Fix the wrong time or date on your Mac

Why it happens

Your Mac gets the exact time from Apple's time server over the internet. If that switch is off, or the Mac can't get online, its clock slowly drifts or stays wrong after a long time switched off. A clock that's out by exactly an hour is usually the wrong time zone, not the wrong time.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, click General, then Date & Time.

2. Turn on Set time and date automatically. You may need to confirm with Touch ID or your password.

   General›Date & Time›Set time and date automatically

3. Check the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar shows you're connected, and that websites load. The clock corrects itself within a minute once the Mac is online.

4. If the time is out by an hour or more, turn on Set time zone automatically using your current location, a little lower on the same page.

   General›Date & Time›Set time zone automatically using your current location

Still not fixed?

1. If the time zone still won't set itself, turn that switch off and pick your time zone and nearest city by hand on the same Date & Time page.

2. Automatic time zone needs Location Services. Check it's on, then click Details… next to System Services and make sure Setting time zone is switched on.

   Privacy & Security›Location Services›System Services›Details…

3. On a work or school network, the usual time server may be blocked. Try another network, such as a phone hotspot, and see if the clock corrects itself.

4. No internet at all where you are? Turn off Set time and date automatically and click Set… to enter the date and time by hand.

   General›Date & Time›Set time and date automatically›Set…

5. If the clock resets to a wrong date every time you switch off an older desktop Mac, its small clock battery may have run down. That's hardware, so contact Apple Support or a repair shop to replace it.