If your watch shows the wrong hour after the clocks changed, you’re probably seeing the Apple Watch daylight saving bug that some watchOS 27 users reported this week. The time is right when you raise your wrist, but the Always-On display keeps showing summer time. A restart fixed it for most people who tried.
The bug is small, but it can make you late. Here’s what’s happening and what to do before the US clock change.
Quick Facts
- Clocks went back in the UK and Europe on October 25, 2026.
- Always-On and standby screens reportedly stay an hour fast; the awake screen is correct.
- Reports come from a small group of users on a MacRumors forum thread.
- A restart fixed it for several users. Apple hasn’t commented publicly yet.
- Most of the US sets clocks back on Sunday, November 1.
Treat the numbers with care. This is early, user-reported behavior, not a confirmed Apple issue.
What the Apple Watch daylight saving bug looks like
According to MacRumors, users saw the watch show the correct time when activated. When the screen dimmed into Always-On mode, it jumped back to summer time, leaving it an hour fast.
The same thing reportedly showed up in standby mode, the bedside clock view while charging. One user described the screen as showing the correct time only while awake.
That’s why it’s easy to miss. You glance at your wrist, see the dimmed time, and trust it. The real clock underneath may be fine.
Which watches and versions are affected?
Nobody knows yet. Neither the MacRumors report nor the follow-up coverage lists the exact watchOS 27 builds or Apple Watch models involved.
One UK commenter with a Series 12 said a reboot fixed it. Their main watch face stayed stuck, though, while two other faces worked. That hints the problem may sit in how the display caches the time, but that’s a guess, not a finding.
Reports came mostly from the UK and central Europe so far. If you live elsewhere, the change on November 1 is the real test.
How to fix the wrong time on your Apple Watch
None of these are official Apple fixes. They’re what users in the thread said worked, so try them in order.
- Restart the watch. Hold the side button, slide to power off, then turn it on again.
- Switch to a different watch face, then switch back.
- Check that the time zone and “Set Automatically” are on in your iPhone’s date and time settings.
The restart is the one to try first. It worked for three users, and it costs you about a minute.
| Fix | Reported result | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Restart the watch | Fixed it for three users | About 1 minute |
| Switch watch faces | Fixed it for one user | 10 seconds |
| Check automatic time on iPhone | Not reported, but rules out a setup problem | 1 minute |
What to do before US clocks change on November 1
You can’t prevent the bug, as far as anyone knows. But you can be ready for it.
Update your iPhone and watch to the latest software first. Apple just shipped its 27.2 releases, which we covered in our iOS 27.2 guide. We don’t know whether 27.2 touches this bug, so don’t count on it as a cure.
On Sunday morning, check the time on your iPhone, then wake your watch and let it dim. If the dim screen is off by an hour, restart it. If you’re also on a Mac, our macOS 27.2 rundown covers that update too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple Watch actually keeping the wrong time?
It doesn’t look like it. Users say the time is correct when the watch is awake. Only the Always-On and standby displays appear to show summer time.
Has Apple fixed the Apple Watch daylight saving bug?
Apple hadn’t commented publicly in the reports we found. We’ll know more if a watchOS update mentions it.
Will my Apple Watch change time correctly in the US?
Most likely, yes. The reports so far are limited and affect a small group. Still, check the dimmed screen after the change on November 1.
Should I turn off Always-On display?
Not unless the problem keeps coming back after a restart. Turning it off hides the symptom, but it also costs you the glanceable screen.
Don’t panic about this one. It’s a cosmetic glitch affecting a handful of people, and a restart looks like a solid first move. Check your dimmed screen on November 1, restart if it’s off, and only worry if it keeps returning. If it does, that’s worth a note to Apple Support.
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