The basic steps differ by brand, but most smartwatches let you set time through the watch itself or through a paired phone app
The fastest way to set time on your smartwatch depends on whether it syncs with your phone. If your watch is paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth, it usually pulls the correct time automatically — you may not need to do anything. If it does not sync, or if you want to set time manually, you can adjust it directly on the watch using its buttons or touchscreen, or through the companion app on your phone.
The exact steps vary by brand and model. Apple Watch, Wear OS watches (made by Samsung, Fossil, and others), and Fitbit each have their own process. This guide covers the main paths for each, plus what to do if your watch is not syncing time correctly.
Key Takeaways
- Most smartwatches sync time automatically when paired with a phone, so manual adjustment is often unnecessary.
- Apple Watch users adjust time through the iPhone's Watch app under General settings, not on the watch itself.
- Wear OS watches typically sync time automatically, but you can adjust it manually through the watch settings menu or the Wear OS app on your phone.
- If your watch shows the wrong time, unpair and re-pair it with your phone, or check that automatic time sync is turned on in settings.
- Some smartwatches allow you to set a second time zone for travel without changing the primary time.
How to set time on an Apple Watch
Apple Watch does not have a manual time-setting option on the watch itself. Instead, you adjust the time through your paired iPhone. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the General tab at the bottom, then scroll down and tap Date & Time. From there, toggle on Set Automatically if it is not already on — this syncs your watch to your phone's time.
If you want to set a different time zone for travel, you can do that in the same menu. Tap Time Zone and choose your destination. The watch will display the new time once you confirm. When you return home, switch the time zone back or turn Set Automatically back on to sync with your iPhone's time.
How to set time on a Wear OS smartwatch
Wear OS watches (including Samsung Galaxy Watch, Fossil, and Mobvoi models) usually sync time automatically when paired with an Android phone. If the time is wrong, the fastest fix is to unpair the watch from your phone and pair it again — this forces a fresh sync. To unpair, open the Wear OS app on your phone, tap Advanced Settings, then Unpair. Wait a few seconds, then pair the watch again by opening Bluetooth settings on your phone and selecting the watch.
If you want to set time manually on the watch itself, swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings, tap Settings, then scroll to System and tap Date & Time. Toggle off Automatic if it is on, then tap Set Time and adjust using the + and − buttons. You can also set a second time zone here if you travel frequently — tap Time Zone and choose from the list.
How to set time on a Fitbit smartwatch
Fitbit watches sync time automatically when paired with your phone via the Fitbit app. If the time is incorrect, open the Fitbit app on your phone, tap your profile picture, select your device, and look for a Time Zone or Date & Time setting. Change it to your current location and save. The watch should update within a few seconds.
Some Fitbit models allow manual adjustment on the watch. Swipe down from the top to access the menu, find Settings, then look for Time or Date & Time. If the option appears, you can adjust it with the watch buttons. If it does not appear, your model syncs time only through the app, and you will need to use the Fitbit app to change it.
What to do if your smartwatch time is wrong
If your watch shows the wrong time even though it is paired with your phone, the first step is to check that automatic time sync is turned on. For Apple Watch, open the Watch app and confirm Set Automatically is toggled on. For Wear OS, go to Settings > System > Date & Time and check that Automatic is on. For Fitbit, open the Fitbit app and verify the time zone is correct.
If automatic sync is on but the time is still wrong, unpair the watch from your phone completely and pair it again. This forces the watch to pull a fresh time signal from your phone. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on and re-pair the watch through your phone's Bluetooth settings or the watch's companion app. The time should correct itself once the pairing is complete.
If the time still does not sync after re-pairing, restart both your phone and your watch. Restart your phone normally, then restart your watch by holding its power button until you see a shutdown screen (this takes 10 to 15 seconds on most models). Turn the watch back on and re-pair it. If the problem persists, the watch may have a hardware issue and you should contact the manufacturer's support team.
Setting a second time zone for travel
Many smartwatches let you display a second time zone without changing your primary time. This is useful if you travel frequently or work across time zones. On Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Clock, and tap Edit. Tap the + button to add a new city, search for your destination, and confirm. The watch will show both times in the Clock app.
On Wear OS watches, open Settings on the watch, go to System > Date & Time, and look for an option to add a second time zone (the exact wording varies by manufacturer). Select the city or time zone you want to add. On Fitbit, this feature is not available on most models — you would need to change your primary time zone through the Fitbit app instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my smartwatch show a different time than my phone?
This usually means automatic time sync is turned off or the watch is not paired correctly. Check that the watch is still connected to your phone via Bluetooth — if the connection dropped, the watch stops updating. Turn Bluetooth off and back on, or unpair and re-pair the watch. If both devices are synced and the times still differ, your phone's time may be set incorrectly, so check your phone's date and time settings.
Can I set time on my smartwatch without a phone?
Most smartwatches require a phone to set time initially because they sync automatically. However, some Wear OS watches allow manual time adjustment directly on the watch through the Settings menu. Apple Watch and Fitbit do not offer this option — they rely entirely on phone sync. If your watch is not paired with a phone, you may not be able to set the time.
Does my smartwatch automatically adjust for daylight saving time?
Yes, if automatic time sync is on. Your watch pulls the correct time from your phone, which automatically adjusts for daylight saving time based on your location and time zone settings. You do not need to manually change anything. If you travel to a location that does not observe daylight saving time, your watch will adjust correctly as long as you update your time zone.
What if my smartwatch keeps losing the correct time?
This usually means the watch is not staying paired with your phone. Check that Bluetooth is on and the watch is within range of your phone. If the watch keeps disconnecting, restart both devices and re-pair them. If the problem continues, the watch battery may be low — charge it fully and try again. If it still does not hold the time, contact the manufacturer, as the watch may have a battery or hardware problem.