Cannot set time automatically using hotspot

[DLeeT]

Applies to Mac mini M2 and I am a long time PC user switching to Mac.

(I've done a search and couldn't find any help on this problem.)

I do not have wifi so use my iPhone as hotspot for internet access. If I select "set time automatically," the "source" is grayed out; likewise "set time zone automatically..." is grayed out so I cannot set the time zone manually. Also cannot input a nearby city. Location services are on.

I suspect the automatic settings for time can only be set using wifi?

I know automatic settings are possible using my phone as hotspot because my PC does it fine.

Am I missing something? Is there any way to set the time automatically using cellular data/iPhone hotspot?

Thanks for any help!

 

[bogdanw]

You don't have to modify the source for "Set time and date automatically".
Disable location services and you can choose a city. You will be asked for your password.

Set the date and time automatically on your Mac
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-the-date-and-time-automatically-mchlp2996/mac

 

[DLeeT]

Thank you. That works, but I assume the time is not updating to an internet service such as NIST. In other words, it is the same as manually inputing the data.

I guess Mac clocks won't sync to a time standard, except using wireless.

Thanks again!

 

[bogdanw]

Yes, it does, to Apple (time.apple.com.) If you click on Set.. you can change the server if you want.

 

[DLeeT]

Thanks, but not on my machine. I'm running Ventura 13.3.1. The Set... button simply brings up the menu to enter hours, minutes, and seconds.

 

[bogdanw]

Click on the grayed toggle at the end of "Set time and date automatically". You will be asked for your password to turn it on, then the source will be editable.

 

[DLeeT]

Sorry to be so much trouble. With the slider to the right, tapping on Set... shows only the Apple source as in my screenshot - no other sources shown.

 

[bogdanw]

I don't understand why would you want to change it, but here's a video changing it to time.windows.com

Other servers time.google.com https://developers.google.com/time

List of Top Public Time Servers

List of Top Public Time Servers. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

gist.github.com

 

[DLeeT]

Many thanks for your help!

 

[bogdanw]

On behalf of Apple, I would like to apologize for the terrible System Settings UI in Ventura.

It used to be so simple and intuitive before.
“If the lock at the bottom left is locked , click it to unlock the preference pane.”
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-the-date-and-time-mchlp2996/12.0/mac/12.0

 

[DLeeT]

I'm new to Mac and MacOS. Used PCs almost since the beginning, so it has been a fairly steep learning curve. The mini is a nice little computer. There are things I like better in Windows, for example Explorer over Finder, but of course that could be just because I'm more used to the Windows way.

I just got the basic Mini M2, which is more than adequate for my uses. But even this basic model is no slouch - it is faster than my PC with the I7 chip and 16 GB of memory.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[bogdanw]

Some potentially useful pages:

User Guide for macOS Ventura https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/welcome/mac

Get to know the Finder on your Mac https://support.apple.com/HT201732

Change Finder settings on Mac https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-finder-settings-on-mac-mchlp2803/13.0/mac/13.0

Preview https://support.apple.com/guide/preview/welcome/mac

iMovie https://support.apple.com/imovie and https://support.apple.com/guide/imovie/welcome/mac

You can search for more on https://support.apple.com