Troubleshoot: Sync System Time from Recovery Mode on a Mac

Users can experience login issues on Macs if the system time is incorrect. This can happen when the device sets the time incorrectly, preventing authentication, especially when TOTP is enabled. Because TOTP codes are only valid for 30 seconds, an incorrect system time can cause login failures. Follow these instructions to learn how to reset the system time on your device as an end user.

To reset your system time from Recovery Mode:

1. Boot the Mac into Recovery Mode:
   • For Intel Macs, press and hold Command (⌘) + R on the keyboard while the device boots.
   • For Silicon Macs, with the device powered down, press and hold the power button until you see the Options screen.
2. Click Options and then Continue.
3. Enter your device password or FileVault Recovery Key, when prompted.
4. Open Terminal. From the menu bar, click Utilities > Terminal.
5. Type the following command in Terminal, replacing the values with the correct UTC time, where
   • MM = Month (e.g., 11 for November)
   • DD = Date (e.g., 20 for the 20th)
   • hh = Hour (24-hour format)
   • mm = Minutes
   • YY = Last two digits of the year

For example, date 1120073625 sets the date to November 20, 07:36, 2025 (UTC).

6. Press Enter to execute the command.
7. Restart the Mac normally. It should boot to the login screen.
8. Check the login screen clock to confirm the time is now correct.