Clocks go back on Sunday: what to check at home before winter time begins

Israel will switch to winter time overnight from Saturday, 24 October, to Sunday, 25 October 2026. At 02:00, the time will go back to 01:00. For most households, the main task is simple: make sure your phone is set to update automatically, and remember the clocks that do not update themselves. The date appears in the clock‑change guide Mako published this week, and matches the annual schedule.

The change is noticeable even after the alarm goes off. Leaving work at the same time on Sunday will mean leaving later relative to the daylight outside. Anyone planning a walk, picking up children or running errands in daylight should bear this in mind. Moving the hands does not change how much daylight the sun provides; it changes the time we assign to sunrise and sunset.

Preparing does not mean going through every device in the house in the middle of the night. You can check beforehand which clocks synchronize, leave them running as usual and adjust those that need a manual change in the morning. This also avoids the opposite mistake: manually putting back the time on a device that has already made the change itself.

Your phone needs to know both the time and where you are

On iPhones, Apple instructs users to open Settings, go to General, then Date & Time, and turn on Set Automatically. The company also recommends checking the internet connection and software updates. The time zone matters alongside the time itself: a device that happens to show the correct time but is assigned to another zone is not a reliable basis for the next change.

On other devices, look for the date and time section in Settings and check the automatic update options. Menu names vary between manufacturers and versions, so consult the device instructions if the option is unclear. If you are in Israel, check that the local zone displayed matches your location, rather than a city left over from your last trip abroad.

If Set Automatically is grayed out on an iPhone, do not assume the device is faulty. Apple notes that carrier restrictions, Screen Time settings or an organizational profile can affect its availability. On a work phone, check with support before changing settings that are not normally accessible. When a time zone update notification appears, Apple's instructions include restarting the device.

After checking, open the alarm clock too and make sure Sunday's morning alarm is active at the time you want. This is a preparatory check, not a guarantee that every model and app will behave identically. Anyone relying on an alarm for an early journey can prepare a backup and set that to the new time as well.

The clocks left behind and the appointments that carry on

A wall clock, oven, microwave or car clock may keep displaying summer time until someone adjusts it. Make a short list of the devices you actually rely on in the morning. There is no need to change a device just because it appears on a general checklist: if it already shows the new time, another adjustment will create a discrepancy.

In a home where several people use different clocks, agree on one that has been checked and compare the others against it. That way, you will not leave home by the kitchen clock only to find a different time in the car. You can compare them before bed to identify the devices, then again in the morning after the change.

Arrangements with relatives abroad also deserve another look. Not every country changes its clocks on the same date, and some places do not change them at all. Instead of relying on a time difference you know by heart, check both participants' local times before the call. There is no need to move every calendar event automatically; first check what it displays and which time zone it uses.

People working overnight during the change face a special case: the hour between 01:00 and 02:00 occurs twice. Agree in advance how the start and end of the shift should be recorded in the attendance system. Pay depends on the applicable employment rules and cannot be determined from the clock display alone. A clear record of the hours actually worked will help resolve any discrepancy.

Bring forward overnight banking transactions too

The change has at least one specific service consequence that has already been announced. First International Bank said on its website that overnight from Saturday to Sunday, 25 October, its website, app, automated service machines and check deposits will be unavailable between 01:00 and 03:00 Israel time, as part of the switch to winter time.

Customers planning a transaction that night can do it earlier, instead of waiting until the last minute and finding the service unavailable. The announcement covers the services it lists; it does not announce a shutdown of all payment systems in Israel. Nor is there any basis for assuming that other banks will follow the same arrangements. Customers of another bank should check their own bank's notices.

Because the clock goes back within the published window, there is little point calculating an exact downtime from it without clarification from the bank. The practical detail for customers is the stated period of unavailability. If a transaction is urgent, complete it beforehand instead of counting on the exact minute service resumes.

On Sunday morning, a quick check is enough to start with: the time on your phone, the clock you rely on when leaving home and the important alerts for the rest of the day. Then adjust your afternoon plans to the remaining daylight. The change itself takes a moment; preparing ensures that moment does not create an hour of confusion at home.

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