Where to find the time settings on your tablet
The time on your tablet updates automatically if you have internet and location services turned on, but you can also change it manually in your device settings. On most tablets, the quickest route is to open Settings, then look for a section called Date & Time or System. The exact name and location depends on whether you have an iPad or an Android tablet.
If automatic time adjustment is already on, your tablet will pull the correct time from your internet connection and your location. This means the time usually stays accurate without you doing anything. But if you need to set it yourself — because you're in a new time zone, the automatic setting is off, or the time is straightforward wrong — you'll need to turn off the automatic setting first, then enter the time manually.
Key Takeaways
- On an iPad, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle off "Set Automatically" before you can change the time manually.
- On an Android tablet, open Settings > System > Date & Time, turn off "Automatic Date and Time", then set the time and time zone yourself.
- If you turn off automatic time adjustment, your tablet will no longer update the time when you travel to a different time zone.
- Restarting your tablet after changing the time can help may support the change takes effect properly.
Changing the time on an iPad
Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap General, then scroll down again and tap Date & Time. You'll see a toggle switch next to "Set Automatically" — this is what controls whether your iPad updates the time on its own.
If the toggle is green (on), tap it to turn it off. Once it's off, two new fields will appear: one for the date and one for the time. Tap the time field and use the scroll wheels to set the hours and minutes to what you want. If you also need to change the date, tap the date field and adjust it the same way. When you're done, tap outside the fields or press the back arrow, and the changes save automatically.
If you want the time to update automatically again in the future — for instance, when you travel — go back to Date & Time and toggle "Set Automatically" back on. Your iPad will then sync with the network time and your location.
Changing the time on an Android tablet
Open Settings and look for a section called System or About Phone (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Once you're in System settings, find and tap Date & Time. You should see a toggle for "Automatic Date and Time" — make sure it's off so you can edit the time yourself.
With automatic time off, you'll see separate options for Set Date and Set Time. Tap "Set Time" and enter the hours and minutes using the number pad or scroll wheels, depending on your tablet model. If you also need to change the date, tap "Set Date" and enter the month, day, and year. Some Android tablets also have a separate Time Zone setting — if you see one, make sure it matches your location.
Once you've entered the time and date, tap the back arrow or the checkmark button (if one appears) to save your changes. If you want automatic time updates to turn back on later, return to Date & Time and toggle "Automatic Date and Time" back on.
Why your tablet's time might be wrong
If your tablet's time is off by several hours, the most common reason is that automatic time adjustment is on but your location services are off. Your tablet needs to know where you are in order to set the correct time zone. Check that Location Services is turned on: on iPad, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services; on Android, go to Settings > Location.
Another reason the time can drift is if your tablet hasn't been connected to the internet for a while. Tablets don't have their own internal clock the way some devices do — they rely on the network to stay accurate. If you've been using your tablet offline for days, the time may have drifted. Connecting to Wi-Fi and waiting a few seconds usually fixes this.
If you've manually set the time and it keeps changing back, check that "Set Automatically" or "Automatic Date and Time" is actually off. Sometimes the setting resets after a software update.
What happens when you turn off automatic time
When you disable automatic time adjustment, your tablet stops syncing with the network. This is useful if you want to set a specific time for a reason — testing an app, setting a reminder for a particular moment, or troubleshooting a time-related problem. But it also means your tablet won't update the time when you travel across time zones, and it won't correct itself if the time drifts.
For this reason, most people should leave automatic time on. Turn it off only when you have a specific reason to set the time manually, and remember to turn it back on when you're done. If you forget to turn it back on and then travel, you may find your tablet is showing the wrong time until you manually fix it again.
Restarting your tablet after changing the time
If you've changed the time manually and it doesn't seem to have taken effect, try restarting your tablet. A restart forces your device to reload all its settings and can clear up glitches that prevent a time change from sticking.
On an iPad, press and hold the top button and either volume button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, then slide to shut down. Wait a few seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on. On most Android tablets, press and hold the power button until a menu appears, tap "Restart" or "Power Off", wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my tablet keep changing the time back to what it was before?
Your automatic time setting is probably still on. Go back to Date & Time settings and make sure the automatic toggle is completely off. If it's already off but the time keeps reverting, restart your tablet and try setting the time again.
Can I set a different time zone without changing the actual time?
On iPad, the time zone is set automatically based on your location. On Android, you can usually change the time zone separately from the time itself — look for a "Time Zone" option in Date & Time settings. Changing the time zone alone will adjust what time is displayed without you manually entering a new time.
What if I don't see a Date & Time option in Settings?
On iPad, it's always under Settings > General > Date & Time. On Android, it may be under Settings > System > Date & Time, Settings > About Phone > Date & Time, or Settings > Advanced > Date & Time, depending on your manufacturer. If you can't find it, try searching for "date" in your Settings search bar.
Does changing the time affect my alarms or reminders?
Yes. If you set an alarm for 7 a.m. and then manually change the time backward by two hours, the alarm will go off at what is now 5 a.m. on your tablet's clock. For this reason, avoid changing the time unless you have a specific reason to do so.