Where to find the time settings on your iPad

The time on your iPad updates automatically most of the time, but you can change it manually if needed. Open Settings from your home screen — it's the gray icon with gears. Tap General, then scroll down and tap Date & Time. This is where all the time controls live.

You'll see a toggle labeled Set Automatically. When this toggle is on (green), your iPad pulls the correct time from Apple's servers and your cellular or Wi-Fi network. When it's off (gray), you can set the time yourself. Most people leave it on, but there are reasons to turn it off temporarily — we'll cover those below.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPad's time updates automatically by default through Settings > General > Date & Time, and you should leave this on unless you have a specific reason to change it.
  • To set the time manually, turn off the Set Automatically toggle, then tap the time field and use the scroll wheels to enter the hours and minutes you want.
  • Changing the time manually can affect app notifications, calendar events, and security features that depend on accurate time, so only do this if you understand the consequences.
  • If your iPad's time is wrong even with automatic setting on, restart your iPad or check that Wi-Fi or cellular is connected and working.

Turning off automatic time and setting it manually

If you need to set a different time, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and tap the Set Automatically toggle to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray. Now you'll see a time field appear below it showing the current time in hours and minutes.

Tap that time field. A picker will appear with scroll wheels for hours and minutes. Scroll up or down on each wheel to set the time you want, then tap outside the picker or press a button to close it. Your iPad will now use the time you entered. Remember that turning off automatic time means your iPad won't update the time if you travel to a different time zone or if daylight saving time changes — you'll have to update it yourself.

Why your iPad's time might be wrong

If your iPad shows the wrong time even with Set Automatically turned on, the problem is usually that your device can't reach Apple's time servers. Check that you're connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data and that the connection is working — try opening a web page to confirm. If the connection is fine, restart your iPad: press and hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide it to turn off the device. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on.

If the time is still wrong after a restart and your connection is working, your iPad may need a software update. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. Time-related bugs are rare but do happen, and updates usually fix them.

What happens when you change the time manually

Changing your iPad's time manually can cause problems with features that depend on accurate time. Notifications and reminders may not arrive when you expect them — they'll trigger at the time you set, not the actual time. Calendar events will show at the wrong times. Some apps that use time stamps for security, like banking apps or two-factor authentication, may behave unexpectedly or refuse to work until the time is corrected.

Parental controls and screen time limits also rely on accurate time. If you change the time to bypass these restrictions, the device will likely detect the change and lock you out or reset the settings. This is intentional — it's a security feature to prevent people from circumventing controls.

Changing the time zone without changing the actual time

If you're traveling or you want to change what time zone your iPad displays without manually setting the time, you don't need to touch the time settings at all. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and look for Time Zone below the time field. Tap it and search for the city or region you want. Your iPad will automatically adjust the displayed time to match that zone while keeping the actual time correct.

This is the right way to handle time zones because your iPad stays synchronized with the actual time — apps, notifications, and security features all work correctly. You only see a different clock display.

When automatic time won't turn back on

Sometimes after you turn off Set Automatically, the toggle won't turn back on, or it turns on but your iPad doesn't update the time. First, make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi or cellular. Then go to Settings > General > Date & Time and try toggling Set Automatically off and on again. Wait a few seconds — your iPad should fetch the correct time from the network.

If that doesn't work, restart your iPad. After the restart, go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and turn Set Automatically on. If it still won't work, check that your Wi-Fi or cellular connection is actually connected by opening Safari and loading a website. If the connection works but the time still won't update, your iPad may need a software update or a factory reset, which is rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different time for different apps?

No. The time setting applies to your entire iPad — all apps see the same time. If you change the system time, every app that uses time will be affected. Some apps have their own time displays or countdowns, but those are based on your iPad's system time.

What if I change the time and now my apps won't open?

Some apps, especially banking and security apps, refuse to run if the system time is very far off from the actual time. Turn Set Automatically back on in Settings > General > Date & Time, connect to Wi-Fi, and wait for your iPad to sync. The apps should work again once the time is correct.

Does changing the time affect my iPad's battery?

No. The time setting doesn't drain your battery. However, if changing the time causes apps to malfunction or run constantly in the background trying to correct themselves, that could use more power. This is another reason to keep automatic time on.

Can I set the time to a future date?

Yes, you can set your iPad's time to any date and time you want by turning off Set Automatically and using the picker. However, doing this can break app functionality, mess up file time stamps, and interfere with security features. Only do this if you have a specific technical reason and understand the consequences.

Why does my iPad keep changing the time back?

If you set the time manually and it keeps reverting, Set Automatically is probably still on or turning itself back on. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and check the toggle. If it's on, your iPad is overriding your manual time with the network time. Turn it off if you want to keep your manual time, but remember that you'll need to update it yourself if you travel or daylight saving time changes.