This guide walks you through how to set Samsung smart watch to 24 hour time on various models like Galaxy Watch, Gear, and Active. You’ll learn simple steps, troubleshooting tips, and why 24-hour format matters for clarity and consistency.
Key Takeaways
- Simple Settings Adjustment: Switching to 24-hour time is done directly in the watch settings or via the Galaxy Wearable app.
- Model Compatibility: This method works across Samsung Galaxy Watch, Gear S3, Gear Sport, Galaxy Watch Active, and newer models.
- Sync with Phone: Your watch can mirror your phone’s time format if connected via Bluetooth.
- No Restart Required: The change takes effect instantly without needing to reboot your device.
- Improved Readability: 24-hour format eliminates AM/PM confusion, ideal for travel, work, or military use.
- Troubleshooting Tips: If the setting doesn’t stick, check app updates, restart the watch, or reset time settings.
- Customization Options: Combine 24-hour time with other watch face customizations for a personalized experience.
How to Set Samsung Smart Watch to 24 Hour Time
If you’ve ever looked at your Samsung smart watch and wondered why it’s showing 2:30 PM instead of 14:30, you’re not alone. Many users prefer the 24-hour time format—also known as military time—for its clarity and precision. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, work in healthcare or logistics, or simply dislike the ambiguity of AM and PM, switching your Samsung smart watch to 24-hour time is a quick and easy fix.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to set Samsung smart watch to 24 hour time on a variety of models, including the Galaxy Watch series, Gear S3, Gear Sport, Galaxy Watch Active, and newer editions. We’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions, offer practical tips, and even troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you’ll have a watch that displays time the way you prefer—clean, consistent, and confusion-free.
Let’s dive in and make that switch!
Why Use 24-Hour Time on Your Samsung Smart Watch?
Visual guide about How to Set Samsung Smart Watch to 24 Hour Time
Image source: vintagewatchinc.com
Before we get into the technical steps, it’s worth understanding why so many people prefer the 24-hour format. The 12-hour clock uses AM and PM to distinguish between morning and afternoon, but this can lead to confusion—especially in fast-paced environments or when reading schedules.
With the 24-hour format, each hour of the day is represented uniquely from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 (just before midnight). This eliminates the need for AM/PM labels and reduces the chance of miscommunication. For example, “Meet at 8” is ambiguous—do you mean 8 AM or 8 PM? But “Meet at 20:00” is crystal clear.
Here are a few real-life scenarios where 24-hour time shines:
- Travel: Flight schedules, train timetables, and hotel check-ins often use 24-hour time. Matching your watch format helps you stay on schedule.
- Work Environments: Hospitals, emergency services, aviation, and the military rely on 24-hour time to avoid errors.
- Fitness Tracking: If you log workouts or sleep cycles, 24-hour time makes it easier to track durations and patterns.
- Personal Preference: Some people simply find it easier to read and more modern-looking on a digital display.
Switching your Samsung smart watch to 24-hour time isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about efficiency and accuracy. And the good news? It takes less than a minute to set up.
Step-by-Step: Setting 24-Hour Time on Samsung Galaxy Watch (via Watch Settings)
The most direct way to change your time format is through the settings menu on your Samsung smart watch itself. This method works for most Galaxy Watch models, including the Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Watch 6.
Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Wake Up Your Watch
Tap the screen or press the side button to wake up your Samsung smart watch. Make sure it’s unlocked and ready to use.
Step 2: Access the Settings Menu
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings panel. Tap the gear icon (⚙️) to enter the full settings menu. Alternatively, you can press and hold the home button (or swipe up from the bottom on newer models) to access the app list, then find and tap the “Settings” app.
Step 3: Navigate to “General” or “System”
Scroll down through the settings options and look for either “General” or “System,” depending on your watch model. On newer Galaxy Watches (Watch 4 and later), it’s labeled “General.” On older models like the Gear S3, it may be under “System.”
Step 4: Select “Date and Time”
Tap on “Date and Time.” This section controls how time is displayed, including format, time zone, and automatic syncing.
Step 5: Toggle “Use 24-Hour Format”
Look for the option labeled “Use 24-hour format” or “24-hour clock.” It will usually appear as a simple on/off toggle. Tap the switch to turn it ON.
Step 6: Confirm the Change
Once enabled, the time on your watch face will immediately update to the 24-hour format. For example, 3:15 PM will now display as 15:15. No restart is needed—the change is instant.
Step 7: Exit Settings
Press the back button or swipe to exit the settings menu. Your watch will now show time in 24-hour format across all screens and notifications.
Pro Tip: If you don’t see the “24-hour format” option, make sure your watch is running the latest software. Some older firmware versions may have slightly different menu layouts.
Setting 24-Hour Time via the Galaxy Wearable App (Alternative Method)
If you prefer managing your watch settings from your smartphone, the Galaxy Wearable app (formerly Samsung Gear) offers a convenient alternative. This method is especially helpful if you’re having trouble navigating the small watch screen.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Galaxy Wearable App
Launch the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired Android smartphone. Make sure your watch is connected via Bluetooth.
Step 2: Tap on Your Watch
From the home screen, tap on the image or name of your connected Samsung smart watch.
Step 3: Go to “Watch Settings”
Scroll down and tap on “Watch settings” or “Settings” (the exact label may vary by app version).
Step 4: Find “General” or “System”
Navigate to the “General” or “System” section, just like you would on the watch itself.
Step 5: Select “Date and Time”
Tap on “Date and Time” to access time-related options.
Step 6: Enable “24-Hour Format”
Toggle the “Use 24-hour format” switch to ON. The change will sync to your watch within a few seconds.
Step 7: Check Your Watch
Look at your watch face to confirm the time is now displayed in 24-hour format.
Note: This method works best when your phone and watch are properly synced. If the setting doesn’t apply, try restarting both devices and reconnecting via Bluetooth.
Syncing Time Format with Your Phone
One of the smartest features of Samsung smart watches is their ability to sync settings with your smartphone. If your phone is already set to 24-hour time, your watch can automatically mirror that format—no manual adjustment needed.
Here’s how to ensure your watch follows your phone’s time settings:
Step 1: Check Your Phone’s Time Format
On your Android phone, go to Settings > System > Date & time. Look for “Use 24-hour format” and make sure it’s turned ON.
Step 2: Enable Automatic Time Sync on Your Watch
On your Samsung smart watch, go to Settings > General > Date and Time. Turn ON “Automatic date and time.” This ensures your watch pulls time data from your phone, including the format.
Step 3: Wait for Sync
Within a few moments, your watch should update to match your phone’s 24-hour format. If it doesn’t, try toggling the setting off and on again.
Why This Matters: Syncing saves time and ensures consistency across devices. If you change your phone’s time format later, your watch will follow suit automatically.
Model-Specific Instructions
While the general steps are similar across Samsung smart watches, some models have slight variations in menu layout or labeling. Below are tailored instructions for popular models.
Galaxy Watch (Original and Active Series)
- Go to Settings > General > Date and Time.
- Toggle “Use 24-hour format” to ON.
- Time updates instantly on the watch face.
Gear S3 and Gear Sport
- Swipe down for quick settings, then tap the gear icon.
- Navigate to System > Date and Time.
- Enable “24-hour format.”
Galaxy Watch 4, 5, and 6 (Wear OS by Google)
- Swipe down and tap the settings icon.
- Go to General > Date and Time.
- Turn on “Use 24-hour format.”
- Note: These models run Wear OS, so the interface may look slightly different but functions the same.
Galaxy Watch Active 2
- Access settings via the app menu or swipe-down panel.
- Select General > Date and Time.
- Enable the 24-hour toggle.
No matter which model you have, the core process remains consistent: find the time settings and flip the switch.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, despite following the steps correctly, the 24-hour format doesn’t stick. Here are common problems and how to fix them.
Issue 1: Setting Doesn’t Save
Cause: Software glitch or outdated firmware.
Solution: Restart your watch by holding the power button and selecting “Restart.” After rebooting, try changing the setting again.
Issue 2: Option Is Grayed Out or Missing
Cause: Automatic time sync is enabled, locking manual changes.
Solution: Turn OFF “Automatic date and time” in the Date & Time settings. This unlocks the format option so you can change it manually.
Issue 3: Watch Reverts to 12-Hour Format
Cause: Phone is overriding the setting.
Solution: Check your phone’s time format. If it’s set to 12-hour, your watch may sync back. Change your phone to 24-hour format, or disable automatic sync on the watch.
Issue 4: App Not Syncing
Cause: Bluetooth connection is weak or app needs update.
Solution: Reconnect your watch via the Galaxy Wearable app. Update the app from the Google Play Store if needed.
Issue 5: Watch Face Doesn’t Update
Cause: Some custom watch faces don’t support 24-hour time.
Solution: Try switching to a default Samsung watch face (like “Classic” or “Digital Dashboard”) to see if the format appears. Then, look for third-party faces that explicitly support 24-hour time.
Pro Tip: Always keep your watch and phone updated. Samsung frequently releases software updates that improve compatibility and fix bugs.
Customizing Your Watch Face for 24-Hour Time
Once you’ve set your Samsung smart watch to 24-hour time, you might want to enhance the experience with a watch face that complements the format. Many users find that certain designs look better with military time.
Here’s how to customize:
Step 1: Long-Press the Watch Face
Press and hold the current watch face until the customization menu appears.
Step 2: Browse Watch Faces
Swipe left or right to explore available options. Look for faces labeled “24H,” “Military,” or “Digital.”
Step 3: Select and Apply
Tap on a watch face you like. It will apply immediately. Check that the time displays in 24-hour format.
Step 4: Customize Further (Optional)
Some watch faces allow additional tweaks, like color, complications (widgets), and layout. Tap “Customize” to adjust these.
Recommended Watch Faces for 24-Hour Time:
- Digital Dashboard: Clean, modern, and clearly shows 24-hour time.
- Classic: Simple analog with digital 24-hour readout.
- Minimal: Sleek design that emphasizes time clarity.
- Sport: Great for fitness tracking with bold 24-hour display.
Pairing the right watch face with your preferred time format makes your Samsung smart watch not only functional but also stylish.
Benefits of Using 24-Hour Time Daily
Beyond avoiding confusion, using 24-hour time on your Samsung smart watch offers several practical benefits:
- Reduced Errors: No more mixing up morning and evening appointments.
- Global Compatibility: Most countries outside the U.S. use 24-hour time, so your watch aligns with international standards.
- Better Time Management: Seeing 18:30 instead of 6:30 PM can subconsciously signal “evening mode,” helping you transition from work to personal time.
- Professional Edge: In fields like healthcare, logistics, or tech, using 24-hour time shows attention to detail.
- Consistency Across Devices: If your computer, calendar, and watch all use 24-hour time, you create a seamless digital environment.
Making the switch is a small change with big rewards.
Conclusion
Setting your Samsung smart watch to 24-hour time is a simple yet powerful customization that enhances clarity, reduces confusion, and aligns with global timekeeping standards. Whether you use the built-in watch settings, the Galaxy Wearable app, or sync with your phone, the process is quick and straightforward.
We’ve covered everything from step-by-step instructions for various models to troubleshooting tips and watch face recommendations. Now, you can confidently display time the way you want—no more guessing if it’s AM or PM.
So go ahead: wake up your watch, dive into the settings, and make that switch. Your future self will thank you every time you glance at your wrist and instantly know the exact hour.
And remember—whether you’re catching a flight, starting a shift, or just staying on top of your day, how to set Samsung smart watch to 24 hour time is a skill worth mastering.