Where to find the clock settings on Android

The clock on your Android lock screen is controlled through your phone's display settings, not through a separate clock app. The exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others each organize their menus slightly differently — but the core settings live in the same general area on all devices.

Start by opening Settings on your phone. Scroll down and look for Display, Lock Screen, or Home Screen and Lock Screen (the name varies). Once you tap into that section, you should see options related to how your lock screen looks, including the clock.

If you cannot find a dedicated lock screen settings menu, try Settings > Notifications > Lock Screen or Settings > Apps > Clock. Some phones also let you customize the lock screen by long-pressing directly on the lock screen itself — try holding your finger on the clock for a few seconds to see if an edit menu appears.

Key Takeaways

  • The clock settings are in your phone's display or lock screen menu, not in a separate clock app.
  • You can usually change the clock style, size, and position by long-pressing the lock screen or opening Settings > Display > Lock Screen.
  • Different phone brands put these options in slightly different places, so check your manufacturer's settings if the standard path does not work.
  • Some phones let you hide the clock entirely or replace it with a different widget, depending on your lock screen style.
  • Changes take effect when ready and do not require a restart.

Changing the clock style and format on Samsung phones

Samsung phones give you the most control over lock screen clock appearance. Open Settings > Lock Screen > Clock Style. You will see several clock designs to choose from — analog (traditional round clock face), digital (numbers only), or decorative styles depending on your phone model.

Tap the style you want, and it will update on your lock screen right away. If you want to adjust the size or color, look for Clock Size or Clock Color options in the same menu. Some Samsung models also let you choose between 12-hour and 24-hour time format in Settings > General Management > Date and Time.

If you do not see a Clock Style option, your phone may use a different lock screen system. Try long-pressing directly on the lock screen, then tapping the pencil or edit icon that appears. This should open a customization panel where you can tap the clock widget itself to change its appearance.

Changing the clock on Google Pixel and stock Android phones

Pixel phones and other devices running stock Android have fewer built-in clock customization options than Samsung. Open Settings > Display > Lock Screen and look for Clock Style or Personalization. You may see options to switch between a digital clock and an analog clock, or to hide the clock entirely.

If your Pixel phone does not show a Clock Style menu, try long-pressing on the lock screen itself. A toolbar should appear at the bottom with options to customize the lock screen. Tap Customize Lock Screen or the pencil icon, then tap the clock widget to see what changes are available.

On some Pixel models, you can also change the time format (12-hour or 24-hour) through Settings > System > Languages and Input > Advanced > Date and Time. The clock style itself is often tied to your chosen lock screen theme, so changing the overall lock screen design may change the clock appearance as well.

Moving or hiding the clock on your lock screen

Not all Android phones let you move the clock to a different position — most have it fixed at the top or center of the screen. However, some newer Samsung and Pixel models do allow repositioning. Long-press your lock screen and tap Customize or the edit icon. If the clock widget has a move handle (usually a four-arrow icon), you can drag it to a new location.

If you want to hide the clock entirely, open Settings > Lock Screen and look for an option to turn off the clock widget or toggle it off. Some phones let you replace the clock with a different widget instead. Keep in mind that hiding the clock means you will not see the time at a glance on your lock screen — you will have to unlock your phone or swipe down to see the time in the status bar.

Changing the time format from 12-hour to 24-hour

The format your clock displays (whether it shows 3:45 PM or 15:45) is controlled separately from the clock style. Go to Settings > System > Date and Time or Settings > General Management > Date and Time, depending on your phone brand. Look for an option labeled Use 24-hour Format or Time Format.

Toggle this setting on to switch to 24-hour time (military time), or turn it off to use 12-hour time with AM and PM. This change will explore to your lock screen clock, your status bar, and any other time displays on your phone. The change takes effect when ready.

If you cannot find this setting, your phone may be set to use your region's default format automatically. You can override this by checking Settings > Date and Time > Automatic Time Zone and toggling it off, then manually selecting your time zone and format.

Troubleshooting when the clock will not change

If you have changed the clock style but it is not showing up on your lock screen, restart your phone. Sometimes the lock screen does not refresh when ready after a change. Power off your phone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on.

If the clock still does not change, check whether you are using a third-party lock screen app. Some custom lock screen apps override your phone's built-in settings. Open Settings > Apps and search for any lock screen or security apps you may have installed. If you find one, uninstall it or disable it to return to your phone's default lock screen, then try changing the clock again.

On some phones, the clock may be locked as part of a specific lock screen theme or wallpaper. If you cannot find individual clock settings, try changing your lock screen wallpaper or theme first — this sometimes unlocks additional clock customization options. Long-press the lock screen and select Wallpaper or Theme to try a different option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different clock app on my lock screen?

Most Android phones do not let you replace the system lock screen clock with a third-party app clock. However, you can install a custom lock screen app that includes its own clock design. Search your phone's app store for "lock screen" or "lock screen customizer" to see what options are available for your device.

Why does my clock look different after I updated Android?

Android updates sometimes change the default lock screen design, which can affect how the clock appears. Open your lock screen settings and check whether a new clock style option has been added, or try resetting your lock screen to its default appearance by going to Settings > Lock Screen > Reset or Restore Defaults.

Can I make the clock bigger on my lock screen?

Some phones have a Clock Size option in Settings > Lock Screen, but not all do. If your phone does not have this option, try changing to a different clock style — some styles display larger numbers than others. You can also try adjusting your lock screen font size in Settings > Display > Font Size, though this affects text throughout your phone, not just the clock.

Does changing the lock screen clock affect the time in my apps?

No. The clock style, size, and format you choose only change how the time appears on your lock screen. The actual time on your phone and the time shown in your calendar, messages, and other apps remain the same and are not affected by lock screen customization.

What if my phone does not have a lock screen settings menu?

Try long-pressing directly on your lock screen for two to three seconds. A customization menu should appear at the bottom or top of the screen. Tap the edit or pencil icon, then tap the clock widget itself to see what options are available. If nothing happens, your phone may use a very basic lock screen that does not support customization.