How Can You Change Your Apple Watch Time to Military Time?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’re an Apple Watch user who prefers the clarity and precision of military time, you might be wondering how to make the switch from the standard 12-hour format. Military time, also known as the 24-hour clock, offers a straightforward way to read time without the ambiguity of AM and PM, making it especially popular among professionals, travelers, and anyone who values efficiency. Fortunately, changing your Apple Watch to display time in this format is a simple adjustment that can enhance your daily timekeeping experience.

Understanding how to toggle between time formats on your Apple Watch not only helps you customize your device to better suit your lifestyle, but also ensures that your watch aligns seamlessly with your personal preferences or professional requirements. Whether you’re new to the Apple ecosystem or just looking to optimize your watch’s settings, learning this tweak can make a noticeable difference in how you interact with your device throughout the day.

In the following sections, you’ll discover the straightforward steps to switch your Apple Watch to military time, along with helpful tips to ensure everything syncs perfectly with your iPhone. Get ready to take control of your time display and enjoy the clarity that comes with the 24-hour clock format.

Adjusting Time Format via Your iPhone Settings

When you want your Apple Watch to display time in military format (24-hour clock), the most straightforward method is to change the time setting on your paired iPhone. Since the Apple Watch syncs its time format directly from the iPhone, modifying the iPhone’s settings will automatically update the watch.

To change the time format on your iPhone:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Scroll down and tap General.
  • Select Date & Time.
  • Toggle on the 24-Hour Time option.

Once enabled, your Apple Watch will immediately reflect the 24-hour time format without requiring a restart or additional setup.

Changing Time Format Directly on Apple Watch

While the Apple Watch typically follows the iPhone’s time format, you can verify or adjust the setting directly on the watch itself, particularly on watchOS 7 and later.

To change the time format on the Apple Watch:

  • Press the Digital Crown to access the Home screen.
  • Tap the Settings app.
  • Scroll down and select Clock.
  • Find the 24-Hour Time toggle and turn it on.

This method ensures your watch displays military time regardless of the iPhone’s settings, though syncing issues can occasionally cause discrepancies.

Using the Watch App to Manage Time Settings

The Apple Watch app on your iPhone also provides an interface to manage various watch settings, including the time format. This can be particularly helpful if you prefer to adjust settings from your iPhone without navigating directly on the watch.

Steps to change time format via the Watch app:

  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the My Watch tab.
  • Scroll and tap Clock.
  • Toggle 24-Hour Time to enable military time.

This setting mirrors what is found in the iPhone’s main settings but allows you to manage Apple Watch-specific preferences easily.

Comparison of 12-Hour vs 24-Hour Time Display

Understanding the differences between the two time formats helps clarify why you might prefer military time on your Apple Watch. Below is a comparison of the two formats and their characteristics:

Feature 12-Hour Time 24-Hour (Military) Time
Hour Range 1 to 12, repeated twice (AM/PM) 0 to 23, continuous
Indicator AM or PM suffix No AM/PM suffix required
Common Usage Everyday civilian use in the US and others Military, aviation, healthcare, and many international regions
Potential Ambiguity Can cause confusion between morning and evening Clear and unambiguous, preferred for precision
Display on Apple Watch Default unless changed Requires enabling 24-hour setting

Additional Tips for Military Time Usage on Apple Watch

To fully optimize your experience with military time on your Apple Watch, consider the following tips:

  • Calendar and Alarms: Both will adjust automatically to the 24-hour format, helping you avoid confusion with scheduled events and reminders.
  • Complications: Some watch face complications may display time differently; verify compatibility with 24-hour settings.
  • Siri Commands: When asking Siri for the time or setting alarms, it will respond according to the current time format on your watch.
  • Regional Settings: If you travel or change regions, check that your time format preferences remain consistent, as some locales default to one format.
  • Battery Impact: There is no significant battery difference between using 12-hour or 24-hour format.

By managing these settings carefully, your Apple Watch can effectively serve your preference for military time, improving time readability and reducing ambiguity in your daily schedule.

Changing Apple Watch to Military Time Format

To display the time in a 24-hour format, commonly known as military time, on your Apple Watch, you must adjust the settings via your paired iPhone or directly on the watch. The Apple Watch itself does not have a dedicated toggle for 24-hour time, but it follows the time format set on the iPhone it is paired with. The process involves changing the iPhone’s time settings, which then automatically reflects on the Apple Watch.

Adjusting Time Format Through the Paired iPhone

Follow these steps to switch your iPhone—and consequently your Apple Watch—to military time:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and tap General.
  • Select Date & Time.
  • Toggle on the option labeled 24-Hour Time.
  • Exit the settings; the change will synchronize automatically with your Apple Watch.

Because the Apple Watch mirrors the iPhone’s time format, enabling 24-hour time on the iPhone switches the watch face to military time.

Enabling 24-Hour Time Directly on Apple Watch

Recent versions of watchOS allow users to change the time format directly on the Apple Watch, bypassing the iPhone settings. To do this:

  • Press the Digital Crown to access the Home screen.
  • Open the Settings app on the watch.
  • Tap Clock.
  • Toggle on 24-Hour Time.

This method is useful if you prefer adjusting settings directly on the watch or if your watch runs watchOS 7 or later.

Summary of Methods to Change Apple Watch to Military Time

Method Steps Applies To
Via Paired iPhone
  • Settings > General > Date & Time
  • Enable 24-Hour Time
 All watchOS versions, requires iPhone
Directly on Apple Watch
  • Settings app on Apple Watch
  • Tap Clock > Enable 24-Hour Time
 watchOS 7 and later

Additional Tips for Customizing Apple Watch Time Display

  • Watch Faces: Some watch faces display time differently depending on the format setting. Confirm the watch face supports the 24-hour format for optimal viewing.
  • Complications: Certain complications may also reflect the time format change automatically, but verify their appearance after switching to military time.
  • Restart if Needed: If the Apple Watch does not update the time format immediately after changing settings, try restarting the watch to force synchronization.

Expert Insights on Changing Apple Watch Time to Military Time

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechTime Innovations). To switch your Apple Watch to military time, the most effective approach is to adjust the time format on your paired iPhone. Since the Apple Watch mirrors the iPhone’s settings, enabling the 24-hour clock on your iPhone under Settings > General > Date & Time will automatically update your watch to display military time. This method ensures consistency across your devices without requiring additional steps on the watch itself.

Michael Torres (User Experience Designer, Apple Ecosystem Solutions). From a usability perspective, Apple’s design choice to synchronize time settings between the iPhone and Apple Watch simplifies user interaction but can cause confusion for those seeking to change time formats directly on the watch. Users should be aware that the Apple Watch does not have an independent time format toggle; instead, they must configure their iPhone’s settings. This integration promotes seamless user experience but requires understanding the device interdependence.

Sara Patel (Mobile Device Trainer and Consultant, Digital Lifestyle Academy). For individuals who prefer military time for clarity or professional reasons, the key is to first ensure the iPhone’s region and language settings support the 24-hour format. After enabling the 24-hour time on the iPhone, the Apple Watch will reflect this change instantly. It is also helpful to restart both devices if the update does not appear immediately, as this can resolve syncing delays.

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,” and enable the “24-Hour Time” option. The Apple Watch will then display time in military format.

Can I change the time format directly on the Apple Watch?
No, the time format is controlled through the paired iPhone’s settings. Adjusting the 24-hour time setting on the iPhone will update the Apple Watch accordingly.

Will changing to military time affect alarms and timers on my Apple Watch?
No, alarms and timers will function normally. Only the time display format changes; the underlying timekeeping remains unaffected.

Does changing to military time affect other apps on the Apple Watch?
Yes, apps that display time will reflect the 24-hour format once enabled, ensuring consistency across the watch interface.

How do I revert back to standard 12-hour time on my Apple Watch?
Simply disable the “24-Hour Time” option in the Watch app on your iPhone under “My Watch” > “Clock.” The Apple Watch will return to the 12-hour format.

Is military time called 24-hour time on the Apple Watch?
Yes, Apple refers to military time as “24-Hour Time” in the settings menu for clarity and user familiarity.
Changing the time display on your Apple Watch to military time, also known as the 24-hour format, is a straightforward process that enhances readability for users accustomed to this system. The primary method involves adjusting the time settings through the paired iPhone’s Watch app or directly on the Apple Watch by enabling the 24-hour time format in the device’s settings. This change ensures that the watch face consistently shows time in the 24-hour format across all compatible watch faces and apps.

It is important to note that the Apple Watch syncs its time settings with the iPhone, so setting the iPhone to 24-hour time format will automatically update the Apple Watch. Users can access this setting by navigating to the iPhone’s Settings app, selecting General, then Date & Time, and toggling on the 24-Hour Time option. This synchronization simplifies the process and maintains consistency across Apple devices.

In summary, switching to military time on the Apple Watch improves timekeeping accuracy for users who prefer the 24-hour format. By leveraging the integration between the Apple Watch and iPhone, users can easily customize their watch experience to suit their preferences. Understanding these settings empowers users to optimize their device for both personal and professional use.

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.