How to Change the Time Zone on a Mac or MacBook

To change the time zone on a Mac or MacBook, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Date & Time, click Set time zone automatically off, then click Change next to the time zone and pick your city. On macOS Ventura and earlier the path is System Preferences > Date & Time > Time Zone, and you unlock the padlock before editing.

If the time zone is greyed out, it is because Set time zone automatically is still on, or Location Services is switched off for System Services > Setting Time Zone. Both are covered in the troubleshooting section below.

The full walkthrough, the macOS version differences, and how to verify the change actually applied follow below.

Why You Might Need to Change Your Time Zone on Mac

Your Mac’s time zone is essential for keeping all of your apps, reminders, calendar events, and communications in sync. Here are some key reasons why adjusting your time zone may be necessary:

• Traveling: If you’re traveling internationally, your Mac may continue to show your original time zone until you manually change it. This could lead to confusion when scheduling meetings, making travel arrangements, or simply trying to check the time in a new location.
• Collaborating with Global Teams: For people working in remote teams spread across multiple time zones, having the right time zone on your Mac ensures that all meeting times, deadlines, and collaborative tasks are aligned and well-coordinated.
• Daylight Saving Time: Certain regions observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). If your Mac’s time zone is set incorrectly, it might not adjust automatically for DST changes, leading to incorrect time displays.
• Special Projects or Events: If you're working with international clients or hosting webinars in different regions, adjusting the time zone ensures that all scheduling reflects the correct local time for your audience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Time Zone on Mac

Adjusting your time zone on a Mac is simple and straightforward. Just follow the steps below to make sure your Mac displays the correct time based on your location.

1. Open System Preferences or System Settings

Start by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen. If you're using macOS Ventura or earlier, select System Preferences from the dropdown menu. For macOS Sonoma or newer versions, click on System Settings.

2. Locate Date & Time Settings

In the System Preferences/Settings window, look for the Date & Time option and click on it. This will open a panel where you can adjust various time settings, including time zone, date, and time format.

3. Unlock Date & Time Settings

If the settings are locked, you won’t be able to make changes. Click on the padlock icon located in the bottom left corner of the window. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password to unlock the settings. Once done, you can make changes to the time zone.

4. Enable Automatic Time Zone (Optional)

If you’re traveling or want to allow your Mac to automatically adjust its time zone based on your location, enable the option Set time zone automatically using current location. This will allow macOS to adjust the time zone whenever you move to a new region. If you're using a laptop with location services, your Mac will use GPS to automatically update your time zone as you travel.

5. Manually Set Your Time Zone

If you prefer to select your time zone manually, uncheck the option for Set time zone automatically. You’ll now see a world map or a list of time zones. You can either click on the map to pick your city or region, or choose your time zone from the dropdown menu.

Make sure you pick the correct region to avoid confusion with the time zone settings. For instance, New York is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), while London uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or British Summer Time (BST) during the summer months.

6. Apply Your Changes

Once you've selected the correct time zone, close the settings window to save your changes. Your Mac will now display the correct local time based on the time zone you've selected.

How to Verify That Your Time Zone Has Been Changed

To confirm that your time zone has been correctly updated, you can check the time displayed in the top-right corner of your screen. The time should now be accurate for the time zone you selected. You can also open the Calendar app to ensure that all events and appointments align with your new time zone.

Additionally, check if other apps that rely on time zone settings, like Mail, Reminders, and Messages, show the correct time for your location.

Troubleshooting Time Zone Issues on Mac

If your Mac is still showing the wrong time after changing the time zone, here are some troubleshooting steps:

• Check Automatic Time Zone Settings: Make sure the option Set time zone automatically using current location is enabled if you want your Mac to adjust the time zone based on your location.
• Restart Your Mac: Sometimes, a simple restart is needed for changes to take effect.
• Verify Location Settings: If automatic time zone settings aren’t working, ensure that location services are enabled on your Mac. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Location Services, and make sure it is turned on for the apps that need it.
• Check for Software Updates: Make sure your macOS is up to date, as older versions might have problems handling time zone settings correctly. To check for updates, simply go to System Preferences and click on Software Update.
• Manually Adjust the Time: If all else fails, manually set the time by dragging the time on the clock display at the top right. This is more of a workaround, but it may help in the short term if your time zone is off.

Benefits of Having the Correct Time Zone

• Accurate Scheduling: Correct time zone settings ensure that your appointments, meetings, and reminders are all scheduled accurately, preventing confusion or missed deadlines.
• Improved Collaboration: For remote workers and global teams, having the correct time zone is crucial to staying in sync and coordinating work effectively.
• Time-sensitive Applications: Apps like Calendars, Mail, and Reminders rely on accurate time settings for their notifications and time-based features to function properly.

Final Thoughts

Setting the correct time zone on your Mac is a simple but important task. It ensures that your calendar events, reminders, and other time-dependent apps are properly synchronized. Whether you’re traveling, working with a global team, or simply want to ensure your Mac’s clock is accurate, knowing how to change your time zone is a vital skill.

If you frequently travel or work with international teams, you may also consider enabling automatic time zone updates to reduce the need for manual adjustments. Following this guide will help ensure that your Mac is always set to the correct time zone, making your life a little easier, no matter where you are in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to change Outlook time zone on Mac?

Open Outlook, go to Preferences > Calendar, and select Time Zones. Change the time zone for your calendar as needed.

How to change the time zone in Teams on Mac?

In Teams, go to Settings > General, scroll down to Language and time, and select your preferred time zone.

How to change the time zone on the Mac calendar?

Open System Preferences > Date & Time, click on the Time Zone tab, and set your desired time zone.

How to change the time zone on a Mac Sonoma?

Go to System Settings > General > Date & Time, and adjust the time zone by enabling Set time zone automatically using current location or manually choosing a zone.

How to change the time zone on Mac Terminal?

Use the command sudo systemsetup -settimezone <timezone> in Terminal, replacing <timezone> with your desired zone (e.g., America/Los_Angeles).