How to Change Time on Eufy Camera
This guide walks you through how to change time on Eufy camera using the Eufy Security app. Whether you’ve moved time zones or daylight saving time shifted, you’ll get your camera’s clock synced in minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Eufy cameras sync time automatically via the Eufy Security app: Manual time changes aren’t supported, but you can ensure accurate time by managing settings in the app.
- Time zone settings are crucial for correct timestamps: Always verify your camera’s time zone matches your current location.
- Daylight saving time is handled automatically: Eufy cameras adjust for DST if your device’s system settings are correct.
- Firmware updates can affect time sync: Keep your camera and app updated to avoid time discrepancies.
- Incorrect time may impact event recordings and alerts: Accurate time ensures you can review footage with correct timestamps.
- Factory reset is a last-resort fix: If time issues persist, resetting the camera may restore proper sync.
- Use a stable Wi-Fi connection: A strong network ensures reliable communication between your camera and the Eufy servers.
How to Change Time on Eufy Camera: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve ever looked at your Eufy camera footage and noticed the timestamp was off by an hour—or worse, several hours—you’re not alone. Many users wonder, “How do I change the time on my Eufy camera?” The good news? It’s simpler than you think. While Eufy cameras don’t allow manual time entry like a digital clock, they sync automatically with your smartphone or tablet through the Eufy Security app. This means that as long as your device’s time and time zone are correct, your camera will follow suit.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about adjusting the time on your Eufy camera. Whether you’ve just moved to a new time zone, daylight saving time just changed, or you’re setting up a new camera, we’ve got you covered. You’ll learn how the time sync works, how to verify and correct your settings, and what to do if things go wrong. By the end, you’ll have full confidence that your Eufy camera is displaying the correct time—so you can trust your recordings, alerts, and event logs.
Let’s dive in.
Understanding How Eufy Cameras Handle Time
Before we get into the steps, it’s important to understand how Eufy cameras manage time. Unlike traditional security cameras that might have a physical clock you can adjust, Eufy cameras rely on network time synchronization. This means they pull the current time from your connected device (usually your phone or tablet) via the Eufy Security app.
When you set up your camera for the first time, the app sends your device’s current date, time, and time zone to the camera. From then on, the camera regularly checks in with the app or Eufy’s cloud servers to stay in sync. This system ensures accuracy and reduces the chance of human error.
However, this also means that if your phone’s time is wrong, your camera’s time will be wrong too. Similarly, if you travel to a new time zone and don’t update your phone, your camera might still show the old time. That’s why it’s essential to keep your mobile device’s settings accurate.
Another key point: Eufy cameras do not have a built-in real-time clock (RTC) that keeps time when offline. If your camera loses power or internet connection, it will lose track of time until it reconnects and resyncs with the app. This is normal behavior and not a defect.
So, while you can’t manually type in a new time like you would on a microwave, you can control the time indirectly by managing your device and app settings. Let’s look at how to do that.
Step 1: Ensure Your Mobile Device Has the Correct Time
The first and most important step in changing the time on your Eufy camera is making sure your smartphone or tablet has the correct time and time zone. Since the camera syncs with your device, any error here will carry over.
Check Your Phone’s Time Settings
On most smartphones, the time is set automatically using network time protocols (NTP). Here’s how to verify it’s correct:
- For iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Make sure “Set Automatically” is turned on. This uses your location and carrier network to set the correct time and time zone.
- For Android: Open Settings > System > Date & Time. Enable “Automatic date & time” and “Automatic time zone.”
If these settings are off, your phone might be using an old or incorrect time. Turn them on, and your device will update within a few seconds.
Manually Adjust Time Zone (If Needed)
If you’ve recently traveled or moved, your phone might still be set to your old time zone. Even with automatic settings, sometimes updates don’t happen immediately.
To manually check or change your time zone:
- iPhone: In Date & Time, tap “Time Zone” and search for your current city.
- Android: In Date & Time, tap “Select time zone” and choose the correct one.
Once you’ve confirmed your device’s time and time zone are accurate, your Eufy camera will follow suit the next time it syncs.
Step 2: Open the Eufy Security App
Now that your phone is set correctly, it’s time to open the Eufy Security app. This is the central hub for managing all your Eufy devices, including cameras, doorbells, and sensors.
Launch the App and Log In
If you haven’t already, download the Eufy Security app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Open it and log in with your Eufy account credentials.
If you’re setting up a new camera, follow the on-screen instructions to add it to your account. The app will guide you through connecting to Wi-Fi, scanning the QR code, and naming your device.
Navigate to Your Camera
Once logged in, you’ll see a list of all your Eufy devices on the home screen. Tap on the camera you want to adjust. This will open the live view and control panel.
From here, you can view footage, adjust motion settings, and access device settings. But we’re here for the time—so let’s go deeper.
Step 3: Access Camera Settings
To change the time on your Eufy camera, you’ll need to access its settings menu. This is where the app communicates time data to the device.
Tap the Settings Icon
In the top-right corner of the camera’s live view screen, you’ll see a gear or settings icon (⚙️). Tap it to open the device settings menu.
You’ll now see a list of options such as:
- Device Information
- Video Settings
- Motion Detection
- Notifications
- Storage
- Time Zone
Look for “Time Zone” or “Date & Time”—this is the key setting we need.
Verify or Change the Time Zone
Tap on “Time Zone.” You’ll see a list of global time zones. Make sure the one selected matches your current location.
For example, if you’re in New York, select “Eastern Time (US & Canada).” If you’re in London, choose “Greenwich Mean Time.”
If the wrong time zone is selected, tap the correct one. The app will send this update to your camera immediately.
Note: Some Eufy models may not have a visible “Time Zone” option in the app. In that case, the camera uses the time zone from your phone. So again, ensuring your phone is correct is essential.
Step 4: Force a Time Sync
Even after updating your phone and app settings, your camera might not reflect the change right away. That’s because syncs don’t happen continuously—they occur periodically or when triggered.
To speed things up, you can force a sync.
Restart the Camera
The simplest way to trigger a sync is to restart your camera. Here’s how:
- Unplug the camera from power (if it’s wired).
- Wait 10–15 seconds.
- Plug it back in.
For battery-powered models like the Eufy SoloCam, remove the battery, wait a few seconds, then reinsert it.
Once the camera powers back on, it will reconnect to Wi-Fi and sync with the app. This usually takes 1–2 minutes.
Reopen the App and Check the Time
After the camera restarts, reopen the Eufy Security app and go back to the live view. Look at the timestamp in the corner of the video feed.
If it’s now correct, great! Your time has been updated.
If not, don’t worry—there are a few more things we can try.
Step 5: Check for App and Firmware Updates
Outdated software can cause sync issues, including incorrect time. Eufy regularly releases updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and enhance features.
Update the Eufy Security App
Make sure you’re using the latest version of the app:
- iOS: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll down to see pending updates. Update Eufy Security if available.
- Android: Open Google Play Store, tap the menu, select “My apps & games,” and update Eufy Security.
Update Camera Firmware
Firmware is the software that runs directly on your camera. To check for updates:
- Go to the camera’s settings in the app.
- Look for “Device Information” or “Firmware Version.”
- Tap “Check for Updates” if available.
If an update is found, follow the prompts to install it. The camera may restart during this process.
Keeping everything up to date ensures smooth communication between your phone, app, and camera—including accurate time sync.
Step 6: Verify Network Connectivity
A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection can prevent your camera from syncing properly. If your camera is constantly disconnecting or showing “offline,” it can’t receive time updates.
Check Signal Strength
In the Eufy app, go to your camera’s settings and look for “Wi-Fi Signal” or “Connection Status.” Ideally, it should show “Strong” or “Excellent.”
If the signal is weak:
- Move the camera closer to your router.
- Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network to boost coverage.
- Reduce interference from walls, metal objects, or other electronics.
Test Internet Speed
Eufy cameras don’t need high bandwidth, but they do need a stable connection. Run a speed test on your phone while connected to the same network. If speeds are below 5 Mbps, consider upgrading your internet plan or relocating your router.
A strong, reliable connection ensures your camera stays online and syncs time correctly.
Troubleshooting Common Time Issues
Even with all the right settings, you might still encounter time problems. Here are some common issues and how to fix them.
Camera Shows Wrong Time After DST Change
Daylight saving time (DST) begins and ends at different times around the world. If your camera is an hour off after March or November, it might not have adjusted for DST.
Solution:
- Make sure your phone’s “Automatic time zone” is on.
- Restart the camera to force a sync.
- If the issue persists, check if your region observes DST and confirm the correct time zone in the app.
Most modern Eufy cameras handle DST automatically, but a restart often helps.
Time Resets After Power Outage
As mentioned earlier, Eufy cameras don’t have a backup battery for the clock. If the power goes out, the camera loses track of time.
Solution:
- Once power is restored, the camera will reconnect and sync with the app.
- To minimize downtime, consider using a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for wired cameras.
This is normal behavior and not a defect.
Multiple Cameras Show Different Times
If you have more than one Eufy camera and they’re showing different times, it could be a sync issue.
Solution:
- Restart each camera individually.
- Ensure all are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check that the time zone is consistent across all devices in the app.
Sometimes, one camera syncs before another. A full restart usually resolves this.
App Shows “Time Not Synced” Warning
In rare cases, the app may display a warning that the camera’s time isn’t synced.
Solution:
- Force close and reopen the Eufy Security app.
- Restart your phone.
- Restart the camera.
- If the warning remains, try removing and re-adding the camera in the app.
This resets the connection and often fixes sync problems.
Advanced Tips for Accurate Timekeeping
Want to go the extra mile? Here are some pro tips to ensure your Eufy camera always shows the correct time.
Use a Dedicated Time Server (For Tech-Savvy Users)
While Eufy uses standard NTP servers, advanced users can configure their router to use a more accurate time source. This ensures all devices on the network—including your camera—get precise time data.
Check your router’s admin panel for NTP settings. Popular public servers include:
- time.google.com
- time.apple.com
- pool.ntp.org
This is optional but can improve consistency.
Enable Two-Way Audio to Test Sync
A quick way to verify time accuracy is to use two-way audio. Speak through the app and note the timestamp when you hear the response. If it matches real time, your sync is working.
Monitor Event Timestamps
Review motion alerts and recordings regularly. If timestamps are consistently off, it’s a sign something’s wrong with the sync. Use this as an early warning system.
When to Contact Eufy Support
If you’ve tried all the steps above and your camera still shows the wrong time, it might be a hardware or account issue.
Contact Eufy Support if:
- The camera won’t sync after multiple restarts.
- The app crashes when accessing time settings.
- You see error messages like “Sync Failed” or “Time Error.”
- The camera is offline and won’t reconnect.
You can reach Eufy Support through:
- The app: Go to More > Help & Feedback > Contact Us.
- Email: support@eufylife.com
- Live chat: Available on the Eufy website during business hours.
Have your camera model, serial number, and a description of the issue ready to speed up the process.
Conclusion
Changing the time on your Eufy camera isn’t about typing in numbers—it’s about ensuring your devices are talking to each other correctly. By keeping your phone’s time and time zone accurate, using the Eufy Security app to manage settings, and restarting your camera when needed, you can maintain perfect time sync.
Remember, Eufy cameras are designed to be smart and automatic. They rely on your network and app to stay accurate. So instead of looking for a “time change” button, focus on the bigger picture: connectivity, updates, and consistency.
Whether you’re adjusting for daylight saving time, moving to a new city, or just troubleshooting a glitch, this guide has you covered. With these steps, you’ll never be confused by a wrong timestamp again.
Your security footage is only as reliable as the time it’s labeled with. Keep it accurate, and you’ll always know when something happened—down to the minute.
