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Date format

I downloaded iOS 16 and changed the date format in settings to DD.MM.YYY. After making this change, the lock screen doesn’t display this change. What’s the fix for this issue?

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 25, 2022 5:49 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 3, 2022 9:50 PM

The date format setting is not only ignored on the Lock Screen, but within iOS in other places too like in the photos app. It is as if someone got permission to add the date format setting to iOS 16, but no one else designing elements that use dates knew to reference it. Instead they continue to reference the old region setting to determine format.


The region setting creates its own problems if the user isn’t physically in the region. It displays currencies wrong and directs you to the wrong sites. Fixing the new date format setting is the solution.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 3, 2022 9:50 PM in response to Bryanj206

The date format setting is not only ignored on the Lock Screen, but within iOS in other places too like in the photos app. It is as if someone got permission to add the date format setting to iOS 16, but no one else designing elements that use dates knew to reference it. Instead they continue to reference the old region setting to determine format.


The region setting creates its own problems if the user isn’t physically in the region. It displays currencies wrong and directs you to the wrong sites. Fixing the new date format setting is the solution.

Sep 27, 2022 12:29 PM in response to Bryanj206

Hi Bryanj206,


Depending on what your region is set to on your iPhone, it can change the format of the date, however it will not have the year on the Lock Screen. To change the region follow Change the language and region on iPhone


  1. Go to Settings  > General > Language & Region.
  2. Set the following:
    • The language for iPhone
    • The region
    • The calendar format
    • The temperature unit (Celsius or Fahrenheit)
    • The measurement system (metric, U.S., or UK)
    • The first day of the week
    • Live Text (text you can select in images to copy or take action on)



For example:

  • If the region is United States, the format will show Day of the Week, Month, Day, Year and on the Lock Screen you will see Day of the week, Month, Day.


  • If the region is United Kingdom, the format will show Day of the Week, Day, Month, Year and on the Lock Screen you will see Day of the week, Day, Month.


You can edit the Lock Screen by following Personalize your iPhone Lock Screen. The date at the top is a Widget that you can change by pressing on it. You can change what you see there, however including the year with the date is not a current feature.


If that's a feature you'd like to see added in a future release, be sure to leave Apple Product Feedback.



Take care.

Date format

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