The fastest way depends on your watch type
Most watches let you change the time through the watch itself, using buttons on the side or a touchscreen. Some smartwatches sync time automatically from your phone, so you change it there instead. A few watches need a computer connection. The method takes between 30 seconds and two minutes, depending on whether your watch updates on its own or requires manual steps.
Start by checking what kind of watch you have — a basic digital watch, a fitness tracker with a small screen, or a smartwatch with a full touchscreen. Each type has a different path to the time settings. If you are not sure which one you own, look at the manual that came with it, or search the brand name plus "how to set time" online to find the exact steps for your model.
Key Takeaways
- Most smartwatches pull the time automatically from your phone, so you change it by adjusting the time on your phone instead.
- Basic digital watches usually have a button you hold down to enter settings, then use side buttons to move through hours and minutes.
- Fitness trackers with small screens often require you to hold a button until a menu appears, then navigate with short presses.
- If your watch does not update automatically, check the manual or the brand's website for the exact button sequence, because it varies widely.
- Daylight saving time changes happen automatically on most smartwatches connected to your phone, but manual watches need adjustment each time.
Smartwatches that sync with your phone
If you own an Apple Watch, Wear OS watch, or Samsung Galaxy Watch, the time updates automatically from your phone. You do not change it on the watch itself. Instead, adjust the time on your phone, and the watch syncs within a few seconds.
On an iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then Date & Time. Turn on "Set Automatically" if it is off. On an Android phone, open Settings, scroll to System, then Date & Time, and toggle "Automatic date and time" on. Once your phone has the correct time, your watch will match it automatically — usually within seconds, though it can take a minute if the watch is not actively connected.
If your smartwatch shows the wrong time even after your phone is correct, restart the watch. Hold the power button until you see a power-off menu, then select restart. Wait for it to boot back up and reconnect to your phone. If it still shows the wrong time after that, unpair the watch from your phone and pair it again — this forces a fresh sync.
Basic digital watches with physical buttons
Most basic digital watches have two to four buttons on the sides. One button usually enters settings mode, and the others move through the hours and minutes. The exact sequence varies by brand, so check your manual if you have it.
The most common pattern is: hold the button labeled "Mode" or "Set" for two to three seconds until the hour digits start flashing. Then press the button labeled "+" or the right-side button to increase the hour. Once the hour is correct, press "Mode" again to move to the minutes, and use "+" to adjust those. Press "Mode" one more time to save and exit. If your watch has different button labels, the principle is the same — one button enters settings, another moves through the fields, and a third increases the value.
If you hold a button too long and the watch enters a different menu (like alarm settings or stopwatch), press the button labeled "Mode" repeatedly to cycle back to the time display, or hold it to exit settings entirely. Most watches return to the main screen after 30 seconds of no button presses.
Fitness trackers with small screens
Fitness trackers like Fitbit, Garmin, or basic step counters often have only one or two buttons. These usually sync time from your phone automatically, but some older models require manual adjustment.
If your tracker syncs automatically, the process is the same as smartwatches — change the time on your phone, and the tracker updates on its own. Check the app that came with your tracker (like the Fitbit app) to confirm automatic time sync is turned on. Look for a settings section labeled "Device Settings" or "Time Zone" and make sure "Automatic" or "Set Automatically" is enabled.
If your tracker does not sync automatically, hold the single button or the button labeled "Select" for three to five seconds. A menu should appear on the small screen. Press the button repeatedly to cycle through options until you see "Time" or "Settings." Once you find the time setting, use short presses to move between hours and minutes, and hold the button to increase the value. Save by pressing and holding again, or wait 30 seconds for the tracker to save automatically.
Watches that need a computer or app connection
Some older smartwatches and specialized sports watches require you to connect to a computer or use a dedicated app to change the time. This is less common now, but it still happens with certain brands.
If your watch manual says you need a computer, read the software or app from the manufacturer's website. Connect your watch to your computer using the cable that came with it, or open the app on your phone and look for a "Settings" or "Device Settings" section. Find the time or date option, change it, and save. The watch should update within a few seconds. If the connection fails, restart both the watch and your computer or phone, then try again.
What to do if the time keeps resetting
If you change the time but it reverts to the wrong time after a few seconds, your watch is likely syncing from your phone or the internet. Check that your phone has the correct time first. If your phone is correct and your watch still shows the wrong time, the watch may be set to a different time zone than your phone.
On a smartwatch, go to the watch settings through the companion app on your phone. Look for "Time Zone" and make sure it matches your actual location. On a basic digital watch, some models have a separate time zone setting — check your manual for how to access it. If you travel frequently, you may want to turn off automatic time sync on your smartwatch and set the time manually instead, so you can keep it on your home time zone while traveling.
If the time keeps jumping ahead or behind by an hour, daylight saving time may have just changed. Most smartwatches update automatically, but basic watches do not. You will need to manually adjust them when daylight saving time begins and ends in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my watch show a different time than my phone?
Your watch may be set to a different time zone, or it may not have synced yet. Check that both devices are set to the same time zone in their settings. If they are, restart your watch and wait a minute for it to reconnect to your phone. If the problem persists, unpair and repair the watch to force a fresh sync.
Can I change the time on my smartwatch without using my phone?
Most smartwatches require your phone to change the time, because they sync automatically. However, some allow manual adjustment through the watch settings menu. Open the watch settings app, look for "Date & Time," and see if there is a manual option. If not, you will need to adjust your phone's time instead.
What happens to my watch time when I travel to a different time zone?
Smartwatches update automatically when you travel, because they sync from your phone. Your phone will detect the new time zone and update both devices. If you want to keep your watch on your home time zone while traveling, turn off automatic time sync in the watch settings and set the time manually.
How often do I need to adjust the time on my watch?
Smartwatches and fitness trackers that sync automatically never need manual adjustment — they update whenever your phone does. Basic digital watches may lose or gain a few seconds per month, so you might adjust them every few months or when daylight saving time changes. Check your watch periodically to see if it has drifted.
My watch is stuck in a settings menu and I cannot get out. What do I do?
Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the watch turns off completely, then press it again to turn it back on. This forces a restart and exits any menu. If your watch does not have a power button, remove it from your wrist for five minutes — most watches power down after inactivity. Once it restarts, you can try changing the time again.