The fastest way to change the time on your iPad
Open Settings, tap General, then tap Date & Time. Toggle off Set Automatically if it is on. Once you turn it off, you can tap the time and date fields to change them manually to whatever you need.
If Set Automatically is already off, the time and date fields are ready to edit right away. Tap each field, use the scroll wheels or number pad that appears, and confirm your changes. Your iPad will save them when ready.
The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Most of the time, you will not need to do this — your iPad syncs the correct time from the internet automatically. But if your iPad is showing the wrong time, or you are in a different time zone and the automatic setting has not caught up, this is how you fix it.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time to access the time controls on your iPad.
- Turn off Set Automatically to edit the time and date manually instead of letting your iPad sync from the internet.
- Tap each field — hours, minutes, month, day, year — and use the scroll wheels to change the numbers.
- Your iPad saves changes as soon as you confirm them; you do not need to restart or do anything else.
When Set Automatically is on and you cannot change the time
Set Automatically is turned on by default on most iPads. When it is on, your iPad pulls the correct time from Apple's servers and from your cellular or Wi-Fi network, and it locks the time fields so you cannot edit them manually. This is why you see the time and date fields greyed out or unresponsive.
To unlock them, go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle Set Automatically to the off position. The toggle will turn grey. Once it is off, the time and date fields become editable, and you can tap them to change the numbers.
If you turn off Set Automatically and then change your mind later, you can turn it back on the same way. Your iPad will re-sync to the correct time from the internet within a few seconds.
Changing your time zone without changing the actual time
If you travel or move to a different time zone, you do not have to turn off Set Automatically. Instead, scroll down in the Date & Time settings and look for Time Zone. Tap it and search for your new city or time zone by name.
When you select a new time zone, your iPad automatically adjusts the displayed time to match. The actual moment stays the same — only the numbers change. This is the easiest way to handle time zones because your iPad keeps syncing the correct time from the internet, and you do not have to remember to turn Set Automatically back on.
What to do if the time still shows wrong after you change it
If you manually changed the time but it reverted back to the wrong time a few seconds later, Set Automatically is probably still on. Go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and check the toggle. If it is on (blue), turn it off, then change the time again.
If Set Automatically is already off and the time keeps changing on its own, your iPad may be connecting to a network that is sending time data. Try turning off Wi-Fi and cellular for a moment, change the time, and then turn them back on. If the time stays correct, the issue is resolved.
If the time is still wrong after you turn off Set Automatically and disconnect from networks, restart your iPad. Hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, swipe it, wait 30 seconds, then hold the top button again until the Apple logo shows. After restart, go back to Date & Time and change the time once more.
Why your iPad might show the wrong time in the first place
The most common reason is that your iPad has not connected to the internet since you moved to a different time zone or since daylight saving time changed. If Set Automatically is on, your iPad needs a Wi-Fi or cellular connection to pull the correct time from the network. If you have been offline, the time can lag behind.
Another reason is that your iPad's internal clock battery may be low or failing. This is rare on newer iPads, but older models sometimes lose track of time if they sit unplugged for weeks. Plugging in and connecting to Wi-Fi usually fixes this within a few minutes.
A third possibility is that you manually changed the time at some point and forgot to turn Set Automatically back on. Check the toggle in Settings > General > Date & Time to confirm it is on if you want your iPad to sync automatically.
How to check what time zone your iPad thinks it is in
Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and look at the Time Zone field. It will show the city or region your iPad is currently set to. If you just traveled or moved, this field may still show your old location.
Tap the Time Zone field and search for your current city by typing the name. Your iPad will show a list of matching time zones. Select the one closest to where you are now. The time will update automatically if Set Automatically is on, or you can manually adjust it if you have turned that setting off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different time on my iPad than what the network shows?
Yes, but only if you turn off Set Automatically first. Once it is off, your iPad will not override your manual time setting. However, if you turn Set Automatically back on, your iPad will re-sync to the network time and overwrite whatever you set.
Does changing the time on my iPad affect alarms or reminders?
Yes. If you manually change the time backward, alarms and reminders that were set for times you have already passed may not go off. If you change the time forward, alarms may go off earlier than you expect. It is best to turn Set Automatically back on as soon as you have finished adjusting the time.
What if my iPad is stuck on the wrong time and I cannot turn off Set Automatically?
The toggle may be greyed out if your iPad is managed by a school or workplace. In that case, contact your IT department or administrator — they control the time settings remotely. If your iPad is personal and the toggle is still unresponsive, restart your iPad and try again.
Will changing the time affect my iPad's battery or performance?
No. Changing the time or time zone does not drain the battery or slow down your iPad. The only thing that changes is the numbers displayed on the screen and in your calendar and clock apps.