How to Synchronize Time on macOS with Shell Scripting

Accurate time synchronization on endpoints is critical in IT management. From ensuring seamless authentication to aligning logs across distributed systems, the system clock plays a pivotal role. For IT administrators and managed service providers (MSPs), particularly those managing fleets of macOS devices, having a consistent and automated way to enforce time accuracy can prevent disruptions, enhance security, and reduce troubleshooting time. This post explores how to synchronize time on macOS with shell scripting using native tools, offering a reliable and controlled alternative to GUI-based settings.

Background

macOS offers built-in support for network time synchronization via its System Settings or the systemsetup command-line utility. However, relying solely on manual configuration—or expecting end users to keep these settings intact—introduces variability. Automating time sync with shell scripting ensures consistency and allows IT teams to verify, enforce, and report on the configuration during audits or automated system checks.

For MSPs using tools like NinjaOne, deploying such a script across an organization allows centralized enforcement of time standards. Whether the use case involves regulatory compliance, system event correlation, or secure communication, a reliable way to synchronize macOS time becomes a foundational requirement.

The Script:

#!/usr/bin/env bash
#
# Description: Synchronize the time on macOS using the system's network time server. This can be done via Terminal: systemsetup -setusingnetworktime on, or Apple menu > System Settings > Time & Date, then turn on 'Set time and date automatically'.
# By using this script, you indicate your acceptance of the following legal terms as well as our Terms of Use at https://www.ninjaone.com/terms-of-use.
# Ownership Rights: NinjaOne owns and will continue to own all right, title, and interest in and to the script (including the copyright). NinjaOne is giving you a limited license to use the script in accordance with these legal terms. 
# Use Limitation: You may only use the script for your legitimate personal or internal business purposes, and you may not share the script with another party. 
# Republication Prohibition: Under no circumstances are you permitted to re-publish the script in any script library or website belonging to or under the control of any other software provider. 
# Warranty Disclaimer: The script is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranty of any kind. NinjaOne makes no promise or guarantee that the script will be free from defects or that it will meet your specific needs or expectations. 
# Assumption of Risk: Your use of the script is at your own risk. You acknowledge that there are certain inherent risks in using the script, and you understand and assume each of those risks. 
# Waiver and Release: You will not hold NinjaOne responsible for any adverse or unintended consequences resulting from your use of the script, and you waive any legal or equitable rights or remedies you may have against NinjaOne relating to your use of the script. 
# EULA: If you are a NinjaOne customer, your use of the script is subject to the End User License Agreement applicable to you (EULA).
#
# Minimum OS Architecture Supported: macOS 10.13 (Ventura)
#
# Release Notes: Initial Release
#

# When run directly without testing, the "__()" function does nothing.
test || __() { :; }

__ begin __

die() {
    local _ret="${2:-1}"
    echo "$1" >&2
    exit "${_ret}"
}

# Check if the script is being run as root. If not, exit with an error message.
if [[ $(id -u) -ne 0 ]]; then
    die "[Error] This script must be run with root permissions. Try running it with sudo or as the system/root user." 1
fi

# Sync the time immediately
if command -v sntp >/dev/null; then
    if sntp -sS "$(systemsetup -getnetworktimeserver | awk '{print $4}')" 2>/dev/null 1>/dev/null; then
        echo ""
        echo "[Info] Time synchronized successfully."
    else
        die "[Error] Failed to synchronize time." 1
    fi
elif command -v ntpdate >/dev/null; then
    if ntpdate -u "$(systemsetup -getnetworktimeserver | awk '{print $4}')" 2>/dev/null 1>/dev/null; then
        echo ""
        echo "[Info] Time synchronized successfully."
    else
        die "[Error] Failed to synchronize time." 1
    fi
else
    die "[Error] No time sync command found. Either sntp or ntpdate should be available." 1
fi

echo ""
echo "[Info] Time Synchronization Settings:"
echo ""

if ! systemsetup -getusingnetworktime -getnetworktimeserver -gettimezone; then
    die "[Error] Failed to retrieve time synchronization settings." 1
fi

__ end __

Detailed Breakdown

Here is a step-by-step analysis of what the script does:

1. Shebang and Metadata

bash

CopyEdit

#!/usr/bin/env bash

Defines the script interpreter (bash) ensuring portability across environments.

The comments following it describe:

• The script’s function
• Minimum OS support (macOS 10.13 or later)
• Usage instructions via terminal or system preferences
• Initial release notes

2. Helper Function and Permissions Check

bash

CopyEdit

die() { … }

The die function simplifies error handling, exiting the script gracefully with a message and optional return code.

bash

CopyEdit

if [[ $(id -u) -ne 0 ]]; then

die “[Error] This script must be run with root permissions…”

fi

Checks if the script is run with root privileges. Synchronizing time settings and using system tools like systemsetuprequires elevated access.

3. Time Sync Execution

The script attempts two methods for syncing time:

• sntp (preferred for macOS)
• ntpdate (fallback if sntp is unavailable)

bash

CopyEdit

if sntp -sS “$(systemsetup -getnetworktimeserver | awk ‘{print $4}’)” …

• systemsetup -getnetworktimeserver retrieves the configured NTP server.
• awk ‘{print $4}’ isolates the actual server name from the command’s output.
• The time is synced silently unless an error occurs.

4. Post-Sync Verification

bash

CopyEdit

systemsetup -getusingnetworktime -getnetworktimeserver -gettimezone

Outputs the current time sync settings to provide visibility after the sync action.

Potential Use Cases

Real-World Scenario

A school district’s IT admin manages over 500 macOS devices in classrooms. Random time drift leads to failed Kerberos authentication and SSO errors. By deploying this shell script via NinjaOne, the admin can:

• Force a one-time time synchronization remotely.
• Schedule the script periodically for ongoing enforcement.
• Log failures in NinjaOne to track machines that may need deeper inspection.

Comparisons

Script vs GUI

Script vs launchd Daemons

While a persistent launchd job can enforce ongoing time synchronization, it introduces more complexity. This script excels for ad-hoc or scheduled runs—perfect for lightweight, centralized deployment via RMM tools.

FAQs

Q: Do I need sntp or ntpdate installed?

A: macOS includes sntp by default, but some stripped-down builds may not. The script gracefully checks for both.

Q: What macOS versions are supported?

A: The script supports macOS 10.13 and above, including Ventura and Sonoma.

Q: Will this conflict with existing time sync settings?

A: No, it respects the configured network time server and merely performs an immediate sync.

Q: How do I automate this weekly?

A: Use NinjaOne’s scripting automation or macOS cron/launchd depending on your deployment method.

Implications

Time desynchronization can compromise:

• Authentication protocols (e.g., Kerberos)
• Log correlation across systems
• Certificate validation

Automating time sync strengthens system integrity and eliminates a class of silent, hard-to-trace issues.

Recommendations

• Always run the script as root for successful execution.
• Schedule routine runs to avoid future drifts, especially in mobile or BYOD environments.
• Combine with logging mechanisms to capture results and audit compliance.
• Verify tool availability (sntp, ntpdate) in your device fleet before broad deployment.

Final Thoughts

Synchronizing the time on macOS with a shell script provides IT professionals and MSPs with a lightweight yet powerful method to enforce system integrity. When integrated with RMM platforms like NinjaOne, this approach becomes even more impactful. Administrators can script, deploy, monitor, and report—all from a centralized console—ensuring that every macOS device adheres to organizational standards. Time sync may seem like a minor detail, but in IT, it’s a foundational pillar of stability and security.

For organizations looking to automate and scale their endpoint management processes, NinjaOne offers the ideal scripting and deployment environment to make this script a reliable part of your operational toolkit.