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How to Change the Time Format on Android, iPhone, and Mac

Switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time on Android, iPhone, or Mac using the relevant clock, date and time, or regional settings.
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To switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time, use the clock or date-and-time settings for your device. Android’s documented steps apply to Google’s Clock app; iPhone has a 24-hour setting where available; and on Mac, regional formatting and menu bar clock options are separate controls.

Change the time format on Android

Google’s Android Help gives these steps for its Clock app:

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  1. Open the Clock app.
  2. Tap More, then Settings.
  3. Tap Change date & time.
  4. Turn Use 24-hour format on or off.

For the documented instructions, see Google’s “Change your clock’s display” help page. Android menus can differ by device maker and version, so these Clock app labels may not match every Android phone. Google also documents lock-screen clock appearance controls under Wallpaper & style; those change the clock’s look, not the 12/24-hour preference.

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Change the time format on iPhone

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap General, then Date & Time.
  3. Turn 24-Hour Time on or off.

Apple notes that this option is not available in all countries or regions. The setting changes how time is displayed; you do not need to change automatic date and time or time-zone controls just to switch between 12-hour and 24-hour display. See Apple’s iPhone date and time guide.

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Change time display settings on Mac

Mac has regional date and time formats as well as separate menu bar clock options. They are not necessarily the same control, and the exact system-wide 12/24-hour behavior can vary by macOS version.

Check regional date and time formatting

Open System Settings > General > Language & Region to find region-based date and time formats. Apple says the formats depend on the selected region and current language. Its guide is available at “Change how dates, times, and more appear on Mac”.

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Adjust the menu bar clock

To change details of the clock shown in the menu bar, open System Settings > Menu Bar > Menu Bar Controls > Clock Options. Under Time, Apple documents options such as showing AM/PM, showing seconds, choosing a clock style, and announcing the time. These options customize the menu bar clock; they do not establish a universal system-wide 12/24-hour toggle for every macOS version. See Apple’s menu bar clock guide.

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If you are trying to change the format everywhere on a Mac and cannot find a suitable control, check Apple’s instructions for your macOS version rather than assuming the menu bar options control every app. Regional formatting may also affect how dates and times appear in apps.

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