The quickest way to change your iPad's time

Open Settings, tap General, then tap Date & Time. Toggle off the switch next to Set Automatically if it is on. Once you turn it off, two new fields appear: Time Zone and Set Date & Time. Tap Set Date & Time and use the scroll wheels to pick the month, day, year, hour, and minute you want. Tap outside the picker when you are done—the time updates when ready.

If you leave Set Automatically turned on, your iPad pulls the time from Apple's servers and your selected time zone. This is the default and works for most people. You only need to change it manually if your iPad is showing the wrong time even after restarting, or if you want to set a time that does not match your actual location.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off Set Automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time before you can manually change the time.
  • Use the scroll wheels in the Set Date & Time picker to select the exact month, day, year, hour, and minute.
  • If your time is wrong but Set Automatically is on, restart your iPad or check that you have selected the correct time zone.
  • Changing the time on your iPad does not affect the time on other Apple devices unless you change them separately.

When to turn off automatic time setting

Your iPad normally syncs its time with Apple's servers, which means it stays accurate without you doing anything. Leave Set Automatically on unless you have a specific reason to turn it off. Common reasons include testing an app that depends on a certain date or time, or troubleshooting a device that is stuck on the wrong time despite restarting.

If you travel across time zones, Set Automatically updates your iPad's time zone based on your location—but only if location services are on and the iPad can detect where you are. If your iPad does not update automatically when you travel, check that Location Services is enabled in Settings > Privacy > Location Services.

Changing the time zone without changing the actual time

If you only want to change your time zone (for example, you are traveling or moved), go to Settings > General > Date & Time and tap Time Zone. A search field appears. Type the name of the city or region you want, and tap it from the list. Your iPad updates the time automatically to match that zone.

You do not need to turn off Set Automatically to change your time zone. The two controls work separately: Set Automatically handles whether the time syncs with Apple's servers, and Time Zone tells your iPad which zone to use. Changing one does not affect the other.

Fixing a time that stays wrong after restarting

If your iPad shows the wrong time even though Set Automatically is on and you have restarted it, check three things. First, confirm that Set Automatically is actually turned on—go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and look for the toggle. Second, verify that your time zone is correct by tapping Time Zone and checking the city listed. Third, make sure your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, because Set Automatically needs an internet connection to sync.

If the time is still wrong after checking all three, restart your iPad by holding the top button and one volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, then hold the top button again until you see the Apple logo. Once it restarts, check Settings > General > Date & Time again. If the problem persists, the issue may be with your internet connection or Apple's time servers, not your iPad.

Common mistakes when setting the time manually

The most common mistake is forgetting to turn off Set Automatically first. If you do not turn it off, the Set Date & Time option is grayed out and you cannot tap it. Always toggle Set Automatically to off before you try to adjust the time manually.

Another mistake is using the 24-hour format when you expect 12-hour, or vice versa. Your iPad uses the time format you set in Settings > General > Date & Time under Time Format. If you see 14:30 but you expected 2:30 PM, you are looking at 24-hour time. Tap Time Format and toggle it to match what you prefer. This does not change the actual time—only how it displays.

A third mistake is setting the time and then forgetting to turn Set Automatically back on. If you leave it off, your iPad's time will not update when you travel to a different time zone or when daylight saving time changes. Once you finish testing or troubleshooting, go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle Set Automatically back on.

Syncing time across your Apple devices

Changing the time on your iPad does not automatically change it on your iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch. Each device has its own time setting. If you want all your devices to show the same time, make sure Set Automatically is turned on for each one. They will all sync to Apple's servers and stay in sync with each other, as long as they are all connected to the internet.

If you manually set the time on one device and want to match it on another, you have to go through the same steps on each device separately. Turn off Set Automatically, set the time using the scroll wheels, and then turn Set Automatically back on when you are done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad keep changing the time back after I set it?

Set Automatically is probably still on. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and check the toggle. If it is on (green), your iPad overrides any manual time you set and pulls the correct time from Apple's servers instead. Turn it off if you want your manual time to stick.

Can I set a different time on my iPad than what my time zone shows?

Yes. Turn off Set Automatically, then use the scroll wheels in Set Date & Time to pick any time you want, regardless of your time zone. Your iPad will display that time until you change it again or turn Set Automatically back on.

Does changing the time on my iPad affect alarms or reminders?

Yes. If you set your iPad to a time that is hours ahead or behind the real time, alarms and reminders will go off at the wrong moment. Always turn Set Automatically back on after you finish testing, so your alarms work correctly.

What if my iPad says the time zone is not available?

Type the name of a major city in that zone instead of the region name. For example, if "Eastern Time" does not appear, search for "New York" or "Toronto". Your iPad will set the time zone based on that city's location.