How to Put Apple Watch in Military Time?
Many of us have grown up using 12-hour AM/PM format to display time on our clocks and watches. However, the 24-hour military time is gaining popularity due to its clarity and efficiency. Military time, also known as 24-hour clock or Continental clock, is easier to understand, especially for people working in industries such as healthcare, transportation, and logistics.
Direct Answer:
To put your Apple Watch in military time, you can do the following:
- On your Apple Watch, tap on the Settings app icon on your watch face or in the Apps list
- Scroll down and select the "Sound & Haptics" option
- Toggle on the Military Time switch at the bottom of the page
- The time displayed on your watch will switch to military time format from the next 24 hours onward
What is Military Time?
Military time, also known as the 24-hour clock, is a method of representing the time using a 24-hour format. Unlike the 12-hour format used in our daily life (AM/PM), the military time displays the day using two numbers: from 00 to 23.
For example, in the 24-hour clock:
- 12:00 PM would be displayed as 1200 (12 o’clock PM)
- 1:00 AM would be displayed as 0100 (1 o’clock in the morning)
- 8:30 PM would be displayed as 2030 (8 o’clock in the evening, plus 30 minutes)
Why is Military Time Preferred?
There are several reasons why military time is gaining popularity:
• Easier to Calculate: In the 12-hour format, it’s often challenging to calculate meeting times, scheduling, or setting reminders without confusion.
• International Understanding: The 24-hour format is universally used, allowing people from different countries or cultures to easily communicate.
• Accurate Documentation: Medical and healthcare records, aviation logs, or business documents benefit from precise and consistent timekeeping in the 24-hour clock.
• Reducing Ambiguity: Confusion about AM/PM and o’clock times decreases significantly when using the military time format.
Table: Time Comparison
Here is a comparison of common times in 12-hour and 24-hour format:
12-hour format | 24-hour format |
---|---|
10:30 AM | 1030 |
6:00 PM | 1800 |
1:45 PM | 1345 |
2:45 AM | 0245 |
11:45 PM | 2345 |
Tips for Switching to Military Time
When adapting to military time, remember:
- To display hours and minutes without ambiguity (e.g., 0600, not 6:00 AM or 10:00)
- When meeting times, write both formats for clarity, if needed
- Adapt the way you think of time in a 24-hour frame
Limitations and Challenges
Be aware of:
- Legacy devices and apps that only display time in 12-hour format, which can lead to potential issues and miscommunications
- Learning a new mental framework and getting accustomed to the unfamiliar 24-hour format takes time
- Some schedules and reminders may require an extra step in conversion due to differences between 12-hour and 24-hour time
Conclusion:
Converting your Apple Watch to military time provides an easier way to visualize time and increase clarity when scheduling, setting reminders, or recording information. To switch your Apple Watch to military time, enable the "Military Time" feature in Settings > Sound & Haptics > Toggle On. Adjust to this format by rethinking time as a straightforward, 24-hour span. While it may require an initial adaptation period, you’ll eventually find this conversion worthwhile, especially if you’re used to reading military time for work, personal, or professional reasons.