To set date and time on a Samsung phone, open Settings > General management > Date and time. From there, you can either enable automatic network-based updates or manually adjust the date, time, and time zone to fix an incorrect clock after travel or a network glitch.
How to set date and time on Samsung phone automatically
The fastest method to ensure your clock stays accurate is to use your phone’s network connection. On the Date and time screen, turn on the Automatic date and time toggle. If you also need the time zone to update when you travel, turn on the Automatic time zone toggle. Once both are enabled, your Samsung phone will automatically pull the correct date, time, and time zone from your cellular or Wi‑Fi network, keeping everything synchronized without any manual effort. This works on supported models including Samsung Galaxy S21 and Note 20.
How to change the date and time manually on a Samsung phone
If you prefer full control, for example, when you have no network signal or need to set a specific time, follow these steps:
- Open Settings > General management > Date and time.
- Turn off Automatic date and time. If you also plan to change the time zone manually, turn off Automatic time zone as well.
- Tap Set date. A calendar appears; select the correct date, then tap Done.
- Tap Set time. Swipe the hour and minute wheels to the correct time, then tap Done.
- If needed, tap Select time zone. Choose the region and time zone that match your location.
After completing these steps, your Samsung phone will use the date and time you entered until you re‑enable automatic updates.
Why your Samsung phone's automatic date and time isn't working
If your clock is still wrong after enabling automatic settings, one of these common issues is usually the cause:
- Weak or missing network connection: Automatic updates rely on a cellular or Wi‑Fi signal. If you are in an area with poor coverage, the phone cannot fetch the correct time. Move to a spot with better reception or connect to a different network.
- Automatic setting accidentally turned off: Double‑check that both Automatic date and time and Automatic time zone are toggled on in Settings > General management > Date and time.
- Need for a software update or restart: A temporary software glitch can stop the automatic sync. Restart your phone first. If the problem persists, check for a system update in Settings > Software update and install any available updates.
If you are troubleshooting a wearable, you might also need to change the time on a Fitbit without the app, that process is separate from your phone’s date and time settings.
Changing the time format on a Samsung phone
The option to switch between 12‑hour and 24‑hour display is not located in the Date and time menu on Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. To switch to a 24‑hour clock, you will need to follow the steps in our sibling article on how to change your phone time to military time, which covers the exact setting path for your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Samsung phone show the wrong time after traveling?
If Automatic time zone is turned off, the phone will not update the time zone when you cross borders. Turn on the automatic time zone toggle in Settings > General management > Date and time, or manually select the correct zone using Select time zone.
Can I set a different date and time for different apps?
No. The date and time you set in Settings > General management > Date and time applies system‑wide to all apps, notifications, and timestamps. Each app cannot use its own independent clock.
Will turning off automatic date and time affect my alarms or calendar events?
Yes. If you set the time manually, alarms and calendar reminders will trigger based on the manual time you entered. Ensure the manual time is correct to avoid missed alarms or events.
Does the automatic date and time work on airplane mode?
No. Automatic updates require a network connection (cellular or Wi‑Fi). While in airplane mode, the phone cannot fetch the correct time from the network, so the clock will not update until you disable airplane mode.
How do I fix the date and time if my Samsung phone won't save manual changes?
First, restart your phone. If the changes still do not stick, perform a forced restart by holding the power and volume down buttons for 10 seconds. If the problem continues, back up your data and consider a factory reset as a last resort.
How to synchronize the date and time with an atomic clock
To sync with an atomic clock, install a third-party atomic clock app from the Galaxy Store or Google Play, grant it the necessary permissions, and use it to manually set your phone's time or compare against the network time.
For the wider topic, see change the time on a Fitbit without the app.
