If your Android time zone keeps “jumping” (or Google Calendar/Gmail timestamps look wrong), you’re usually seeing a mismatch between your phone’s network, location-based time zone, and Google’s app data.

Clock and location pin showing mismatched time zone

Fixing it is mostly about choosing one reliable source of truth for time zone—then clearing the one thing that keeps overriding it.

1. Why it happens (the short, practical explanation)

Android can set time and time zone from a few places, and they don’t always agree.

  • Mobile network time zone: Your carrier can push a time zone. Near borders, on roaming, or with weak signal, it can be wrong or flip-flop.
  • Location-based time zone: Android can use GPS/Wi‑Fi positioning to decide the time zone. If location is off, restricted, or inaccurate, it can choose the wrong one.
  • Google apps’ own settings: Google Calendar (and sometimes other apps) can display events in a “home time zone” or a different event time zone, even if Android is correct.
  • VPN/work profiles/MDM: Some work setups and security apps change location behavior or restrict background location, which can confuse time zone detection.

The key is to stop two “automatic” systems from fighting each other.

2. Pick the right automatic mode: network vs location (don’t keep both if it’s unstable)

On most phones you’ll see toggles like Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically (wording varies by brand).

  • If you travel often and want it to change correctly: turn on automatic time zone and also ensure Location is allowed (next step).
  • If you do not travel and it keeps changing incorrectly: turn automatic time zone off and set it manually once.

Phone settings toggles and globe for time zone control

Tip: if your phone offers Use location to set time zone, try enabling that and disabling the carrier-based automatic time zone (or the reverse). The goal is one authority, not two.

3. Confirm Location is really allowed (and not limited) for time zone detection

Location-based time zone won’t work reliably if Location is off or heavily restricted.

  • Turn Location on.
  • Check Google Location Accuracy (or similar): enabling it often improves correct time zone selection.
  • If you use Battery Saver or aggressive battery optimization, test with it off briefly—some devices reduce location updates and cause “stale” time zone.

If you’re using a VPN: a VPN usually shouldn’t change Android’s time zone directly, but it can affect location signals (and some privacy tools intentionally spoof/limit location).

4. Fix Google Calendar showing the “wrong” time zone (common false alarm)

Sometimes Android is correct, but Calendar is displaying events in a different zone.

Calendar linked to clock showing correct event time zone

  • Open Google Calendar → Settings → your account.
  • Look for Use device time zone and enable it.
  • Check Home time zone: if it’s set, Calendar may keep showing times in that zone even when you’re elsewhere.
  • Open a wrong event → confirm the event’s own time zone (events can be created in a different zone and will look “shifted”).

This step matters because it prevents you from “fixing” Android when the real issue is only Calendar display rules.

5. If it keeps reverting: reset the time zone source (safe cleanup)

If your time zone changes back after you correct it, something is still overriding it. This sequence usually forces Android to re-detect cleanly.

  • Turn automatic time zone off.
  • Manually set the correct time zone.
  • Restart the phone.
  • Turn automatic time zone back on (choose network-based or location-based—whichever you decided in section 2).

If you’re on the edge of two time zones or traveling through a border area, consider leaving it manual until you’re back to stable reception.

6. Check for “enterprise” controls (work profile, MDM, or security apps)

If your phone is managed by an employer or school, policies can restrict location and background services in ways that break time zone updates.

  • See if you have a Work profile (briefcase icon on apps) or a device management app installed.
  • Temporarily test by turning off the work profile (if allowed) and see if the time zone stays stable.
  • If it’s a managed device, ask IT whether time/time zone is enforced by policy.

Also check for “mock location”/privacy tools that intentionally alter location—time zone can be a side effect.

Final thoughts

Time zone problems on Android are usually an “auto vs auto” conflict: carrier detection, location detection, and app-level time zone settings pulling in different directions.

Once you choose one reliable source (manual, network, or location) and make Calendar use the device time zone, the switching usually stops.