To change the date and time on an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Date & Time, turn off Set Automatically, then tap the date and time shown below it and choose new values. To fix only the time zone, tap Time Zone and search for a city. Most people should leave Set Automatically on, so the iPhone keeps accurate time and updates when you travel.
Applies to: iPhone with iOS 17, iOS 18 or iOS 26. Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Apple’s own guide is at Apple Support.
Set the date and time manually
- Open Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Turn off Set Automatically.
- Tap the date and time shown under Time Zone.
- Pick the date in the calendar, then tap the time and scroll to set the hours and minutes.
- Tap outside the picker to save.
Change the time zone
- In Date & Time, turn off Set Automatically.
- Tap Time Zone and type a nearby city.
- Select it from the results.
With Set Automatically on, the iPhone picks the time zone from your location. If it’s wrong, check Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services and turn on Setting Time Zone.
Switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time
In Date & Time, turn 24-Hour Time on or off. In some regions this switch isn’t shown because the region’s format is used; change it under Settings > General > Language & Region.
Why change it manually?
- Testing an app or game that depends on the date.
- Traveling when you want your phone to stay on home time.
- Fixing the time when the automatic setting isn’t working.
Turn Set Automatically back on afterwards. Wrong dates break iMessage, FaceTime, App Store downloads and secure websites, which check the date.
See other time zones without changing your phone
If you just want to know the time somewhere else, open the Clock app, tap World Clock, then tap + and choose a city. You can also add a World Clock widget to the Home Screen. In the Calendar app, Settings > Apps > Calendar > Time Zone Override shows events in a fixed time zone while you travel.
iPad and Apple Watch
An iPad uses the same steps: Settings > General > Date & Time. An Apple Watch takes its time from the paired iPhone. You can set the watch face ahead (for people who like to run early) in the Watch’s Settings > Clock; this only changes the displayed time, not alarms or notifications.
Troubleshooting
Set Automatically is greyed out
- Screen Time: go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and allow changes, or turn off Screen Time temporarily.
- Work or school profile: a management profile can lock the time. Check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
- Carrier: some carriers require automatic time. Ask your carrier if nothing else explains it.
The time is wrong even with Set Automatically on
Turn Set Automatically off and on again, make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, update iOS in Settings > General > Software Update, and restart the iPhone.
The clock jumped an hour
That’s usually daylight saving time. Automatic mode handles it; in manual mode, change the time yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing the time affect alarms?
Alarms ring at the time shown on the phone, so they follow your change.
How do I keep the screen on to watch the clock?
See how to stop your iPhone screen from turning off and how to change iPhone sleep settings. To see missed calls on the lock screen, see How to Show Missed Calls on the iPhone Lock Screen.
Related: How to Drop a Pin on an iPhone.
Related: iPhone automatically change time zones.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.