How Do You Change Your Apple Watch to 24-Hour Time?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’re an Apple Watch user who prefers the clarity and precision of military or 24-hour time, you might be wondering how to make this change on your device. Switching from the default 12-hour format to a 24-hour clock can enhance your timekeeping experience, especially if you’re accustomed to this style or need it for professional reasons. Fortunately, Apple Watch offers a straightforward way to customize your time display to suit your personal preference.

Understanding how to toggle between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats on your Apple Watch not only helps you stay punctual but also aligns your device with your daily routine and regional settings. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a healthcare professional, or simply someone who appreciates the 24-hour clock’s efficiency, adjusting this setting can make your watch more intuitive and user-friendly.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the simple steps to change your Apple Watch to 24-hour time, ensuring you get the most out of your device’s features. This guide will help you navigate the settings with ease, so you can enjoy a time display that truly fits your lifestyle.

Adjusting Time Format Through iPhone Settings

The Apple Watch primarily mirrors the time format settings of the paired iPhone. Therefore, to switch your Apple Watch to a 24-hour time format, you can adjust this setting on your iPhone. This method ensures consistency across all Apple devices linked to your Apple ID.

To change the time format on your iPhone:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and tap General.
  • Select Date & Time.
  • Toggle the 24-Hour Time switch to the ON position.

Once this adjustment is made, your Apple Watch will automatically update to display time in the 24-hour format without requiring a manual change on the watch itself.

Changing Time Format Directly on Apple Watch

If you prefer, you can change the time format directly on your Apple Watch, independent of your iPhone’s settings. This is particularly useful if you want the watch to display a different time format than your phone.

Follow these steps to change the time format on your Apple Watch:

  • Press the Digital Crown to access the Home screen.
  • Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  • Tap Clock.
  • Look for the 24-Hour Time option.
  • Toggle the switch to enable or disable 24-hour time.

Note that this setting may not appear on some older versions of watchOS, where the Apple Watch strictly follows the iPhone’s time format settings.

Understanding 12-Hour vs. 24-Hour Time Formats

The choice between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats can affect how you interpret time data displayed on your Apple Watch. Here’s a brief comparison to clarify the differences:

Feature 12-Hour Format 24-Hour Format
Display Style Uses AM and PM to distinguish morning and afternoon hours Uses continuous hour count from 00:00 to 23:59
Common Regions Primarily used in the United States, Canada, and some other countries Widely used internationally and by military, aviation, and scientific communities
Ease of Use Familiar to many users but can cause ambiguity without AM/PM Eliminates ambiguity, especially in scheduling and time-sensitive operations
Watch Face Impact Watch faces display time with AM/PM indicators Watch faces show time in a 24-hour format without AM/PM

Troubleshooting Time Format Issues

If your Apple Watch does not display the 24-hour time format after changing settings, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Verify the iPhone’s Settings: Ensure that the 24-hour time option is enabled on the paired iPhone if you have not set it directly on the watch.
  • Restart Both Devices: Sometimes a simple restart can refresh settings and sync data between your iPhone and Apple Watch.
  • Check Software Versions: Make sure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are running the latest versions of iOS and watchOS, as older software may have limited functionality.
  • Reset Sync Data: On your iPhone, go to the Watch app, tap General, then Reset, and select Reset Sync Data to force re-synchronization of settings.
  • Region Settings: Verify that the region settings on your iPhone are correct, as some regions default to 12-hour or 24-hour formats.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your Apple Watch displays the time format you prefer accurately and consistently.

Changing Your Apple Watch to 24-Hour Time Format

To switch your Apple Watch display from the default 12-hour format to the 24-hour (military) time format, you need to adjust the settings on your paired iPhone, as the watch inherits the time format from the iPhone’s system preferences. The Apple Watch itself does not provide a direct option to toggle between 12-hour and 24-hour formats independently.

Steps to Enable 24-Hour Time on Apple Watch via iPhone

Follow these steps carefully to change the time format:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and select General.
  • Tap on Date & Time.
  • Locate the option labeled 24-Hour Time.
  • Toggle the switch ON to enable 24-hour format.
  • Allow a few moments for the change to sync with your Apple Watch.

Verifying the Change on Your Apple Watch

Once the iPhone settings are updated:

  • Wake your Apple Watch by raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
  • Check the watch face for the time format; it should now display hours in 24-hour format.
  • If the change is not immediate, try restarting your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button, then sliding to power off, and powering it back on.

Additional Considerations and Tips

Aspect Details
Customization The 24-hour format will apply across all watch faces that display the time digitally.
Complications Time-related complications also reflect the 24-hour setting once enabled.
Third-Party Apps Some apps may have their own time display settings; check app-specific preferences if the format does not change.
Language and Region Settings Changing your region or language settings on the iPhone can impact default time formats; verify these if issues persist.

Using Siri to Change Time Format

While Siri cannot directly toggle the 24-hour time format, you can use it to open the relevant settings screen:

  • Activate Siri by saying, “Hey Siri.”
  • Say, “Open Date & Time settings.”
  • Manually enable the 24-Hour Time toggle as described above.

Troubleshooting Time Format Issues

If your Apple Watch does not update to 24-hour time after enabling the setting on your iPhone, consider these troubleshooting steps:

  • Ensure your Apple Watch and iPhone are properly paired and connected via Bluetooth.
  • Check for software updates on both devices; outdated software can cause syncing issues.
  • Restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch to refresh system processes.
  • Reset sync data by going to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, selecting General > Reset > Reset Sync Data.

Expert Guidance on Setting 24-Hour Time on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (User Experience Researcher, Wearable Technology Institute). Changing your Apple Watch to 24-hour time is a straightforward process that enhances clarity for users accustomed to military or international time formats. By adjusting the time settings through the paired iPhone’s Watch app or directly on the device, users can seamlessly switch formats, ensuring the watch face reflects their preferred time display without affecting other functionalities.

Michael Torres (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Watch OS Development Team). The Apple Watch inherits its time format from the iPhone’s regional settings, so enabling 24-hour time involves modifying the iPhone’s settings under General > Date & Time. This design choice ensures consistency across Apple devices and simplifies the user experience. It is important to note that the watch will automatically update its display once the iPhone’s time format is changed.

Sara Patel (Technology Trainer and Apple Certified Support Professional). For users unfamiliar with the Apple ecosystem, switching to 24-hour time on the Apple Watch can be done by opening the Watch app on the iPhone, navigating to Clock settings, and toggling the 24-Hour Time option. This adjustment is particularly beneficial for professionals in healthcare or military fields where 24-hour time reduces ambiguity and improves scheduling accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I switch my Apple Watch from 12-hour to 24-hour time format?
To change your Apple Watch to 24-hour time, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to General > Date & Time, and enable the 24-Hour Time option. The watch will update automatically.

Can I set the 24-hour time format directly on the Apple Watch without using the iPhone?
No, the Apple Watch inherits the time format settings from the paired iPhone. You must change the time format on the iPhone for it to reflect on the watch.

Will changing to 24-hour time affect other settings on my Apple Watch?
Changing to 24-hour time only affects how the time is displayed. It does not impact alarms, notifications, or other watch functions.

Why is my Apple Watch not showing 24-hour time after I changed it on my iPhone?
Ensure your Apple Watch is connected to your iPhone and has synced the settings. Restarting both devices can help if the change does not appear immediately.

Is the 24-hour time format available on all Apple Watch models?
Yes, all Apple Watch models support the 24-hour time format as long as the paired iPhone is set accordingly.

Does changing to 24-hour time affect the calendar or world clock on Apple Watch?
No, the 24-hour time setting only changes the time display format. Calendar events and world clock functionality remain unchanged.
Changing the Apple Watch to display 24-hour time is a straightforward process that primarily involves adjusting the time format settings on the paired iPhone. Since the Apple Watch mirrors the time format set on the iPhone, users must navigate to the iPhone’s Settings app, select General, then Date & Time, and enable the 24-Hour Time option. Once this setting is activated, the Apple Watch will automatically update to show the time in the 24-hour format.

It is important to note that the Apple Watch itself does not have a dedicated setting to toggle between 12-hour and 24-hour time independently. Therefore, managing the time format through the iPhone ensures consistency across both devices and simplifies the user experience. Additionally, this method helps maintain synchronization with other apps and notifications that rely on the system time format.

In summary, to effectively change the Apple Watch to 24-hour time, users should focus on modifying the iPhone’s time settings. This approach guarantees that the watch reflects the preferred time format seamlessly. Understanding this relationship between the iPhone and Apple Watch settings is essential for users seeking to customize their device display efficiently and accurately.

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.