The basic steps for setting time on most smartwatches

Most smartwatches set the time automatically when you pair them with your phone, so you may not need to do anything at all. If your watch shows the wrong time, the fastest fix is usually to unpair it from your phone, restart both devices, and pair them again—this forces a fresh time sync. If that does not work, or if your watch is not paired to a phone, you can set the time manually through the watch's settings menu.

The exact steps depend on your watch's operating system. Wear OS watches (made by Google), watchOS (Apple Watch), and Tizen (Samsung) each have slightly different menu layouts, but the principle is the same: open Settings, find Date & Time, and adjust manually if needed. This takes about two minutes once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Most smartwatches sync time automatically from your phone when paired, so manual setting is rarely necessary.
  • If the time is wrong, unpairing and re-pairing your watch to your phone usually fixes it without manual adjustment.
  • Manual time setting is found in the Settings menu under Date & Time or similar, and the exact path varies by watch brand.
  • Daylight saving time changes happen automatically on paired watches, but unpaired watches may need manual adjustment twice a year.
  • If your watch has no phone connection and no manual time option, you may need to use the watch's companion app on a computer or tablet.

Setting time on a Wear OS smartwatch

Wear OS watches (including models from Fossil, Mobvoi, and others) usually sync time from your phone automatically. To check or change the time manually, swipe down from the top of the watch face to open the quick settings panel, then tap the gear icon to enter Settings.

Once in Settings, scroll down and tap System, then Date & Time. You will see a toggle for Automatic date & time—if it is on, the watch is syncing from your phone and you should not need to change anything. If it is off, toggle it on. If you need to set the time manually for some reason, turn the toggle off first, then tap the time display to edit the hours and minutes. Use the plus and minus buttons or swipe to adjust, then tap the checkmark to save.

Setting time on an Apple Watch

Apple Watches paired to an iPhone sync time automatically and do not have a manual time-setting option in the watch itself—the time is controlled entirely by your phone. If your Apple Watch shows the wrong time, the issue is almost always that your iPhone's time is wrong, or the watch has not synced yet.

To fix this, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to General > Date & Time, and make sure Set Automatically is turned on. Then restart both your iPhone and your watch by holding the side button until you see the power-off screen, sliding to power off, waiting 10 seconds, and holding the side button again until the Apple logo appears. Once both devices restart, they will sync within a few seconds.

Setting time on a Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung Galaxy Watches running Tizen sync time from your phone when paired. To check the time settings, swipe down from the top of the watch face, tap the gear icon for Settings, then scroll to System and tap Date and Time.

You will see an Automatic toggle—if it is on, your watch is syncing from your phone and the time should be correct. If the toggle is off, turn it on. To set the time manually, turn the toggle off first, then tap the time display. Use the rotating bezel (the ring around the edge) or the up and down buttons to adjust hours and minutes, then press the back button to save. The watch will also ask whether you want to set the time zone automatically or manually.

What to do if automatic sync is not working

If your watch is paired to your phone but still shows the wrong time, the pairing connection may be stale. Unpair the watch completely, restart both devices, and pair them again from scratch. On most watches, go to Settings > Bluetooth or Connected Devices, find your phone in the list, and tap the X or Forget option. Then on your phone, open the watch's companion app (Galaxy Wearable, Wear OS, or Watch app) and follow the pairing steps as if it were the first time.

This process usually takes five to ten minutes and forces a fresh time sync. If the time is still wrong after re-pairing, check your phone's time first—your watch can only sync to whatever time your phone is showing. If your phone's time is correct but your watch is still wrong, the watch may have a hardware issue and you should contact the manufacturer.

Setting time on a smartwatch without a phone connection

If your watch is not paired to a phone and has no cellular connection, you will need to set the time manually through the watch's settings menu. The steps are the same as described above for your specific watch type—navigate to Settings > Date & Time and adjust the time manually. Some watches also let you set the time through their companion app on a computer or tablet if the watch supports Bluetooth pairing with those devices.

Unpaired watches will not automatically adjust for daylight saving time, so you will need to change the time twice a year when the clocks shift. Mark these dates on your calendar or set a phone reminder to check your watch's time on the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November (in the United States; dates vary by country).

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is trying to set the time manually when automatic sync is still turned on. If you change the time and it reverts to the wrong time a few seconds later, automatic sync is still active—go back to Date & Time settings and turn off the automatic toggle before making changes.

Another frequent issue is forgetting that your watch's time depends on your phone's time. If your watch shows the wrong time and you have already checked the watch's settings, open your phone's clock app and verify the phone's time is correct. If your phone's time is wrong, fix that first, then restart both devices to sync.

Do not assume a watch is broken if it shows the wrong time when ready after unboxing. New watches often ship with a default time and will correct themselves within seconds of pairing to your phone. Give the pairing process a full minute before assuming something is wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my smartwatch time keep changing back after I set it?

Your watch's automatic time sync is still turned on. Go to Settings > Date & Time and toggle off the automatic sync option before adjusting the time manually. If you turn automatic sync back on, the watch will override your manual setting and sync to your phone's time again.

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

Most smartwatches sync both time and time zone from your phone, so they will always match. Some watches let you set the time zone manually in the Date & Time settings, but this is uncommon and may cause confusion. It is usually better to keep your watch and phone in the same time zone.

What if my smartwatch does not have a Date & Time option in Settings?

Older or very basic smartwatches may not have manual time settings at all. Check your watch's instruction manual or the manufacturer's website for your specific model. You may be able to set the time through the companion app on your phone instead of directly on the watch.

Do I need to set the time manually when daylight saving time changes?

No, if your watch is paired to your phone. Your phone will update automatically (in most places), and your watch will sync to the new time within a few minutes. If your watch is not paired to a phone, you will need to adjust it manually twice a year.

Why is my smartwatch time off by one hour?

This usually means daylight saving time just changed and your watch has not synced yet. Restart your watch and phone to force a sync. If the time is still off and daylight saving time did not just change, check that your phone's time zone setting is correct—your watch inherits this from your phone.