arrives.
Usually one stuck item is blocking the queue. Sign in at connect.garmin.com on a computer, open the download queue, remove any stuck item, then sync again. If your watch storage is full, remove a few unused faces under Garmin Connect, your device, General, Manage Storage.
How do I know my watch is compatible?
Every Watch Face lists its supported models on the store page. Confirm your exact watch model is on that list before you install.
The face shows blank weather, steps or data.
Your phone's battery saver is likely blocking background updates. Allow background activity and turn off battery optimization for Garmin Connect and the Connect IQ Store, then sync once more.
I bought a face, and it asks me to buy it again.
Sign in with the same Garmin account you used to buy it. Your ARXEN faces are tied to that account, so on a new phone or after a reset you just reinstall from the Connect IQ Store while signed in with that account. It restores without charging again, with no codes or emails to enter.
How do I set the face once it is installed?
On the watch, press and hold the current face on touch models, or hold the UP button on button models, then pick your new Watch Face.
Connect IQ app or Garmin Connect app?
Both work. The Connect IQ Store app is the full catalogue for browsing and buying. Many newer watches also install faces straight from Garmin Connect under Appearance, Watch Faces.

Now pick one worth installing

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