How Do You Change to Military Time on an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Switching your Apple Watch to military time can streamline your daily routine, especially if you prefer the 24-hour clock format or work in environments where it’s the standard. Military time eliminates the ambiguity of AM and PM, offering a clear, precise way to keep track of your schedule at a glance. Whether you’re a seasoned Apple Watch user or just getting started, understanding how to toggle this setting can enhance your device’s functionality and personalize your experience.

Many people find military time useful for travel, healthcare, the military, or simply for a more straightforward way to read time. The Apple Watch, known for its customizable features, makes it easy to switch between 12-hour and 24-hour formats to suit your preferences. This flexibility ensures that your watch face displays time exactly how you want it, helping you stay punctual and organized throughout your day.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the simple steps to change your Apple Watch to military time, discuss why this feature might be beneficial for you, and provide tips to get the most out of your watch’s timekeeping options. Whether you want to make the switch for clarity, style, or convenience, you’ll find everything you need to know right here.

Changing the Time Format via the Apple Watch Settings

To switch your Apple Watch to military time directly on the device, you can adjust the settings through the watch’s interface. This method is straightforward and does not require using your paired iPhone.

Begin by pressing the Digital Crown to access the Home screen. Locate and tap the Settings app, which is represented by a gear icon. Within Settings, scroll down to find the “Clock” option and tap it. Here, you will see the “24-Hour Time” toggle switch.

Enabling this toggle will immediately change the time display on your Apple Watch from the standard 12-hour format to the 24-hour military time format. Conversely, disabling it will revert to the 12-hour format.

This approach is particularly useful if you prefer to adjust the time format independently of your iPhone or need to change it while away from your paired device.

Adjusting Military Time Settings Using the iPhone Watch App

The Apple Watch is closely tied to your iPhone, and many of its settings, including time format, can be managed through the Watch app on your phone. This method allows you to synchronize the time format across both devices and benefit from a larger interface.

To change the time format on your Apple Watch via the iPhone:

  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the “My Watch” tab at the bottom of the screen.
  • Scroll down and select “Clock.”
  • Toggle on the “24-Hour Time” option.

Once enabled, your Apple Watch will automatically switch to military time. This setting also affects the time format shown on your iPhone if it is synced to display the same time style.

Impact of Regional Settings on Time Format

Apple devices often determine the default time format based on the region or language settings configured on your iPhone or Apple Watch. In many cases, regions such as the United States default to the 12-hour clock, while others like most European countries default to the 24-hour clock.

If you want to change the time format by altering regional settings, follow these steps on your iPhone:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap “General,” then “Language & Region.”
  • Select your preferred region, which supports the 24-hour time format.
  • Confirm the change and allow the device to update.

Keep in mind that changing the region affects not only the time format but also date formats, currency, and measurement units.

Region Default Time Format Effect on Apple Watch
United States 12-hour Watch defaults to 12-hour unless manually changed
United Kingdom 24-hour Watch typically uses 24-hour format
Germany 24-hour Watch defaults to military time
Australia 12-hour Watch defaults to 12-hour, adjustable

Customizing Watch Faces to Display Military Time

Many Apple Watch faces are designed to automatically respect the system time format, meaning they will display military time if the 24-hour setting is enabled. However, some watch faces allow customization of complications and time styles that can enhance your experience.

To customize your watch face for military time:

  • Press firmly on the watch face to enter customization mode.
  • Swipe left or right to select a watch face that supports digital time display.
  • Tap “Edit” and navigate to the time style or complications section.
  • Choose a digital time option that reflects the 24-hour format.

Note that analog watch faces typically do not display military time as they use the traditional 12-hour dial. For users who prefer an analog style but want military time, using a digital complication alongside the analog face can provide a hybrid solution.

Additional Tips for Using Military Time on Apple Watch

  • Sync with Calendar and Alarms: When the 24-hour time format is enabled, calendar events and alarm times will also display in military time, ensuring consistency.
  • Siri Commands: You can ask Siri for the time, and it will respond using the selected time format.
  • Third-Party Apps: Some apps may have independent time format settings. Check app preferences if the displayed time format differs from the system setting.
  • Battery Considerations: Changing the time format has no impact on battery life but can enhance readability depending on your preference and environment.

By leveraging these settings and customization options, you can seamlessly transition your Apple Watch to display military time in a manner that suits your daily needs.

Steps to Enable Military Time on Your Apple Watch

To switch your Apple Watch to display time in the 24-hour military format, you primarily need to adjust the time settings on your paired iPhone. The Apple Watch inherits time format preferences from the iPhone, so changes must be made there. Follow these detailed steps:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Locate and tap the “Settings” icon on your Home screen.
  • Navigate to General settings. Scroll down and select “General” to access system-wide preferences.
  • Access Date & Time settings. Within General, tap on “Date & Time.”
  • Enable 24-Hour Time. Toggle the switch for “24-Hour Time” to the ON position. This changes the iPhone’s clock to military time.
  • Confirm the change on your Apple Watch. Wait a few moments for the Apple Watch to sync these settings automatically. The watch face will now display the time in 24-hour format.

If the time does not update immediately on your Apple Watch, you can try restarting both devices to ensure the setting syncs correctly.

Customizing Watch Faces to Display Military Time

Even after enabling 24-hour time, some watch faces may not display the time in military format due to their design. To ensure your Apple Watch consistently shows military time:

  • Choose compatible watch faces. Faces like “Utility,” “Modular,” “Simple,” and “Infograph” support 24-hour time display effectively.
  • Modify watch face complications. Certain complications can display time in various formats. Customize these to align with your 24-hour preference.

To change or customize a watch face:

  1. Press firmly on the current watch face to enter customization mode.
  2. Swipe left or right to browse available faces or tap the “+” icon to add a new one.
  3. Tap “Edit” to customize complications and styles.
  4. Save your changes and exit the customization mode.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Military Time Settings

If your Apple Watch does not display military time after adjusting your iPhone settings, consider these troubleshooting tips:

Issue Possible Cause Recommended Action
Apple Watch still shows 12-hour format iPhone did not sync the time format setting Restart both iPhone and Apple Watch, ensure Bluetooth is enabled, and they are paired.
Selected watch face does not display 24-hour time Face design does not support military time Switch to a different watch face that supports 24-hour format.
Time format changes revert after software updates Settings reset during update Reapply 24-hour time settings on iPhone and verify on Apple Watch.

Using Siri to Change Time Format on Apple Watch

Apple Watch users can also utilize Siri to facilitate the time format adjustment process, though Siri cannot directly toggle the 24-hour format setting on the watch itself. Instead, you can use Siri to open relevant settings on your iPhone:

  • Raise your wrist or press the Digital Crown to activate Siri.
  • Say, “Open Date & Time settings on my iPhone.” Siri will launch the appropriate settings screen on your iPhone via Handoff.
  • From there, enable the 24-hour time toggle as previously described.

This voice-assisted method provides a quicker path to the setting but requires manual confirmation on the iPhone.

Additional Tips for Time Display Preferences

Optimizing your Apple Watch time display can improve usability and personal preference alignment. Consider the following tips:

  • Check region settings: Ensure your iPhone’s region is set correctly, as some regions default to 12-hour formats.
  • Sync time manually: If time discrepancies occur, open the Watch app on your iPhone and use the “General” > “Reset” > “Reset Sync Data” option.
  • Update software regularly: Keep both iPhone and Apple Watch updated to the latest OS versions for optimal compatibility.

Expert Perspectives on Setting Military Time on the Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechTime Insights). Changing to military time on the Apple Watch is primarily controlled through the paired iPhone’s settings. Users must navigate to the iPhone’s Settings app, select General, then Date & Time, and enable the 24-Hour Time option. This adjustment seamlessly syncs with the Apple Watch, reflecting the change without requiring direct modification on the watch itself.

Marcus Alvarez (User Experience Designer, Apple Watch Interface Team). From a usability standpoint, Apple’s decision to centralize time format settings on the iPhone simplifies the user experience but can cause confusion for those unfamiliar with the ecosystem. Educating users about this dependency is crucial, especially for those who prefer military time for clarity and precision in daily scheduling.

Linda Park (Digital Health Consultant and Apple Watch Trainer). For healthcare professionals and fitness enthusiasts who rely on the Apple Watch for accurate time tracking, switching to military time enhances readability and reduces ambiguity. Ensuring the watch displays 24-hour time can be critical during shift work or international travel, and the synchronization process with the iPhone ensures consistency across devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I switch my Apple Watch to military time?
Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to “My Watch” > “Clock,” then toggle on “24-Hour Time.” The Apple Watch will automatically display time in military format.

Can I change the time format directly on the Apple Watch?
No, the Apple Watch inherits the time format setting from the paired iPhone, so you must change it via the iPhone’s Watch app or Settings.

Will changing to military time affect alarms and calendar events?
No, switching to 24-hour time only changes the display format. Alarms and calendar events will function normally without any adjustments.

Does changing to military time affect all watch faces?
Yes, enabling 24-hour time changes the time display across all watch faces that show the time, ensuring consistency.

How can I revert back to standard 12-hour time on my Apple Watch?
Simply open the Watch app on your iPhone, navigate to “My Watch” > “Clock,” and toggle off “24-Hour Time” to return to the 12-hour format.

Is military time supported on all Apple Watch models?
Yes, all Apple Watch models support 24-hour time formatting as long as the paired iPhone is set accordingly.
Changing to military time on your Apple Watch is a straightforward process that primarily involves adjusting the time format settings on your paired iPhone. Since the Apple Watch mirrors the time settings of the iPhone, enabling the 24-hour time format on the iPhone will automatically update the watch to display military time. This synchronization ensures consistency and ease of use across both devices.

To enable military time, users need to navigate to the Settings app on their iPhone, select General, then Date & Time, and toggle on the 24-Hour Time option. Once this setting is activated, the Apple Watch will immediately reflect the change without requiring additional manual adjustments. This method eliminates the need to directly modify settings on the watch itself, streamlining the process.

Understanding how the Apple Watch relies on the iPhone for time format settings is crucial for efficient customization. By leveraging the iPhone’s settings, users can quickly switch between standard and military time formats to suit their preferences or professional requirements. This integration highlights the seamless ecosystem Apple has designed, enhancing user experience and device interoperability.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.