How to Change the Time on Eufy Camera

Changing the time on your Eufy camera ensures accurate video timestamps and improves security monitoring. This guide walks you through the simple process using the Eufy Security app, whether you’re adjusting for time zones, daylight saving, or syncing across devices.

Key Takeaways

Use the Eufy Security app: All time adjustments are made through the official mobile app, not the camera itself.
Automatic time sync is default: Most Eufy cameras sync time automatically with your phone or HomeBase, but manual override is available.
Check your time zone settings: Incorrect time zones are the most common cause of wrong timestamps.
Update firmware regularly: Outdated firmware can cause time sync issues—keep your devices up to date.
HomeBase models require different steps: Cameras connected to a HomeBase hub may need hub-level time adjustments.
Daylight saving time matters: Ensure your camera adjusts correctly when clocks shift forward or back.
Test after changes: Always verify the new time by reviewing a recent recording or live feed.

How to Change the Time on Eufy Camera: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever reviewed a security recording from your Eufy camera only to find the timestamp is completely off? Maybe it’s an hour ahead, stuck in the wrong time zone, or hasn’t adjusted for daylight saving time. It’s frustrating—especially when you need to verify an event or share footage with authorities. The good news? Changing the time on your Eufy camera is simple, fast, and can be done entirely through the Eufy Security app.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to change the time on your Eufy camera, whether you’re using a standalone Wi-Fi model like the Eufy SoloCam or a system connected to a HomeBase hub. We’ll walk you through every step, explain why accurate timekeeping matters, and help you troubleshoot common issues. By the end, your camera will display the correct time, and your recordings will have reliable timestamps—no more guesswork.

Why Accurate Time Matters on Your Eufy Camera

You might think, “It’s just a timestamp—how important can it be?” But when it comes to home security, accurate timekeeping is critical. Here’s why:

Visual guide about How to Change the Time on Eufy Camera

Image source: i.ytimg.com

Evidence for incidents: If you ever need to report a break-in, vandalism, or suspicious activity, law enforcement will ask for footage with correct timestamps. Incorrect times can weaken your case or delay investigations.
Syncing with other devices: If you have multiple cameras or smart home devices, consistent time ensures events are logged in the right order.
Automation and scheduling: Features like motion detection schedules, night vision activation, and recording modes rely on accurate time settings.
Peace of mind: Knowing your camera logs events at the right time helps you trust your security system.

Eufy cameras are designed to automatically sync time with your smartphone or HomeBase hub. But sometimes—due to network issues, time zone changes, or firmware glitches—the time can drift. That’s when you need to step in and make adjustments manually.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before changing the time on your Eufy camera, make sure you have the following:

The Eufy Security app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android).
Your camera powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or your HomeBase.
Access to your Eufy account (the same one used to set up the camera).
A stable internet connection on your phone.
The correct time zone for your location (you can check this on your phone’s settings).

Once you’ve confirmed these, you’re ready to begin.

Step 1: Open the Eufy Security App

The Eufy Security app is the central hub for managing all your Eufy devices. Whether you have one camera or a full security system, this is where you’ll make time adjustments.

How to Open the App

Unlock your smartphone and locate the Eufy Security app icon (it looks like a blue shield with a white “E”).
Tap to open the app.
If prompted, log in with your Eufy account credentials (email and password).

Once logged in, you’ll see the home screen with a list of your devices. Make sure your camera is online—look for a green dot or “Online” status next to its name.

Troubleshooting Tip

If your camera shows as “Offline,” check its power source and Wi-Fi connection. A camera must be online to receive time updates.

Step 2: Select Your Camera

Now that you’re in the app, it’s time to choose the camera you want to adjust.

How to Select Your Camera

On the home screen, tap the name or image of your camera. This will open the live view or playback screen.
Look for the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner—this is the settings menu.
Tap the gear icon to enter the camera’s settings.

You’ll now see a list of options like Video Quality, Motion Detection, Night Vision, and more. We’re looking for the time-related settings.

Note for HomeBase Users

If your camera is connected to a HomeBase hub (like the HomeBase 2 or HomeBase 3), some time settings may be managed at the hub level. We’ll cover that in a later section.

Step 3: Navigate to Time Settings

Not all Eufy camera models display time settings in the same place. Here’s how to find them based on your setup.

For Standalone Wi-Fi Cameras (e.g., SoloCam S40, Indoor Cam 2K)

In the camera settings menu, scroll down and look for “Device Settings” or “System Settings”.
Tap on it.
Look for an option labeled “Time Zone” or “Date & Time”.
Tap to open the time settings.

For Cameras Connected to HomeBase

Go back to the home screen of the Eufy app.
Tap on your HomeBase device (not the individual camera).
Tap the gear icon to open HomeBase settings.
Look for “System Settings” or “Time Settings”.
Adjust the time zone or time format here—this will sync to all connected cameras.

Why the difference? HomeBase acts as a central controller. When cameras are linked to it, time synchronization is managed at the hub level for consistency across all devices.

Step 4: Adjust the Time Zone

The most common reason for incorrect timestamps is an inaccurate time zone. Even if your phone shows the right time, your camera might be set to a different zone.

How to Change the Time Zone

In the time settings menu, tap “Time Zone”.
A list of global time zones will appear.
Scroll or search to find your correct time zone (e.g., “Eastern Standard Time,” “Pacific Daylight Time”).
Tap to select it.
The app will automatically save the change and sync it to your camera.

For example, if you live in New York but your camera is set to “London (GMT),” your recordings will appear to be 5 hours ahead. Correcting this ensures everything lines up with real-world time.

Pro Tip: Use Your Phone’s Time Zone

To avoid confusion, check your phone’s time zone settings:

On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time > Time Zone.
On Android: Go to Settings > System > Date & Time > Select Time Zone.

Set your Eufy camera to match this exactly.

Step 5: Enable or Disable Automatic Time Sync

By default, Eufy cameras are set to automatically sync time with your phone or HomeBase. This is usually the best option because it keeps your camera updated without manual input.

How to Check Auto-Sync Status

In the time settings menu, look for “Automatic Date & Time” or “Sync with Phone”.
If the toggle is on (blue or green), your camera is syncing automatically.
If it’s off, tap to turn it on.

With auto-sync enabled, your camera will update its time whenever your phone connects to it—such as when you open the app or view live footage.

When to Turn Off Auto-Sync

In rare cases, you might want to disable auto-sync—for example, if you’re traveling and don’t want your camera to switch time zones. But for most users, keeping it on is recommended.

Step 6: Manually Set the Time (If Needed)

While automatic sync is preferred, you can manually set the time if your camera isn’t updating correctly.

How to Manually Adjust Time

In the time settings menu, turn off “Automatic Date & Time”.
Tap “Set Date & Time”.
Use the on-screen controls to adjust the hour, minute, and date.
Tap “Save” or “Confirm”.

Note: Manual settings may drift over time, especially if your camera loses power or internet. Only use this as a temporary fix.

Example Scenario

Imagine you’re reviewing footage from last night, but the timestamp says “2:00 AM” when it was actually 1:00 AM. You suspect daylight saving time wasn’t applied. By manually setting the time forward by one hour, you correct the discrepancy.

Step 7: Check Daylight Saving Time Settings

Daylight saving time (DST) can cause a one-hour shift in your camera’s timestamps if not handled properly. Most Eufy cameras adjust automatically, but it’s good to verify.

How to Ensure DST Is Enabled

In the time settings menu, look for “Daylight Saving Time” or “DST Adjustment”.
Make sure the toggle is on.
If your region observes DST, the camera will automatically move the time forward in spring and back in fall.

If you live in an area that doesn’t observe DST (like Arizona or Hawaii), ensure this setting is turned off to avoid confusion.

Pro Tip: Test After DST Changes

After the clocks change (usually second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November), open your Eufy app and check a recent recording. If the time is still off, revisit the time zone and DST settings.

Step 8: Update Your Camera’s Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause time sync issues, bugs, or compatibility problems. Eufy regularly releases updates to improve performance and fix glitches.

How to Check for Firmware Updates

In the camera settings menu, scroll down to “Firmware Version”.
Tap on it.
If an update is available, you’ll see a “Update Now” button.
Tap it and wait for the update to complete (this may take a few minutes).
The camera will restart automatically.

After updating, check the time again to ensure it’s correct.

Why Firmware Matters

Newer firmware often includes fixes for time zone bugs, improved sync reliability, and better handling of network interruptions. Keeping your camera updated is a simple way to prevent time-related issues.

Step 9: Sync Time via HomeBase (For Hub Users)

If you’re using a HomeBase system, time synchronization is managed at the hub level. This ensures all cameras show the same time, even if they’re in different locations.

How to Adjust Time on HomeBase

Open the Eufy app and tap your HomeBase device.
Tap the gear icon to open settings.
Go to “System Settings” > “Time Settings”.
Adjust the time zone, enable auto-sync, or manually set the time.
Changes will apply to all cameras connected to the hub.

This centralized approach is especially useful for multi-camera setups, like front door, backyard, and garage cameras.

Tip: Reboot HomeBase After Changes

If the time doesn’t update immediately, try rebooting your HomeBase:

Unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
Wait 1–2 minutes for it to reconnect.
Check the time on your cameras.

Step 10: Verify the Time Is Correct

After making changes, it’s essential to confirm that the time is now accurate.

How to Test the Time

Go to the live view of your camera.
Look at the timestamp in the corner of the screen.
Compare it to your phone’s current time.
If they match, you’re all set!

Alternative Test: Review a Recording

Go to the Playback or Events tab in the app.
Select a recent recording.
Check the timestamp at the beginning of the clip.
Ensure it matches the actual time the event occurred.

If the time is still wrong, double-check your time zone, DST settings, and firmware. You may also need to restart the camera.

Troubleshooting Common Time Issues

Even with careful setup, time problems can occur. Here’s how to fix the most common ones.

Issue 1: Time Is Off by One Hour

Cause: Likely daylight saving time not applied or incorrect time zone.

Solution: Recheck DST settings and confirm your time zone. Manually adjust if needed.

Issue 2: Time Resets After Power Loss

Cause: Camera doesn’t have a backup battery for the clock.

Solution: Reconnect to Wi-Fi and open the app to trigger a time sync. Consider using a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for critical cameras.

Issue 3: Time Drifts Over Days

Cause: Weak Wi-Fi or infrequent app use prevents sync.

Solution: Open the Eufy app daily to maintain sync. Improve Wi-Fi signal with a range extender if needed.

Issue 4: Multiple Cameras Show Different Times

Cause: Cameras not synced to the same source (e.g., some on HomeBase, others standalone).

Solution: Connect all cameras to the same HomeBase or ensure they’re all syncing to your phone.

Issue 5: App Shows “Time Sync Failed”

Cause: Network issues or outdated app.

Solution: Restart your phone, update the Eufy app, and try again. Ensure your camera has a strong Wi-Fi signal.

Best Practices for Reliable Timekeeping

To keep your Eufy camera’s time accurate long-term, follow these tips:

Open the app regularly: Even if you don’t view footage, opening the app triggers time sync.
Keep firmware updated: Check for updates monthly.
Use a stable Wi-Fi network: Weak signals can delay sync.
Avoid manual time changes: Rely on auto-sync unless absolutely necessary.
Label cameras by location: Helps you manage time zones if you have cameras in different regions.

Conclusion

Changing the time on your Eufy camera is a straightforward process that ensures your security footage is accurate, reliable, and useful when you need it most. Whether you’re adjusting for a time zone change, fixing a daylight saving glitch, or troubleshooting a sync issue, the Eufy Security app gives you full control.

By following this guide, you’ve learned how to navigate the app, adjust time settings, update firmware, and verify your changes. Remember: accurate timestamps aren’t just a convenience—they’re a critical part of home security. Take a few minutes today to check your camera’s time, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a properly configured system.