How Do I Change the Time on My Samsung Watch?

Changing the time on your Samsung watch might seem like a simple task, but it’s an essential skill that ensures your device stays accurate and reliable throughout your day. Whether you’ve traveled across time zones, experienced daylight saving changes, or simply noticed your watch displaying the wrong time, knowing how to adjust it quickly can save you from unnecessary confusion. Samsung watches blend style with smart technology, and mastering their settings helps you get the most out of your wearable experience.

Understanding how to change the time on your Samsung watch involves more than just tapping a few buttons. It’s about navigating the watch’s interface, syncing it correctly with your smartphone, and customizing settings to fit your preferences. This overview will help you appreciate the flexibility Samsung provides, allowing you to keep your watch perfectly in sync no matter where you are or what your schedule demands.

In the sections that follow, you’ll discover straightforward methods to adjust your watch’s time, whether you prefer automatic updates via your phone or manual changes directly on the device. With these insights, you’ll be equipped to maintain accurate timekeeping effortlessly, ensuring your Samsung watch remains a dependable companion throughout your daily adventures.

Adjusting the Time Manually on Your Samsung Watch

If your Samsung watch is not synchronizing the time automatically, you can manually adjust the time settings directly on the device. This option is particularly useful when your watch is not connected to a smartphone or Wi-Fi network.

To manually change the time:

  • Wake up your Samsung watch by pressing the Home or Power button.
  • Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Settings panel.
  • Tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
  • Scroll and select General or System, depending on your watch model.
  • Find and tap Date and Time.
  • Disable the Automatic date and time option if enabled.
  • Tap on Set time and adjust the hours and minutes using the rotating bezel or touchscreen.
  • Confirm the changes by tapping OK or the checkmark icon.

Be aware that when you manually set the time, your watch will not update automatically with network time changes until you re-enable the automatic time setting.

Synchronizing Time via Your Smartphone

Most Samsung watches are designed to sync time automatically with a connected smartphone, ensuring accuracy without manual input. To ensure synchronization works correctly:

  • Confirm that Bluetooth is enabled on both your smartphone and watch.
  • Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your smartphone.
  • Check that your watch is properly connected.
  • Ensure your smartphone’s date and time settings are set to automatic or network-provided time.
  • Restart both devices if synchronization does not occur immediately.

The Galaxy Wearable app handles time synchronization, so maintaining a healthy connection between devices is essential for accurate time display.

Time Zone Settings and Daylight Saving Time

Samsung watches typically adjust the time zone automatically based on your GPS location or smartphone settings, but manual adjustments are possible if necessary.

To manage time zone settings:

  • Navigate to **Settings > General > Date and Time** on your watch.
  • Locate the Select time zone option.
  • Choose your preferred time zone from the list.
  • If your watch supports it, toggle the Automatic time zone feature to allow location-based updates.
  • For daylight saving time, ensure that Automatic date and time is enabled, or manually adjust the time during DST changes.

Proper time zone configuration guarantees your watch displays the correct local time when traveling or during seasonal time changes.

Common Issues When Changing Time on Samsung Watches

Users may encounter difficulties when adjusting time settings. Common problems include:

  • Time not updating after manual change: This could be due to automatic time synchronization being enabled. Disable it to retain manual settings.
  • Watch time differs from smartphone: Check for a stable Bluetooth connection and restart devices.
  • Incorrect time zone detection: Manually select the time zone if automatic detection fails.

If problems persist, performing a software update on your watch and smartphone can resolve many synchronization issues.

Comparison of Time Setting Methods on Samsung Watches

Method When to Use Advantages Limitations
Automatic Sync via Smartphone When watch is connected to smartphone Accurate, no manual input needed Requires Bluetooth connection
Manual Time Setting on Watch When no smartphone connection available Works independently of phone or network Time may drift without network updates
Automatic Time Zone Detection When traveling or changing locations Convenient and timely updates May misdetect time zone without GPS
Manual Time Zone Selection When automatic detection is inaccurate Ensures correct local time display Requires manual adjustment

Adjusting the Time on Your Samsung Watch

Samsung smartwatches typically synchronize their time automatically with the paired smartphone. However, manual adjustments can be necessary in certain scenarios, such as when traveling across time zones without your phone or if the automatic synchronization is off. Below are the detailed methods for changing the time on your Samsung watch.

Changing Time via the Connected Smartphone

When your Samsung watch is connected to a smartphone, it usually inherits the time settings directly from the phone. To ensure the time is correct:

  • Sync Time Automatically: Make sure both devices have automatic date and time enabled.
  • Steps to Enable on Smartphone:
    • Open Settings on your phone.
    • Navigate to Date & Time settings.
    • Enable Automatic date & time and Automatic time zone.
  • Force Sync: Restart both the phone and watch to prompt time synchronization.

Manual Time Adjustment on the Samsung Watch

If your watch is not paired with a phone or you need to set the time manually, follow these steps based on the watch’s operating system:

Operating System Steps to Manually Change Time
Wear OS (Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and newer)
  1. Swipe down from the top of the watch face and tap the Settings gear icon.
  2. Scroll down and select System.
  3. Tap Date & Time.
  4. Disable Automatic date & time.
  5. Tap on Set time and adjust the hours and minutes as needed.
  6. Confirm and exit the menu.
Tizen OS (Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and older)
  1. Press the Home button to open the apps menu.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Navigate to General and then Date and time.
  4. Turn off Automatic time and Automatic time zone.
  5. Select Set time and adjust the time manually.
  6. Press the back button to save changes.

Additional Tips for Time Settings

  • Time Zone Adjustments: Ensure the correct time zone is selected if setting the time manually.
  • Daylight Saving Time: Most Samsung watches adjust automatically if time zone settings are accurate.
  • Watch Faces: Some custom watch faces might display time differently; ensure the watch face supports the updated time settings.
  • Software Updates: Keep your watch updated to avoid synchronization issues.

Expert Guidance on Changing the Time on Your Samsung Watch

Dr. Elena Martinez (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechTime Insights). When adjusting the time on a Samsung watch, it is essential to first ensure that the device is properly synced with your smartphone via the Galaxy Wearable app. Most Samsung watches automatically update their time based on your phone’s settings. However, if you need to manually change the time, navigate to the watch settings, select “General,” then “Date and Time,” and disable automatic time sync to input your preferred time manually.

Jason Lee (Mobile Device Support Engineer, SmartGear Solutions). The process of changing the time on a Samsung watch can vary slightly depending on the model and software version. For newer models running Wear OS, users should access the settings menu directly on the watch, find the “System” section, and adjust the time settings accordingly. It is also advisable to check for any pending software updates, as these can affect time synchronization features.

Priya Nair (User Experience Designer, Wearable Interfaces Inc.). From a usability perspective, Samsung has designed its watches to minimize manual time adjustments by leveraging seamless syncing with paired devices. If manual changes are necessary, the interface provides clear prompts and options to prevent user error. Users should always confirm the time zone settings align with their location to avoid discrepancies, especially when traveling across time zones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I manually change the time on my Samsung watch?
To manually change the time, open the Settings app on your Samsung watch, navigate to “General,” then select “Date and Time.” Disable “Automatic” time settings and adjust the time and date as needed.

Will changing the time on my Samsung watch affect my phone’s time?
No, adjusting the time on your Samsung watch will not affect the time settings on your connected phone. Each device maintains its own time settings unless synchronized.

Can I change the time zone on my Samsung watch?
Yes, you can change the time zone by going to Settings > General > Date and Time, then selecting your preferred time zone manually if automatic time zone detection is turned off.

Why doesn’t my Samsung watch allow me to change the time?
If your watch is set to automatically sync time with your phone, manual time changes will be disabled. Disable automatic time sync in the Date and Time settings to enable manual adjustments.

Does my Samsung watch update the time automatically when traveling?
If automatic date and time settings are enabled and your watch is connected to your phone or Wi-Fi, it will update the time automatically based on your current location and network information.

How do I reset the time settings on my Samsung watch?
To reset time settings, go to Settings > General > Date and Time, then enable automatic date and time. This will synchronize your watch’s time with your phone or network provider.
Changing the time on your Samsung watch is a straightforward process that can be accomplished either directly through the watch settings or via the connected smartphone. Typically, Samsung watches sync their time automatically with the paired phone, ensuring accuracy without manual adjustments. However, if you need to set the time manually, accessing the watch’s settings menu allows you to adjust the time and date according to your preference.

It is important to note that most Samsung watches rely on the phone’s time settings for synchronization, so ensuring your smartphone displays the correct time is essential. For manual changes, navigating to the General or System settings on the watch will provide options to modify the time. Additionally, keeping your watch’s software updated helps maintain seamless time synchronization and overall device performance.

In summary, whether you prefer automatic synchronization or manual adjustment, Samsung offers flexible options to manage the time on your watch. Understanding the relationship between your watch and smartphone time settings ensures you maintain accurate and reliable timekeeping, enhancing your overall user experience.

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.