Where to Find the Time Settings on Your Samsung Tablet

The time on your Samsung tablet is controlled through the Settings app, which you can reach in about 30 seconds. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full notification panel, then tap the gear icon labeled Settings. If you do not see it there, open the app drawer (the grid icon on your home screen) and search for Settings by name.

Once Settings opens, scroll down and tap General management. Inside that menu, look for Date and time. This is where you control whether your tablet sets the time automatically or lets you change it manually. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your tablet model and Android version, but these menu names are standard across Samsung devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to General management, then tap Date and time to reach the time controls.
  • Turn off the toggle for automatic time and date before you can manually change the time yourself.
  • Once automatic is off, tap the time field to open a clock picker where you set hours and minutes by tapping the numbers or using the plus and minus buttons.
  • If your tablet keeps resetting the time, automatic time is likely turning back on, or your tablet is syncing with a network time server.

Turning Off Automatic Time So You Can Change It Manually

By default, Samsung tablets set the time automatically using your network connection or GPS. This means if you try to change the time, it will revert back within seconds. To change it yourself, you must first turn off this automatic setting.

In the Date and time menu, look for the toggle labeled Automatic date and time or Set time automatically. Tap it once to turn it off. The toggle should change color (usually from blue to gray) to show it is now disabled. Once this is off, the time field below it will become editable instead of grayed out.

Setting the Time Manually

After you turn off automatic time, tap the Time field. A clock picker will appear on your screen. You will see the current time displayed, usually with separate fields or buttons for hours and minutes.

To change the hours, tap the hour number and use the plus (+) and minus (−) buttons above and below it, or tap directly on the number to type a new one. Do the same for minutes. Some Samsung tablets show a circular clock face where you drag the hands to the time you want. Once you have set the correct time, tap Done or OK to save the change.

Changing the Time Zone on Your Samsung Tablet

If your tablet is in a different location than where it was set up, you may need to change the time zone as well as the time itself. In the same Date and time menu, look for Time zone and tap it.

A list of time zones will appear, usually organized by region and city. Scroll to find your current location and tap it. Your tablet will when ready adjust the time to match that zone. If you are not sure which zone you are in, search for your city name in the list—most major cities are included. After you select a time zone, the time on your tablet should update to the correct local time for that area.

What to Do If the Time Keeps Changing Back

If you set the time manually and it changes back to a different time within a few minutes, automatic time has likely turned itself back on. This can happen if your tablet restarted or if a system update re-enabled the setting. Go back to Settings > General management > Date and time and check whether the automatic toggle is on again. Turn it off once more.

Another reason the time might reset is if your tablet is connected to a Wi-Fi network that provides time information, or if location services are enabled and syncing with a network time server. If you want the time to stay exactly as you set it, make sure automatic date and time is off and location services are disabled (though this will affect other features that rely on your location).

Using 12-Hour or 24-Hour Time Format

Samsung tablets also let you choose whether the time displays in 12-hour format (with AM and PM) or 24-hour format (military time). In the Date and time menu, look for Time format or Use 24-hour format. Tap the toggle to switch between the two. This changes only how the time appears on your screen—it does not affect the actual time itself.

The time format you choose will show up in your status bar, lock screen, and anywhere else your tablet displays the time. If you prefer 1:30 PM to appear as 13:30, turn on 24-hour format. If you prefer the traditional 12-hour clock with AM and PM labels, leave it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Samsung tablet keep showing the wrong time?

The most common reason is that automatic time is still on and your tablet is syncing with a network time server that has the wrong time set. Check that automatic date and time is turned off in Settings > General management > Date and time. If it is off but the time still changes, restart your tablet and check again—sometimes the setting does not stick after a restart.

Can I change the time on my Samsung tablet without going into Settings?

No, the only way to manually change the time is through the Date and time menu in Settings. You cannot change it from the lock screen or notification panel. Some third-party clock apps exist, but they do not change the system time—they only display a different time in the app itself.

What is the difference between date and time settings?

The date setting controls what day your tablet thinks it is, while the time setting controls the hour and minute. Both are in the same Date and time menu. If you need to change the date as well as the time, turn off automatic date and time, then tap the Date field to set the correct date before you set the time.

Does changing the time affect my apps or files?

Changing the time can affect apps that rely on it, such as alarms, calendar reminders, and email timestamps. Files you create will be stamped with the new time you set. If you set the time far in the past or future, some apps may behave unexpectedly. It is best to set the time to the actual current time in your location.