iPhone Not Changing Time Zones? How to Fix the Issue

When it comes to traveling and having to update your phone's date and time, it's essential to change time zones as well. But what do you do if your iPhone does not change time zones?

Don't worry, though; we've got the solution for you! In this guide, we will show you how to fix iPhone not changing the time zone issue with some troubleshooting tips.

Before getting started, there are a few things to know, as outlined by Apple:

1. Not all carriers or regions may offer the option to turn 'Set Automatically' on or off.
2. Additionally, if your device has a Screen Time passcode or a corporate profile with restrictions, the option to adjust 'Set Automatically' might be grayed out or dimmed."

Time is of the essence, so let's get right to it.

Check your Screen Time settings

The first thing to check is your Screen Time settings. By turning on Screen Time on your iPhone, it might make it impossible to turn on or off the "Set Automatically" option.

Here are some steps you can take to fix this:

1. Check if you've set any restrictions. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Take a look at what you've allowed or not allowed.
3. You can also try turning them off completely—it's the easiest way to test if this is the issue.

If you've set a Screen Time passcode, consider removing it.

1. Go to Screen Time and choose "Turn Off Screen Time Passcode."
2. Enter the screen time passcode to disable it on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
3. Tap "Turn Off Screen Time" again to confirm your action.

Update iOS and Enable Location Access

You will also need to make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS by going to Settings > General, then tap on Software Update.

Additionally, ensure that you have enabled your device to use its current location to determine the correct time zone. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services and switch on "Setting Time Zone."

Check for a carrier settings update

Some users who reached out to Apple support suggest that the problem might be related to your carrier. The time and date settings are typically sent by your carrier, especially if Wi-Fi isn't accessible.

However, even Apple support acknowledges that there might be something in iOS causing the issue. To troubleshoot, check if there's a carrier update available by following these steps:

1. Ensure that your iPhone is connected to either a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
2. Go to your iPhone's Settings app, navigate to General, and select About.
3. Scroll down to the "Carrier" section. If there is an available update, you will find an option to execute the update. Otherwise, you will be presented with the current settings or carrier version number.

One former software engineer thinks the problem might be linked to the reboot sequence, although that might not offer a practical solution.

Check for a time zone update

Another thing that you need to take into consideration if you can't change time zones is to look for an update. Here's how:

1. Make sure you're connected to a Wi-Fi network or Cellular Data.
2. Navigate to Settings > General > Date & Time on your device.
3. Check for an alert indicating that updated time zone information is available. If you see it, restart your device to apply the update.
4. If you don't get an alert, go back to your Home Screen and wait a few minutes. Then, tap on Date & Time again to see if the message appears now.

Set the date and time automatically

After you have updated your carrier settings and time zone, it's time to set the date and time automatically again by following these simple steps:

1. Head to Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on "Set Automatically." This feature automatically adjusts your date and time based on your time zone.
2. Now c onfirm that your device displays the correct time zone.

Set the date and time manually

Alternatively, you can fix it by adjusting each setting manually instead of relying on the automatic setting. This might be necessary if you have an older version of iOS, like iOS 9, and your country or region changes the time zone or how daylight saving time is observed.

Here's how you can do it on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open Settings and go to General > Date & Time.
2. Turn off the "Set Automatically" option.
3. Now, you can change the time zone or the date and time:
4. To change the time zone, tap on "Time Zone" and enter a city with the correct time zone.
5. Alternatively, tap on the date to adjust both the date and time manually.

iPhone Calendar Not Changing Time Zone?

To fix any issues with the date and time shown in your iPhone's Calendar app, start by adjusting your iPhone's Date & Time settings as explained earlier. If that doesn't solve the problem, you may need to make changes within the Calendar app itself.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open your iPhone's Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on "Calendar."
3. Scroll further down and tap on "Default Calendar."

(You'll see the settings related to iPhone's Calendar with Calendar and Default Calendar highlighted.)

1. Make sure your default calendar is the one you want to use or is connected to the correct user or account.
2. If the user or account you need isn't listed, tap "< Back" to return to the previous menu, then scroll up and tap on "Accounts."
3. Tap "Add Account" and choose the type of account you want to add from the pop-up menu.

(You'll see the settings related to iPhone's Calendar with Accounts and Add Account highlighted.)

1. Follow the on-screen steps to add the account you need.
2. Exit the Accounts menu and go back to the Default Calendar menu.
3. Select the new user/account as your default.

(You'll see the settings related to iPhone's Calendar with Default Calendar and the set new calendar highlighted.)

If your calendar is still not displaying the correct date or time, you may also need to adjust your Time Zone Override settings:

1. Go back to the Calendar menu and tap on "Time Zone Override."
2. Tap the toggle to turn Time Zone Override on or off.
• If it's on, your calendar events will stay set to your iPhone's designated time zone. If it's off, your calendar events will automatically adjust based on the time zone of your current location.
• If Time Zone Override is on, tap "Time Zone" to select the time zone you want to apply to your calendar events.

These steps should help you troubleshoot and ensure your Calendar app shows the correct date and time.

To Conclude

Now that you know how to fix the issue of time zones not changing on your iPhone, you don't have to worry about being unable to update your region when you travel or make a big move. Make sure to follow the instructions to the letter, and you're bound to see good results. So, what are you waiting for?