Perhaps one of the coolest features to have been implemented in modern smartwatches is that you can customize them to match your personal tastes. I’m not talking about purchasing a device that comes in one of several physical colors or variants. I’m talking about personalizing the actual user interface.

Many smartwatches that are already available on the market allow you to customize the interface in one way or another. You can download and install various watchface styles, themes and more. If you’re used to personalizing your smartphone or computer with a custom background it’s pretty much the same idea.

Why would anyone want to personalize their device?

Believe it or not, personalization plays a huge role in modern technology. Smartwatch owners like to customize their device for the same reasons that anyone would change the wallpaper on their PC or the background on their smartphone. It adds a personal flair to the device and allows you to truly make it your own. When smartwatches are adopted more widely, the customization will allow you to separate your own device from the all the others floating around. The real benefit is that even though some models may look the same on the outside, they will look very different when it comes to the visual layout or UI.

What can you change?

Image by Omate

As always, it depends on the smartwatch model in question but the general elements are the same all around. Modern smartwatches display the time onscreen via a unique UI or theme. For the most part, you can download and install custom skins for the watchface that completely change the look and feel of the device.

How you go about doing this is different for each and every model out there, and what is actually changed when you apply a new theme is different as well.

For instance, the Pebble smartwatch has an entire web portal dedicated to custom watchfaces all of which you can freely download and install to the device. You have to sideload the content onto the device, unlike other watches which may or may not allow you to acquire the content from a proprietary web store.

The Omate TrueSmart is running a custom version of the Android OS and users can personalize the watch exactly as they would any Android powered smartphone. You can install widgets and shortcuts on the homescreen, rearrange layouts and even apply background wallpaper.

What do you need to create a custom watchface of your own?

Most smartwatches have an SDK package or tool kit available which serves as a template for creating custom watchfaces. The tools at your disposal will depend on the smartwatch model that you want to personalize. It’s also worth noting that certain devices will not come with any such tools at least not any that are supported in an official capacity.

If you’re not very tech-savvy then you can simply download custom layouts and watchfaces that have been created by others, instead of designing your own. Keep in mind that some watches require a bit of advanced knowledge to install third party apps and themes. In most cases, you will need to be familiar with connecting the device to a computer in order to transfer related content.

Some devices allow you to customize the appearance through mobile apps, or third-party software. The Samsung Galaxy Gear, for example has a third-party app called WatchStyler that allows you to customize the look of the clock UI. If you own a Galaxy Gear you should definitely check that app out if you haven’t already.

How much does it cost to customize a smartwatch?

Surprisingly, it doesn’t cost anything to change the theme and appearance of most smartwatches. This is mostly due to the fact that many of the devices are powered by open source software. The Pebble SDK is a great example, because it is freely available to any and all who would like to work with the device. In addition, Android powered devices like the Neptune Pine or the Omate TrueSmart have more personalization opportunities and are extremely accessible because of the OS.

Can you customize the physical appearance?

Image by Geak

A handful of smartwatches are compatible with standard size wristbands which means you can swap out the stock band for one that you prefer. With watches that support custom wristbands you have the freedom to purchase a band of any style or composition you desire, provided it’s the correct size. If you want a leather strap, that’s definitely possible. If you want a stretchy, nylon strap that’s possible too. You can find more information about the importance of wristbands here.

Because a lot of smartwatch models are manufactured with a single, seamless body –it allows them to be water resistant- usually it’s not possible to customize the physical appearance or external case. It’s possible that future models will support protective cases like smartphones, but it’s not a common feature at this time.

You can also personalize a smartwatch by installing apps

A majority of smartwatches support mobile apps that can either be installed directly on the device, or via a paired smartphone. If merely paired, the content is generally streamed to the watch from the connected phone. Regardless of which type of app support is offered, this is yet another way that you can personalize a smartwatch.

If you’re into exercise you could install fitness tracking app to use during your workout. If you’re into sports you could download an app that delivers updates about your favorite team’s score at regular intervals. If you’re forgetful, you could download an app that allows you to display personal notes or a grocery list right on your watch. Apps essentially provide limitless potential for any device, smartwatches included.

Of course, the apps must first be developed and programmed to work with the watch before you can use them. Therein lies the real limitation of app support on any device. If developers are not willing to produce content for a particular device, then the app support is a moot feature.

Pebble is readying a proprietary app store for their smartwatch, which is set to launch sometime in early 2014. This is great news, because in the past Pebble owners have had to rely on third party websites and portals to download watchfaces and content. If Pebble’s strategy is successful, similar web stores may soon crop up for other smartwatches on the market.

What smartwatch models can be customized?

We’ll do our best to maintain an up-to-date list of all the devices that support personalization, however if you notice something missing leave a shout-out down in the comments.

• Androidly
• Pebble
• Samsung Galaxy Gear
• Omate TrueSmart
• Neptune Pine
• Sony Smartwatch 2
• Geak Watch
• inWatch One
• i’M Watch
• MetaWatch Frame and Strata
• Qualcomm Toq

If you’re thinking of purchasing a smartwatch, you should take a look at each of the models listed here and become familiar with the personalization options they offer. Every smartwatch is different in regards to customization, since some offer more possibilities while others offer very few.

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If you have a question that wasn’t answered or if you would just like to chime in on one of the points presented here, feel free to leave a comment.