Switch the date/time fields between device time zone and UTC

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 3 minutes to read
  • Use the ShowDateTimeInUTC mobile property to determine whether the date/time field values in the Now Mobile app are displayed in the time zone of the user's device (default) or are converted to UTC.

    Before you begin

    Role required: admin

    About this task

    The ShowDateTimeInUTC mobile property value is false and not defined by default. When set to false or not defined, the Now Mobile app displays the time and date according to the time zone of a user’s device. Instead, set ShowDateTimeInUTC to true to display the time and date according to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

    Both Mobile Card Builder and the following mobile screens support the ShowDateTimeInUTC property:

    Mobile properties are configured as records in the sys_sg_properties table on the ServiceNow® Platform server. The ServiceNow instance sends the mobile property to mobile apps after authentication. Then the property turns on or turns off a feature on the mobile app.

    Procedure

    1. Navigate to All > sys_sg_properties.list.
    2. In the Mobile Properties list, select New.
    3. On the form, fill in the fields.
      Table 1. Mobile properties form
      Field Description
      Name Name of the mobile property record. Enter ShowDateTimeInUTC to make this feature configurable. This feature is turned off by default and you must create it on your instance to configure it. It isn't visible on the instance until you create it.
      Note:
      The record name is case-sensitive and must be entered as ShowDateTimeInUTC.
      Application Application scope where the mobile property is applied. To select a different application scope, select the globe icon (Globe icon.) on the instance banner. Then select Application scope:application_scope.

      For information about how mobile properties are affected by application scope, see Mobile properties.

      Description Description of the mobile property. Enter a description of the property. For example, Determines whether users see date/time according to UTC or according to their device's time zone.
      Type Data type of the mobile property record. Select True/False for the ShowDateTimeInUTC mobile property.
      Value
      The following values can be entered:
      • To show the users date/time according to UTC, enter True
      • To show the users date/time according to the time zone of their device, enter False.
      Active Option to activate the mobile property. If the check box is cleared, the mobile property isn't activated for use.
      Is Public

      Determines whether the pre_auth property is included in the API response.

      By default, this option is not selected. If you want this property included in the /pre_auth API response, select this checkbox. For more information, see Adaptive authentication events.

      Mobile properties with this checkbox enabled are excluded from the /user_client API response.

      Mobile App Config Mobile app configuration that you want to use the mobile property for. This setting limits the mobile property behavior to users who have access to this mobile app configuration. Other users don't have access to this mobile property and instead experience default behavior.

      To enter a value, either start typing the configuration name or select the search icon (Search icon.). The search dialog box lists the configurations from which you can choose. Select a configuration for Mobile App Config.

      Mobile Application Mobile application that you want to send the mobile property to. This setting limits the mobile property behavior to users who have access to this mobile app. Other users don't have access to this mobile property and instead experience default behavior.

      To enter a value, either start typing the application name or select the search icon (Search icon.). The search dialog box lists the applications from which you can choose. Select an application for Mobile Application.

    4. Select Submit.

    What to do next

    After updating this property, the end user must refresh the data from the instance to get the latest feature configurations.