How to Set Time Accurately?

Question

Level 1

6 points

How to Set Time Accurately?

Hi,

The clock on my O2 3GS is off by almost 30s (important for me). I've synced with iTunes (PC) and this didn't sync the clock. I looked in settings for how to get it to sync over the internet but could find nothing. I looked in the appstore for something similar and could only find 'Now'. This is a very accurate time app but won't set the iPhone's clock. I then thought: 'it's back to the old days - I'll use 'Now' to find the accurate time and set the clock myself'.

Here's the embarassing bit: try as I might, I cannot find a way to set the seconds. Even if I change the minute setting at exactly the correct time, the seconds remain where they were. In short, I simply cannot find a way to set this clock accurately - can ayone advise?

Regards

iphone 3GS 32GB

Posted on Sep 7, 2009 10:31 AM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Sep 7, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Neil__C

I'm not aware of any way to set the seconds. Also, if you have the time set to automatic, it is set by the carrier, and that can vary from tower to tower. I know you are probably used to how the Windows Mobile sets worked, when you did a sync with Active Sync, it would set the time on the mobile device from the PC and you could be sure to set the PC time via the internet. Again, I know of no other way to change it, sorry.

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Answer 2

Neil__C Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 7, 2009 10:54 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks for the quick response. I could live with it if I could find that 'automatic' setting you refer to - I have no such thing (or, to be more precise, I'm too thick to find it). Where would I find it as that sounds exactly like what I need. I was beginning to think I had an incredibly expensive phone that can't have a clock more accurate than 30s 😉

Regards

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Answer 3

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,401 points

Sep 7, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Neil__C

Settings>General>Date & Time>Set Automatically

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Answer 4

Neil__C Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 7, 2009 11:12 AM in response to roaminggnome

Thanks but unfortunately I do not have that setting on my iPhone - do you think I need to do a restore (hope not)?

Regards

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Answer 5

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Sep 7, 2009 5:54 PM in response to Neil__C

That may be a carrier issue. I seem to remember someone saying about UK carriers not sending time data. I may be wrong, but you may want to search the forum about that, call your carrier, and/or wait to see if another UK user chimes in here. I would try a reset first to see if that restores that setting, but again, I'm not sure if you would have it if the carrier doesn't provide the data. A reset is holding the sleep/wake button and the home button down together until you see the Apple logo and then releasing. Ignore the red power slider. See if those suggestions help.

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Answer 6

Sep 8, 2009 4:58 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Not an option on my 3GS on O2.

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Answer 7

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Sep 8, 2009 6:21 PM in response to pdeseymour

Thanks for the help.

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Answer 8

Matty74

Level 1

0 points

Sep 11, 2009 2:54 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Hi. I think I may have worked this issue out today.
Basically I got the GMT website up on my PC, and then pressed "Set date and time" in settings with approx 10 seconds to go before the turn of the minute. I then kept moving the minute setting up and down until bang on the turn of the minute at which point I moved the minute setting to the right number and clicked done (or whatever it says). It isn't the most scientific process but after a couple of attempts my time is now set exactly to the second. Good luck!

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Answer 9

Neil__C Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 12, 2009 2:26 AM in response to Matty74

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I actually tried that and, no matter how much 'jiggling' I did, nothing ever seemed to affect the 'seconds' setting. For example, if I mess with theminutes setting and set it whe nthe true time is on an exact minute (00 seconds), when Ithen look at the clock screen the seconds stil show 42s (i.e. thay have not changed). In short, I can find absolutely no way of setting the seconds to zero at any point. Consequently, the clock is always up to half a minute inaccurate which is really bugging me 😉

Any further ideas would be much appreciated.

Regards

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Answer 10

Oct 4, 2009 1:36 PM in response to Neil__C

Funnily enough, the "Set time automatically" option used to exist on my O2 iPhone 3G before I upgraded the OS to 3.0 (and subsequently 3.0.1) - so O2 obviously supported the function at some point.

Now it's no longer there as a settings menu option which is very irritating. I've tried searching the iPhone support section of the O2 website but it's utterly unhelpful for all but the most basic information.

I have no idea why they should have opted not to continue this feature.

Ho-hum...

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Answer 11

Denis247

Level 1

85 points

Oct 4, 2009 1:58 PM in response to Neil__C

I have another 'ordinary' phone on 02 and this still sets the time automatically.

My 3gs 3.1 doesn't have this option though

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Answer 12

Denis247

Level 1

85 points

Oct 4, 2009 2:14 PM in response to Neil__C

Just checked this, my phone was almost exactly 30 secs fast. I tried setting the minute to the correct minute at 59 sec mark and then exited from the settings by pressing the Home button. I then checked the time and guess what, its reset to the exact time.

So maybe pressing the Home button at the turn of the minute does the trick.

Tried again to repeat.. fail

This time I moved the minutes + & - the correct one and set it on the correct one at 59 secs then hit the "General" button (top left) to return to Settings-General, then I pressed the home button and that worked again.

Result, my clock is spot on. Time (pun) will tell if it lasts.

Message was edited by: Denis247

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Answer 13

XPS Jeff

Level 1

5 points

Oct 4, 2009 2:11 PM in response to Neil__C

I just got a new 3GS last week, upgraded to OS 3.1 as soon as I took it out of the box, and I do have an "automatic" setting. I think ChrisJ is correct, I believe it is somehow related to your carrier... I've seen several other posts mentioning that.

Jeff

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Answer 14

Oct 4, 2009 2:55 PM in response to XPS Jeff

My wife's phone is 2G, mine is 3G; hers and the one it replaced (also 2G) were almost exactly 1 minute ahead of MY 3G; all are set to automatic time.

Here's the problem with not using automatic time: these type of devices are NOTORIOUS for having terrible time-keeping skills; typically 10-30sec/day is not uncommon! (hence the need to invent automatic time setting in the first place).

Anyhow sadly, probably not much you can do since unlike mac/windows where you can SET which time-server to use, you can't even invent a hack (host a time server with the offset needed to get you accurate time).

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Answer 15

Denis247

Level 1

85 points

Oct 5, 2009 9:50 AM in response to andrewwynn

Synchronised mine yesterday (about 19 hours ago), still spot on !
3gs 3.1

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