The quickest way to turn on military time
Military time on your iPhone is a 24-hour clock format that runs from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 (11:59 p.m.). To turn it on, open Settings, tap General, then Date & Time. Toggle the switch next to 24-Hour Time to the on position. Your clock will switch when ready.
That single toggle controls the time display across your entire phone — the lock screen, home screen, status bar, and most apps that show the time. The change takes effect right away, and you can switch back to 12-hour format (with AM and PM) by toggling it off again.
Key Takeaways
- The 24-Hour Time toggle in Settings > General > Date & Time turns military time on or off for your entire phone.
- Military time runs from 00:00 to 23:59, so 1:00 p.m. becomes 13:00 and 11:00 p.m. becomes 23:00.
- Some third-party apps may not respect this setting and will continue showing 12-hour time regardless of your toggle.
- The change applies to your lock screen, home screen, and the status bar at the top of your screen when ready.
Where the 24-hour format shows up on your phone
Once you enable 24-hour time, it appears in the status bar at the top of your screen, on your lock screen, and in the Clock app. The time also updates in Control Center (swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones, or up from the bottom on older models) and in the Notification Center.
Calendar events, reminders, and alarms will also display in 24-hour format once you turn on the setting. If you set an alarm for 6:00 a.m., it will show as 06:00. A reminder set for 3:30 p.m. will display as 15:30.
What happens with third-party apps
Not every app on your phone respects the 24-hour time setting. Some messaging apps, social media platforms, and other third-party tools have their own time display settings that override your phone's system setting. If you notice an app still showing 12-hour time after you've turned on military time, that app may have its own preferences you need to change.
To check whether an app has its own time format setting, open the app and look for Settings or Preferences, usually found in a menu or gear icon. Search for "time format" or "24-hour" within that app's settings. Not all apps offer this option, and some may not support 24-hour time at all.
Switching back to 12-hour time
If you want to return to the standard 12-hour format with AM and PM labels, go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle 24-Hour Time to the off position. Your phone will revert to showing times like 1:30 PM and 11:45 AM across all system displays.
This change also takes effect when ready, and any alarms, reminders, or calendar events will switch back to 12-hour display. You can toggle between the two formats as often as you need without affecting any of your data or settings.
Military time conversion at a glance
| 12-Hour Format | 24-Hour Format (Military Time) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM (midnight) | 00:00 |
| 6:00 AM | 06:00 |
| 12:00 PM (noon) | 12:00 |
| 1:00 PM | 13:00 |
| 6:00 PM | 18:00 |
| 11:59 PM | 23:59 |
Why you might want military time
Military time removes confusion between morning and afternoon hours, especially useful if you work shifts, coordinate across time zones, or need to read schedules quickly without checking whether it's AM or PM. Many people in healthcare, transportation, aviation, and emergency services use 24-hour time as standard, so setting your personal phone to match can make it easier to read times at work and at home without switching mental gears.
Some people straightforward prefer the clarity of a 24-hour clock. Once you use it for a few days, reading 14:30 instead of 2:30 PM becomes automatic, and many find it faster to process at a glance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does military time change how my alarms work?
No. Your alarms will still go off at the same time; only the way the time is displayed changes. If you set an alarm for 6:00 a.m., it will ring at 6:00 a.m. whether your phone shows it as 06:00 or 6:00 AM. The underlying time stays the same — only the format on your screen changes.
Will military time affect my calendar or scheduled events?
Your events will not move or change. They will straightforward display in 24-hour format. A meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. will still happen at 2:00 p.m.; it will just show as 14:00 on your calendar and in notifications.
Can I use 24-hour time on just one app?
The system-wide toggle in Settings applies to all Apple apps and most system displays. Individual apps may have their own time format settings, but you cannot use 24-hour time in one app and 12-hour time in another through the main setting. You would need to change each app's individual preferences if it offers that option.
What if I don't see the 24-Hour Time toggle?
Make sure you are in Settings > General > Date & Time. If the toggle is not there, your iPhone may be set to a region that does not support the 24-hour format option. Check Settings > General > Language & Region and confirm your region is set correctly, then return to Date & Time.