Every so often, millions of people in different countries have to adjust the time on their clocks and devices due to the change from summer to winter time. Although most mobile phones, computers, and smartwatches now do this automatically, it's still crucial to know how to check and modify these settings so you don't accidentally lose track of the time.
Furthermore, not all regions follow the same rules: some areas move their clocks forward one hour for summer time , others move them back for winter time, and some regions always maintain the same time. Therefore, it's important to know how to configure your Android or iPhone, how to sync your smartwatch, and how to ensure your Windows PC always displays the correct time and time zone.
What is the time change and when does it happen?
What we commonly call changing the clocks is related to the well-known Daylight Saving Time (DST) , a practice that aims to make better use of natural light and reduce energy consumption. In some countries, this measure was uniformly established in the 1960s, with laws defining when these periods begin and end.
In practice, this means that on certain dates of the year, clocks must be moved forward or backward . To switch to winter time, for example, clocks are usually set back one hour, so that when the clock strikes 3:00, it goes back to 2:00, giving an extra hour of sleep, although it gets dark earlier during the following months.
At other times, such as when daylight saving time begins, the movement is reversed: clocks are moved forward one hour . In some countries, this adjustment is made on Saturday night, at times like 2:00 a.m., which becomes 3:00 a.m. This process is repeated every year, usually on the last weekend of March for daylight saving time and the last weekend of October for standard time (depending on the country).
There are also special cases, such as certain regions or territories that don't change their time zone and maintain the same time year-round, regardless of changes in the rest of the country. This makes it even more important to check the time zone settings on your devices if you travel between regions or live in an area with a different time zone.
How to change the time on your Android phone
On most Android phones, the time change for both summer and winter time happens automatically if the system settings are correctly configured . Even so, it's highly recommended to check the settings, especially if you've recently traveled, manually changed the time zone, or have an older phone.
Generally speaking, to check and configure the date and time on Android, the process is usually similar to the following, although some names may vary depending on the brand or customization layer:
- Open the Settings menu from your phone.
- Enter the section General Administration or in a similar section such as System or System Settings.
- Search and select the option Date and Time.
- Check the box Automatic date and time or Set time automatically.
- Also activate the option to automatic time zone or Set time zone automatically.
With these options activated, the mobile phone relies on the telephone network or location services to adjust the exact time according to the time zone where you are and apply the summer or winter time changes without you having to do anything else.
Keep in mind that menus may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer: on brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and others, the names of the sections or their location may differ , although the logic is the same. If you can't find the options, you can always use the search function in Settings or consult your device's manual.
How to adjust the time and automatic time change on iPhone (iOS)
On iPhones, the iOS system is also set up to automatically adjust the time as long as the corresponding options are enabled. Even so, it's worth checking, especially if you usually disable automatic features or have experienced incorrect time issues in the past.
To check and set the date and time on an iPhone, the general steps are as follows:
- Enter the app Settings of the iPhone.
- Access the section General.
- Within that menu, select Date and Time.
- Activate the option Automatic adjustment so that the device can use the network and its location as a reference.
With automatic time adjustment enabled, your iPhone syncs with Apple's servers and the network to automatically adjust the time, date, and daylight saving time without manual intervention. This includes readjusting the time when traveling between countries with different time zones.
It's very important that you check within that same menu that the displayed time zone is correct . If you've recently changed countries or disabled location services, iOS may be using a city that doesn't match your current location, resulting in an incorrect time.
If you prefer to manage things precisely, you can uncheck the Automatic Adjustment box and manually choose the date, time, and reference city for your time zone . This method might give the impression of greater control, but it's actually more prone to errors, especially when the clocks change or you travel to another region.
Changing the time on smartwatches and wearables
Modern smartwatches, whether Apple Watches or those using Wear OS, Fitbit, or other systems, are typically designed to sync the time directly with the paired mobile phone . This means that if the phone's time changes correctly, the watch will usually do so as well without you having to do anything.
If you notice that your smartwatch isn't reflecting the time change, the first thing to check is that the connection with your phone is active and stable (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or whatever your model uses). In some cases, simply restarting the watch or your phone will update the time.
Many watches can also use GPS or location information to adjust the time zone. If you permanently disable these features, the watch may remain stuck in an older time zone or fail to automatically adjust for daylight saving time.
If, despite everything, the watch still displays the wrong time, it's advisable to consult the manufacturer's manual or the official app you use to connect it to your phone. Some models allow you to adjust the time directly from the phone app, while others require you to access their internal menu to modify the date, time, and time zone settings.
For older watches or those without a constant mobile connection, you might have to manually adjust the time each time change , just like with traditional clocks. In these cases, try to note down the date of the change so you don't forget, or use an official time website as a reference.
Adjusting the time and time zone in Windows
On Windows computers, as on mobile devices, the system is designed to automatically manage the date, time, and the change between summer and winter time . Even so, it's common for people to accidentally change settings, manually change the time zone, or disable synchronization, resulting in the PC displaying incorrect time.
In modern versions of Windows, you can access everything related to the time quite easily from the Settings menu:
- Click on the Home from the taskbar.
- Sign in Configuration (gear icon).
- Select the section Time and language.
- Within that menu, enter Date and Time.
- Activate the option Set the time automatically.
- Also active Set time zone automatically, if available.
On this screen, you'll see the current time zone, and if you wish, you can manually select another one if you live in a region that doesn't follow the country's standard time zone or if your computer is always set to a specific city for work purposes. The main thing is that the time zone reflects the actual time zone of the location where you're using your computer.
You can also access these settings from the classic Control Panel by searching for Date and Time . From there, you can open a more traditional window where you can change the time zone and check a box to have the Windows clock automatically adjust for daylight saving time when appropriate.
Sync your PC's time with the Internet and other devices
For those who need their PC to be perfectly aligned with other devices, enabling automatic synchronization with internet time servers is essential . This prevents the computer's internal clock from drifting forward or backward by a few seconds or minutes over time.
In Windows, in addition to the general settings that allow you to automatically adjust the time, you can access (usually via Control Panel) the Internet Time settings and use the Update Now button . This forces the system to connect to the configured server and align the local time with the official time provided by that server.
If your computer is part of a network or a more complex environment, time synchronization may be managed by an internal server or domain controller . In that case, the computers' time usually depends on the system administrator's settings, and it's important not to change manual settings that could disrupt this synchronization.
When you want your mobile phone, smartwatch, and PC to display the same time to avoid confusion with appointments, alarms, or meetings, it's best to have automatic time updates enabled on all devices via network or internet. This way, each device aligns with its provider's official time, minimizing discrepancies and resulting in minor, often insignificant, time differences of just a few seconds.
In some countries, there are official websites that display the exact time as regulated by the state or specific institutions. Consulting these sites can be helpful if you suspect that one of your devices isn't displaying the time correctly or if you want to manually adjust a clock that doesn't have automatic settings.
How to change the time on other systems: MacOS and general settings
Although the focus is on Windows, many people also use Apple computers or other systems, and it's useful to know that, essentially, the procedure is similar: activate automatic time and time zone settings and check them when you travel or there are time changes.
On MacOS, for example, you can modify the time settings in this general way:
- Click on the menu Apple (upper left corner).
- Accede to System configuration or System Preferences, depending on the version.
- Enter the section General.
- Select option Date and Time to adjust the corresponding parameters.
From there, you can allow your Mac to automatically set the time using an Apple server and use your system's location to determine the time zone. If you leave everything on automatic, you usually won't need to adjust these settings again unless you have very specific needs.
Mastering how date, time, time zones, and seasonal changes work on mobile phones, smartwatches, and computers allows you to avoid surprises with alarms, meetings, or trips . By always enabling automatic time zone adjustment, checking the time zone after traveling, and ensuring your Windows PC syncs with internet servers, you'll have all your devices aligned. Ready for summer and winter time changes and with much less room for error.
