Smartwatches are far from just devices that tell the time anymore. They measure our heart rate, show us our messages, analyze our sleep, and even track our stress levels. But even with all these advanced features, a smartwatch that gets its timing wrong—no matter how technologically advanced—loses much of its functionality.
So why does the time setting sometimes get messed up on smartwatches? And how can I fix it manually?
Time Setting Logic in Smart Watches
Unlike traditional watches, smartwatches don't have a manual "time conversion" process. This is because these devices get the time from the system clock of the phone they're connected to. So, if the time on your phone is incorrect, your smartwatch will also display it incorrectly. Therefore, the first step is always this: Check your phone's time settings, not your smartwatch's. If the time on your phone is correct but your smartwatch is still lagging, the problem is most likely a synchronization error or a delay in the automatic time update. In this case, it may be worth reviewing the connection between your smartwatch and your phone. In some cases, apps may need to be updated or the device may need to be restarted. The convenience and functionality of smartwatches are further enhanced by correct time settings.
Time Zone and GPS Effect
Some smartwatches (especially the Samsung Galaxy Watch, Apple Watch, Amazfit, and Huawei models) automatically update the time based on your location. This update generally requires two things: GPS or location services must be enabled, and the phone's region setting must be set to the country you're in. For example, if you live in Türkiye but your phone is set to a different region, such as "+2 GMT – Athens," your smartwatch may show the time one hour ahead or behind. This can affect your ability to accurately perceive time in daily life and cause you to be late for important meetings or appointments. It may be necessary to manually synchronize your smartwatch to your location, especially when traveling abroad or during summer and winter time changes. This will ensure you have the correct time for your current time zone.
Time Setting on Android-Based Smartwatches
Setting the time on Android smartwatches is typically done in the following steps: Connect your watch to your phone (via Wear OS or the brand's own app). Once connected, go to Settings → System → Date & Time on your phone. Here, enable the "Automatic date & time" and "Automatic time zone" options. If the error persists, turn off "Automatic" and select a manual time zone; then set the time manually.
On some models (e.g., Amazfit or Haylou), this setting can only be made via the mobile app. This means that you can't manually enter the time on the watch; you can do so in the app under "Device Settings > Time Sync." In these cases, using the mobile app is crucial and should be monitored carefully to ensure the time is set correctly.
How to Set Time on Apple Watch?
Setting the time on the Apple Watch is quite simple. The Apple Watch takes the iPhone's time information exactly. However, here's the difference: You can set an additional "time offset" on the Apple Watch. This setting is very useful if users want to set their clocks a few minutes ahead. The setup steps are quite simple. First, open the Watch app on iPhone. Then tap the "Time" tab. Here, you can change the "+0 minutes" field to set the clock a few minutes ahead. This feature is especially popular with users who like to arrive early for meetings. However, there's a point to keep in mind: This offset only affects the time on the screen; it doesn't affect alarms, notifications, or activity metrics. It's worth considering this when setting your watch.
Hidden Causes of Clock Setting Problems
Some users say, "I set the time, but it's still showing incorrectly." In these cases, the problem is usually software-related, not hardware. Smartwatches not working properly can be a frustrating experience for users. Here are the most common causes: The Bluetooth connection may be lost, which interrupts communication between the watch and phone. Furthermore, if the app is closed in the background, the watch won't be able to receive updated information. Another factor is that power-saving mode is active, which limits some of the watch's features. Finally, if the watch's firmware (software) is outdated, this can also lead to errors. A simple but effective solution is to unpair the watch and phone, then re-pair them. This resets the "time sync" protocol between the devices, eliminating the error. By following these simple steps, users can ensure their watch works correctly.
Update Your Clock According to the “Time Server”
As a pro tip, it's important to update your watches according to a "Time Server" to make them more accurate. Some advanced users, especially on Android Wear OS devices, prefer to update their time directly via NTP (Network Time Protocol). This method ensures that the device receives the correct time zone and improves the overall experience. To do this, a third-party app can connect the device to global time servers. For example, reliable sources like time.google.com or pool.ntp.org are recommended. These connections allow for accurate time synchronization. This method ensures millisecond-accurate time synchronization. This can be especially important for time-sensitive users like athletes and pilots. Because accurate time is critical for performance and security, such updates should be performed with caution.
Software Updates and Regional Differences
Some brands automatically disable daylight saving time in certain regions.
For example, since the summer/winter time application has been abolished in Türkiye since 2016, some global models may show Türkiye time one hour behind.
In this situation:
- “Automatic time zone” should be turned off,
- “GMT+3 Istanbul” must be selected manually.
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