How Do You Change the Time on a Galaxy Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Smartwatches

Setting the perfect time on your Galaxy Watch is more than just a matter of convenience—it’s essential for staying punctual, tracking your fitness accurately, and ensuring your notifications sync seamlessly. Whether you’ve just unboxed your new device or noticed that your watch’s time is off after traveling or a software update, knowing how to adjust it quickly can make all the difference. The good news is that changing the time on your Galaxy Watch is a straightforward process, designed to keep you connected and on schedule with minimal hassle.

Understanding how your Galaxy Watch manages time settings can help you make the necessary adjustments without confusion. The watch often syncs automatically with your smartphone, but there are occasions when manual changes are needed—especially if you want to switch time zones or customize the display format. Familiarizing yourself with these options ensures your watch reflects the correct time no matter where you are or how you prefer to view it.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the various methods available to update the time on your Galaxy Watch, from automatic syncing to manual tweaks. Whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user, this guide will empower you to keep your smartwatch perfectly timed and ready to support your daily routine.

Adjusting the Time Manually on Your Galaxy Watch

If your Galaxy Watch is displaying the incorrect time due to a lack of synchronization with your smartphone or if you prefer to set the time manually, you can do so through the watch’s settings. Unlike automatic syncing, manual adjustment allows you to customize the time regardless of network or phone connection status.

To manually change the time on your Galaxy Watch:

  • Swipe up or press the home button to access the app screen.
  • Tap on the Settings icon to enter the watch’s settings menu.
  • Scroll down and select General.
  • Find and tap Date and time.
  • Disable the Automatic date and time option if it is enabled.
  • Tap on Set time.
  • Adjust the hour and minute by rotating the bezel or tapping the plus and minus icons.
  • Confirm your changes by tapping Done or the checkmark icon.

This process ensures that your watch displays the time you prefer. Keep in mind that manual time settings will remain until you re-enable automatic time synchronization.

Synchronizing Time Through the Galaxy Wearable App

Using the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired smartphone provides a streamlined way to manage the time settings of your Galaxy Watch. When the watch is connected to your phone, it can automatically update its time zone and time based on your phone’s settings, which is especially useful when traveling.

To ensure your Galaxy Watch time is synchronized via the Galaxy Wearable app:

  • Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your smartphone.
  • Tap on Watch settings or General depending on the app version.
  • Select Date and time.
  • Enable Sync with phone or Auto time.
  • If necessary, update your phone’s time and time zone settings to reflect the correct local time.

This method leverages your phone’s network connectivity and location services, ensuring the Galaxy Watch maintains accurate time with minimal user intervention.

Understanding Time Zones and Daylight Saving Adjustments

One common issue with time display on smartwatches involves handling multiple time zones or daylight saving time (DST) changes. The Galaxy Watch supports automatic adjustments for these scenarios, but proper configuration is essential.

Key points to consider:

  • Automatic time zone updates: When enabled, the watch detects location changes and adjusts the time zone accordingly.
  • Daylight Saving Time: The watch accounts for DST shifts automatically if the time zone is set correctly.
  • Manual override: Disabling automatic time settings requires manual updating of time zones and DST changes.
Setting Description Impact on Time Display
Automatic Date & Time Syncs time with paired phone or network Ensures accurate and real-time updates
Manual Time Setting User sets time manually on the watch Time remains fixed until manually changed
Automatic Time Zone Updates time zone based on location Adjusts watch time for travel and DST
Manual Time Zone User selects time zone manually Does not change unless manually updated

For travelers or users in regions observing DST, enabling automatic updates is recommended to avoid discrepancies in time display.

Using Voice Commands to Change the Time

Recent Galaxy Watch models equipped with Bixby voice assistant allow users to change settings, including time, via voice commands. While manual and app-based methods are more common, voice commands can offer a hands-free alternative.

To use voice commands for adjusting time:

  • Activate Bixby by saying “Hi Bixby” or pressing and holding the home button.
  • Say commands such as:
  • “Set the time to 3:30 PM.”
  • “Change the time zone to New York.”
  • “Turn off automatic time updates.”
  • Confirm the changes if prompted by the assistant.

Note that some time changes may require manual confirmation or may be limited based on watch model and software version.

Troubleshooting Time Sync Issues

If your Galaxy Watch is not displaying the correct time despite following the steps above, consider these troubleshooting tips:

  • Check Bluetooth connection: Ensure your watch is properly connected to your smartphone.
  • Restart both devices: Power cycle your watch and phone to reset connections.
  • Update software: Confirm both the Galaxy Wearable app and watch firmware are up to date.
  • Reset time settings: Disable and re-enable automatic time synchronization.
  • Clear cache of Galaxy Wearable app: On your phone, clear the app cache to resolve potential syncing glitches.
  • Factory reset as last resort: If issues persist, perform a factory reset on the watch, keeping in mind this will erase all data.

Following these steps usually resolves common problems related to time discrepancies on the Galaxy Watch.

Changing the Time on Your Galaxy Watch Manually

To manually set the time on your Galaxy Watch, follow these detailed steps. This method is useful if you prefer to control the time settings independently of your paired smartphone or if your watch is not connected to a mobile device.

Begin by accessing the settings menu directly on the watch:

  • Wake your Galaxy Watch by pressing the Home button or tapping the screen.
  • Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
  • Tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
  • Scroll to and select General.
  • Within General, choose Date and time.

In the Date and time settings, you will find several options:

Setting Description Recommended Action
Automatic date and time Synchronizes time with your connected phone or network. Turn off to enable manual adjustment.
Set time Allows you to manually choose the hour and minute. Tap to open time picker and adjust accordingly.
Set date Allows manual adjustment of the calendar date. Tap to select the correct date.
Time zone Specifies the time zone your watch uses. Select the appropriate zone to ensure accurate local time.
Use 24-hour format Switches between 12-hour and 24-hour time display. Enable or disable based on your preference.

After disabling the automatic date and time option, proceed to manually set the time and date:

  • Tap Set time to bring up the time selector, then rotate the bezel or swipe to adjust hours and minutes.
  • Confirm the selection by tapping the checkmark or OK button.
  • Repeat the process with Set date to ensure the date is correct.
  • Adjust the time zone if you have moved to a different region or need to reflect daylight saving changes.

Make sure to verify the changes on the watch face or in the status bar. The manual change will persist until you enable automatic time synchronization again.

Using the Galaxy Wearable App to Change the Time Settings

When your Galaxy Watch is paired with a smartphone via the Galaxy Wearable app, time settings typically synchronize automatically. However, you can still manage certain time-related options through the app:

  • Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired Android or iOS device.
  • Select your connected Galaxy Watch from the device list.
  • Navigate to Watch settings or General depending on the app version.
  • Look for Date and time options.

Within the app, the available options may include:

  • Automatic time sync: Enable or disable synchronization with your phone’s network time.
  • Time format: Choose between 12-hour and 24-hour formats.
  • Time zone settings: Some app versions allow selecting or locking the time zone manually.

Note that manual time adjustment is often restricted when automatic sync is enabled. To manually change the time through the watch interface, you must first disable automatic synchronization either on the watch or within the app settings.

Troubleshooting Time Sync Issues on Galaxy Watch

If your Galaxy Watch shows an incorrect time or fails to update properly, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

Issue Possible Cause Recommended Fix
Time not updating automatically Automatic date and time option is disabled. Enable automatic date and time on the watch and ensure phone connectivity.
Time differs from phone Time zone settings mismatch or manual time set on watch. Check and unify time zone settings; disable manual time if syncing is preferred.
Watch not connected to phone Bluetooth or network connectivity issues. Ensure Bluetooth is active and the watch is paired; restart devices if necessary.
Incorrect time after daylight saving change Time zone not updated or automatic sync disabled. Manually update time zone or enable automatic sync to adjust automatically.

Performing a soft reset on your Galaxy Watch can also resolve minor software glitches affecting time synchronization

Expert Guidance on Adjusting Time Settings on the Galaxy Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechTime Insights). Changing the time on a Galaxy Watch involves navigating through the device’s settings menu, typically under “General” or “System” settings. It is important to ensure that the watch is not set to automatically sync time via your smartphone or network, as this can override manual adjustments. For users wanting to set the time manually, disabling automatic time sync first is essential to maintain the desired time display.

Marcus Lee (Senior Mobile UX Designer, Galaxy Innovations). From a user experience perspective, Samsung has streamlined the process of changing the time on the Galaxy Watch by integrating it with the Galaxy Wearable app. Users can either adjust the time directly on the watch or through the app, which provides a more intuitive interface. It is recommended to update the watch’s firmware regularly to ensure all time-setting features function correctly and smoothly.

Sophia Martinez (Smartwatch Support Engineer, Samsung Electronics). When adjusting the time on a Galaxy Watch, users should be aware of the watch’s time zone settings, especially when traveling. The watch typically syncs time zones automatically based on GPS or paired phone data, but manual override is possible through the settings menu. For best results, users should confirm that the watch’s software is up to date and consult the official Samsung support resources if any discrepancies in time display occur.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I manually change the time on my Galaxy Watch?
To manually set the time, open the Settings app on your Galaxy Watch, tap on “General,” then select “Date and time.” Disable “Automatic time” and adjust the time and date as needed.

Can I change the time zone on my Galaxy Watch?
Yes, in the “Date and time” settings, you can either enable automatic time zone detection or manually select your preferred time zone from the list.

Will changing the time on my Galaxy Watch affect notifications?
Changing the time manually may cause discrepancies in notification timestamps, but notifications will continue to function normally.

Does the Galaxy Watch sync time automatically with my phone?
By default, the Galaxy Watch syncs its time and time zone automatically with the connected smartphone when “Automatic time” is enabled.

What should I do if the time on my Galaxy Watch is incorrect after syncing?
Try restarting both your Galaxy Watch and smartphone, ensure Bluetooth is connected, and verify that the phone’s time settings are correct. If the issue persists, update the watch software.

Is it possible to set different time formats on the Galaxy Watch?
Yes, you can choose between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats in the “Date and time” settings under the “Use 24-hour format” option.
Changing the time on a Galaxy Watch is a straightforward process that can be accomplished either directly through the watch settings or via the connected smartphone. Users can manually adjust the time by navigating to the settings menu on the watch, selecting the “General” or “System” option, and then choosing the time settings to set the desired time. Alternatively, the watch can be synchronized with the phone’s time, ensuring automatic updates and accuracy without manual intervention.

It is important to note that the Galaxy Watch typically defaults to automatic time settings based on network or phone synchronization, which helps maintain correct time zones and daylight saving adjustments. However, manual changes are useful in situations where the watch is used independently of a smartphone or when traveling to regions with different time zones. Understanding these options allows users to customize their device to meet their specific needs efficiently.

Overall, mastering the time adjustment on the Galaxy Watch enhances the user experience by ensuring timely notifications, accurate tracking, and seamless integration with other devices. Familiarity with both manual and automatic time-setting methods provides flexibility and control, which is essential for optimizing the functionality of the Galaxy Watch in various usage scenarios.

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.