Clocks go back in 2026: dates, what your phone does and how to protect your alarms

The clocks go back on 25 October 2026 in the UK and Europe and on 1 November in the US. Check your phone, fix alarms and ease the sleep change.

Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules can change, so confirm local dates on your government’s official page, for example gov.uk/when-do-the-clocks-change in the UK.

The 2026 dates

United Kingdom and most of Europe: Sunday 25 October 2026. At 2:00 am the clocks move back to 1:00 am and British Summer Time ends.
United States: Sunday 1 November 2026, the first Sunday in November. States such as Hawaii and most of Arizona do not change.
Mexico: most of the country does not change. The northern border area, including Baja California and some border municipalities, changes on 1 November to stay in step with the US.

Other countries follow different rules, so check your own.

What your phone does

If Automatic date and time and Automatic time zone are switched on, your Android phone or iPhone gets the new time from the network and adjusts at the right moment. Check it:

Open Settings → System → Date and time (the path differs by brand).
Make sure automatic time and time zone are both on.
After the change, glance at the lock screen clock once to confirm.

Things that may not adjust by themselves: a wall clock, oven, car dashboard, old fitness band or a smart plug with a manual schedule.

What happens to alarms

An alarm is stored as a clock time. A 7:00 alarm rings at 7:00 local time before and after the change. The risks are practical:

You gain an hour in bed on the night the clocks go back, so your body clock feels out of step for a few days.
If your phone clock is wrong because automatic time was off, the alarm will also be an hour wrong.
Alarms that you created in a different time zone while travelling may behave differently, so review them.

Do a two-minute check:

Open your alarm app and look at every alarm. Delete old ones.
Set a test alarm for a few minutes ahead and confirm that it rings.
Confirm the alarm volume and Do Not Disturb exceptions. See alarm volume and Do Not Disturb.
If an alarm ever stays silent, use the alarm checklist.

Ease into the new time

Shift gradually. Move bedtime and wake-up 10 to 15 minutes later each day in the days before, if you can.
Get morning daylight. Light is the strongest signal for your body clock.
Keep meals and exercise at regular times during the first week.
Limit late caffeine and heavy evening meals.
Do not rely on a long weekend lie-in. It can make Monday harder.

More ideas are in how to wake up more easily.

Apps that can help

A reliable alarm app, a good bedtime routine and a loud enough tone are the basics. Browse the alarm and clock apps on this site, and read what each store listing says before you install.

Frequently asked questions

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

In the UK and most of Europe, on Sunday 25 October 2026. In the United States, on Sunday 1 November 2026.

Do I need to change my phone clock by hand?

Usually not. If Automatic date and time is on, your phone updates itself. Check it once, and check any separate watch or car clock.

Will my alarm go off an hour early or late?

Alarms are set to a clock time, so a 7:00 alarm still rings at 7:00 local time. The night just feels an hour longer.

Does Mexico change its clocks?

Most of Mexico ended daylight saving time in 2022. The northern border region still changes on 1 November to match the United States.