Sometimes yous may see a popup message appear on your Mac saying, "Updated Time Zone Information Available. Restart to apply new time zone definitions." Y'all may wonder why you are seeing this message and if there is anything incorrect with your Mac. It is important to right this problem as wrong time zone information may crusade unlike problems that can negatively bear upon your productivity.

Updated Time Zone popup

The Time Zone Database

The Time Zone Database is maintained by Net Assigned Numbers Authorisation (IANA). IANA may update the database, and that is when you may encounter this popup. Incorrect fourth dimension zone data may touch how your computer runs and performs sure functions. If your Mac is having time zone bug, this may disrupt your scheduled tasks. Some apps that may require a fourth dimension zone to run may non perform correctly. Your Mac uses the Net to keep its clock authentic. Your calculator syncs with a fourth dimension server, however, time zone information may modify:

  • Time zone information may change due to updates to the Fourth dimension Zone Database that happen in response to i or more than governments changing a time zone dominion in their countries. For example, legislative changes, such as the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, can touch time zone definitions.
  • Daylight saving time (DST) can change for geopolitical reasons.

Restart your Mac

First, let me say that this message is not a result of a virus. This popup message indicates that updated time zone definitions are bachelor. To install it, simply restart your Mac. Before you practise that, ensure that your Mac is continued to the Net. Later restarting your Mac, your time zone information will exist updated, and you will no longer see this popup message until at that place is another fourth dimension zone update, which does not happen often.

Permit your Mac set your time and time zone automatically

It is a good idea to have your Mac automatically sync with an internet clock server and so that your fourth dimension zone will exist updated automatically. Here is how:

  1. Open System Preferences, so click Date & Time. Select the Engagement & Time tab. Click the lock icon if the section is locked, then enter your countersign to unlock it. Ensure that the "Set date and fourth dimension automatically" box is selected.
  2. Click the Time Zone tab and select the "Set time zone automatically using electric current location" box. If there is a time zone update, you will too see a message saying, "Updated time zone definitions are available and will be installed at the side by side restart."
Date & Time in System Preferences

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Dr. Serhat Kurt worked every bit a Senior Engineering science Manager. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the Academy of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master's caste from Purdue University. Hither is his LinkedIn profile. E-mail Serhat Kurt.