How do I get my iPhone to sync the correct time?

You can use Date & Time settings to have your device adjust automatically for time zone changes and daylight saving time. If the wrong date, time, or time zone appears on your device, or if it doesn't automatically adjust for daylight saving time, learn what to do.

Set the date and time automatically

The option to set the date and time automatically might not be available for your device. Follow these steps to make sure that your device is able to set the time and time zone automatically.

On your iPhone or iPad

  1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
  2. Turn on Set Automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time. This automatically sets your date and time based on your time zone. Is this setting dimmed?
  3. If a message appears saying that updated time zone information is available, restart your device and any paired Apple Watch.
  4. Allow your device to use its current location to determine the correct time zone. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services and turn on Setting Time Zone.
  5. Check that your device shows the correct time zone in Settings > General > Date & Time > Time Zone.

On your Mac

  1. Make sure that your Mac is connected to the internet.
  2. Open Location Services settings and make sure that Location Services is turned on. Then scroll to the bottom of the list of apps and services and click the Details button next to System Services. Make sure that "Time zone and system customization" is turned on.
  3. Open Date & Time settings and make sure that the option to set time and date automatically, as well as the option to set time zone automatically, are turned on.
  4. Restart your Mac.

On your Apple TV

These steps require tvOS 10 or later on Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K. If you're using an older version of tvOS or an older Apple TV, you can set the time zone manually.

    1. Make sure that your Apple TV is connected to the internet.
    2. Go to Settings > General > Time Zone. If a message appears saying that updated time zone information is available, restart your Apple TV to get the update.
    3. If the message doesn't appear, press and hold the Back button 
      How do I get my iPhone to sync the correct time?
       or the Menu button on your Apple TV remote to go to the Home Screen. Wait several minutes, then return to Settings > General > Time Zone. If the message appears now, restart your Apple TV to get the update. 

    How do I get my iPhone to sync the correct time?

    Set the date and time manually

    If your device still shows an incorrect date, time, or time zone, change each setting manually instead of using Set Automatically. For example, you might have iOS 9 or earlier, and your country or region, or government changes the time zone or the observance of daylight saving time.

    On your iPhone or iPad

    1. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
    2. Turn off Set Automatically. Is this setting dimmed?
    3. Change the time zone or the date and time:
      • Tap Time Zone and enter a city with the time zone that you need.
      • Or tap the date to change the date and time.

    On your Mac

    Open Date & Time settings and turn off the option to set time and date automatically, as well as the option to set time zone automatically. You can then set time, date, and time zone manually.

    On your Apple TV

    1. Go to Settings > General > Time Zone.
    2. Make sure that Set Automatically is turned off, then choose a time zone.

    How do I get my iPhone to sync the correct time?

    Learn more about time settings

    • The option to turn Set Automatically on or off might not be available with all carriers or in all countries and regions. If the device has a Screen Time passcode or a corporate profile with device restrictions installed, then the option to turn Set Automatically on or off will be dimmed, or grayed out.
    • If the time on your device is wrong after you sync it with your computer make sure that Date & Time are set correctly on your Mac.
    • Manual adjustments to time settings to change app behavior (like game timers) aren't recommended.

    Published Date: December 07, 2022

    You can use Date & Time settings to enable your device to adjust the date and time automatically following time zone and daylight saving time changes. If the wrong date, time or time zone appears on your device, or if it doesn't automatically adjust for daylight saving time, find out what to do.

    Set the date and time automatically

    The option to set the date and time automatically may not be available for your device. Follow these steps to make sure your device is able to set the time and time zone automatically.

    On your iPhone or iPad

    1. Make sure you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
    2. Turn on Set Automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time. This automatically sets your date and time based on your time zone. Is this setting dimmed?
    3. If a message appears saying that updated time zone information is available, restart your device and any paired Apple Watch devices.
    4. Allow your device to use its current location to determine the correct time zone. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services and turn on Setting Time Zone.
    5. Check that your device is using the correct time zone in Settings > General > Date & Time > Time Zone.

    On your Mac

    1. Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet.
    2. Open Location Services settings and make sure Location Services is turned on. Then scroll to the bottom of the list of apps and services and click the Details button next to System Services. Make sure "Time zone and system customisation" is turned on.
    3. Open Date & Time settings and make sure the option to set time and date automatically, as well as the option to set time zone automatically, are turned on.
    4. Restart your Mac.

    On your Apple TV

    These steps require tvOS 10 or later on Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K. If you're using an older version of tvOS or an older Apple TV, you can set the time zone manually.

      1. Make sure your Apple TV is connected to the internet.
      2. Go to Settings > General > Time Zone. If a message appears saying that updated time zone information is available, restart your Apple TV to get the update.
      3. If a message doesn't appear, press and hold the Back button 
        How do I get my iPhone to sync the correct time?
         or the Menu button on your Apple TV remote to go to the Home Screen. Wait several minutes, then return to Settings > General > Time Zone. If the message appears now, restart your Apple TV to get the update. 

      How do I get my iPhone to sync the correct time?

      Set the date and time manually

      If your device is still displaying an incorrect date, time or time zone, change each setting manually instead of using Set Automatically. For example, you may have iOS 9 or earlier, and your country or region or government has subsequently changed the time zone or the observance of daylight saving time.

      On your iPhone or iPad

      1. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
      2. Turn off Set Automatically. Is this setting dimmed?
      3. Change the time zone or the date and time:
        • Tap Time Zone and enter a city with the time zone you need.
        • Or tap the date to change the date and time.

      On your Mac

      Open Date & Time settings and turn off the option to set time and date automatically, as well as the option to set time zone automatically. You can then set time, date and time zone manually.

      On your Apple TV

      1. Go to Settings > General > Time Zone.
      2. Make sure Set Automatically is turned off, then choose a time zone.

      How do I get my iPhone to sync the correct time?

      Find out more about time settings

      • The option to turn Set Automatically on or off may not be available with all service providers or in all countries and regions. If the device has a Screen Time passcode or a corporate profile with device restrictions installed, then the option to turn Set Automatically on or off will be dimmed or greyed out.
      • If the time on your device is wrong after you've synced it with your computer, make sure Date & Time are set correctly on your Mac.
      • Manual adjustments to time settings to change app behaviour (such as game timers) aren't recommended.

      Published Date: December 16, 2022

      Why does my iPhone keep showing the wrong time?

      On your iPhone or iPad Make sure that you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Turn on Set Automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time. This automatically sets your date and time based on your time zone. Is this setting dimmed?

      Why hasn't my phone adjusted to the time change?

      Go to Settings, General Management, Date and Time, and make sure Automatic Date and Time is turned on.

      Does iPhone automatically adjust to time change?

      Head to your phone's Settings, then General, then Date & Time. The Set Automatically toggle should be switched on (so, you should see a green color). If your phone isn't linking up with the right time zone, you can adjust that, too.

      Why can't I manually change the time on my iPhone?

      You should be able to change the date and time on your device by going to Settings > General > Date & Time. With Set Automatically turned off you can manually choose the date and time. Ideally, you'd be able to turn off the Set Automatically button and manually input your preferred date and time.