Troubleshooting iPhone Screen Time Issues: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted: November 8, 2023

Preliminary Fixes

When you encounter issues with setting the time manually due to device restrictions, there are a few initial steps you can take to attempt to solve the problem. These are easy to undertake and often can remedy common iPhone glitches, including time settings. The preliminary fixes include updating your iOS and restarting your device.

Update to the latest iOS or iPadOS version

The first step is to update your device to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Updating your device could potentially resolve the issue, as software updates often include fixes for common user issues. Here are the steps to check if your iOS or iPadOS is up-to-date:

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Scroll down and tap on the 'General' option.
Tap on 'Software Update.'
If an update is available, download and install it.
Upon completion, reopen Settings to verify if the problem has been resolved.

Restart your iPhone

Another simple preliminary fix for this problem is restarting your iPhone. This may seem like a basic step, but you'd be surprised how often it can resolve issues like this. To restart your iPhone, follow the steps below:

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Tap on 'General.'
Scroll down and tap on 'Shutdown.'
Slide the power off slider to the right to turn your device off.
Wait a little bit before pressing the power button to turn your iPhone back on.

If these preliminary fixes fail to solve the problem, you may have to consider restoring your device to its factory settings. It would necessitate backing up your data first to ensure you don't lose any important information. The restore process should then be able to rectify any underlying software issues inhibiting the manual time setting.

Advanced Fixes: Screen Time Related

If the preliminary fixes don't work, it could be due to settings within the Screen Time feature of your device. Screen Time settings can inadvertently create device restrictions affecting the manual selection of the time zone. Therefore, these advanced fixes revolve around altering some Screen Time features on your iPhone.

Disabling 'Share Across Devices' Feature in Screen Time

In the Screen Time settings, there is a feature that allows you to share your behaviors across other Apple devices. Disabling this could potentially solve your problem. Follow the steps below:

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Tap on 'Screen Time.'
Scroll down and disable the 'Share Across Devices' feature by tapping the toggle next to it.
Go back to 'General' in Settings.
Tap on 'Date & Time' to see if the issue has been resolved.

Disabling Screen Time Passcode

Another potential fix related to Screen Time is to disable the passcode. It can stop children from cleverly altering the time to bypass restrictions. You can disable the passcode, make the necessary changes to the date and time settings, and then enable it again. Follow these steps:

Open Settings and go to Screen Time.
Tap on 'Change Screen Time Passcode.'
Tap on 'Turn Off Screen Time Passcode' and enter your current passcode.
Once the passcode is turned off, check if you can manually set your time zone.

Turning off Screen Time Altogether

If disabling the 'Share Across Devices' feature and the Screen Time passcode does not solve the issue, you could consider turning off Screen Time completely. To do this, you'll need to:

Open Settings and tap on 'Screen Time.'
Scroll down and tap 'Turn Off Screen Time.'
Once this is done, you should be able to manually adjust your device's time settings.

Remember that these changes in Screen Time settings are reversible - once the issue is resolved, you can restore the changed settings to their original state if you wish.

Advanced Fixes: Location and Carrier Services Related

If Screen Time-related solutions aren't successful, there are further advanced fixes that could address the impasse. The options include taking steps to disable Location Services or to update your network carrier settings.

Toggling off 'Location Services'

One possible fix could involve turning off Location Services. To do this, perform the following steps:

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on 'Privacy.'
Tap on 'Location Services.'
If Location Services are enabled, toggle the button to turn them off.
Reopen the 'Date & Time' setting to see if you can adjust it manually.

Updating Carrier Settings and Contacting Mobile Carrier if Necessary

Sometimes, carrier settings might stop you from changing the Date and Time on your iPhone, so updating your carrier settings might be necessary. Follow these steps to update your carrier settings:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on 'General.'
Tap on 'About.'
Wait for about 30 seconds. If an update is available, you will see a pop-up inviting you to update. Tap on 'Update' to install it.
If the pop-up doesn't appear, this means your iPhone has the latest carrier settings.

For e-SIM users, it's advisable to download the carrier settings manually. If, after all these attempts, you're still unable to adjust the time zone manually, you might need to contact your carrier for further assistance.

Last Resort: Restoring to Factory Settings

If all the fixes mentioned above, preliminary or advanced, prove fruitless, then a full restoration of your device to factory settings might be the last avenue to explore. This final step is generally a last resort, as it will wipe all the information on your device and reset it to its default settings.

Back up device data to iCloud or iTunes

Before carrying out a reset, be sure to back up the data on your device. You can use iCloud or iTunes for this. A backup will ensure you can retrieve all your data once the problem is resolved.

Restore the device to factory settings

Once you've backed up your device, you can proceed with the factory reset. Here are the steps:

Go to Settings on your iPhone.
Select 'General.'
Next, tap on 'Reset.'
Select 'Erase All Content and Settings.'
When asked, enter your Apple ID and passcode.

This should restore your iPhone to its factory settings and, hopefully, resolve the issue.

Recover data from the backup

After the device is restored, you will need to set it up as new or recover your data from the backup you created earlier. Follow the instructions provided on the setup screen to recover all your data. Once you have completed the reset and restored your data, check if the issue with the timezone setting has been resolved.

NOTE: Performing a factory reset and restoring your data is quite a drastic step, so exhaust all other options before considering this final resort.

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