How can I change Date and Time back four years on my iPhone?

i Wanted to change the date on my iPhone in the settings to 1/24/2021. I did this on 5/31/2025. It was just to mess around, no important reason why. 

Then I opened the calendar to see if it worked, which it showed 1/24/2021 as today. But then I got a notification (I don’t remember much of what it said, but it was something about google and an error or something. Some kind of alert.) also my screen tint turned reddish. 

And when I went on to safari to look up about changing the date back (which I did before and after, but it didn’t say anything about security issues) it took me to a page that said something like someone is trying to access your account something about bank information. I clicked the go back button.

Then I got scared my phone had been hacked or a virus, and I first restarted my phone. Then I factory reset it. 

I think my battery was going down faster even when off before I factory reset it. 

I’ve been looking for signs of hacking or virus, I’ve noticed mainly fast battery drain (still two days later) and occasional warm phone. 

Also, I think after I restarted it, (before I factory reset it, although it might’ve been after), I got a notification that my Snapchat password was leaked. And my Home Screen background was black, while my Lock Screen had my background photo on it.

Then I factory reset it, maybe 30-45 minutes after I changed the date and time. 

Haven’t seen anything other than battery drain and occasional warm phone. so far (2 days in) I haven’t seen the other signs of hacked or virus, no locked from account, no unauthorized purchases as far as I’m aware, no spike in data usage, no bogus messages or emails sent or received, no pop up ads, no unfamiliar apps, not much slower performance. 

Now I don’t know if those signs will show later on if I have a virus or hacker on phone, but so far it’s mainly been the battery drain even while it’s off. (End of Yesterday I plugged it in at 70%. Today it’s at 56%. Both days I used it less than usual, although today maybe slightly more. Today definitely drained faster while off though.)

Earlier this afternoon I did a safety check on setting, changed my apple password and passcode. I also force restarted it around 11 in the morning to see if it would help with the battery drain. Nope. 

Do you think there’s a virus or hacker on my phone, even though I factory reset it? If so, how can I get rid of it without having resources like means to pay or downloading “security” apps that are probably scams anyways. I don’t want my parents to know about it or have to take it in, if at all possible, just want to get rid of it IF there’s anything bad on my phone. 


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Original Title: Changing Date and Time back four years

Posted on Jun 2, 2025 4:21 PM

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6 replies

Jun 2, 2025 4:45 PM in response to Harrypotterfan111

Do you think there’s a virus or hacker on my phone, even though I factory reset it?


No, but if you still don't believe us......run Apple's Safety Check on your iPhone.


Safety Check for an iPhone with iOS 16 or laterApple SupportOfficial Apple Support › guide › personal-safety › web


As far as the battery is concerned.......changine the date on the iPhone is not going to help the battery in any way. Exactly how old is the phone? Are you the original owner?


What is the current Maximum Capacity of the battery? Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging




Jun 2, 2025 4:35 PM in response to Harrypotterfan111

Also I have an iPhone 12, update 18.4 something. And I also noticed my phone was loading a little bit slower when I used it on cellular just now. It hasn’t been crashing or glitching (except for one time right after I force restarted it at lunch I think it was glitching or lagging on safari), but it took a little bit to load a search on cellular just now.

I just want to tell you all the details so we can get to the bottom of this and I be complete sure everything is ok, because I’m really anxious about this.

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How can I change Date and Time back four years on my iPhone?

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