The Apple Watch is one of the most popular wearables globally, and is primarily known for its health-related features. However, it is equipped with other features as well, including giving you the ability to customize your watch. One such customization option is the ability to use a GIF as Apple Watch wallpaper.
Get an app to convert GIFs into Live Photos
The ability to use a GIF as Apple Watch wallpaper was largely unknown until recently. A Reddit user should be credited for revealing this hidden feature to the world.
If you use an Apple Watch regularly, then you will know about the Photos watch face, which allows you to use up to 24 photos. There is also a Live Photo feature that animates the photo on the Apple Watch. Now, if you combine these features with the ability to convert a GIF into a Live Photo, then there is plenty of content to use as Apple Watch wallpaper.
The process to use a GIF as Apple Watch wallpaper is pretty simple, and doesn’t require any paid tools or software. All you have to do is use a third-party app to convert a GIF into a Live Photo, and then use the Watch app to add the converted photo to the watch face.
Before we detail the process, you should go to the App Store and download any app that can turn GIFs into Live Photos. You can go for an app like Giphy, which offers many GIFs and also the ability to use the GIFs as Live Photos.
How to use a GIF as Apple Watch wallpaper
The following are the steps to use a GIF as Apple Watch wallpaper:
- Select the GIF or Live Photo that you want to set as wallpaper on Apple Watch. Now convert it to a Live Photo using an app like Giphy.
- Save the GIF or a Live Photo to your Photos app.
- Go to the Photos library and select the saved Live Photo or GIF. Now tap “Edit” on the top right. You can crop the GIF to make it a perfect square, or anything else. Once you are done with the edits, tap on the “Live” button from the toolbar at the bottom.
- Make the last frame of the Live Photo as the key photo by tapping on the last frame and selecting “Make Key Photo.” Doing this ensures that the last frame becomes the wallpaper once the animation is over.
- Go to the Watch app on the iPhone to design a new watch face based on your Live Photo.
- Select the tab “Face Gallery” and scroll down to the Photos section.
- Tap on “Content” and then select “Photos.” Now, select the photo that you want to use.
- Add the watch face to the watch.
That’s it! Now just lift up your wrist to see a GIF animation on your Apple Watch come alive.
In case the animation is not working properly, it could be because the animation is too long. So, try shortening the duration using any editing app. Usually, Live Photos with less than 42 frames work properly on Apple Watch. Also, a point to note is that some GIFs may work better than others.
You can refer to the below video as well:
Apple Watch tips and tricks
There are several tips and tricks that Apple Watch users can use to make it even easier to use the gadget. These tricks will not only help you save some time, but may also boost your productivity. Here are the tips and tricks:
- To mute or put the Apple Watch in silent mode, just swipe up from the bottom, and then tap on the bell icon.
- To unpair the watch, go the Watch app on the iPhone and then to the My Watch tab. Now, tap the symbol next to the Apple Watch at the top and select “Unpair” Apple Watch.
- To factory reset the watch, go to the settings app on the watch, and then General. Now scroll down to Reset and select Erase All Content and Settings.
- To turn on Apple Watch, press and hold the side button below the Digital Crown.
- To turn off the watch, press and hold the side button and swipe the Power Off option from left to right.
- To change and remove the Apple Watch band, first take it off and then turn it over. There will be two buttons at the top and bottom of the heart rate sensor. Push the buttons and at the same time slide the strap out. Similarly, slide the new strap in, and it will fit into the place.
- To enable the power reserve mode, swipe up from the bottom of the watch face and tap on the battery percentage. To turn on the mode, swipe left to right on the Power Reserve tab.
- To take a screenshot of the Apple Watch screen, press the Digital Crown and the side button together. The screenshot will automatically save in the Photo Album of the iPhone.
