Israel Shifts to Winter Time: How to Ensure Your Devices Update
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Israel will switch to winter time on the night of October 24-25, 2026, moving clocks back one hour at 2:00 AM. Most smartphones will update automatically, but manual adjustments are needed for devices like ovens, microwaves, and some car systems. The change aims to better align daylight with winter routines, with winter time ending on March 26, 2027.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel switches to winter time on October 24-25, 2026, moving clocks back one hour.
- Smartphones typically update automatically, but manual adjustments are required for other devices.
- The time change aims to align daylight hours with shorter winter days.
- Winter time will end on March 26, 2027, when clocks move forward for summer time.
- No decision has been made to abolish the seasonal time changes in Israel.
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 with the "Time Determination Law" and is mandated by the Ministry of Interior.
Most smartphones are expected to update automatically, provided that automatic date and time settings are enabled and the time zone is set to Jerusalem. Users with iPhones should navigate to Settings > General > Date & Time and ensure "Set Automatically" is active. For Android devices, the setting is typically found under General Management or System > Date & Time, with "Automatic date and time" enabled. Devices like smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch) that sync with smartphones will also update automatically. However, manual adjustments will be necessary for older car systems without connected multimedia or GPS, as well as for ovens, microwaves, wall clocks, and wristwatches.
Special attention is required for household timers such as Shabbat clocks, hot water heaters, and irrigation systems, which do not update automatically. These will continue to operate on summer time, functioning an hour later than scheduled, and will need to be reset on Sunday morning. Failure to do so could result in Shabbat candles lighting after Shabbat has already begun, or appliances activating at unintended times.
The shift to winter time is intended to better align daylight hours with winter routines, making mornings brighter for school, work, and public transportation. The 2:00 AM switchover is chosen as the time with the fewest people active, minimizing disruption. Conversely, the transition to summer time, which involves losing an hour of sleep, occurs on a Thursday night to lessen its impact.
Winter time will conclude on March 26, 2027, when clocks will spring forward one hour at 2:00 AM, returning to summer time until October 31, 2027. Discussions about potentially abolishing the time change have occurred in the Knesset, but no legislative changes have been enacted, and the current system remains in place.
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