Open Settings and Find the Date & Time Menu
To change your iPhone's time, open the Settings app — the gray icon with gears that usually sits on your home screen. Scroll down until you see "General," then tap it. Inside General, look for "Date & Time" and tap that option.
You'll see a toggle labeled "Set Automatically" at the top of the Date & Time screen. This toggle controls whether your iPhone sets the time on its own using your carrier's network, or whether you set it manually. The steps you take next depend on whether this toggle is currently on or off.
Key Takeaways
- Turn off the "Set Automatically" toggle if you want to manually change your iPhone's time instead of letting the network set it.
- Once "Set Automatically" is off, a "Time Zone" option and a time picker will appear on your screen.
- Tap the time display to open a dial where you can set the hour and minute by scrolling or typing.
- If you only need to change your time zone, you can leave "Set Automatically" on and just change the time zone setting.
Turn Off Automatic Time Setting to Make Manual Changes
If the "Set Automatically" toggle is currently green (on), tap it once to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray. Once it's off, two new options appear below it: "Time Zone" and the current time displayed as a large number.
Turning off automatic time means your iPhone will no longer update the time based on your location or network. You'll need to update it manually if you travel or if the time becomes incorrect. Most people leave this on, but you may need to turn it off temporarily if you're testing something or if your phone's automatic time is stuck on the wrong setting.
Set Your Time Zone or Change It Manually
Below the "Set Automatically" toggle, you'll see "Time Zone." Tap this option to see a list of time zones organized by region and city. Scroll through the list and tap the time zone where you are or where you want your phone to show the time. Your phone will immediately update to show the correct time for that zone.
If you only need to change your time zone and don't need to set a specific time, you can stop here. Leave "Set Automatically" turned on, and your phone will keep the correct time within that zone. This is the easiest method if you've traveled or moved and just need your phone to show the local time.
Manually Set the Exact Hour and Minute
If you need to set a specific time rather than just a time zone, make sure "Set Automatically" is still turned off. Below the "Time Zone" option, you'll see the current time displayed in large numbers — for example, "3:42 PM." Tap directly on this time display to open the time picker.
A dial will appear with hour and minute controls. You can scroll the hour wheel up or down to select the hour, and scroll the minute wheel to select the minutes. On newer iPhones, you can also tap the numbers directly and type the time you want. Once you've set the time you want, tap outside the dial or press the back arrow to close it. Your iPhone will now show the time you set.
Turn Automatic Time Back On When You're Done
If you turned off "Set Automatically" to make a manual change, you should turn it back on once you're finished. Go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and tap the "Set Automatically" toggle to turn it green again. Your iPhone will resume updating its time automatically based on your network and location.
Leaving automatic time off for too long can cause your phone's clock to drift out of sync with the actual time, which can affect things like message timestamps, calendar events, and app notifications. Most people should keep this setting on in their normal daily use.
What to Do If Your Time Zone Isn't Listed
The time zone list includes hundreds of cities and regions, but if you don't see your exact location, look for the closest major city in your time zone. For example, if you live in a small town in the Mountain Time zone, you can select "Denver" or "Phoenix" — both are in that zone and will set your phone to the correct time.
If you're in a location that observes daylight saving time, your iPhone will automatically adjust for that twice a year when "Set Automatically" is on. If you've turned automatic time off and you're in a daylight saving time zone, you'll need to manually adjust your time when the change happens in spring and fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone keep changing the time back after I set it?
This happens when "Set Automatically" is turned on. Your phone is overriding your manual change and resetting to the network time. If you want your manual time to stick, turn off "Set Automatically" in Settings > General > Date & Time. If you want the automatic time back, turn the toggle back on.
Can I set a different time zone without changing the actual time?
Yes. Leave "Set Automatically" turned on and only change the "Time Zone" setting. Your phone will update to show the correct time for that new zone automatically, without you having to manually set the hour and minute.
What if I can't find my time zone in the list?
Search for a major city in your time zone. The list is searchable — you can type the city name at the top of the Time Zone screen. If your location observes daylight saving time, select a city that also does, so your phone adjusts automatically twice a year.
Does changing the time on my iPhone affect my alarms or calendar events?
Yes. Alarms and calendar events are tied to your phone's time setting. If you change the time manually, alarms may go off at unexpected times, and calendar events may show at the wrong time. This is why it's best to keep "Set Automatically" on unless you have a specific reason to change the time manually.