Show the date, day of the week or seconds next to your Mac clock

Why it happens

The menu bar clock starts with a short layout, and on a smaller screen it may drop the date to save room. Clock Options decides exactly what the clock shows. The date can be set to show always, only when there's space, or never.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, and click Menu Bar in the sidebar.

2. Find Menu Bar Controls and click Clock Options. A small panel opens with all the clock choices.

   macOS 26 Tahoe Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Clock Options

   macOS 27 Golden Gate Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Clock Options…

3. For the date, set Show date to Always. When Space Allows can hide it on a MacBook when the menu bar is busy.

4. Turn on Show the day of the week for the weekday, and Display the time with seconds if you want seconds ticking by.

5. Prefer a small clock face? Change Style from Digital to Analog. Click Done when you're happy, and check the top-right corner of your screen.

On macOS 27 the button reads Clock Options… with three dots. It's in the same place and opens the same choices.

Still not fixed?

1. If you see 17:00 but want 5:00 PM, or the other way round, that's a different switch. Turn 24-hour time on or off in Date & Time settings.

   General›Date & Time›24-hour time

2. If the date is in the wrong order or language, check your region and Date format in Language & Region settings.

   General›Language & Region

3. On a MacBook with lots of menu bar icons, the date can still get squeezed out. Turn off icons you don't need under Menu Bar Controls to make room.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls

4. If the options are greyed out, your Mac may be managed by a school or company. Ask whoever looks after it.

5. If your choices keep resetting after a restart, contact Apple Support. Settings that won't stay put are worth a proper look.