To change your phone time to military time, you need to switch your device's clock display from the 12-hour (AM/PM) format to the 24-hour format. This setting is available in the Date & Time settings on both iPhone and Android devices, and the process takes only a few seconds.
Change time to military time on iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap Date & Time.
- Toggle the 24-Hour Time switch to the on position.
This change applies system-wide, including in the status bar, lock screen, alarms, and calendar events.
Change time to military time on Android
Samsung Galaxy devices
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General management.
- Tap Date & time.
- Tap the toggle next to Use 24-hour format to enable it.
Other Android devices (Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus, etc.)
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap System. On Samsung Galaxy devices, this step might be "General management" instead of "System".
- Tap Date & time.
After enabling the 24-hour format, your phone will immediately show military time across all system interfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing to military time affect my apps?
No, changing the time format is a system-level display change. Most apps automatically respect your device's time format setting, though a few third-party apps with their own clock widgets may have separate settings you need to adjust manually. In rare cases, certain apps may not support or display military time correctly. If you notice that the time is displaying differently within specific apps, check their individual settings for time format options.
How do I switch back to the 12-hour format?
Simply return to the same Date & Time settings and toggle the 24-Hour Time (iPhone) or Use 24-hour format (Android) switch back to the off position. Your phone will immediately revert to showing AM and PM.
Does military time affect how I can change the time on a Fitbit without the app?
No, your phone's time format setting does not control your Fitbit's display. If you need to change the time on a Fitbit without the app, you must adjust it directly on the device itself or through the Fitbit app's device settings.
Will this change how I reset time and date on Fitbit?
No, the phone's time format is unrelated to Fitbit time settings. To reset time and date on Fitbit, you need to sync the device with the Fitbit app, which pulls the correct time from your phone's actual time and time zone, not its display format.
Why would I want military time on my phone?
Military time eliminates confusion between AM and PM, which is especially useful for scheduling across time zones, setting alarms for the correct part of the day, and working in fields like aviation, healthcare, or emergency services where precise time communication is critical.
Why is my military time not displaying correctly?
If you have changed your phone's time settings to military time, but the time is not updating correctly, try restarting your device. If you are in the correct time zone but the time is still displaying incorrectly, double-check your phone's location settings. Some phones have the option to automatically adjust the time based on your location. If this setting is enabled, your phone may be overriding the manual military time settings. Disable the automatic time zone adjustment feature and manually set the time to military time. Occasionally, software or firmware updates can cause conflicts or issues with time settings. If you recently updated your device's operating system and noticed a problem with the time, check for any available software updates. Some phones automatically adjust various settings, including the display of time, when in battery-saving mode. If you have enabled battery-saving mode and notice that the time is not displaying correctly, try disabling this mode temporarily. Your device relies on date and time synchronization to display accurate information. If the date and time settings are not synchronized correctly, it can result in the incorrect display of military time. Double-check your settings and ensure that the date, time, and time zone are accurately synchronized. If all else fails, you can try resetting your device's settings to default. Keep in mind that this will erase any customized settings and preferences you have, so make sure to back up important data before proceeding with a reset.
