Set the time directly on your smartwatch using the buttons and menu
Most smartwatches let you adjust the time through the device itself, without opening a companion app on your phone. The exact steps depend on your watch's operating system — whether it runs Wear OS, watchOS, Tizen, or another platform — but the general path is the same: open the Settings menu on the watch face, find the Date & Time option, and change the hours and minutes manually.
This method works best when you need a quick adjustment, such as when traveling across time zones or when your watch drifts slightly ahead or behind. It also helps if you do not have your phone nearby or if the app is not installed yet.
Key Takeaways
- Most smartwatches have a Settings menu accessible from the watch face that includes a Date & Time option for manual time adjustment.
- Wear OS watches typically require you to swipe down from the top, tap Settings, scroll to System, then select Date & Time to change the time.
- Apple Watch users access Settings by swiping up from the bottom of the watch face, then navigate to General and Date & Time.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch owners usually find the Settings app in the app menu and can adjust time under General or System settings depending on the model.
- If automatic time sync is turned on, your manual changes may revert when the watch reconnects to your phone or the internet.
How to set time on a Wear OS smartwatch
Wear OS is Google's operating system for smartwatches, found on devices from brands like Fossil, Mobvoi, and others. Start by swiping down from the top of the watch face with your finger. This opens a menu with quick settings and notifications.
Tap the Settings icon (usually a gear symbol) at the bottom of this menu. Once inside Settings, scroll down until you see "System" or "Advanced" — the exact label varies by watch model. Tap System, then look for "Date & Time" or "Time." Tap it to open the time adjustment screen. You will see fields for hours and minutes. Tap each field and use the plus and minus buttons or the rotating bezel (if your watch has one) to change the numbers. When finished, tap the checkmark or back button to save.
How to set time on an Apple Watch
Apple Watch does not have a traditional Settings app on the watch face itself. Instead, you adjust the time through the Watch app on your paired iPhone. However, if you want to make a quick adjustment directly on the watch, you can access limited time controls by swiping up from the bottom of the watch face to open Control Center, though full date and time settings require the iPhone app.
For the most reliable method, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the "Clock" tab at the bottom, then select "Time Zone" or scroll to find time-related settings. You can also go to the Watch app's main menu, tap "General," then "Date & Time" to adjust the time there. Changes made in the iPhone app sync to your watch within seconds.
How to set time on a Samsung Galaxy Watch
Samsung Galaxy Watch models (including Galaxy Watch 4, 5, and 6) have Settings built into the watch itself. From the watch face, swipe down from the top to access the quick settings panel, or press and hold the home button to open the full app menu. Look for the Settings app (gear icon) and tap it.
Once in Settings, scroll down and tap "General" or "System" depending on your model year. Find "Date & Time" in that menu. Tap it to open the adjustment screen. You will see separate fields for the date and time. Tap the time field and use the up and down arrows or your watch's rotating bezel to change the hours and minutes. Confirm your changes by tapping the checkmark or pressing the back button.
Turn off automatic time sync if your changes keep reverting
Many smartwatches are set to sync time automatically with your phone or the internet. If you manually change the time and it reverts back within a few minutes, automatic sync is likely turned on. To keep your manual adjustment, you need to disable this feature.
On Wear OS watches, go to Settings > System > Date & Time and look for a toggle labeled "Automatic date & time" or "Use network-provided time." Turn it off. On Samsung Galaxy Watch, the same toggle appears in Settings > General > Date & Time. On Apple Watch, automatic time sync is managed through the iPhone app under Watch > General > Date & Time — toggle off "Set Automatically" if you want manual control. Keep in mind that turning off automatic sync means you will need to adjust the time manually if it drifts or if you travel to a different time zone.
Adjust time using your watch's physical buttons or bezel
If your smartwatch has physical buttons on the side or a rotating bezel around the edge, you can often use these to navigate and adjust the time without touching the screen. This is especially useful if the screen is wet or if you prefer tactile controls.
On watches with a rotating bezel (common on Samsung Galaxy Watch and some Wear OS models), rotate the bezel to scroll through menu options and tap the center button to select. Once you reach the time adjustment screen, rotate the bezel to increase or decrease the hours and minutes. On watches with side buttons, use the top button to navigate up and the bottom button to navigate down, then press the center or home button to confirm. The exact button layout varies by model, so check your watch's manual if the standard approach does not work.
What to do if you cannot find the time settings on your watch
Some older smartwatch models or less common brands may have Settings in a different location or use different menu names. If you cannot find Date & Time after checking the main Settings menu, try these alternatives: look for a "System" submenu within Settings, search for "Clock" instead of "Date & Time," or check whether the watch requires you to adjust time through the companion app on your phone rather than on the device itself.
If your watch is very old or runs a proprietary operating system (not Wear OS, watchOS, or Tizen), the manual that came with it or the manufacturer's website will have the exact steps. You can also try a web search for your specific watch model and "how to set time" to find user guides or forum posts from other owners who have done it successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my smartwatch time keep changing back after I set it?
Your watch likely has automatic time sync turned on, which resets the time to match your phone or the internet. Go to Settings > Date & Time and turn off the automatic sync toggle. After that, your manual changes will stick until you change them again.
Can I set a different time zone on my smartwatch than my phone?
Most smartwatches sync their time zone with your phone automatically and do not allow a separate time zone setting on the watch itself. If you need a different time zone, you would need to change it on your phone, which will then update the watch. Some companion apps let you override this, but it is not a standard feature.
What if my smartwatch does not have a Settings app?
Older or simpler smartwatches may not have on-device settings. In that case, you must adjust the time through the companion app on your phone. Open the app, look for a Settings or Preferences section, and find the Date & Time option there. Changes made in the app will sync to your watch.
Does setting the time manually drain my smartwatch battery?
No. Adjusting the time through Settings uses a tiny amount of power, but it has no meaningful impact on battery life. The adjustment takes only a few seconds and does not trigger any background processes that would drain the battery.
Can I set the time on my smartwatch if it is not paired to a phone?
Yes, you can set the time directly on the watch through its Settings menu even if it is not paired or connected to a phone. However, if automatic time sync is enabled, the watch may not hold the time you set until it connects to a phone or the internet. Turning off automatic sync first will allow the time to stay as you set it.