Most smartwatches set the time automatically, but you can adjust it manually through the watch itself

When you first turn on a smartwatch, it usually syncs the time from your phone or from the internet if it has cellular or Wi-Fi. But if you need to change the time without a phone nearby — or if your watch is not synced to one — you can do it directly on the watch using its settings menu. The exact steps depend on which operating system your watch runs: Wear OS (Google), watchOS (Apple), Tizen (Samsung), or Fitbit OS.

The process takes two to five minutes and requires only the watch itself. You will navigate to Settings, find the Date & Time option, and either toggle automatic time off or manually enter the correct time. Some watches let you adjust time by swiping; others use a digital dial or number pad.

Key Takeaways

  • Wear OS watches let you turn off automatic time in Settings > System > Date & Time, then tap the time to edit it manually.
  • Apple Watch users can adjust time in Settings > General > Date & Time by toggling off Set Automatically, then tapping the time field.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch owners go to Settings > General > Date & Time and can manually set hours and minutes using the rotating bezel or touchscreen.
  • Fitbit watches typically sync time automatically and do not offer manual time adjustment through the watch itself — you must use the Fitbit app on a phone or computer.
  • If your watch has no phone connection and no manual time setting, it will keep whatever time it last synced until you reconnect it.

Setting time on Wear OS smartwatches

Wear OS watches (made by brands like Fossil, Mobvoi, and others) store time settings in the System menu. Swipe down from the top of the watch face to open the notification panel, then swipe up to reveal the full menu. Tap the gear icon to enter Settings.

Once in Settings, scroll down and tap System. Look for Date & Time and tap it. You will see a toggle for "Set automatically" — turn this off. Below that, you will see the current time displayed. Tap on the time itself to edit it. A number pad or dial will appear; use it to set the hours and minutes to the correct time, then confirm your entry. The watch will save the change when ready.

If your Wear OS watch has a physical button, you may also be able to access Settings by pressing and holding the button on the side of the watch, depending on the model.

Setting time on Apple Watch

Apple Watch does not display a traditional settings menu on the watch face itself. Instead, you must use the Apple Watch app on a paired iPhone to change the time. However, if you do not have your phone with you, you can still adjust the time directly on the watch using Siri.

Press and hold the Digital Crown (the round button on the side) to set up Siri. Say "Set the time to [time]" — for example, "Set the time to 3:45 PM." Siri will confirm the change and explore it. This method works even if the watch is not connected to your phone at that moment.

Alternatively, if you have access to a computer with macOS, you can connect your Apple Watch to that computer via the Watch app and adjust the time there. But the Siri method is the fastest when you are away from both your phone and a computer.

Setting time on Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung Galaxy Watch models (including Galaxy Watch 4, 5, and 6) have a dedicated Settings app accessible directly from the watch. Swipe down from the top of the watch face to open the quick settings panel. Scroll down and tap Settings (the gear icon).

In Settings, scroll to General and tap it. Look for Date & Time and tap to open it. You will see a toggle for "Automatic date and time" — turn this off. Once disabled, the time fields become editable. Tap on the hour field and use the rotating bezel (the ring around the watch) or the touchscreen to scroll to the correct hour. Tap the minute field and adjust it the same way. Confirm your changes and exit Settings.

Some older Galaxy Watch models may label this setting as "Set date and time" instead of "Automatic date and time," but the process is the same.

Setting time on Fitbit smartwatches

Fitbit watches do not offer a manual time-setting option on the watch itself. The time syncs automatically from your phone or from Fitbit's servers when the watch connects to the internet. If your Fitbit is showing the wrong time, the issue is usually that it has not synced recently.

To correct the time, open the Fitbit app on your phone, go to your device settings, and look for a "Sync Now" option. This forces an when ready sync and updates the time. If you do not have your phone available, you will need to wait until the watch reconnects to a phone or Wi-Fi network on its own.

If you need to set the time on a Fitbit without a phone, your only option is to use the Fitbit web dashboard on a computer. Log in to your Fitbit account, navigate to device settings, and check whether a manual time adjustment is available there — though most Fitbit models do not offer this feature.

What to do if your watch will not let you change the time

If your watch is locked to automatic time sync and you cannot find a manual override, the watch may require a phone connection to change any settings. This is common on budget smartwatches and some fitness trackers that rely entirely on phone syncing.

In this case, you have two options: connect the watch to a phone (even if it is not your own) and use that phone's companion app to adjust the time, or wait until the watch syncs with a phone or Wi-Fi network on its own. Some watches will also reset their time if you restart them — hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the watch powers off, then turn it back on.

If the watch is stuck on a time that is hours or days off, a full restart is often faster than waiting for a sync. Check your watch's manual or the manufacturer's support page for the exact restart procedure, as it varies by model.

Why your smartwatch time might be wrong in the first place

Smartwatches lose time accuracy when they are not synced to a phone or network for extended periods. Unlike phones, most smartwatches do not have a built-in GPS or cellular connection that keeps them constantly updated. They rely on periodic syncs to correct any drift in their internal clock.

If you travel across time zones without your phone, your watch will keep the old time until it syncs again. Similarly, if your watch has been turned off or in airplane mode, it will not update automatically. Once you reconnect it to a phone or turn off airplane mode, it will sync within a few minutes.

Daylight saving time changes can also cause confusion — some watches update automatically, while others do not, depending on whether they are synced at the moment the change occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set the time on my smartwatch if it is not paired to a phone?

Yes, if your watch runs Wear OS, watchOS, or Tizen — you can access the time settings directly on the watch without a phone. Fitbit watches cannot be adjusted without a phone or computer. If your watch is unpaired but was previously synced, it will keep the last time it received until you reconnect it or manually change it.

What happens if I set the time manually but then sync my phone?

When your watch syncs with your phone, it will overwrite your manual time setting with the time from your phone. If you need the watch to stay on a different time than your phone, you will need to turn off automatic syncing and keep it off. This is useful if you are traveling and want your watch on a different time zone than your phone.

Why does my smartwatch keep resetting the time to the wrong hour?

This usually means automatic time sync is still turned on, and your watch is syncing with a phone or network that has the wrong time set. Check the time on your phone first — if it is correct, restart your watch and let it sync again. If your phone time is wrong, correct that first, then sync your watch.

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

Most smartwatches follow the time zone of the phone they are paired with and do not allow independent time zone selection. However, if you manually set the time on your watch and turn off automatic syncing, you can keep it on any time you want. Just remember that turning automatic sync back on will override your manual setting.

Do all smartwatches have a manual time setting?

No. Wear OS, watchOS, and Tizen watches all have manual time options. Fitbit watches and some budget fitness trackers do not — they sync automatically and offer no way to adjust time on the watch itself. Check your watch's manual or support page to confirm whether manual time adjustment is available on your model.