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. The setting lives in the main Settings app under a section called Date & Time. Open Settings from your home screen — it's the grey gear icon — then scroll down and tap General, then Date & Time.

You'll see a toggle at the top that says "Set Automatically". This toggle is usually on, which means your iPad syncs the time from Apple's servers and your network. If you turn this toggle off, you can set the time yourself by tapping the time display below it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPad's time normally updates automatically, but you can turn off the "Set Automatically" toggle in Settings > General > Date & Time to change it manually.
  • When you turn off automatic time, you can tap the time field and use the scroll wheels to set hours, minutes, and AM or PM yourself.
  • Changing the time manually can affect reminders, alarms, and scheduled tasks, so only do this if you have a specific reason.
  • If you change the time and then turn "Set Automatically" back on, your iPad will return to the correct time within a few seconds.

Turning off automatic time updates

Open Settings, tap General, then tap Date & Time. At the top of the screen you'll see a toggle labeled "Set Automatically" — it's usually green and switched to the right, meaning it's on. Tap this toggle once to turn it off. The toggle will turn grey and move to the left.

Once you turn off automatic time, the time field below the toggle becomes editable. You'll see the current time displayed, and tapping it opens a picker where you can change it. The picker shows three columns: one for hours, one for minutes, and one for AM or PM. Scroll each column up or down with your finger to set the time you want.

Setting the time manually

After you've turned off "Set Automatically", tap the time display. A picker with three scrollable columns appears. The left column shows hours from 1 to 12, the middle column shows minutes from 00 to 59 in five-minute increments, and the right column shows AM or PM.

Scroll each column by dragging your finger up or down. The column in the middle of the picker is highlighted and represents the value you're setting. When the time you want is in the middle of each column, tap outside the picker or press the back arrow to close it. Your new time is now set.

Changing your time zone

Just below the Date & Time section, you'll see a field labeled "Time Zone". Tap it to see a list of time zones organized by region. Scroll through the list or type the name of a city to find your zone faster. When you find the one you want, tap it to select it.

If "Set Automatically" is turned on, your iPad will use the time zone from your location automatically. If you turn automatic time off, you can set a time zone manually and keep it even if you travel. This is useful if you want your iPad to show a different time than your actual location.

What happens when you change the time manually

Changing your iPad's time can affect how reminders, alarms, and scheduled tasks work. If you set the time backward, a reminder that was supposed to go off at 3 p.m. might have already passed. If you set the time forward, you might miss notifications that were scheduled for times you've now skipped past.

Apps that depend on the correct time — like calendar apps, email, or banking apps — may also behave unexpectedly. For this reason, only change the time if you have a specific reason to do so, like testing how an app responds to time changes.

Returning to automatic time

If you've manually changed the time and want to go back to automatic updates, open Settings > General > Date & Time and tap the "Set Automatically" toggle to turn it back on. Within a few seconds, your iPad will fetch the correct time from the network and update itself.

Your time zone will also return to automatic if you have location services turned on. If you want to keep a specific time zone even after turning automatic time back on, you can turn off the toggle next to "Set Automatically" for the time zone separately — though this option only appears on some iPad models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad keep changing the time back?

Your "Set Automatically" toggle is likely still on. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and check whether the toggle is green. If it is, your iPad is syncing with Apple's servers and will always correct any manual time you set. Turn the toggle off if you want your manual time to stick.

Can I set a different time zone without changing the actual time?

Yes. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and tap the Time Zone field. You can change your time zone independently of whether "Set Automatically" is on or off. Changing the zone doesn't change the actual time on your device — it just changes how that time is displayed.

What if the time picker won't open when I tap the time?

Make sure "Set Automatically" is turned off first. If the toggle is still on, the time field is locked and won't respond to taps. Turn off the toggle, wait a moment, then tap the time field again. It should now open the picker.

Does changing the time affect my iPad's battery or performance?

No. Changing the time is a straightforward setting change and has no effect on battery life or how fast your iPad runs. The only real impact is on apps and reminders that depend on knowing the correct time.