Where to find the time settings on your iPad

The time on your iPad is controlled through the Settings app, which you can reach from your home screen. Open Settings, then tap General, then Date & Time. This is where you'll see your current time and the controls to change it.

Your iPad may be set to update the time automatically based on your location and network. If you see a toggle next to Set Automatically, that setting is currently on. When it's on, your iPad pulls the correct time from your internet connection and your time zone, so you usually won't need to change anything manually.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap General, then Date & Time to access the time controls on your iPad.
  • If Set Automatically is turned on, your iPad updates the time by itself and you don't need to do anything.
  • Turn off Set Automatically if you want to change the time manually, then tap the time field to enter a new time.
  • You can also change your time zone in the same menu, which will shift all times on your iPad forward or backward by hours.
  • If the time keeps reverting to the wrong setting, check whether Set Automatically is still on or whether your iPad lost internet connection.

Turning off automatic time updates

To change the time manually, you first need to turn off the automatic setting. In the Date & Time menu, look for the toggle next to Set Automatically and tap it to turn it off. The toggle will change color (usually from green to gray) to show it's now off.

Once you turn off Set Automatically, two new fields will appear below it: one for the date and one for the time. These fields are now active and you can tap them to make changes. If you don't see these fields, make sure the Set Automatically toggle is fully off.

Entering a new time manually

Tap the time field (it will show the current time in hours and minutes). A picker will appear with spinning wheels for hours and minutes. Scroll up or down on each wheel to set the time you want. The hour wheel usually shows times in 24-hour format, so 13:00 is 1 p.m., 14:00 is 2 p.m., and so on.

Once you've set the hours and minutes to what you need, tap outside the picker or tap a confirmation button (the exact label depends on your iPad model and iOS version, but it's usually at the top or bottom of the picker). The time will update when ready.

Changing your time zone

If you've moved to a different location or want your iPad to reflect a different time zone, you can change that in the same Date & Time menu. Look for Time Zone (it may also be labeled as a separate setting depending on your iPad model). Tap it to see a list of time zones organized by city or region.

Scroll through the list and tap the time zone that matches your location. Your iPad will when ready shift all times forward or backward to match that zone. For example, if you switch from Eastern Time to Pacific Time, all times will move back three hours. This change affects clocks, calendar events, and any app that displays time on your iPad.

What to do if the time keeps changing back

If you set the time manually but it reverts to a different time after a few minutes, Set Automatically is likely still on or has turned itself back on. Go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and confirm that Set Automatically is off. If it's off but the time is still changing, restart your iPad by holding down the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on.

Another common cause is that your iPad lost its internet connection. When Set Automatically is on and your iPad reconnects to Wi-Fi or cellular data, it will pull the correct time from the network. If you're in a location where the network time doesn't match what you set, your iPad will override your manual setting. In that case, either keep Set Automatically on and let your iPad manage the time, or make sure you're in a stable connection before making manual changes.

Checking the 12-hour or 24-hour time format

Your iPad can display time in either 12-hour format (with a.m. and p.m.) or 24-hour format (military time, where 13:00 is 1 p.m.). This setting is usually controlled by your region setting rather than a separate toggle in Date & Time. To change it, go to Settings > General > Language & Region and look for Time Format or a similar option.

Tap your preferred format. This change will affect how the time appears on your lock screen, in notifications, and in most apps. Some apps may ignore this setting and use their own format, but the system-wide clocks will follow your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If Set Automatically is on, your iPad overrides any manual time you set and pulls the correct time from your internet connection. Turn off Set Automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time if you want your manual setting to stick. If it's already off and the time is still wrong, restart your iPad.

Can I set different times for different apps?

No. The time on your iPad is system-wide, so all apps see the same time. If one app shows a different time than another, it's usually because that app is pulling time from a server in a different time zone, not because your iPad's time is different.

What happens to my calendar events if I change the time zone?

Calendar events are tied to a specific time zone. If you change your iPad's time zone, the events will shift to show the new local time. For example, a 2 p.m. event in New York will show as 11 a.m. if you switch to Pacific Time. The event itself doesn't move; only how it displays changes.

Do I need Wi-Fi to change the time on my iPad?

No. You can change the time manually without any internet connection. However, if Set Automatically is on, your iPad needs Wi-Fi or cellular data to pull the correct time from the network. If you're offline and Set Automatically is on, your iPad will keep whatever time it last received.

How do I know if my iPad's time is correct?

Compare your iPad's time to another device you trust, like your phone or a wall clock. If they match, your iPad is correct. If Set Automatically is on, your iPad should always match your phone's time (assuming both are on the same network and in the same location).