TL;DR
To change the time on your MacBook:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings.
- Go to General > Date & Time.
- Toggle on Set time and date automatically.
- Enter your admin password and click Unlock.
Your MacBook will now automatically sync its date and time with an internet time server.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
We all rely on our devices to keep us on schedule, and a small time difference can cause big headaches. Over the years, I’ve learned some easy ways to ensure my MacBook’s time is always spot-on, and I’m here to share them with you.
How to Change the Time on Your MacBook
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Here, I’ve put together several simple methods to help you keep your MacBook’s time perfectly aligned:
1. Automatically Set the Date & Time
The easiest way to change your MacBook’s time is to automatically set the date and time in System Settings. To do that, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- In the System Settings window, click General and select Date & Time. An icon with a calendar and a clock represents it.
- In the Date & Time settings, toggle on the Set time and date automatically switch to enable automatic time synchronization.
- Enter your administrator username and password and click Unlock.
- Once enabled, your MacBook will attempt to connect to an internet time server to set the date and time automatically.
2. Correct Region to Automatically the Set Date and Time
Let your MacBook automatically adjust to the correct time zone using Location Services. Here’s a step-by-step guide to changing the region in macOS:
- Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting System Settings.
- In the System Settings window, click General and select Language & Region. An icon with a globe represents it.
- In the Language & Region settings, look for the dropdown menu next to Region and choose the correct country or region corresponding to your location.
- Alternatively, click General and go to Date & Time in System Settings.
- Toggle off the Set time zone automatically using your current location switch.
- Next, choose the Closest city from the drop-down menu under Time zone, which becomes clickable after you toggle on the Set time zone automatically using your current location switch.
- Once you’ve selected the appropriate region, the date and time settings will automatically adjust to reflect the formatting and time zone associated with that region.
3. Allow Location Services to Automatically Set the Correct Time Zone
Ensure your Mac’s time and date settings align with your location by selecting the correct region. Here’s how to enable Location Services on your Mac to determine your current location:
- Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting System Settings.
- In the System Preferences window, click Privacy & Security and select Location Services.
- Ensure the Location Services switch is toggled on.
- Scroll down to the System Services section and click Details.
- In the System Services details, ensure the Setting time zone and System customization switches are toggled on.
- Next, go to System Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle on the Set time zone automatically using your current location switch to ensure your Mac always has the correct time and time zone information.
Manually setting the time on your MacBook can be a good fallback if you’re in an area with poor internet connectivity, preventing automatic updates.
4. Change the Time on Your Mac Manually
Follow these steps to change the time on your Mac manually:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- Click General in the left sidebar and select Date & Time.
- Toggle off the Set date and time automatically switch.
- Click the Set button next to Date and time.
- In the new windows, type the correct date and time.
- Tap the Set button to confirm the date and time.
- Close the System Settings window.
5. Use a Different Server to Automatically Set the Date and Time
If your Mac’s time syncs incorrectly, try using an alternative time server. Here’s how to change the date and time server on your Mac:
- Click the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- In the System Settings window, click General and select Date & Time. An icon with a calendar and a clock represents it.
- If the Set time and date automatically switch is on, you’ll see a button labeled Set next to Source. Click the Set button.
- This will open a new window. Here, enter the address of the time server you want to use. By default, Apple uses time.apple.com.
Here’s are some public time servers you can try:
How to Change the Time Format on a Mac
Changing the time format on your Mac allows you to customize how time information is displayed according to your personal preference or regional standards. To change the time format on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- In the System Settings window, click General and select Date & Time.
- In the Date & Time settings, toggle on the 24-hour time switch.
- This will change your time format to the 24-hour format.
Why Do I Need to Change the Time on My MacBook?
There are several reasons why you may need to change the time on your MacBook. Here are a few common scenarios where adjusting the time becomes necessary:
- 📅 Personal Organization: Keeping your MacBook’s time accurate helps manage reminders, tasks, and deadlines efficiently.
- 🌍 Time Zone Changes: When traveling, update your MacBook’s time and calendar to match the local time for accurate appointments and reminders.
- 🌞 Daylight Saving Time: Adjust your MacBook during daylight saving changes to avoid time discrepancies.
- ✈️ International Communication: Sync your MacBook’s time to other time zones for smooth coordination of meetings and calls.
- 💻 Software Compatibility: Accurate time is essential for certain apps and online services, like banking and software licenses.
Keep Your Mac’s Time Up to Date
Knowing how to change the time on your MacBook keeps you on top of everything time-sensitive and doesn’t hinder your productivity. Some other tips to improve your MacBook usage are as follows:
- Keep macOS up to date to enhance your Mac’s efficiency.
- Uninstall unused apps to keep your system light and efficient.
- Run regular virus scans to protect your Mac from malware.
