You’re sitting there, looking at a slab of aluminum and glass on your wrist, and you realize it’s basically a PADD from The Next Generation. It’s right there. The tech is caught up. But for some reason, when you scroll through the official gallery in the Watch app, it’s all "Activity Rings" and "Mickey Mouse." Where is the LCARS? Where is the LCARS 24 update we were promised by science fiction? Honestly, getting a proper Apple Watch Star Trek face is a bit of a journey because Apple is notoriously protective of its interface, and CBS (Paramount) is just as protective of its intellectual property.
It's a weird standoff.
If you want your watch to look like it belongs on the wrist of Geordi La Forge, you can't just flip a switch. You have to get creative. Most people think they can just download an app and—boom—they're in Starfleet. It doesn't really work that way because Apple doesn’t allow third-party developers to create truly "native" watch faces that run as the primary system layer. You’re basically looking at three paths: the Photos face hack, the Clockology workaround, or the "Infograph" approximation.
The LCARS Reality Check
Let’s talk about LCARS for a second. The Library Computer Access and Retrieval System. That iconic aesthetic designed by Michael Okuda in the 80s is defined by those neon purples, oranges, and blues, and those weirdly curved "elbow" brackets. It’s peak retro-futurism.
But here’s the problem.
Apple Watches are rectangular (mostly), and LCARS was designed for CRT monitors and tablets. When you try to cram a full Starfleet interface onto a 40mm or 45mm screen, it usually looks like hot garbage. Tiny text. Buttons you can't press. It’s a mess. Most of the "authentic" looks you see on Instagram or Reddit are actually just static images set as a background.
If you want a functional Apple Watch Star Trek face, you have to decide if you want it to look cool or work well. You usually can't have both. For example, if you use a static image of a commbadge, you lose your heart rate data, your weather updates, and your activity tracking. It turns your $400 smartwatch into a $20 novelty toy.
Using Clockology to Warp Ahead
If you’ve spent any time in the Apple Watch enthusiast community, you’ve heard of Clockology. It’s basically the "Wild West" of watch faces. Because of the way Apple restricts the OS, Clockology runs as an app that stays open, mimicking a watch face.
This is where the real Star Trek fans live.
You can find incredibly detailed LCARS builds here. I’m talking about faces that have moving scanning bars, ticking stardates, and even sound effects if you’re into that sort of thing. But honestly, it’s a battery hog. Since it’s technically an app running 24/7 rather than a native system face, your Series 9 or Ultra is going to feel the burn.
The "Stay Alive" feature in Clockology is what makes this work. It prevents the watch from returning to the official face. Is it janky? Sorta. Does it look incredible when you're at a convention or just geeked out at your desk? Absolutely. Just search for "LCARS" within the Clockology social groups (mostly on Facebook, oddly enough) and you’ll find files that fans have been perfecting since 2019.
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The "Purist" Method: Photos and Complications
Maybe you don't want to mess with third-party apps that drain your battery. I get it. The most stable way to get a Apple Watch Star Trek face is by using the "Photos" face.
- Find a high-resolution LCARS wallpaper. Specifically, look for ones formatted for the "Tall" aspect ratio of the watch.
- Synch it to your iPhone.
- Select the "Photos" face in the Watch app.
- Set the time position to "Top" or "Bottom" so it doesn’t obscure the best parts of the art.
It's simple. It's clean. It doesn't crash.
But if you want to be a real pro, you use the Modular Duo face (if you have a newer watch) or the Infograph face. You set the background color to black. Then, you use third-party complication apps like "Watchsmith" to create custom text or icons. You can literally change the text of a complication to say "Stardate" followed by the date. It’s not a 1:1 replica of the Enterprise-D computer, but it feels like a modern Starfleet evolution. It’s what Picard would probably actually wear if he wasn’t stuck with those weirdly bulky 24th-century props.
Why Paramount Hasn't Made an Official Face
It's frustrating, right? We have Mickey Mouse. We have Toy Story. We have Snoopy. Why don't we have an official Starfleet Command face?
Licensing. It always comes down to licensing.
Paramount+ has its own apps, and they’ve experimented with mobile themes before, but Apple's "Watch Face Store" doesn't actually exist. Apple curates every single face. Unless there is a high-level corporate partnership between Tim Cook and the folks at Paramount, we aren't getting a native LCARS face. We’re stuck with the DIY route.
There was a brief moment a few years ago when people thought the "California" face or the "Gradient" face was a nod to sci-fi aesthetics, but that’s a stretch. The closest we’ve ever gotten to a "geek" face that wasn't a cartoon was the "Astronomy" face. Honestly, the Astronomy face—with its real-time Earth, Moon, and Solar System views—is the most "Trek" thing Apple has ever built. It feels like looking out a viewing port on Ten Forward.
Customizing the Vibe
If you’re serious about this, you need to think about the band too. A bright red "Command" silicone solo loop or a "Science Blue" braided loop changes the whole look. I've seen people pair a black titanium Ultra with a yellow band for that DS9/Voyager era aesthetic, and it hits different.
Don't forget the sounds.
Go into your iPhone's Watch settings. You can’t change the "ding" of a text message on the watch to the whistle of a boatswain's pipe easily, but you can set your phone's notification sounds to Trek themes. When they sync, it completes the illusion.
Dealing with the Limitations
Look, I’m going to be real with you. Your Apple Watch is never going to be a 100% perfect tricorder.
The screen timeout is the biggest enemy. On the "Always On" display, the colors often dim or shift to prevent burn-in. This can make a vibrant LCARS interface look muddy and grey when your wrist is down. If you're using the Clockology method, this is even more pronounced.
Also, consider the "taps." A real LCARS interface is built on "rapid-fire" interactions. The Apple Watch is built on swipes and long-presses. There’s a fundamental UI mismatch there that you just have to accept.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Setup
If you want to do this right now, here is the path of least resistance. Forget the complicated coding. Forget the sketchy "Face Stores" that charge $4.99 for a wallpaper you can find on Google Images.
- Step 1: Download an app called Widgy. It allows for much more granular customization of complications than the stock Apple tools. There are entire Star Trek "slots" you can import into Widgy that look like LCARS data readouts.
- Step 2: Use a black-on-black "Modular" face. This hides the bezels and makes the screen feel infinite, which is key for that "space" vibe.
- Step 3: Go to a site like Pinterest or Reddit's r/AppleWatchFaces and search specifically for "LCARS wallpaper 45mm." Save the ones that have the "elbows" on the edges.
- Step 4: Disable the "On Tap" animation for your icons so they don't bounce around and break the immersion.
The goal isn't just to have a Apple Watch Star Trek face; it's to have a watch that feels like it belongs in the year 2364 while still being useful in 2026. Stick to the Modular or Infograph layouts if you value your battery. Use Clockology if you’re going to a party or a screening and want to show off.
Ultimately, the best Trek face is the one that stays out of your way while making you feel like a Captain. Just don't expect it to actually scan for Dilithium crystals. Not yet, anyway.
Next Steps for Your Setup
To get the most out of your Star Trek aesthetic, head over to the App Store and look for Clockology. Join their official "Fans" group on social media to access the "unlisted" LCARS files that aren't available in the public gallery. Once you've imported a file, set your watch's "Return to Clock" setting to "After 1 hour" instead of "Always" or "2 minutes." This keeps your custom Starfleet interface active for much longer periods without it reverting to the boring default Apple face every time you lower your wrist. For the best visual results, pair this with a matte black bumper case to hide the rounded edges of the Apple Watch, giving it that rugged, rectangular PADD look seen in Deep Space Nine.