How to Add Time on Your Device and Accounts

What "adding time" means and where you'll encounter it

Adding time usually means one of three things: adjusting the clock on your device so it shows the correct time, extending a subscription or service that's about to run out, or topping up prepaid phone or internet credit. The steps are completely different depending on which one you need, so start by figuring out which situation matches yours.

If your device clock is wrong, that's a settings fix. If you're renewing a subscription—like a streaming service, gym membership, or software license—that's usually a payment update in your account. If you're using a prepaid phone plan or data service, that's a top-up through your carrier or a third-party vendor. This guide covers all three, because they're the most common reasons someone searches for this.

Key Takeaways

Fixing your device clock is a settings change that takes under a minute on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android.
Renewing a subscription before it expires usually means updating your payment method in your account settings, not buying a new subscription.
Prepaid phone or internet top-ups are done through your carrier's app or website, or through a retailer like Walmart or Best Buy.
If your payment fails when you try to add time, check that your card hasn't expired and that your billing address matches your bank's records.

Fixing the clock on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, right-click the time in the bottom-right corner of your screen and select Adjust date and time. This opens the Settings app directly to the time panel. If you see a toggle labeled Set time automatically, make sure it's turned on (it should be blue). Windows will then sync with your internet connection and correct the time on its own.

If that toggle is already on and the time is still wrong, your internet connection may be unstable, or your system clock battery may be failing (this is rare on modern computers). Try restarting your computer first. If the time drifts again after restart, you can manually set it by clicking Change under the date and time fields and entering the correct date and time yourself.

Fixing the clock on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Look for General in the sidebar, then click Date & Time. Check the box next to Set date and time automatically. Your Mac will sync with the internet and correct itself within seconds.

If the box is already checked and the time is still wrong, click the dropdown next to Set time zone automatically using and make sure it says your location or a nearby major city. If you're traveling and your Mac hasn't updated to the new time zone, you can manually select your current zone from that same dropdown.

Fixing the clock on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings, then tap General, then Date & Time. Toggle on Set Automatically if it's off. Your device will sync with your carrier's network and correct the time within a few seconds. This is the most reliable method because iPhones and iPads sync time through cellular or Wi-Fi constantly.

If the time is still wrong after toggling this on, try turning Wi-Fi off and back on, or toggling Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds and then off again. If you're in a new time zone and your device hasn't updated, you can manually select your zone by tapping Time Zone and searching for your city.

Fixing the clock on Android

Open Settings, then search for "date and time" using the search bar at the top. Tap Date and time, then toggle on Automatic date and time and Automatic time zone. Android will sync with your network and correct both the time and zone automatically.

If those toggles are already on and the time is still wrong, restart your phone. If the problem persists, check that you have a strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection—Android can't sync time without one. You can also manually set the time by turning off the automatic toggles and tapping the date and time fields to enter them yourself.

Renewing a subscription before it expires

Most subscriptions—streaming services, software, cloud storage, gym memberships—renew automatically if you have a valid payment method on file. You don't need to "add time" manually; the service does it for you a few days before expiration. Log into your account on the service's website or app, go to Account Settings or Billing, and check the renewal date. If it shows a date in the future, you're set.

If the renewal date has passed or if you see a message that your payment failed, update your payment method immediately. Click Payment Method or Billing Information, remove the old card, and add a new one. Make sure the name, address, and card number match exactly what your bank has on file—mismatches are the most common reason payments fail. After you update it, the service will usually try to charge you within 24 hours.

If you cancelled a subscription and want to restart it, you're usually buying a new subscription, not "adding time." Go to the service's pricing page and choose your plan. You'll pay for a full month or year depending on what you select, not just the remaining days from before.

Adding time to a prepaid phone or internet plan

Prepaid plans work differently from subscriptions. You buy a set amount of data, minutes, or days of service, and when it runs out, you buy more. The method depends on your carrier. Most major carriers—Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and their prepaid brands—let you top up through their app or website. Open the app, go to Account or Billing, and look for Add Credit, Refill, or Top Up. Select how much credit you want to add (usually $10, $20, $50, or $100), enter your payment method, and confirm.

You can also buy prepaid credit at physical retailers. Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and most convenience stores sell prepaid phone cards for major carriers. You buy the card, scratch off the PIN on the back, and either enter it into the carrier's website or call the number on the card to add the credit to your account. This method takes a few minutes but doesn't require a credit card.

For prepaid internet (like mobile hotspot plans), the process is the same: log into your carrier's account, find the top-up or refill option, and add credit. Some carriers also let you set up automatic refills so you never run out—check your account settings to see if that option is available.

What to do if your payment fails when adding time

The most common reasons a payment fails are: your card has expired, your billing address doesn't match your bank's records, you've hit your card's daily spending limit, or the payment processor flagged the transaction as suspicious. Start by checking your card's expiration date. If it's expired, update it in your account settings. If it's not expired, log into your bank's website or app and verify that the billing address on file matches exactly what you entered—even a missing apartment number or a different spelling of your street can cause a rejection.

If the address matches and the card isn't expired, try a different payment method if you have one. Some services accept PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or bank transfers in addition to credit cards. If none of those work, contact your bank directly and ask if they've blocked the transaction. They can tell you why and can unblock it if needed. After you've resolved the issue, try adding time again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my device clock keep resetting to the wrong time?

This usually means your device isn't connecting to the internet to sync the time, or your system clock battery is failing. Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection. If the time keeps drifting even after restart, and you're on a desktop computer, the CMOS battery inside may need replacement—this is a hardware issue that requires a technician.

Can I add time to a subscription that's already expired?

Yes. Log into your account, update your payment method if needed, and the service will usually reactivate within 24 hours. You'll be charged for a new billing period starting from the reactivation date, not from when it expired. Some services have a grace period (usually 30 days) during which you can reactivate without losing your account data.

What's the difference between adding time and renewing a subscription?

Adding time usually means topping up prepaid credit (like a phone plan). Renewing means your subscription automatically charges you again at the end of your billing period. Most subscriptions renew automatically; prepaid plans require you to manually add credit when you run out.

Can I buy prepaid phone credit online instead of at a store?

Yes. Your carrier's app or website is usually the fastest way. You can also buy digital prepaid codes from retailers like Amazon or Best Buy and redeem them online. Physical cards from stores work too, but you have to scratch and enter the PIN yourself.

Why does my subscription say it will renew but I don't want it to?

You need to cancel the subscription before the renewal date. Go to your account settings, find the subscription, and look for a Cancel or Turn Off Auto-Renewal button. The exact wording varies by service. After you cancel, you'll usually keep access until the current billing period ends, then it stops.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.