How to change the time on your computer or phone

On almost every device the best setting is automatic: turn on Set time automatically and the device keeps itself in sync with internet time servers. Turn it off only if you need to set a time by hand. Then check the result against our exact time clock.

Windows 11

Right-click the clock at the bottom-right of the taskbar and choose Adjust date and time, or go to Settings → Time & language → Date & time.
To fix the time automatically: turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically, then under Additional settings click Sync now.
To set it by hand: turn off Set time automatically, then next to Set the date and time manually click Change.

Windows 10

Right-click the taskbar clock and choose Adjust date/time, or go to Settings → Time & Language → Date & time.
Turn on Set time automatically and click Sync now under Synchronize your clock.
To set it by hand, turn off Set time automatically and click Change.

Mac

Open the Apple menu → System Settings → General → Date & Time. (On macOS Monterey and earlier: System Preferences → Date & Time, then click the lock to make changes.)
Turn on Set time and date automatically; the source is normally time.apple.com.
To set it by hand, turn that option off and enter the date and time.

iPhone and iPad

Open Settings → General → Date & Time.
Turn on Set Automatically. To choose a time yourself, turn it off and tap the date and time.

If the switch is greyed out, Screen Time restrictions or a work profile may be locking it.

Android

On most phones, including Google Pixel: Settings → System → Date & time. On Samsung Galaxy: Settings → General management → Date and time.
Turn on Set time automatically (Samsung: Automatic date and time). Turn it off to set the time by hand.

Chromebook

Chromebooks set the time automatically from the internet, so you can't type in a different time. You can change the time zone: open Settings → Advanced → Date and time → Time zone (on newer ChromeOS: Settings → System preferences → Date and time) and choose Set automatically or pick a zone from the list.

Change the time zone on iPhone

Open Settings → General → Date & Time.
Turn off Set Automatically.
Tap Time Zone and search for a city in the zone you want.

With Set Automatically on, the iPhone changes time zone by itself when you travel, as long as Location Services is on (Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services → Setting Time Zone).

Is your clock right?

Open the online clock: it compares your device with internet time servers and tells you if it is off and by how much. If your computer's clock keeps drifting even with automatic time on, the motherboard's small backup battery (CMOS battery) may be running down.

Wrong time after a trip or the clocks changing?

Check the time zone, not just the time. A device set to the wrong time zone shows the right minutes but the wrong hour. See what's my time zone and is it daylight saving time now.

Questions people ask

Why is my computer clock wrong?

Usually because automatic time is turned off, the time zone is wrong, or the computer couldn't reach a time server. On older computers a weak CMOS battery can make the clock reset or drift.

How do I sync my clock with internet time?

Turn on automatic time in your device's date and time settings. On Windows you can also click Sync now to update immediately.

Can I change the time on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks always set their time automatically. You can change the time zone in Settings, under Date and time.

How do I change the time zone on iPhone?

Go to Settings, General, Date & Time, turn off Set Automatically, then tap Time Zone and choose a city.

Does iPhone automatically change time zones?

Yes, when Set Automatically is on and Location Services (including Setting Time Zone under System Services) is allowed. It updates when you land in a new zone.

Sources

Last updated October 21, 2026. Menu names can differ slightly between versions. Found a step that's changed? Tell us.