Guides

Installing and removing watch faces on a Garmin watch is a doddle. Or at least it should be on the latest models. This page covers the basics of installing, changing, updating and removing the custom KCD watch faces.

Please note that you are installing these custom watch faces at your own risk. Always choose the correct model, and don’t attempt to install a watch face built for another model. Also, as there are so many different models – I am working with the assumption that most of these will work in a similar way. Please let me know if something is wrong or different for a specific model by sending me an email.

How to Install the Watch Face

  1. Download the .PRG file for your exact Garmin model from the Downloads page.
  2. Connect your Garmin watch to your computer with its USB cable.
  3. Open the watch’s storage and navigate to GARMIN/APPS.
  4. Copy the downloaded .PRG file into the APPS folder.
  5. Safely disconnect your watch. Your new KCD watch face should now appear in your available watch faces.

Important: PRG files are built for specific Garmin models. Only install the version listed for your watch. Please bear in mind that different watch dial sizes for ‘same’ model – are in fact different models as far as the .PRG files are concerned. As an example: You should not attempt to install a watch face built for Venu 4 with a 41mm watch face, on a Venu 4 with a 45mm watch face.

In case the Garmin watch face fails to load or gives the dreaded “IQ!” error – simply follow the steps to remove the watch face.

How to Change the Watch Face

When installing the watch face initially, this should automatically change on your watch to the one you have just installed (at least this is the way my Forerunner 70 behaves).

To change it again; open the Watch Face menu on your Garmin, scroll through the installed faces, select KCD Watch and choose Apply (or another watch face if you wish to take a break from the KCD one).

The exact button or gesture used to open the Watch Face menu varies slightly between Garmin models.

How to Update the Watch Face

Updating the watch face is the same as installing. I will keep the App IDs the same when releasing updates, meaning your watch won’t end up with multiple versions of the same watch face.

  1. Download the latest .PRG file for your Garmin model.
  2. Connect your Garmin to your computer and open GARMIN/APPS.
  3. Copy the new .PRG file into the folder.
  4. If asked, choose Replace or Overwrite the existing file (but you probably won’t be).
  5. Safely disconnect your watch. The new version of KCD Watch will now be installed.

You don’t need to remove the previous version first. Just make sure you download the update made for your exact Garmin model.

How to Remove the Watch Face

Open the Watch Face menu, select KCD Watch and choose Delete or Remove.

If your Garmin doesn’t offer that option, you can also uninstall the watch face using the Connect IQ Store on the watch or Garmin Express on your computer.