Change the time through the Fitbit app on your phone

The fastest way to update your Fitbit's time is through the official Fitbit app. Open the app on your phone, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, select your device, and scroll to "Time Zone". Choose your current time zone from the list. Your Fitbit will sync automatically within a few minutes — you do not need to manually restart it.

This method works for all Fitbit models that connect to a smartphone. The app handles the sync over Bluetooth, so make sure your phone and Fitbit are within range and both have Bluetooth turned on. If the time does not update after five minutes, close the app completely and reopen it to force a fresh sync.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app is the primary way to change your device's time zone, and the change syncs automatically without manual steps.
  • Your Fitbit pulls the correct time from your phone's system time, so if your phone time is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too.
  • Some older Fitbit models allow manual time adjustment on the device itself, but this is rare and usually unnecessary.
  • If your time does not update after syncing, restart your Fitbit by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in.

Make sure your phone's time is correct first

Your Fitbit takes its time from your phone, not from a network connection. If your phone's clock is set wrong, your Fitbit will match it. Before you change the time zone in the Fitbit app, check that your phone is showing the correct time and date.

On most phones, the time updates automatically when you cross time zones or when your phone connects to a network. If you have manually changed your phone's time or disabled automatic updates, fix that first. Once your phone shows the right time, open the Fitbit app and let it sync — your device should correct itself within minutes.

Restart your Fitbit if the time does not sync

If you have changed the time zone in the app but your Fitbit still shows the wrong time after five minutes, a restart usually fixes it. Unplug your Fitbit from its charging cable and wait 10 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for the Fitbit logo to appear on the screen, which means it is restarting.

After the restart completes, open the Fitbit app again and check that the time zone is still set correctly. The device should now display the right time. If it still does not match after a second sync, check that Bluetooth is on and that your phone and Fitbit are within 30 feet of each other.

Check your time zone setting if you travel

When you travel across time zones, your phone usually updates automatically if you have location services or automatic time zone detection turned on. Your Fitbit will follow your phone's time zone setting in the app. However, if you travel frequently or your phone does not update automatically, you may need to manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app when you arrive.

Open the app, go to your device settings, and select the new time zone from the list. The sync happens in the background — you do not need to do anything else. This is especially useful if you travel for work and want your Fitbit to show local time rather than your home time zone.

Older Fitbit models with manual time adjustment

A small number of older Fitbit models, such as the original Fitbit Charge and Fitbit Surge, have a manual time setting on the device itself. If your Fitbit has a settings menu accessible from the device screen, you may be able to adjust the time directly without using the app. Look for a "Settings" or "Time" option in the device menu.

However, most modern Fitbits do not have this feature — they rely entirely on the app to set the time. If your model does not show a time setting on the device screen, use the app method instead. Manual adjustment on older models is rarely necessary because the app sync is more reliable and updates automatically when you change time zones.

What to do if your Fitbit time keeps resetting

If your Fitbit's time reverts to an incorrect setting even after you have synced it multiple times, the issue is usually that your phone's time is wrong or your Bluetooth connection is unstable. Check your phone's clock again — if it is correct, try unpairing and repairing your Fitbit in the app.

To unpair, go to your device settings in the Fitbit app, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Remove This Device". Then set up your Fitbit again by tapping the plus icon in the app and following the pairing steps. This forces a complete resync and often resolves persistent time problems. After pairing is complete, check the time zone setting one more time to confirm it matches your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your Fitbit pulls its time from your phone's system clock, so they should match. If they do not, your phone's time is likely wrong. Check your phone's settings and make sure automatic time zone detection is turned on. Then open the Fitbit app and let it sync for a few minutes.

Do I need to manually set the time on my Fitbit when I get a new one?

No. When you first pair your Fitbit with the app, it automatically syncs to your phone's time. You do not need to do anything — the time will be correct as soon as pairing is complete.

Can I change the time format from 12-hour to 24-hour on my Fitbit?

Yes, but the option is in the Fitbit app, not on the device itself. Open the app, go to your device settings, and look for "Time Format" or "Clock Display". Select either 12-hour or 24-hour format. The change syncs automatically to your device.

What if my Fitbit and phone are not syncing at all?

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both devices and they are within 30 feet of each other. Close the Fitbit app completely and reopen it. If that does not work, restart your phone and your Fitbit. If syncing still fails, unpair the devices in the app and pair them again from scratch.