As April rolls in, many Mexicans are left wondering whether they need to adjust their clocks as they did in years past. The change of horario, a practice that shaped the daily routines of millions, continues to spark confusion following recent reforms. While most of the country has abandoned this practice, certain regions still adhere to it, leading to uncertainty. Here’s what you need to know about the current state of the horario change in Mexico in 2025, from its definition to its impact and present situation.
So, what exactly is the change of horario? This measure, adopted by various countries, aims to adjust the official time to better utilize sunlight. Typically, clocks are set forward in spring to kick off the so-called "daylight saving time" and set back in autumn to revert to "standard time." The idea originated from energy efficiency concepts proposed by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century and gained traction in the 20th century as a means to reduce electricity consumption by extending daylight hours. In Mexico, the change of horario was first implemented in 1996 during the presidency of Ernesto Zedillo, mirroring practices in the United States and other nations. However, its application has since evolved and is no longer uniform across the country.
When the horario change is applied, it alters the perception of time throughout the day. By advancing the clock in March, mornings start later according to the sun, while evenings are extended, providing more natural light at the end of the day. Conversely, when the clock is set back in November, mornings gain light but nights arrive earlier. This shift impacts daily routines, including work hours and sleep patterns, and can disrupt biological clocks, particularly in children and the elderly. In regions where the change still applies, such as the northern border, this phenomenon remains significant in 2025.
So, when did Mexico stop observing the change of horario? The country ceased to apply this practice in most areas on October 30, 2022, following the approval of the Time Zone Law pushed by then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This reform eliminated daylight saving time nationwide, establishing a permanent standard time for most states. The decision was based on studies indicating minimal energy savings (less than 1% of national consumption) and public discontent regarding negative health effects, such as sleep disorders and stress. However, a seasonal horario is still maintained in 33 municipalities along the northern border to synchronize with the United States, along with exceptions in Sonora and Quintana Roo for economic and tourism reasons.
What benefits does the change of horario offer? Primarily, it aims to optimize the use of sunlight to decrease electricity consumption, particularly for lighting. In border areas where it is still applied, like Tijuana or Juárez, this adjustment helps facilitate commercial and labor coordination with U.S. cities, strengthening economic exchange. Additionally, extending daylight in the evenings can encourage outdoor activities and enhance safety by reducing darkness during peak hours. Although the energy benefits have been questioned, it continues to serve as a practical synchronization tool in specific regions.
In 2025, clocks were not set back across most of Mexico, as standard time has been maintained year-round since 2022. However, in the 33 border municipalities, an adjustment occurred on November 2, 2025, when clocks were set back one hour at 2:00 a.m. to initiate winter time. This change did not affect the rest of the country, including Mexico City, where the time remains fixed. The next adjustment in these border areas will be on March 9, 2025, when clocks will be advanced for daylight saving time. In summary, while Mexico has largely bid farewell to the horario change across its territory, border exceptions keep this practice alive in 2025, adapting to the needs of a key region in its relationship with the United States.
On April 6, 2025, confusion reigned as many people woke up uncertain about whether a change of horario had taken place. Several mobile phones adjusted automatically, leading to questions about the status of time changes in Mexico. However, it is important to note that no horario change occurred on this day. The border states that had adjusted their clocks to accommodate the recent daylight saving time did so just over a month ago on March 9, 2025.
This uncertainty is compounded by the fact that the horario measure was largely eliminated across Mexico following a reform in the Law of Time Zones in 2023. The last time the entire national territory observed a change of horario was in October 2022. Interestingly, while many Latin American countries have moved away from this practice, Chile did implement a horario change on April 6, 2025, setting their clocks back one hour to mark the onset of winter.
So why did some phones change the time on April 6? Many devices have an automatic adjustment feature that alters the time based on preset dates for horario changes. This issue primarily affects older phones or those that have been discontinued, as newer models typically do not change the time automatically, provided the user has correctly set their time zone and knows that their region no longer observes the horario changes.
If you want to disable the automatic time adjustment on your phone, here are the steps: For iOS users, go to Settings, select General, then Date & Time, and turn off Automatic to manually set your time. For Android users, access your phone’s Settings, find System or General Management (depending on your model), select Date & Time, and turn off Automatic Date & Time and Automatic Time Zone.
As the conversation around the horario change continues, many are left to ponder the implications of these adjustments on their daily lives. With the complexities of timekeeping in a modern world, it raises questions about efficiency, health, and economic synchronization in a globalized society.
