WhatsApp does not normally provide its own 12-hour or 24-hour clock switch. Message timestamps follow the format selected by the phone's operating system.
To show AM and PM, disable the 24-hour format at device level. The exact wording may differ slightly by Android manufacturer or software version.
Change the system clock format on iPhone or Android; there is no separate 12-hour switch inside WhatsApp.
Change WhatsApp time on iPhone
Open the iPhone Settings app, choose General, then Date & Time. Turn 24-Hour Time off. Apple documents this switch as the control for how the phone displays time.
Close and reopen WhatsApp if an existing screen does not update immediately. New and existing message timestamps should then use the phone's 12-hour display.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Date & Time.
- Turn off 24-Hour Time.
Change WhatsApp time on Android
On many Android phones, open the Clock app, tap the menu, choose Settings and then Change date & time. Turn Use 24-hour format off. You can also search the phone's Settings app for 24-hour format.
Samsung and other manufacturers may place the option under General management, System or Date and time. Changing that system preference should also change the timestamp format in WhatsApp.
If the timestamp itself is wrong
A 12-hour-versus-24-hour preference changes only the display. If messages show the wrong hour or day, enable automatic date, time and time zone in the phone settings. Confirm the selected region and restart the device.
WhatsApp notes that incorrect date and time settings can also affect the information shown for message delivery and read receipts.
Do not set the phone clock manually just to change AM/PM. Keep automatic time enabled and change only the clock-format option.
Why the setting may change again
A system update, language change or region change can restore a default clock format. If WhatsApp returns to 24-hour time, check the device setting again rather than reinstalling the app.
The same system preference usually affects other apps, so expect Calendar, Mail and notification timestamps to use the selected format too.
Sources and verification
This guide was checked against current first-party documentation:
Ahwtsapp is an independent editorial publication and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by WhatsApp or Meta.
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