Israel Shifts to Winter Time: How to Update Your Devices
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israel will switch to winter time on October 24-25, 2026, moving clocks back one hour at 2:00 AM. Most smartphones will update automatically, but manual adjustments are needed for some appliances and older car systems. The change aims to better align daylight with winter routines. Daylight saving time will resume on March 26, 2027.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel switches to winter time on October 24-25, 2026, setting clocks back one hour.
- Most smartphones will automatically update, but manual adjustments are needed for some devices.
- The time change aims to align daylight with shorter winter days and earlier starts.
- Appliances like ovens and microwaves will require manual time adjustment.
- Programmable timers not updating automatically will run an hour late.
- Daylight saving time will return on March 26, 2027.
Israel will transition to winter time on the night between Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 2026. At 2:00 AM, clocks will be set back one hour to 1:00 AM, effectively granting an extra hour of sleep. This change aligns daylight hours with the shorter winter days, aiming to facilitate earlier starts for schools, workplaces, and public transportation, while also providing more daylight for road safety and morning prayers.
Most smartphones are expected to automatically adjust to the new time, provided that automatic date and time updates are enabled and the time zone is set to Jerusalem. Users are advised to check their phone settings to ensure this feature is active. Devices like smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch) that sync with smartphones should also update automatically. However, manual adjustments will be necessary for older car systems without connected multimedia or GPS, as well as for appliances such as ovens, microwaves, wall clocks, and wristwatches.
Programmable timers for Shabbat, hot plates, water heaters, and irrigation systems that do not update automatically will continue to operate on summer time, functioning an hour later than intended. These will require manual resetting on Sunday morning. Failure to do so could result in Shabbat-related appliances activating after Shabbat has already begun.
The switch back to daylight saving time is scheduled for Friday, March 26, 2027. The article also touches upon the physiological effects of the time change, particularly on adolescents and general health, noting that standard time (winter time) is considered more aligned with the body's natural circadian rhythm. Discussions about potentially abolishing the time change occur periodically in the Knesset, but no legislative changes have been enacted.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Left 1Centre 6Right 5Haredi 3Arab 2Other 4
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
