Where to Find the Time Settings on Your Tablet

The time on your tablet is controlled through the system settings, not through a clock app. On most tablets, you reach these settings by swiping down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel, then tapping the settings icon (usually a gear symbol). On some older models, you may need to swipe down twice or look for a "Settings" app on your home screen.

Once you open Settings, look for a section called "Date and Time," "Date & Time," or sometimes "System." The exact name varies by tablet brand and operating system version. If you cannot find it in the main Settings menu, try scrolling down or searching within Settings — most tablets have a search function at the top of the Settings app.

Key Takeaways

  • Time settings are in your tablet's main Settings app under "Date and Time" or "System," not in a clock app.
  • Most tablets can set the time automatically using your internet connection, which is the simplest method and requires no manual entry.
  • If you turn off automatic time, you must enter the correct time, date, and timezone yourself — mistakes here will affect alarms, schedules, and app timestamps.
  • The steps differ slightly between iPad and Android tablets, but both follow the same basic path: Settings > Date and Time > toggle automatic off > enter time manually.
  • If your tablet's time keeps resetting or changing on its own, the automatic time setting may be turned back on, or your tablet's internal clock battery may be failing.

Setting Time Automatically Using Your Internet Connection

The easiest way to set your tablet's time is to let it do it for you. When you turn on automatic date and time, your tablet pulls the correct time from the internet and updates it whenever you move to a different timezone. This setting is usually on by default.

To check if automatic time is enabled, open Settings, find "Date and Time," and look for a toggle or checkbox labeled "Automatic date and time," "Use network-provided time," or "Set automatically." If it is already on, your tablet's time should be correct. If it is off and you want to turn it back on, tap the toggle to enable it. Your tablet will sync within a few seconds.

Automatic time works only if your tablet is connected to the internet — either WiFi or mobile data. If your tablet is offline, it will keep whatever time was last set. Once you reconnect, it will update to the correct time again.

Changing the Time Manually on an iPad

If you need to set the time by hand on an iPad, first open Settings and tap "General." Then tap "Date and Time." You will see a toggle for "Set Automatically" — turn this off by tapping it once. The toggle will turn gray, and the time fields below it will become editable.

Tap the time field (it usually shows hours and minutes in 24-hour or 12-hour format, depending on your region). A picker wheel will appear. Scroll up or down on the hour and minute sections to set the correct time. Tap outside the picker or tap "Done" when you finish. Repeat the same process for the date if needed — tap the date field and use the picker to select the month, day, and year.

After you set the time manually, you can turn "Set Automatically" back on if you want. Your manual time will stay in place until automatic sync takes over again.

Changing the Time Manually on an Android Tablet

On Android tablets, open Settings and scroll down to find "System" or "About Tablet," then look for "Date and Time" within that section. (Some Android tablets put this directly in the main Settings menu.) Tap "Date and Time" to open it.

Look for a toggle labeled "Automatic date and time" or "Use network-provided time." Turn this toggle off. Once it is off, you will see separate fields for "Set date" and "Set time." Tap "Set time" first. A time picker will appear — tap the hour field, use the keyboard or spinner to enter the correct hour, then do the same for minutes. Tap "OK" or "Confirm" when finished.

Next, tap "Set date." A calendar picker will appear. Navigate to the correct month and year using the arrows, then tap the correct day. Tap "OK" to save. Your tablet will now show the time and date you entered. You can turn automatic time back on at any time by toggling it on again.

Choosing Your Timezone

Your tablet also has a timezone setting, separate from the time itself. The timezone tells your tablet what region you are in, so it knows whether to display 3 p.m. as 15:00 or 3:00 PM, and how to calculate the correct time if you travel. If your automatic time is on, your tablet usually sets the timezone automatically based on your location.

To change your timezone manually, go to Settings > Date and Time and look for "Timezone" or "Select timezone." Tap it and scroll through the list of regions and cities. Find the city or region closest to where you are, and tap it. Your tablet will adjust the displayed time to match that timezone. This is useful if you are traveling and want your tablet to show local time, or if your tablet guessed the wrong timezone.

What to Do If Your Tablet's Time Keeps Changing

If you set the time manually but it keeps resetting to a different time, automatic date and time is probably turned back on. Check your Date and Time settings and confirm that "Set Automatically" or "Automatic date and time" is toggled off. If it is already off, turn it off again — sometimes the setting does not save on the first try.

If the time is still changing after you turn off automatic sync, your tablet may have a failing internal clock battery (also called a CMOS battery or real-time clock battery). This is a small battery inside the tablet that keeps the time running even when the tablet is off. If it fails, the tablet cannot hold the time without being plugged in or connected to the internet. If you suspect this is the problem, contact the tablet manufacturer or a repair technician — this is not a setting you can fix yourself.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is forgetting to turn off automatic time before trying to set the time manually. If automatic time is on, any manual changes you make will be overwritten within seconds. Always check that the toggle is off and shows as gray or disabled before you start entering a new time.

Another mistake is entering the time in the wrong format. If your tablet is set to 24-hour time (military time), entering 3 for 3 p.m. will set it to 3 a.m. instead. Check whether your tablet shows time as 00:00–23:59 (24-hour) or 12:00 AM–11:59 PM (12-hour) before you enter the hours. You can usually change the time format in the same Date and Time settings menu, under "Time format" or "Use 24-hour format."

Finally, do not forget to set the correct timezone if you are traveling or if your tablet guessed wrong. An incorrect timezone will make your alarms, calendar events, and app notifications appear at the wrong times, even if the clock itself shows the right time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my tablet show the wrong time even though I set it correctly?

The most likely reason is that automatic date and time is turned back on and overriding your manual setting. Open Settings, go to Date and Time, and confirm that automatic time is toggled off. If it is already off, check that your timezone is correct — an incorrect timezone can make the time appear wrong even though the clock is set right.

Can I set different times for different apps?

No. Your tablet has one system time, and all apps use that same time. If you need a different time for a specific app (like a world clock app), that app will display it separately, but the tablet's actual system time cannot be split or changed per app.

What happens to my alarms and calendar if I change the time?

Alarms and calendar events are tied to the time you set. If you move the time forward, alarms scheduled for earlier times may have already passed and will not go off. If you move the time backward, alarms may go off sooner than expected. Calendar events will show at their scheduled times in the new timezone, so be careful when changing time if you have events coming up soon.

Do I need to restart my tablet after changing the time?

No. Time changes take effect when ready without a restart. However, some apps may need to be closed and reopened to see the new time reflected in their displays.

My tablet is connected to WiFi but still shows the wrong time. What should I do?

First, check that automatic date and time is turned on. If it is on but the time is still wrong, try turning it off and back on again — this forces your tablet to re-sync with the network. If that does not work, restart your tablet and reconnect to WiFi. If the time is still incorrect after that, your internet connection may be unstable, or your tablet's internal clock may need service.