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Set menubar digital clock format

This setting configures the time and date format for the menubar digital clock. Accepted values depend on your Language & Region settings.

  • ss for seconds.
  • HH for 24-hour clock.
  • EEE for 3-letter day of the week.
  • d MMM for day of the month and 3-letter month.
  • Tested on macOS:
    • Monterey
    • Big Sur
    • Catalina
  • Parameter type: string

Set to "EEE d MMM HH:mm:ss"

Thu 18 Aug 21:46:18

bash
defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat" -string "\"EEE d MMM HH:mm:ss\""

Set to "EEE h:mm:ss"

Thu 9:46:18

bash
defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat" -string "\"EEE h:mm:ss\""

Set to "EEE HH:mm:ss"

Thu 21:46:18

bash
defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat" -string "\"EEE HH:mm:ss\""

Read current value

bash
defaults read com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat"

Reset to default value

bash
defaults delete com.apple.menuextra.clock "DateFormat"