Switching back to automatic time on your iPhone is a simple process that anyone can do. All you need to do is go to your settings, tap on ‘General’, then ‘Date & Time’, and finally toggle the ‘Set Automatically’ switch on. After following these steps, your iPhone will once again update its time based on your current location and time zone.
You can also watch this video about how to switch back to automatic time on an iPhone for additional information.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Switch Back to Automatic Time on iPhone
Before we jump into the steps, let me give you a brief run-down of what we’re about to do. We’re going to go into your iPhone’s settings to enable the automatic time update feature. This means your phone will automatically adjust the time based on the network it’s connected to. It’s handy when you’re traveling or during daylight savings time changes.
Step 1: Open Settings
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
The Settings app is usually found on your home screen. It has an icon that looks like gears turning.
Step 2: Tap on ‘General’
Scroll down and tap on the ‘General’ option.
The ‘General’ section is where you’ll find a lot of the fundamental settings for your iPhone.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Date & Time’
In the ‘General’ settings, scroll down until you find ‘Date & Time’ and tap on it.
This is where you can set your time zone, change the time format, and toggle automatic time updates.
Step 4: Toggle on ‘Set Automatically’
On the ‘Date & Time’ page, find the ‘Set Automatically’ option and toggle the switch to the ON position.
When the switch is green, it means that the feature is enabled and your iPhone will update its time automatically.
After completing these steps, your iPhone will automatically adjust to the correct time based on your location and the network it’s connected to.
Tips: How to Ensure Your iPhone’s Time Is Always Accurate
- Make sure your iPhone has the latest iOS update installed.
- Always have your location services enabled for accurate time updates based on your region.
- If you travel to a different time zone, restart your iPhone to prompt a time update.
- Check that your iPhone is not in Airplane Mode, as this can prevent automatic time updates.
- If your iPhone’s time is still incorrect, try toggling ‘Set Automatically’ off and on again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my iPhone’s time doesn’t update automatically?
If your iPhone’s time doesn’t update automatically after you’ve toggled the switch on, first make sure you have a good network connection. If you do and it’s still not working, try restarting your iPhone.
Can I manually set the time on my iPhone if I don’t want to use automatic updates?
Yes, you can manually set the time on your iPhone. Just toggle the ‘Set Automatically’ switch off, and you’ll be able to set the date and time manually.
Will automatic time updates affect my alarms?
No, your alarms should still go off at the time you set them, even if your iPhone’s time updates automatically.
Why would I need to switch back to automatic time updates?
You might need to switch back to automatic time updates if you previously set the time manually for some reason, like if you were in an area with poor network reception and your iPhone’s time became inaccurate.
Does automatic time update work when I’m traveling internationally?
Yes, as long as your iPhone can connect to a local network, it should update the time based on the local time zone.
Summary
- Open Settings
- Tap on ‘General’
- Tap on ‘Date & Time’
- Toggle on ‘Set Automatically’
Conclusion
Switching back to automatic time on your iPhone is a breeze and can save you a lot of hassle, especially if you’re someone who travels frequently or simply wants one less thing to worry about. With the rise of technology and our dependence on these smart devices, it’s important to ensure that the time displayed on your iPhone is accurate. Not only does it keep you punctual, but it also ensures that any time-related apps function correctly. So next time you find yourself wondering why the time on your iPhone seems off, remember to check if the ‘Set Automatically’ feature is enabled. With our fast-paced lives, we can all appreciate one less thing to manually update. Don’t let something as simple as the wrong time throw a wrench in your day—switch back to automatic time updates and let your iPhone do the work for you.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.