The quickest way to change your tablet's time
The fastest route is to let your tablet set the time automatically. Go to Settings, find Date & Time (or System > Date & Time on some models), and turn on Automatic date and time. Your tablet will pull the correct time from your internet connection and update it on its own.
If you need to set the time manually — because automatic isn't working, or you're in a place where the network time is wrong — you can do that in the same menu. Turn off the automatic toggle, and you'll see options to set the hour, minute, and date by hand.
The exact names and locations of these settings vary slightly between iPad and Android tablets, but the principle is the same on both. The steps below walk you through each type.
Key Takeaways
- Automatic date and time is the easiest option and works whenever your tablet has an internet connection.
- On iPad, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle on Set Automatically.
- On Android, go to Settings > System > Date & Time and turn on Automatic date and time.
- If you set the time manually, you may need to adjust it again if you travel to a different time zone.
- Some tablets also let you choose your time zone separately from the automatic time setting.
How to change the time on an iPad
Open Settings from your home screen. Tap General, then scroll down and tap Date & Time.
You'll see a toggle labeled Set Automatically. If it's already on (the switch will be green), your iPad is pulling the time from the network and you don't need to do anything else. If it's off, tap it to turn it on.
If you want to set the time manually instead, leave that toggle off. You'll then see separate fields for the date and time. Tap each one to adjust it. The date picker lets you scroll through months and days; the time picker lets you set hours and minutes. When you're done, tap Back or just leave the Settings app — the changes save automatically.
You can also set your time zone separately. In the same Date & Time menu, look for Time Zone and tap it to choose your location. This matters if you travel, because your iPad will then automatically adjust the time when you cross into a new zone (as long as automatic time is still on).
How to change the time on an Android tablet
Open Settings. The next step depends on your tablet's manufacturer, but look for System or About tablet near the bottom of the settings list. Tap it, then look for Date & Time.
You should see a toggle for Automatic date and time or Use network-provided time. If it's on, your tablet is synced to the network and you're done. If it's off, tap it to turn it on.
To set the time manually, turn that toggle off. You'll then see fields for Set date and Set time. Tap each one to adjust it using the picker that appears. Some Android tablets also have a separate Select time zone option in the same menu — use that if you need to change your zone.
After you've made your changes, back out of Settings. The time updates when ready.
Why your tablet's time might be wrong
If your tablet shows the wrong time even though automatic time is on, the most common cause is that it lost its internet connection when the time changed. This happens during daylight saving time transitions or when you travel across time zones. Turning automatic time off and back on again usually fixes it — the tablet will reconnect and pull the correct time.
If automatic time is on but your tablet still shows the wrong time after you reconnect to Wi-Fi, restart the tablet. Hold the power button until you see the shutdown screen, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. After it restarts, check the time again.
If you've set the time manually and it keeps reverting to a different time, automatic time is probably still on in the background. Go back to Date & Time settings and make sure the automatic toggle is actually off.
What to do if the time zone is wrong
Your tablet's time zone controls whether it shows the correct time when you travel. If you're in a new location and the time is off by a whole hour (or several hours), the time zone setting is the problem, not the time itself.
On iPad, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and tap Time Zone. Type in the name of your current city or region. The list will narrow as you type, and you can tap the one you want.
On Android, go to Settings > System > Date & Time and tap Select time zone. You'll see a list of regions and cities. Scroll to find yours and tap it.
Once you've set the correct time zone, if automatic time is on, your tablet will adjust the displayed time automatically. If you've set the time manually, you may need to adjust the hour to match your new zone.
When to restart your tablet instead of changing settings
If you've tried turning automatic time on and off, reconnected to Wi-Fi, and the time is still wrong, a full restart often clears whatever is stuck. Press and hold the power button until you see the power-off screen (on iPad, you may need to also press a volume button). Slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
After the restart, go back to Date & Time settings and check that automatic time is on. Give it a minute or two to sync with the network. If the time is still incorrect after that, the issue may be with your Wi-Fi connection itself — try connecting to a different network if you have one available, or contact your internet provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the time affect my tablet's alarms or reminders?
If you change the time manually, alarms and reminders set for specific times may go off at the wrong moment until you change the time back. It's better to let automatic time handle it. If you must set the time manually, adjust any alarms afterward to match the new time.
Do I need to change the time zone if I'm just traveling for a few days?
No. If automatic time is on, your tablet will keep showing the correct local time no matter where you are. You only need to change the time zone if you want your tablet to display times in a different location than where you physically are.
What if my tablet says "time not set" or shows a very old date?
This usually means your tablet has lost its connection to the network time source. Turn on Wi-Fi, wait a minute for it to connect, then go to Date & Time settings and toggle automatic time off and back on. If that doesn't work, restart the tablet.
Can I set a custom time that doesn't match my actual time zone?
Yes. Turn off automatic time, then set the date and time manually to whatever you want. Your tablet will keep that time until you change it again or turn automatic time back on.