The basic steps depend on your watch brand and operating system

Most smartwatches let you change the time through the watch face itself, through a companion app on your phone, or both. The exact path depends on whether you own an Apple Watch, a Wear OS device (made by Samsung, Fossil, Garmin, and others), or a Fitbit. Some watches sync time automatically from your phone, which means you may not need to change it manually at all — but if you do, the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

The reason to change the time manually is usually a time zone change, a dead battery that reset the clock, or a watch that drifted slightly out of sync. Before you start, check whether your watch is set to sync time automatically from your paired phone. If it is, changing your phone's time will update the watch without any extra steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Watches sync time automatically from your iPhone, so you change the time on your phone and the watch updates within seconds.
  • Wear OS watches usually let you change the time in Settings > System > Date and Time, or through the companion app on your phone.
  • Fitbit watches sync time from your phone automatically, but you can also adjust it manually in the Fitbit app under device settings.
  • If your watch is set to sync automatically, changing the time on your paired phone is the fastest method across all brands.
  • Time zone changes usually update automatically when you travel, as long as your phone's location services are on.

How to change the time on an Apple Watch

Apple Watches do not have a manual time-setting option on the watch itself. Instead, the watch pulls the time from your paired iPhone automatically. To change the time, open the Settings app on your iPhone, tap General, then Date and Time. Toggle off "Set Automatically" if it is on, then tap the date and time fields to enter the time you want. Your Apple Watch will update within a few seconds.

If you want the time to update automatically based on your location, leave "Set Automatically" turned on. Your iPhone will update the time whenever you cross into a new time zone, and your watch will follow. This is the least hands-on approach and works well if you travel frequently.

How to change the time on a Wear OS smartwatch

Wear OS watches (including Samsung Galaxy Watch, Fossil, Garmin, and others) usually sync time automatically from your phone, but you can also change it on the watch itself. Swipe down from the top of the watch face to open the quick settings menu, then tap the gear icon to enter Settings. Look for System, then Date and Time. You should see an option to toggle automatic time sync on or off. If you turn it off, you can manually enter the time and time zone.

Alternatively, open the companion app on your phone — usually called Wear OS, Samsung Wearable, Fossil, or the watch brand's own app. Go to Settings or Device Settings, find Date and Time, and adjust it there. Changes made in the app usually sync to the watch within a minute. If you are traveling and your watch does not update automatically, turn off automatic sync, set the time manually, then turn automatic sync back on once you settle in.

How to change the time on a Fitbit smartwatch

Fitbit watches sync time automatically from your phone, so the fastest way to change the time is to adjust it on your phone first. Open the Fitbit app on your phone, tap your profile icon, select your device, and go to Device Settings. Look for Time Zone or Date and Time. You can change the time zone here, and the watch will update within a few minutes.

Some Fitbit models also let you change the time directly on the watch. Swipe down from the top of the watch face, tap Settings, then look for Time or Date and Time. Not all Fitbit models have this option, so if you do not see it, use the app instead. If you are in a new time zone and the watch does not update automatically, manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app and the watch will catch up.

What to do if your watch does not sync time automatically

If your watch is paired to your phone but the time is not updating automatically, first check that automatic time sync is turned on. On most watches, this is in Settings > System > Date and Time or a similar path. Make sure the toggle for "Automatic" or "Set Automatically" is on.

Next, check that your phone's Bluetooth is on and the watch is still connected. Unpair the watch and pair it again if the connection seems loose. If the watch still will not sync, restart both the watch and your phone. Hold the power button on your watch until it shuts down, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Restart your phone the same way. Once both devices are back on and reconnected, the time should sync.

If you have tried all of this and the watch still will not sync, you may need to reset the watch to factory settings and pair it again. This is a last resort, but it usually fixes persistent sync problems. Check your watch brand's support page for the exact reset steps, as they vary by model.

Time zone changes when you travel

Most smartwatches update the time zone automatically when you travel, as long as your phone's location services are on. Your phone detects the new time zone and sends that information to your watch. This usually happens within a few minutes of landing or crossing a border, though it can take longer in areas with weak cellular or GPS signal.

If your watch does not update automatically after traveling, manually change the time zone in your phone's date and time settings (or in the watch's companion app). Once you change it on your phone, the watch should sync within a few minutes. If you are staying in a new time zone for more than a few hours, it is worth waiting for the automatic update rather than changing it manually, since you will not have to change it back when you leave.

Why your watch might show the wrong time

A smartwatch shows the wrong time for a few common reasons. The most likely is that automatic time sync is turned off, either on the watch or in the companion app. Check both places and turn automatic sync back on if it is off.

A second reason is that your watch is not connected to your phone. If Bluetooth is off or the pairing has dropped, the watch will not receive time updates. Check that Bluetooth is on and the watch appears in your phone's list of paired devices. If it does not, unpair and re-pair the watch.

A third reason is that your phone's time is wrong. If your phone is set to the wrong time or time zone, your watch will copy that error. Fix the time on your phone first, then let the watch sync.

Finally, if your watch battery died completely, it may have reset the time to a default (often 12:00 or 1:00). Charge the watch fully, then let it sync to your phone. If it still shows the wrong time after syncing, try restarting both devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the time on my smartwatch without my phone?

Most Wear OS and Fitbit watches let you change the time directly on the watch through the Settings menu, even if your phone is not nearby. Apple Watches cannot change the time without an iPhone — the time is locked to your paired phone. If you need to change the time on an Apple Watch, you must have access to the paired iPhone.

Why does my smartwatch time keep drifting?

Smartwatch clocks are less precise than phone clocks and can drift by a few seconds over weeks or months. This is normal. If the drift is more than a minute, turn off automatic sync, set the time manually, then turn automatic sync back on. If it keeps drifting after that, your watch may need a software update — check your companion app for available updates.

Does changing the time on my smartwatch affect my phone?

No. Changing the time on your smartwatch does not change the time on your phone. However, if automatic sync is on, changing the time on your phone will change the time on your watch. The sync goes one direction: from phone to watch.

What happens to my smartwatch time during daylight saving time?

If automatic time sync is on, your watch will update automatically when daylight saving time begins or ends, just like your phone does. You do not need to do anything. If automatic sync is off, you will need to manually change the time when the clock change happens in your region.

Can I set a different time zone on my smartwatch than my phone?

Most smartwatches will not let you set a different time zone than your phone — they are designed to stay in sync. If you need to see a different time zone, check whether your watch has a world clock or second time zone feature in the watch face settings. Some watch faces let you display multiple time zones at once.