How to Enable Network Based Time Android Marshmallow

Have you ever noticed that your Android phone’s clock shows the wrong time — maybe a few minutes off, or even in the wrong time zone? This can cause confusion, missed appointments, or even failed alarms. Fortunately, Android Marshmallow (Android 6.0) includes an easy feature that keeps your time accurate automatically — Network-Based Time.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to enable Network Based Time on Android Marshmallow, explain what it does, and why you should use it to keep your phone’s time always correct, no matter where you go.

What Is Network-Based Time on Android?

Network-based time (also known as automatic date and time) is an Android feature that automatically sets your phone’s clock using your mobile network or Wi-Fi connection.

When it’s enabled, your device gets time information directly from your service provider — meaning you don’t have to manually adjust your clock every time you travel or reboot your phone.

In short:

Network-based time = Your phone syncs its clock with your carrier’s network automatically.

Why Is Time Important on Android Devices?

Timekeeping on smartphones isn’t just about knowing when to wake up or what time it is. It’s vital for:

📱 Messaging: Ensures SMS and chat timestamps are accurate.
📞 Call logs: Shows correct time for incoming and outgoing calls.
🕓 Calendar & alarms: Keeps reminders and schedules on track.
🌍 Time zone updates: Adjusts automatically when traveling.
🔒 Security: Many apps and certificates depend on the correct device time.
💾 App sync & updates: Google Play, Gmail, and cloud services rely on accurate time.

If your phone’s clock is off — even by a few minutes — it can cause syncing problems or app connection errors.

What Does “Use Network-Provided Time” Mean?

When you turn on Use network-provided time, your Android phone connects to your mobile network or Wi-Fi and asks it for the correct time and date.

This means your phone automatically updates when:

You cross into a new time zone.
Daylight saving time changes occur.
The carrier updates their time servers.

The option works hand-in-hand with Automatic time zone, ensuring your phone always shows the correct local time.

How to Enable Network-Based Time on Android Marshmallow

Now let’s get practical. Here’s the exact process to turn on network-based time on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Unlock your phone.
Make sure you’re on the Home screen.
Open the Settings app.
You can find it in your app drawer or by swiping down and tapping the ⚙️ gear icon.
Scroll down and tap “Date & time.”
It’s usually under the System or General management section.
Turn on “Automatic date & time.”
- Toggle the switch next to Automatic date & time to ON.
- It should now display “Use network-provided time.”

That’s it! Your device is now synced automatically with your mobile carrier’s time servers.

✅ Pro Tip: If you’re connected to Wi-Fi only (no SIM card), your phone may use Google’s network time instead of your carrier’s.

How to Enable Automatic Time Zone

The date and time aren’t the only things that can change — your time zone matters too.

For example, if you fly from London to Dubai, your Pixel’s clock should jump forward automatically.

Here’s how to turn on automatic time zone detection:

Go to Settings → Date & time.
Enable Automatic time zone.
You’ll see “Use network-provided time zone.”

Now your device will adjust to your current location whenever it detects a change.

How to Disable and Re-Enable Network-Based Time (to Fix Issues)

Sometimes, Android’s time service can get temporarily stuck — especially after software updates or switching carriers.

Here’s a quick fix:

Go to Settings → Date & time.
Turn Automatic date & time OFF.
Wait 5 seconds.
Turn it ON again.

This forces your phone to resync with the network and usually resolves most time-sync issues.

What Happens When You Turn Off Network-Based Time?

If you disable Use network-provided time, your phone stops syncing automatically and allows you to set the time manually.

In this mode:

You must manually update your time when you travel or change time zones.
Time-sensitive apps like Gmail or Calendar may show incorrect times.
Scheduled events or alarms might trigger at the wrong moment.

So, unless you have a specific reason (like testing or troubleshooting), it’s best to leave this setting enabled.

Troubleshooting: Time Still Not Updating Automatically

If your phone’s time still won’t update correctly even after enabling network-based time, try these solutions.

1. Restart Your Phone

Simple but effective. Restarting resets network and system processes.

2. Toggle Airplane Mode

Turn on Airplane mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off to refresh network connectivity.

3. Check Network Signal

Weak or no cellular signal? The device can’t sync time without access to your carrier network.

4. Reset Network Settings

Go to Settings → Backup & reset → Network settings reset.
This clears any misconfigurations affecting time sync.

5. Update Your System Software

Go to Settings → About phone → System updates.
An outdated Android build can cause time synchronization errors.

How Network-Based Time Works Behind the Scenes

When you enable Automatic date & time, Android requests time data from your carrier’s NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) system.

Here’s what happens:

The phone connects to your carrier’s tower.
The network sends your local time and time zone information.
Android’s system clock updates instantly.

If the carrier doesn’t provide time data, Android falls back on Google’s network time protocol (NTP) servers when connected to the internet.

This dual mechanism ensures accuracy — even in remote areas or with inconsistent carrier data.

Benefits of Using Network-Provided Time

Still wondering if you should keep network-based time turned on? Here are the biggest advantages:

⏰ Always accurate: No manual adjustment needed.
🕒 Time zone updates: Adjusts instantly when you travel.
🔄 Consistent syncing: Keeps apps, calls, and messages correctly timestamped.
💼 Professional reliability: Essential for meetings, schedules, and deadlines.
🔐 Better security: Certificates, Google services, and updates rely on system time.

It’s one of those “set it and forget it” features that makes your Android experience seamless.

When to Set Time Manually

There are rare occasions when manual time settings are necessary:

When your carrier’s time is inaccurate (common with some regional networks).
While testing apps or systems that depend on fixed timestamps.
In offline-only situations (no SIM card or Wi-Fi).
When you need to match a specific timezone for professional use (e.g., scheduling international events).

To set time manually:

Go to Settings → Date & time, and toggle off Automatic date & time.
Tap Set time and adjust manually.

Fixing Incorrect Time After System Update

After updating Android Marshmallow, some users noticed their clocks drifted slightly. If that happens:

Disable and re-enable automatic time.
Restart your phone.
Check for carrier settings updates under Settings → About phone → System updates.

This refreshes the link between your network and your phone’s time service.

How to Sync Time Manually (If Automatic Fails)

If the automatic feature still doesn’t work, here’s a backup plan using an NTP sync app.

Download ClockSync from the Google Play Store.
Grant necessary permissions.
Tap Sync now.

The app syncs your device with a global time server and corrects any drift manually.

⚠️ Note: Root access may be required for full functionality on some devices.

Tips to Keep Your Device’s Time Accurate

Keep Automatic date & time and Automatic time zone turned ON.
Ensure your mobile network or Wi-Fi stays connected.
Restart your phone occasionally to refresh network services.
Update Android regularly — time-related bugs are often fixed in updates.
Avoid battery optimization apps that may disable background sync.

Conclusion

Knowing how to enable network-based time on Android Marshmallow is a small but essential part of keeping your phone running smoothly.

By turning on Automatic date & time and Automatic time zone, your phone stays perfectly in sync with real-world time — no more missed meetings, wrong timestamps, or confusion when traveling.

It’s one simple setting that makes your entire Android experience more reliable, accurate, and effortless.

FAQs

1. Where is the network-based time option in Android Marshmallow?

Go to Settings → Date & time, then toggle Automatic date & time (Use network-provided time) to ON.

2. Does network-based time require mobile data?

No. It works through your mobile carrier’s signal, not your internet connection.

3. Why does my phone still show the wrong time even with automatic mode enabled?

Try restarting your device, toggling Airplane Mode, or checking for carrier signal — these usually fix it.

4. Can I use Wi-Fi to sync time instead of a SIM network?

Yes. If you’re on Wi-Fi only, Android uses Google’s network time servers.

5. Is it okay to disable automatic time?

It’s not recommended unless you need to test or manually control time settings for a specific reason.

Key Takeaways

Enable Automatic date & time to use network-based time.
Turn on Automatic time zone for accurate travel updates.
Restart your phone if the clock stops syncing.
Use ClockSync app for manual corrections if needed.
Keeping accurate time ensures smooth syncing and app performance.