Change the time in System Settings

Open System Settings from the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Click General in the left sidebar, then click Date & Time. You will see your current time zone and whether your Mac is set to update automatically.

If Set date and time automatically is turned on, your Mac pulls the correct time from Apple's servers and updates it without your input. This is the default setting and works for most people. If you need to set the time manually, click the toggle to turn off automatic updates.

Once automatic updates are off, you can click the date and time fields to edit them directly. Click the date field to change the month, day, and year. Click the time field to change the hour, minute, and second. After you make changes, the new time takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac is set to update time automatically by default, pulling the correct time from Apple's servers.
  • To change the time manually, go to System Settings > General > Date & Time and turn off automatic updates.
  • After turning off automatic updates, you can click the date and time fields to edit them directly.
  • Changing your time zone in Date & Time also updates the time your Mac displays without affecting stored files or timestamps.
  • If your Mac keeps reverting to the wrong time, check that automatic updates is on or restart your Mac to sync with the network.

Change your time zone without changing the time

In the same Date & Time window, you can change your time zone without manually adjusting the clock. Click the Time zone dropdown and search for your location or the nearest major city. Your Mac will automatically calculate the correct local time for that zone.

This is useful when you travel or move to a different region. Your Mac updates the displayed time when ready, but files you created before the change keep their original timestamps. The change only affects what time your Mac shows you going forward.

Turn off automatic time updates if you need to

Turning off Set date and time automatically stops your Mac from syncing with Apple's time servers. This is rarely necessary, but some people do it when testing software, working with older systems, or troubleshooting time-related problems.

When automatic updates are off, your Mac's clock can drift over time if you do not restart it regularly. If you notice your Mac's time is wrong after a few days, turn automatic updates back on or restart your Mac to resync with the network.

What to do if your Mac shows the wrong time

If your Mac displays an incorrect time even with automatic updates on, restart your Mac first. Hold down the power button until the screen goes black, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. After restart, your Mac will contact Apple's time servers and correct itself.

If the time is still wrong after restart, check that automatic updates is actually on in Date & Time settings. You can also check your internet connection — your Mac needs to reach Apple's servers to sync the time. If you are on a corporate network, your IT department may have disabled automatic time updates for security reasons.

How to set time on your Mac during setup

When you first turn on a new Mac or reinstall the operating system, the setup assistant asks you to select your time zone. Choose the zone where you are located, and your Mac will set the correct time automatically. You can change this later in System Settings if you move or need a different zone.

If you skip this step during setup, your Mac defaults to Pacific Time. You can correct it anytime in Date & Time settings without affecting anything else on your computer.

Why your Mac needs the correct time

Your Mac uses the correct time for file timestamps, calendar events, email headers, and security certificates. If the time is significantly wrong, some websites may refuse to connect because they think your Mac's clock is broken. Automatic time updates prevent these problems by keeping your Mac in sync with the rest of the internet.

Some applications also depend on accurate time to function properly. Video editing software, backup programs, and development tools all rely on correct timestamps. Keeping automatic updates on ensures these programs work as intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the time on my Mac affect my files or backups?

Changing the time does not delete or damage your files. Files you created before the time change keep their original timestamps. If you change the time and then create new files, those files get timestamped with the new time. Time Machine backups continue to work normally regardless of what time your Mac displays.

Can I set different times for different user accounts on the same Mac?

No. The time and time zone are system-wide settings that explore to all user accounts on your Mac. Every account sees the same time. If you need different times for different purposes, you would need to change the system time, which affects everyone using that Mac.

What if my Mac is on a network that controls the time?

Some workplaces and schools configure Macs to get the time from a network server instead of Apple's servers. If you cannot turn off automatic updates or change the time manually, your network administrator has locked these settings. Contact your IT department to request a change.

Does my Mac need internet to keep the correct time?

Your Mac needs internet only to sync the time initially. Once synced, your Mac's internal clock keeps running accurately for days or weeks without a network connection. When you reconnect to the internet, your Mac checks in with Apple's servers again to make sure it has not drifted.