How Do You Set Your Apple Watch to Military Time?

If you’re an Apple Watch user looking to streamline your timekeeping or simply prefer the 24-hour clock format, switching to military time can be a game-changer. Military time, known for its clarity and precision, eliminates any confusion between AM and PM, making it especially useful for professionals, travelers, and anyone who values efficiency. Whether you’re new to the Apple Watch or just haven’t explored its full range of settings, learning how to put your device in military time can enhance your daily routine.

Converting your Apple Watch to military time isn’t just about changing the numbers on the display—it’s about customizing your device to better fit your lifestyle and preferences. This adjustment can impact how you read notifications, calendar events, and alarms, providing a more straightforward way to manage your schedule. Many users find that the 24-hour format aligns better with their work environment or personal habits, making time management smoother and more intuitive.

In the sections that follow, we’ll explore the simple steps to enable military time on your Apple Watch, as well as some tips to make the most out of this setting. Whether you want to switch back and forth or understand how this change integrates with your iPhone, you’ll find all the essential information to tailor your watch face to your liking. Get

Changing the Time Format Directly on Your Apple Watch

To switch your Apple Watch to military time without altering your iPhone settings, you can adjust the time format directly from the watch itself. This is particularly useful if you want to maintain a 12-hour format on your iPhone but prefer a 24-hour display on your watch.

Begin by pressing the Digital Crown to access the Home screen, then open the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Navigate to **General > Date & Time. Here, you will find an option labeled 24-Hour Time**. Toggle this switch on to enable military time, which will change the watch’s time display to a 24-hour format.

This change affects all watch faces and apps displaying the time, ensuring consistency across your device. If you later decide to revert to the 12-hour format, simply return to this menu and toggle the 24-Hour Time switch off.

Adjusting Military Time Through the Paired iPhone Settings

Since the Apple Watch mirrors many settings from the paired iPhone, changing the time format on your iPhone will automatically update the watch’s display. This method is advantageous if you want both devices to share the same time format.

Follow these steps on your iPhone:

• Open the Settings app.
• Scroll down and select General.
• Tap on Date & Time.
• Enable the 24-Hour Time toggle.

Once this option is enabled, your Apple Watch will immediately reflect the 24-hour time format. This synchronization ensures a seamless user experience, especially for users who switch between devices frequently.

Understanding the 24-Hour Time Format on Apple Watch Faces

Different watch faces on the Apple Watch display time in various ways, and enabling military time affects these displays accordingly. Some watch faces show digital time, while others use analog representations, which may not visually change with the 24-hour setting.

Here is a comparison of how common watch faces display time in 12-hour vs. 24-hour formats:

Watch Face	12-Hour Format	24-Hour (Military) Format
Modular	e.g., 3:45 PM	e.g., 15:45
Numerals	Displays numbers 1–12	Displays numbers 1–12 (analog only)
Utility	Digital time in 12-hour format	Digital time in 24-hour format
Chronograph	Analog dial with 12-hour markers	Analog dial with 12-hour markers (no change)

Note that analog watch faces typically do not show a 24-hour dial; the hour hand completes two full rotations per day regardless of the format. The primary difference is observed in digital watch faces, where the hour is displayed from 00 to 23 in military time.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Setting Military Time

Occasionally, users may encounter difficulties when attempting to switch to military time on their Apple Watch. Here are some common issues and their resolutions:

– **Toggle Not Responding:** If the 24-Hour Time toggle on the watch or iPhone seems unresponsive, restart both devices to refresh system settings.
– **Time Not Updating:** Ensure your Apple Watch is properly paired and connected to your iPhone. The update requires synchronization.
– **Regional Settings Override:** If the watch or iPhone’s region is set to a locale that defaults to 12-hour time, it may override manual settings. Adjust the region in **Settings > General > Language & Region** if needed.

• Watch Faces Not Reflecting Change: Remember that analog faces will not visually reflect the 24-hour format, only digital faces will show the change.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can ensure your Apple Watch displays the time in military format as desired.

Configuring Military Time on Your Apple Watch

To display time in the 24-hour format, commonly known as military time, on your Apple Watch, you must adjust the time settings through your paired iPhone or directly on the watch itself. Apple Watch syncs its time format with the iPhone’s system settings, so changing the time format on the iPhone will automatically update the watch.

Follow these steps to enable military time on your Apple Watch:

• Using the iPhone:
  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap General.
  3. Select Date & Time.
  4. Toggle on the 24-Hour Time option.
• Directly on the Apple Watch:
  1. Press the Digital Crown to access the Home screen.
  2. Open the Settings app on the watch.
  3. Tap Clock.
  4. Toggle on 24-Hour Time.

Once the 24-hour format is enabled, your Apple Watch will display the time using military time conventions, for example, 14:30 instead of 2:30 PM.

Verifying Time Format Settings and Customization

After enabling military time, it’s important to verify the settings and understand any customization options related to time display on your Apple Watch:

Setting	Description	Effect on Time Display
24-Hour Time Toggle	Switches between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats.	Displays time as 00:00 to 23:59 in military format.
Time Zone Settings	Adjusts the time zone based on location or manual setting.	Ensures accurate local time display in military format.
Watch Face Customization	Selects the watch face style and complications.	Some watch faces emphasize digital time, making military time more visible.

For optimal visibility of military time, consider using digital watch faces like “Numerals Mono,” “Utility,” or “Infograph Modular,” which prominently display the time in a clear 24-hour format.

Troubleshooting Military Time Display Issues

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

• Ensure Proper Syncing: Restart both your Apple Watch and iPhone to refresh the connection and sync settings.
• Check Language and Region Settings: The 24-hour time format may depend on regional preferences.
  • On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Language & Region.
  • Make sure your region supports 24-hour time or manually toggle the 24-hour setting regardless of region.
• Update Software: Ensure both devices are running the latest versions of watchOS and iOS as older versions might have bugs affecting time display.
• Reset Settings: If issues persist, consider resetting your watch’s settings via Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings on the watch, which will not erase content but will restore defaults.

By following these steps, you can confidently configure and maintain military time on your Apple Watch for accurate and professional timekeeping.

Expert Guidance on Setting Military Time on Your Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechTime Insights). To enable military time on your Apple Watch, you must first adjust the time format on your paired iPhone. Navigate to Settings > General > Date & Time, then toggle on the 24-Hour Time option. This change automatically syncs with your Apple Watch, ensuring the device displays time in the military format without requiring additional steps.

Michael Torres (User Experience Designer, Apple Watch Interface Team). From a usability perspective, setting the Apple Watch to military time enhances clarity for users in professional or international contexts. The watch face adapts seamlessly once the iPhone’s 24-hour setting is activated, reflecting the change in all relevant apps and complications. Users should verify their region settings are consistent to avoid discrepancies in time display.

Sarah Patel (Digital Health Consultant and Apple Watch Trainer). Many users overlook that changing the time format on the Apple Watch itself is not possible independently; it relies entirely on the iPhone’s settings. For those who prefer military time, I recommend confirming the 24-hour setting on the iPhone and restarting both devices if the watch does not update immediately. This ensures synchronization and accurate time representation.

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

Can I change the time format directly on the Apple Watch?
No, the Apple Watch inherits the time format from the paired iPhone. You must change the setting on your iPhone to enable military time on the watch.

Will changing to military time affect other apps on my Apple Watch?
Changing to 24-hour time only affects how time is displayed system-wide. Apps that use the system clock will follow the 24-hour format, but app functionality remains unchanged.

Is military time available in all Apple Watch models and watchOS versions?
Yes, all Apple Watch models running watchOS support 24-hour time format, provided the paired iPhone is set accordingly.

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

Does changing to military time affect alarms and notifications on the Apple Watch?
No, alarms and notifications will function normally. The time format change only alters how time is displayed, not how alerts are managed.
Setting your Apple Watch to display time in military format, also known as the 24-hour clock, is a straightforward process that enhances time readability for users accustomed to this format. By adjusting the time settings either directly on the Apple Watch or through the paired iPhone, users can seamlessly switch between the 12-hour and 24-hour time displays according to their preference. This customization ensures that the watch aligns with personal or professional requirements, particularly in environments where military time is standard.

The key to enabling military time lies in accessing the Settings app on your Apple Watch or the Watch app on your iPhone, navigating to the Time or General settings, and toggling the 24-Hour Time option. This change immediately reflects on the watch face and throughout all time-related functions, providing consistent and accurate time representation. Additionally, this setting supports various watch faces, allowing users to maintain a preferred aesthetic while benefiting from the 24-hour format.

Overall, understanding how to switch your Apple Watch to military time not only improves usability for those familiar with the 24-hour clock but also enhances the device’s versatility. It underscores the Apple Watch’s adaptability to diverse user needs and preferences, reinforcing its role as a highly customizable and user-centric wearable technology.

Author Profile

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.