The fastest way to fix your Fitbit's time

Your Fitbit syncs its time automatically when you open the Fitbit app on your phone, so the quickest fix is to open the app and let it sync. If that does not work, you can manually set the time in the app settings. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on all Fitbit models — the app handles the adjustment, not the device itself.

Your Fitbit gets its time from your phone's clock, so if your device shows the wrong time, either your phone's time is wrong or the sync failed. Check your phone's time first. If your phone is correct and your Fitbit still shows the wrong time after you have opened the app, follow the manual reset steps below.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Fitbit app on your phone to trigger an automatic time sync — this fixes most time problems without any manual steps.
  • If automatic sync does not work, go to your device settings in the Fitbit app and manually adjust the time zone or time offset.
  • Your Fitbit cannot set its own time; it always pulls the time from your phone, so check your phone's clock first.
  • After you change the time, close and reopen the Fitbit app to confirm the sync completed.

Automatic sync through the Fitbit app

The Fitbit app syncs your device every time you open it. This sync includes the current time from your phone. Open the Fitbit app and wait 10 to 15 seconds for the sync to finish — you will see a spinning icon or a "syncing" message on the screen. Once the sync is complete, check your Fitbit's display to see if the time has updated.

If the time still does not match after the sync, close the Fitbit app completely and open it again. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Fitbit app away. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find Fitbit, and tap "Force Stop." Then reopen the app and wait for the sync to finish.

Manual time adjustment in the Fitbit app

If automatic sync does not fix the time, you can manually set it. Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap your device name at the top of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Time Zone" or "Time" (the exact label depends on your Fitbit model). Select your time zone from the list or adjust the time offset if your device shows a time that is a few hours off.

After you change the setting, tap the back arrow or "Save" button. Close the app completely and reopen it to trigger a fresh sync. Your Fitbit should now display the correct time. If you travel and your device time becomes wrong again, repeat these steps with your new time zone.

Why your Fitbit time goes wrong

Your Fitbit does not have its own internal clock that keeps time independently. Instead, it relies on your phone to tell it what time it is. When you sync, the app sends your phone's current time to the device. If the sync fails — because the app crashed, the Bluetooth connection dropped, or the app was not fully closed — your Fitbit keeps the old time until the next successful sync.

Traveling across time zones is another common reason the time becomes wrong. Your Fitbit does not automatically detect that you have moved to a different zone. You have to manually change the time zone in the app, then sync again. Some users also see the wrong time if their phone's clock is set incorrectly, so always check your phone first.

Troubleshooting when the time still will not update

If the time remains wrong after you have synced and manually adjusted the setting, restart your Fitbit. The restart method depends on your model. For most Fitbits, hold the back button (or the button on the left side) for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen, then release. For Fitbit Inspire or Ace models, swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Settings, scroll to About, and tap Restart.

After the restart, open the Fitbit app and let it sync. The device should now show the correct time. If it still does not, check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings and that the Fitbit app has permission to access your location (some models use location data to detect time zones). You can also try unpairing and re-pairing your Fitbit: go to your device settings in the app, tap "Unpair," then set up the device again from scratch.

Preventing time sync problems

Keep the Fitbit app open for at least 10 to 15 seconds each time you use your phone so the sync can complete. Do not force-close the app when ready after opening it. If you travel frequently, update your time zone in the app before you travel rather than waiting until you arrive — this gives the sync time to complete before you need the correct time on your device.

Make sure your phone's Bluetooth is on and that your Fitbit is within 30 feet of your phone during the sync. If you notice the time is wrong again a few days later, it usually means the sync failed at some point. Open the app again and let it sync for a full 15 seconds. Checking the time zone setting once a month also helps catch problems early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set the time directly on my Fitbit without using the app?

No. Fitbit devices do not have a manual time-setting feature on the device itself. You must use the Fitbit app on your phone to adjust the time or time zone. The device always pulls its time from your phone during a sync.

Why does my Fitbit show the wrong time even though my phone is correct?

The sync between your phone and Fitbit failed. Open the Fitbit app and wait 15 seconds for a fresh sync. If that does not work, close the app completely, reopen it, and wait again. You can also manually set the time zone in the app settings under your device name.

Does my Fitbit automatically change the time when I travel?

No. Your Fitbit does not detect time zone changes on its own. When you travel, you must manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app settings, then sync the device. After the sync completes, your Fitbit will show the correct local time.

How long does it take for the time to sync after I open the Fitbit app?

A sync usually takes 10 to 15 seconds. You will see a spinning icon or "syncing" message on the screen. Wait until that message disappears before closing the app. If the sync takes longer than 30 seconds, close the app and try again.

What should I do if my Fitbit time is off by several hours?

Check your phone's time zone setting first — if your phone is set to the wrong zone, your Fitbit will be too. Then open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, and manually select the correct time zone. Close and reopen the app to sync. If the problem persists, restart your Fitbit using the back button or the Settings menu.