How to Change the Time on an iPhone (Guide)

Generally, your iPhone is supposed to adjust the time and date automatically based on your location. But sometimes, this can malfunction due to multiple reasons. Fortunately, changing the time and date setting on your iPhone is pretty easy, but only if you know the right steps to perform the task. The ability to change time and date settings comes in handy when you travel across different time zones. Keep reading to find out how to change the time and date on your iPhone in three simple steps.

Methods to Change Time on an iPhone

In this article, we have detailed the steps to manually and automatically change the time on iPhone. We have also explained what to do if you cannot adjust the time settings on your iPhone.

How to Change Time on Your iPhone Automatically

When you buy a new iPhone, the time setting is set to update automatically by default to display the correct time for your current time zone. However, there can be instances where you need to enable this setting manually. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Unlock your iPhone and open the Settings app.

2. Scroll down and tap the “General” tab. Now, tap on the “Date & Time” tab to open the subsequent menu.

3. Now, turn on the “Set Automatically” toggle if it is not already.

And it is done. This is how you can make your iPhone change time automatically. But, if the problem persists, it may be possible that your iPhone is set to the wrong time zone. Read on to learn how you can fix this.

How to Change Time Zone on iPhone Automatically

To ensure that your iPhone always displays the correct time, it needs to be able to detect the time zone you’re in. Here’s how you can make your iPhone switch time zones automatically:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and move to the “Privacy & Security” tab.

2. Under the Privacy & Security settings, tap on “Location Services” and toggle “On” the Location Services option if it isn’t already.

3. Now, scroll down until you find the “System Services” option. Tap it to view the list of system services accessing the location service.

4. On the System Services settings screen, make sure the “Setting Time Zone” toggle is enabled. If it is off, then turn it on. You will now see the selected time zone under the “Date & Time” settings, and it will update automatically.

How to Change Time on Your iPhone Manually

If you have completed the steps above, and your iPhone is still unable to display the correct time. In that case, there is no alternative for you other than manually setting the time. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Settings app, scroll down and move to the “General” tab. Then, tap on the “Date & Time” option to change the time settings on your iPhone.

2. Here, toggle off the “Set Automatically” setting.

Note: Once you turn off the “Set Automatically” toggle, you will need to change time zones on your iOS device manually every time you switch between different time zones.

3. Now, tap on the “Time Zone” option to select the exact time zone for your current location.

4. Next, tap on “Date” and “Time” and set them both manually to display the correct date and time on your iPhone.

How to Change the Clock Style on iPhone Lock Screen

If you have successfully changed the time and date settings, let’s learn how you can tweak the clock style on your iPhone’s lock screen:

1. Unlock your iPhone and then press and hold on the lock screen. Then, tap on “Customize” at the bottom of the screen.

2. On the “Customize Wallpaper” screen, tap on the “Lock Screen” option. 

3. Now, tap on the “Clock” widget and choose the preferred clock style and color from the available options. For more information on how to customize the iPhone lock screen, go through our comprehensive guide linked here.

So, this is how you can change the time and date settings on your iOS device – manually and automatically. Automatically updating the time is often convenient but might be an issue for those concerned about their privacy as it requires location services to be enabled at all times. If you are wary about your privacy, you can set the time zone and exact time yourself. Furthermore, if you spend a major chunk of your day on calls, learn how to enable voice isolation on iPhone to eliminate background noise and improve call quality Also, check out how you can see blocked numbers on your iPhone via the linked guide. Finally, what other iPhone basics guide do you want us to work on? Do let us know in the comments below.