Change the time through the Fitbit app on your phone

The fastest way to update your Fitbit's time is through the Fitbit mobile app. Open the app, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, select your device, and scroll to "Time Zone." Choose your location from the list. The device syncs automatically when it connects to your phone via Bluetooth, usually within a few minutes.

If you have multiple Fitbits registered to your account, make sure you are editing the correct device before saving. The app will show you which device is currently selected at the top of the settings screen.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app's Time Zone setting is the primary method for changing your device's time and works for all current Fitbit models.
  • Your Fitbit must be paired with your phone via Bluetooth and connected to the internet for the time change to sync.
  • Manual time adjustment on the device itself is not possible — all time changes go through the app.
  • If the time does not update after changing the setting, unpair and re-pair your Fitbit to force a fresh sync.

Why your Fitbit time might be wrong

Fitbits do not have their own internal clock that you can adjust manually. Instead, they pull the time from your phone when they sync. If your Fitbit shows the wrong time, the most common cause is that your phone's time zone setting does not match where you actually are, or your Fitbit has not synced recently.

Daylight saving time changes can also cause a mismatch. If you travel across time zones and your phone updates automatically but your Fitbit does not, the devices are out of sync until the next Bluetooth connection occurs.

Steps to sync after changing the time zone

After you change the time zone in the Fitbit app, the device needs to connect to your phone to receive the update. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both your phone and your Fitbit. Open the Fitbit app and wait for the sync icon to appear — it usually looks like two arrows forming a circle.

If the sync does not happen automatically within a few minutes, manually trigger it by pulling down on the app's main screen (on most phones) or tapping the sync button. Once the sync completes, check your Fitbit's display to confirm the time has changed. The update typically takes less than a minute to appear on the device.

What to do if the time still will not change

If you have changed the time zone in the app and synced multiple times but the Fitbit still shows the wrong time, unpair the device and set it up again. Go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, find your Fitbit in the list of paired devices, and select "Forget" or "Unpair." Then open the Fitbit app and go through the pairing process as if you were setting up the device for the first time.

During re-pairing, the app will ask you to select your time zone again. This forces a complete resync and usually resolves persistent time issues. You will not lose your activity history — all your data stays in your Fitbit account and reappears once pairing is complete.

Checking your phone's time zone setting

Your Fitbit relies on your phone's time zone to stay accurate. If your phone is set to the wrong time zone, your Fitbit will be wrong too, even after syncing. On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap General, then Date & Time, and make sure "Set Automatically" is turned on. On Android, open Settings, go to System, then Date & Time, and toggle "Automatic Date & Time" on.

If you have turned off automatic time zone detection because you travel frequently, you will need to manually update both your phone and your Fitbit's time zone setting each time you cross a time zone boundary. The Fitbit app will not override your phone's manual setting.

Time zone differences between Fitbit models

All current Fitbit models — including Charge, Inspire, Sense, and Versa — use the same method to update the time. You change it through the app, not on the device itself. Older Fitbit models like the original Charge HR or Surge had slightly different interfaces, but they also required the app to change the time zone.

If you own an older Fitbit and the app does not show a Time Zone option, update the Fitbit app to the latest version from your phone's app store. Older app versions sometimes lack this setting, and updating usually restores it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Fitbits do not have a manual time adjustment feature on the device itself. All time changes must go through the Fitbit mobile app. The device pulls its time from your phone during sync, so the app is the only way to update it.

What happens to my activity data if I change the time zone?

Your activity data stays attached to the correct dates and times. Changing the time zone does not erase or move your recorded steps, heart rate, or sleep data. The data remains in your account and displays correctly once the time zone is updated.

Why does my Fitbit show a different time than my phone?

Your Fitbit and phone are out of sync, usually because they have not connected via Bluetooth recently or your phone's time zone setting differs from what you set in the Fitbit app. Open the Fitbit app and manually sync by pulling down on the main screen or tapping the sync button.

Do I need to change my Fitbit's time when I travel?

If your phone's automatic time zone detection is on, your Fitbit will update automatically when it syncs after you arrive in a new time zone. If you have turned off automatic detection on your phone, you will need to manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app for both devices to match.