How to Set Phone to Military Time

In today’s fast-paced world, staying organized and efficient is essential. One way to streamline your daily routine is by setting your phone to military time. Whether you’re in the military yourself or work in an industry that uses the 24-hour format, knowing how to change your phone’s clock can make a big difference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of setting your phone to military time for both Android and iOS devices.

Why Set Your Phone to Military Time?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of changing your phone’s clock format, let’s explore why you might want to make this adjustment. The 24-hour format, also known as military time, is a widely used international standard notation for keeping track of time. It eliminates any confusion that may arise from the AM/PM system and provides a more precise and universal way of representing time. Additionally, if you work in the military, healthcare, or any other field that relies on the 24-hour format, having your phone display time in this manner can help you stay in sync with your professional responsibilities.

How to Change Your Phone to Military Time

Now that we understand the benefits of using military time, let’s get into the specifics of how to make this adjustment on your Android or iOS device.

Changing the Clock Format on Android

If you’re an Android user, follow these simple steps to change your phone’s clock format to military time:

1. Open the app drawer on your Android device.
2. Locate and tap on the gear icon to launch the Settings app.
3. Scroll down and tap on “System.”
4. Look for and select “Date & time.”
5. Find the “Use 24-hour format” option and toggle the slider to the ON position.

Please note that depending on the make and model of your Android smartphone, the exact steps may vary slightly. Once you’ve completed these steps, your Android device will display time in the 24-hour format.

Changing the Clock Format on iOS

If you’re an iPhone user, changing your phone’s clock format to military time is just as straightforward. Here’s how:

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Look for and select “Date & Time.”
4. Locate the “24-Hour Time” option and toggle the slider to the ON position.

With these simple steps, your iOS device will now use the 24-hour time format.

Changing the Clock Format on Apple Watch

If you’re an Apple Watch user, you can also set your device to display time in the military format. Here’s how:

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the “My Watch” tab.
3. Find and tap on “Clock.”
4. Turn on the “24-Hour Time” option.

Once you’ve made this adjustment, your Apple Watch will display time in the 24-hour format.

Converting Military Time to Standard Time

Now that you’ve successfully set your phone to military time, you may find it useful to know how to convert the 24-hour format to the more familiar 12-hour format. It’s a simple process that involves subtracting 12 hours from the military time. Let’s say, for example, your phone’s clock reads 18:28 in military format. To convert it to the 12-hour format, subtract 12 hours, resulting in 6:28 PM.

Reverting to the Standard Clock Format

If you ever decide to switch back to the standard 12-hour clock format, don’t worry—it’s just as easy as changing to military time. Here’s how to revert the clock format on your Android, iPhone, or Apple Watch:

Reverting on Android

To switch back to the 12-hour clock format on your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Swipe the home screen to access the Quick Settings icons.
2. Tap on the gear icon to open your phone’s Settings.
3. Scroll down and tap on “System.”
4. Select “Date & time.”
5. Find the “Use 24-hour format” option and toggle the slider to the OFF position.

Reverting on iOS

To switch your iPhone back to the 12-hour clock format, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Look for and select “Date & Time.”
4. Locate the “24-Hour Time” option and toggle the slider to the OFF position.

Reverting on Apple Watch

To switch your Apple Watch back to the 12-hour clock format, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the “My Watch” tab.
3. Find and tap on “Clock.”
4. Turn off the “24-Hour Time” option.

With these simple steps, you can easily switch between military time and the standard 12-hour format whenever you need to.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Now that you know how to set your phone to military time, let’s explore some additional tips and tricks to enhance your experience:

Customizing the Clock Format on Android

On Android, you have the flexibility to customize the clock format further. For example, you can choose to display the time with or without leading zeros, or even include the seconds. To customize the clock format on your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Open the Clock app on your home screen or app drawer.
2. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top-right corner of the screen to access the More options.
3. Scroll down and tap on “Change date & time.”
4. Look for the “Use 24-hour format” option and toggle the slider to the ON position.
5. Customize the format according to your preferences by selecting the desired options.

Taking Advantage of World Clocks

If you frequently communicate or work with people in different time zones, using the World Clock feature on your phone can be invaluable. Both Android and iOS devices offer built-in world clock functionality that allows you to add and track multiple time zones simultaneously. To utilize this feature:

1. Open the Clock app on your device.
2. Navigate to the World Clock or Add Clock section.
3. Add the desired time zones by searching for cities or regions.
4. Save the added clocks for quick access and reference.

This way, you can stay on top of global time differences and avoid any scheduling mishaps.

Conclusion

Setting your phone to military time can be a game-changer, especially if you work in a field that relies on the 24-hour format. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, you can easily switch between the standard 12-hour clock format and military time on your Android, iPhone, or Apple Watch. Remember, being able to convert between the two formats is also a handy skill to have. So go ahead, make the change, and enjoy the efficiency and precision that military time brings to your daily life.