Being in the right time in your iPhone is more crucial than most people would think. Your alarms, calendar entries, reminders, call records, messages, and even app notifications are based on proper date and time settings. When your iPhone is not telling the right time, it can easily interfere with your normal routine. This is why it is crucial to know how to change time on iPhone correctly.
Here in this step-by-step guide you will know how iPhone time setting works, how to set the time manually, how to set time zone, how to set automatic time and how to resolve the major problems when your iPhone time stops updating.
Table of Contents
How iPhone Date and Time Settings Work
The software that Apple uses to make iPhones is engineered to automatically handle time. It is a system that helps in establishing the right date, time, and time zone with the help of your mobile network, Wi-Fi network, and location services. In case all comes well, then the users do not have to manually change the time.
Nevertheless, issues may arise because of traveling, poor network signals, broken location features, bugs in software, or device limitations. To have such a situation, knowing how the iPhone clock system works can assist you in determining whether to use automatic or manual time settings. The time in the iPhone is managed through two primary approaches:
- Location-based automatic time and time zone updates.
- User controlled manual date and time settings.
These two approaches can be applied in different circumstances.
How to Change Time on iPhone Manually
Manual time adjustment provides you with total control over the clock, however, it also turns the automatic correction mechanism of Apple off. This option can be helpful in cases when automatic time does not work or when there is some need to have a temporary adjustment.
Manually Changing Time on iPhone
To manually adjust time, open the Settings application and select the General section. From there, tap on Date & Time. There will be an alternative that says Set Automatically. After turning this option off, the time and date fields can be edited.
The time can then be tapped and set to whatever value you want. Once the change has been made, your iPhone will instantly change the time throughout the system including alarm and notifications. Note that occasionally time settings, which are set manually, may lead to problems with applications which rely on correct time provided by the server, like banking or authentication applications.
How to Change Time Zone on iPhone
It is not always the time but the time zone. This normally occurs during traveling or when the location services are unable to identify your present location in an accurate manner. In this instance, it is more appropriate to shift the time zone rather than change the time manually.
Changing Time Zone on iPhone
Begin by going to Settings and selecting General, then date and time. Switch off Set Automatically should it be on. The Time Zone option will then be seen. Tap and type the city or the area that is similar to where you are.
After being chosen, the iPhone will automatically set the time according to the time zone that you have chosen. This technique makes your clock accurate, and do not have to guess which time is the right one.
How to Enable Automatic Time on iPhone
Automatic time is the safest and most reliable to most users. It guarantees your iPhone has the right time even during the daylight savings time or even as you cross boundaries.
Turning On Automatic Time
In order to be able to turn on the automatic time setting, open Settings, choose General, and Date and Time. Enable the Set Automatically. With the switch on, your iPhone will rely on networked information and location data to set your iPhone to the correct time.
Automatic time is also practical to people travelling, those in the business who have to deal with the precision of their calendars and those who simply wish to have a hands off experience.
Why iPhone Time Is Wrong and How to Fix It
Despite the automatic time setting, there are still certain users who face the problem of wrong time or wrong time zone. These issues are typically due to setting conflicts or system limitations.
Location Services Not Working Properly
Location services are important in automatic time. When location access is off or limited, your iPhone will not tell the time correctly.
To remedy the same, visit the Settings and enter Privacy and Security. Tap Location Services and ensure that it is on. Go down to System Services and make sure that the option of “Setting Time Zone is activated.
“Set Automatically” Option Is Greyed Out
Assuming you are not able to switch the automatic time option, it is more likely that your iPhone has restrictions turned on. Time settings can be locked by Screen Time settings or devices management profiles at work or school.
To address this, visit Settings and access Screen Time. Turn off Screen Time momentarily and make sure that the Date and Time settings are no longer locked. When the device is under the control of an organization, you might require the input of an administrator.
Network or Carrier Issues
Time updates can also be blocked by poor network connectivity. In case your iPhone is not able to connect with the time servers of Apple, the clock can be shown as wrong.
This problem can be solved by either restarting your phone, turning on and off Airplane Mode, or changing your Wi-Fi to mobile data.
Outdated iOS Version
Time and time zone detection bugs may exist on older versions of iOS. Maintaining the device up-to-date guarantees higher accuracy and stability of the system.
To update, go to Settings, then General, and tap Software Update.
How to Change 12-Hour or 24-Hour Time Format on iPhone
There are those who use the 24 hour clock form and others who are more at ease with the 12 hour clock. Luckily, the switching between the two is straightforward in iOS.
Tap Open Settings and then Date and Time. Set the 24-Hour Time options on or off depending on your preference. This alteration does not change the time or alarms, just the manner in which the time is shown.
Does Changing Time Affect iPhone Features?
Playing with time settings may alter various functions in your iPhone. Reminders and alarms can go off sooner or later than anticipated. The calendar events can move when the time zone is altered. Some applications that depend on the correct system time like payment or authentication applications can cease functioning temporarily before time is automatically resumed.
This is why it is better to have automatic time on most of the time.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to change time on iPhone will provide you with power over one of the most crucial system parameters. Regardless of whether you prefer to have the time adjusted manually, time zone adjusted, or automatically, it is better to learn how each of these works to prevent frustration and mistakes.
In most cases, it is safe and best to enable time with location services. Manual adjustments are only useful when it is necessary and in the short term. Even after following this guide, your iPhone time might still show the wrong time, in most cases, the issue can be corrected by restarting the device or installing the operating system, which is iOS.
FAQs About How to Change Time on iPhone?
Can I permanently use manual time on iPhone?
Yes, but it’s not recommended. Manual time may lead to problems in syncing apps and services. Automatic time is better to be used on a daily basis.
Why does my iPhone time keep changing back?
This occurs when manual settings are overridden by automatic time or location features. This can be avoided by turning off automatic time.
Does changing time drain battery?
No, time settings per se do not have any impact on battery life. Nevertheless, this may be slightly affected by location services utilized on automatic time.
Can carrier settings control iPhone time?
Yes, timetable synchronization can be manipulated by the carriers in certain areas. Carrier settings can be updated to resolve similar problems.