Change the time display in YouTube TV settings

YouTube TV shows the current time in the top right corner of your screen, and you can change whether it displays in 12-hour or 24-hour format. The setting lives in your account preferences, not in the app itself. Open YouTube TV on any device, click your profile icon in the top right, select Settings, then look for Time format under the General section. Choose either 12-hour (showing times like 3:45 PM) or 24-hour format (showing 15:45), then save your change.

This setting applies across all your devices — phone, tablet, computer, and TV — as long as you are signed into the same YouTube account. If you switch devices and the time format looks different, you are likely signed into a different account. The change takes effect when ready; you do not need to restart the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Time format changes happen in your YouTube TV account Settings under the General section, not in device settings.
  • You can choose between 12-hour format (3:45 PM) and 24-hour format (15:45) to match your preference.
  • The time format you select applies to all devices where you are signed into that YouTube account.
  • The change takes effect right away without requiring you to close and reopen the app.

Where to find the time format setting on different devices

On a computer or phone browser, sign into YouTube TV, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings. Scroll down to the General section and you will see Time format listed there with two radio buttons for your choice.

On the YouTube TV app for phones and tablets, the process is the same: tap your profile icon, go to Settings, find General, and select your preferred time format. On a smart TV or streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast), navigate to your profile using the remote, open Settings, and look for Time format in the General menu. The exact button names and menu order are the same across all platforms.

Understanding 12-hour versus 24-hour time format

12-hour format is the standard in the United States and several other countries. It shows times from 12:00 AM (midnight) through 11:59 AM, then 12:00 PM (noon) through 11:59 PM. You see AM or PM after the time to show which half of the day it is. Most people in North America are familiar with this format.

24-hour format, also called military time, runs from 00:00 (midnight) through 23:59 (one minute before midnight). There is no AM or PM label because the hour number itself tells you the time of day. For example, 13:00 is 1:00 PM, 18:30 is 6:30 PM, and 22:45 is 10:45 PM. This format is standard in Europe, Asia, and many other regions, and some people prefer it because it removes any chance of confusing morning and evening times.

What happens if you do not see the time format option

If you cannot find the time format setting, you may be looking in the wrong section of Settings. Make sure you are in the General section, not Notifications, Devices, or another submenu. If General is there but time format is missing, try signing out of YouTube TV completely and signing back in. Sometimes the setting does not load until you refresh your session.

On some older smart TV apps or streaming devices, the time format setting may not be available. In that case, YouTube TV will use the time format set on the device itself. Check your TV or streaming device's system settings to change the time display there instead. If you are using a very old version of the YouTube TV app, updating it from your device's app store may add the time format option.

The time shown is still wrong after changing the setting

If you changed the time format but the clock still shows the wrong time of day, the problem is your device's system clock, not YouTube TV. YouTube TV pulls the time from your device, so if your phone, computer, or TV has the wrong time set, YouTube TV will show the wrong time too. Check your device's date and time settings and correct them there.

On a phone or computer, go to Settings and look for Date & Time. Make sure the time is set correctly and that Set automatically or Automatic time zone is turned on. On a smart TV, the same setting is usually in System Settings or Device Settings. Once your device shows the correct time, YouTube TV will too.

Changing the time zone for your YouTube TV account

The time format setting only changes how the time looks (12-hour versus 24-hour). If you need to change your actual time zone — for example, if you moved to a different state or country — that setting is separate. Go to your YouTube TV Settings, find General, and look for Time zone. Select your current location from the list and save.

Changing your time zone affects when live TV programs are scheduled and when recordings happen. If you set your time zone incorrectly, your recordings may happen at the wrong time or you may see program listings for a different part of the country. Make sure your time zone matches where you actually are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the time format affect when my recordings happen?

No. The time format is only how the time looks on your screen — 12-hour or 24-hour. Your recordings are scheduled based on your time zone, not the format you chose. If you want to change when recordings happen, you need to change your time zone setting, not the time format.

Will the time format change on my TV if I change it on my phone?

Yes, as long as both devices are signed into the same YouTube account. The time format setting is tied to your account, not to individual devices. If your TV shows a different format, you are probably signed into a different YouTube account on that TV.

What if I want 12-hour format on one device and 24-hour on another?

You cannot set different formats for different devices on the same account. The time format applies to your entire account across all devices. If you need different formats, you would need to use separate YouTube accounts on each device, though this is not practical for most people.

Can I change the time format on my smart TV remote?

No, the remote does not have a direct button for this. You navigate to the time format setting through the YouTube TV app menu using your remote. Open your profile, go to Settings, find General, and use the remote to select your preferred format.