Changing your smart.watch from military time (24-hour format) to the more familiar 12-hour clock is simple and takes just a few taps. This guide walks you through the process on popular devices like Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, and Wear OS models—so you can customize your watch face to match your preference.
Key Takeaways
- Most smart.watches support both 12-hour and 24-hour time formats, allowing you to switch based on personal preference or regional norms.
- Time format settings are usually found in the watch’s system settings or companion app, not directly on the watch face itself.
- Apple Watch users must change the format via their iPhone’s Clock app settings, not directly on the watch.
- Samsung and Wear OS watches let you toggle between formats directly in the watch’s display or system menu for quick access.
- Fitbit and Garmin devices often sync time format with your phone’s system settings, so adjusting your phone may automatically update your watch.
- Always restart your watch after changing time settings if the update doesn’t appear immediately to ensure the new format takes effect.
- Custom watch faces may override default time displays, so double-check your face settings if the change isn’t showing up.
How to Change Smart.watch from Military Time
If you’ve ever glanced at your smart.watch and seen “18:30” instead of “6:30 PM,” you’re not alone. Many smart.watches default to military time—also known as the 24-hour clock—especially if they’re set to regions where that format is standard, like much of Europe, Asia, or the military. But if you’re used to the 12-hour AM/PM system, that “18:30” can be confusing or just plain annoying.
The good news? Switching your smart.watch from military time to standard time is usually quick and easy. Whether you’re using an Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, or a Wear OS device like those from Google or Fossil, this guide will walk you through the exact steps to make the change.
In this comprehensive how-to, you’ll learn:
– Why your watch might be showing military time
– How to change the time format on the most popular smart.watch brands
– Tips for troubleshooting when the change doesn’t stick
– How to avoid common pitfalls like custom watch faces overriding your settings
By the end, you’ll have your smart.watch displaying time the way you prefer—no more squinting at “23:45” when you just want to know it’s almost midnight.
Let’s get started.
Why Is My Smart.watch Showing Military Time?
Visual guide about How to Change Smart.watch from Military Time
Image source: m.media-amazon.com
Before we dive into the how-to, it’s helpful to understand why your smart.watch is displaying military time in the first place.
Military time, or the 24-hour clock, counts hours from 00 to 23. So instead of “1:00 PM,” it shows “13:00.” This format is widely used in healthcare, transportation, the military, and many countries outside the United States. If your watch was purchased or set up in a region that uses 24-hour time—or if your phone’s system settings are configured that way—your smart.watch will likely follow suit.
Additionally, some users prefer military time for its clarity—there’s no ambiguity between AM and PM. But if you’re not used to it, it can feel unintuitive. The good news is that almost every modern smart.watch allows you to switch between 12-hour and 24-hour formats, giving you full control over how time appears on your wrist.
The method varies slightly by brand and model, but the core principle is the same: access the time or display settings and toggle the format. Let’s break it down by device.
How to Change Time Format on Apple Watch
Apple Watch is one of the most popular smart.watches, but it has a unique quirk: you can’t change the time format directly on the watch. Instead, you must adjust it through your paired iPhone. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open the Clock App on Your iPhone
On your iPhone, locate and open the built-in Clock app. This isn’t the Settings app—it’s the one with the clock icon that shows alarms, world clocks, and timers.
Step 2: Tap the “Alarm” Tab
At the bottom of the screen, tap the Alarm tab. This might seem odd, but it’s the gateway to time format settings on iOS.
Step 3: Tap the “+” or “Edit” Button
Tap the + (plus) button in the top-right corner, or tap Edit if you already have alarms set. Either way, this will bring up additional options.
Step 4: Look for “24-Hour Time” Toggle
Scroll down slightly, and you’ll see a toggle labeled 24-Hour Time. If it’s turned on (green), your Apple Watch is displaying military time. Simply tap the toggle to turn it off.
Step 5: Check Your Apple Watch
Once you’ve turned off 24-hour time on your iPhone, the change should sync automatically to your Apple Watch within a few seconds. Look at your watch face—time should now display in 12-hour format with AM or PM.
Pro Tip: If the change doesn’t appear right away, try raising your wrist to wake the screen or force-quit the Clock app and reopen it. Sometimes a quick restart of the watch helps too.
Important Notes for Apple Watch Users
– This setting affects all time displays on your iPhone and Apple Watch, including alarms, timers, and the lock screen.
– If you use a custom watch face with a digital clock complication, it will also update to reflect the new format.
– You cannot override this setting on the watch itself—Apple keeps time formatting tied to the iPhone for consistency.
How to Change Time Format on Samsung Galaxy Watch
Samsung Galaxy Watches (including the Galaxy Watch 4, 5, 6, and Active series) offer more direct control over time settings. You can change the format right from the watch or through the Galaxy Wearable app.
Method 1: Change Time Format Directly on the Watch
Step 1: Open Settings
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings panel. Tap the gear icon to enter Settings.
Step 2: Tap “Display”
Scroll down and tap Display. This menu controls brightness, screen timeout, and time format.
Step 3: Select “Watch Face” or “Time Format”
Depending on your model, you may see a Time Format option directly, or you may need to tap Watch Face first. If you go into Watch Face, look for a “Style” or “Customize” option.
Step 4: Toggle Between 12-Hour and 24-Hour
You’ll see a toggle or option labeled 24-Hour Format. Turn it off to switch to 12-hour time. The change should apply immediately.
Method 2: Use the Galaxy Wearable App
Step 1: Open the Galaxy Wearable App on Your Phone
Launch the app and ensure your watch is connected.
Step 2: Tap “Watch Settings”
Tap on your watch name, then select Watch Settings.
Step 3: Go to “Display” > “Time Format”
Navigate to Display, then find Time Format. Toggle off 24-Hour Format to switch to standard time.
Tips for Samsung Users
– Some watch faces only support one time format. If your favorite face doesn’t show AM/PM, try switching to a different face.
– The Galaxy Watch syncs time with your phone, but the format setting is independent—so you can have 24-hour time on your phone and 12-hour on your watch, or vice versa.
How to Change Time Format on Fitbit Devices
Fitbit smart.watches and trackers (like the Versa, Sense, and Luxe) sync their time format with your phone’s system settings. That means you can’t change the time format directly on the Fitbit—you must adjust it on your phone.
For iPhone Users
Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time
On your iPhone, open Settings, then tap General, then Date & Time.
Step 2: Toggle Off “24-Hour Time”
Turn off the 24-Hour Time toggle. Your iPhone will switch to 12-hour format.
Step 3: Sync Your Fitbit
Open the Fitbit app and tap the account icon (top-left). Tap your device name, then tap Sync Now. The time format should update on your Fitbit within a minute.
For Android Users
Step 1: Open Settings > System > Date & Time
On your Android phone, go to Settings, then System (or General Management), then Date & Time.
Step 2: Turn Off “Use 24-Hour Format”
Toggle off the Use 24-Hour Format option.
Step 3: Sync Your Fitbit
Open the Fitbit app and force a sync. Your watch should now show 12-hour time.
Important Notes for Fitbit Users
– If the change doesn’t appear, try restarting your Fitbit by holding the side button for 10 seconds.
– Some Fitbit watch faces are designed for 24-hour time only. If your face still shows “18:30,” try switching to a different face in the Fitbit app.
How to Change Time Format on Garmin Watches
Garmin smart.watches (like the Forerunner, Venu, and Instinct series) allow you to change the time format directly on the device. Here’s how.
Step 1: Press the Menu Button
On most Garmin watches, press the Menu button (usually the bottom-left or top-right button, depending on the model).
Step 2: Navigate to “Settings”
Use the bezel or buttons to scroll to Settings and press the center button or tap the screen.
Step 3: Select “System” > “Time Format”
Go to System, then find Time Format. You’ll see options for 12-Hour and 24-Hour.
Step 4: Choose “12-Hour”
Select 12-Hour to switch from military time. The change takes effect immediately.
Alternative: Use the Garmin Connect App
You can also change this setting via the Garmin Connect app:
– Open the app and tap your watch name.
– Go to Device Settings > System > Time Format.
– Select 12-Hour and sync your watch.
Tips for Garmin Users
– Some outdoor and tactical watch faces default to 24-hour time. If your face doesn’t update, try switching to a different face.
– Garmin watches used for aviation or military training may lock the time format—check your device’s user manual if you can’t change it.
How to Change Time Format on Wear OS Watches
Wear OS watches (like those from Google, Fossil, Mobvoi, and Montblanc) offer flexible time formatting. You can change it directly on the watch or through the Wear OS app.
Method 1: On the Watch
Step 1: Open Settings
Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open quick settings, then tap the gear icon.
Step 2: Tap “System” > “Date & Time”
Navigate to System, then Date & Time.
Step 3: Toggle “Use 24-Hour Format”
Turn off the Use 24-Hour Format toggle. Your watch will switch to 12-hour time.
Method 2: Using the Wear OS App
Step 1: Open the Wear OS App on Your Phone
Launch the app and ensure your watch is connected.
Step 2: Tap “Advanced Settings”
Tap the three-dot menu (top-right), then select Advanced Settings.
Step 3: Go to “Date & Time”
Tap Date & Time, then toggle off 24-Hour Format.
Tips for Wear OS Users
– Some third-party watch faces may not respect system time settings. If your face still shows military time, try switching to a Google-made face like “Digital Bold” or “Analog Minimal.”
– Wear OS syncs time with your phone, but the format setting is independent—so you can have different formats on your phone and watch.
Troubleshooting: Why Isn’t My Time Format Changing?
Even with the right steps, sometimes the change doesn’t stick. Here are common issues and fixes.
Issue 1: Change Doesn’t Appear After Syncing
Solution: Restart your smart.watch. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. This forces a fresh sync with your phone and applies pending settings.
Issue 2: Watch Face Still Shows Military Time
Solution: Your watch face may be locked to 24-hour format. Go into the watch face customization menu (usually by long-pressing the face) and look for a “Time Format” option. If it’s set to “24-Hour,” change it to “12-Hour” or “Auto.”
Issue 3: Phone and Watch Have Different Formats
Solution: Some devices (like Samsung and Wear OS) allow independent time formatting. Make sure you’re changing the setting on the correct device. For Fitbit and Apple Watch, remember that the watch follows the phone.
Issue 4: Setting Reverts After Update
Solution: Software updates can sometimes reset preferences. After updating your watch or phone, double-check your time format settings and reapply them if needed.
Issue 5: No “Time Format” Option Available
Solution: Older or budget smart.watches may not support format changes. Check your device’s user manual or manufacturer website. If it’s not supported, consider using a third-party watch face app that allows customization.
Bonus Tips for Customizing Your Smart.watch Time Display
Once you’ve switched to 12-hour time, you might want to fine-tune how it looks.
Choose a Watch Face That Supports AM/PM
Not all watch faces display AM/PM clearly. Look for faces with bold, readable fonts and a small “AM” or “PM” indicator. Popular options include:
– Apple Watch: “California” or “Numerals Duo”
– Samsung: “Classic Digital” or “Minimal”
– Wear OS: “Digital Bold” or “Simple Analog”
Adjust Font Size and Style
Many watches let you customize the size and style of the time display. Larger fonts make it easier to read at a glance, especially if you’ve switched from military time and want to quickly spot AM vs. PM.
Use Color to Differentiate
Some watch faces use color coding—blue for AM, orange for PM, for example. This can help you distinguish the time period without reading the label.
Test in Different Lighting
Check your watch in bright sunlight and low light. If the AM/PM indicator is too small or blends in, consider switching to a higher-contrast face.
Conclusion
Changing your smart.watch from military time to 12-hour format is a simple but powerful way to personalize your device and make it more intuitive to use. Whether you’re using an Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, or Wear OS device, the process is straightforward—once you know where to look.
Remember: the key is knowing where the setting lives. For Apple and Fitbit, it’s on your phone. For Samsung, Garmin, and Wear OS, it’s on the watch itself. And always give your device a moment (or a restart) to apply the change.
By following this guide, you’ll never have to guess whether “14:00” means 2 PM or 2 AM again. Your smart.watch will finally speak your language—one that’s clear, familiar, and perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.
So go ahead, make the switch, and enjoy your newly personalized time display. Your wrist will thank you.