The basic steps depend on your watch brand and operating system

Most smartwatches let you change the time through the watch itself, though the exact path varies. Some watches pull the time automatically from your phone or the internet, so you may need to turn off that sync first. Others let you adjust the time directly on the watch face using buttons or a touchscreen. The fastest way is usually to open the Settings app on your watch, find the Time or Date & Time option, and follow the prompts to set it manually.

If your watch syncs time automatically with your phone, changing the time on the watch alone won't stick—the watch will reset to match your phone's time the next time they connect. So if you need a permanent change, you'll either need to change your phone's time first, or disable the automatic sync on the watch.

Key Takeaways

  • Most smartwatches have a Settings app where you can find a Time or Date & Time menu to adjust the time manually.
  • If your watch syncs time automatically with your phone, you must turn off that sync before the manual change will stay.
  • Some watches use physical buttons to navigate menus, while others use a touchscreen—check your watch manual to find which controls work for yours.
  • If you can't find the time setting, restarting your watch often fixes sync issues and forces it to pull the correct time from your phone.

How to change time on Android Wear watches

Open the Settings app on your watch by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon. Scroll down and look for System or Date & Time. Tap it, then select Set Time or Adjust Time. You'll see options to set the hour and minute—use the plus and minus buttons or swipe to change each number, then confirm.

If you see an option called Automatic Time Zone or Use Network Time, make sure it's turned off. If it's on, your watch will override any manual change you make and reset to the time from your phone or network. After you turn it off, go back and set the time again.

How to change time on Apple Watch

Open the Settings app on your watch (the gear icon on the home screen). Scroll down and tap General, then Date & Time. You'll see a toggle for Set Automatically—turn it off. Once it's off, you can tap the time display and use the digital crown (the knob on the side) to scroll up or down and adjust the hours and minutes.

If you don't see the time adjustment option after turning off Set Automatically, restart your watch by holding the side button until you see the power-off slider, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds and hold the side button again to turn it back on. This often refreshes the settings menu.

How to change time on Wear OS 3 and Wear OS 4 watches

Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu. Tap the gear icon to enter Settings. Scroll to System, then tap Date & Time. Look for a toggle called Use Network Time or Automatic Time Zone and turn it off. Once disabled, tap Set Time and use the plus and minus buttons to adjust the hours and minutes to what you need.

Wear OS 3 and 4 watches sometimes take a moment to register the change, so after you set the time, back out of the menu and check the watch face to confirm the new time is showing. If it reverts to the old time within a few seconds, the automatic sync may still be on—go back to Date & Time and make sure every automatic option is disabled.

How to change time on Fitbit and Garmin watches

On Fitbit watches, open the Settings app on the watch itself. Navigate to System or About, then look for Date & Time. Tap it and toggle off any automatic time setting. Then select Set Time and adjust using the buttons or touchscreen. The exact menu names vary by Fitbit model, so check your watch's manual if you can't find Date & Time in the first few menus.

Garmin watches usually sync time through the Garmin Connect app on your phone rather than through the watch's own settings. If you need to change the time on a Garmin, open the Garmin Connect app, go to your device settings, and look for Time Zone or Time. Change it there, then sync your watch to your phone by opening the app and waiting for the connection to complete. The watch will pull the new time from the app.

What to do if the time won't stay changed

If you change the time and it resets a few seconds later, automatic time sync is still active. Go back to Settings, find Date & Time, and look for every option that mentions automatic, network, or sync. Turn them all off. Some watches hide these options under System Settings or Advanced Settings, so check those menus too.

If you've turned off all automatic options and the time still won't stick, restart your watch completely. Most smartwatches restart by holding a button (usually the power button or side button) for 10 to 15 seconds until you see a restart or power-off menu. After the restart, set the time again. If it still reverts, your watch may have a software issue—check the manufacturer's website for a firmware update or contact their support.

Why your smartwatch time might be wrong in the first place

Smartwatches usually pull time from your phone or from a network signal. If your watch is showing the wrong time, the most common cause is that automatic sync is on but your phone's time is wrong. Check your phone's time first—if it's correct and your watch is still wrong, turn off automatic sync on the watch and set it manually.

Another reason is that your watch's time zone setting doesn't match where you actually are. If you traveled or your phone's location changed, your watch may have synced to a different time zone. Go to Date & Time settings and make sure the time zone is set to your current location. Some watches let you set this manually; others pull it automatically from your phone's location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to turn off automatic time sync to change the time manually?

Yes. If automatic sync is on, your watch will override any manual time change within seconds and reset to match your phone or network time. You must turn off the automatic option first, then set the time, or the change won't stay.

Will changing the time on my smartwatch affect my phone's time?

No. Changing the time on your watch only affects the watch. Your phone's time stays the same. However, if automatic sync is on, your watch will reset to match your phone's time the next time they connect.

What if my smartwatch doesn't have a Settings app?

Older or simpler smartwatches may not have a full Settings menu. Check your watch's manual for the specific buttons or gestures to access time settings. Some older models require you to change the time through a companion app on your phone instead of on the watch itself.

Can I change the time format from 12-hour to 24-hour?

Most smartwatches let you change the time format in Settings under Date & Time or Display. Look for an option called Time Format or 12/24 Hour, then select your preference. The change usually takes effect when ready on the watch face.

Why does my watch show the wrong time after I travel to a new time zone?

Your watch is syncing to the time zone from your phone. When you travel, your phone's time zone updates automatically (if location services are on), and your watch syncs to it. If your watch is showing the wrong time, check that your phone's time zone is correct for your current location.