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, which syncs the correct time automatically in most cases. Open the Fitbit app on your phone, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, select your device, and scroll down to find "Time Zone." Choose your current time zone from the list. Your watch will sync within a few seconds, and the time should now match your phone.

If automatic syncing doesn't work, make sure your phone's time is set correctly first—your Fitbit pulls the time from your phone during sync. Check that Bluetooth is turned on and that your phone and watch are within 30 feet of each other. Close the Fitbit app completely and reopen it to force a fresh sync.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app's time zone setting is the primary way to update your watch's time, and it syncs automatically when you change the setting.
  • Your phone's time must be correct for the sync to work, so verify your phone shows the right time before troubleshooting your watch.
  • Bluetooth must be on and your devices must be within 30 feet for the sync to complete.
  • If the time still doesn't update after syncing, restart your watch by holding the back button for 10 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo.
  • Daylight saving time changes happen automatically on most Fitbit models when your phone updates, so you usually don't need to adjust manually twice a year.

Restart your watch if the time doesn't sync

Sometimes the Fitbit app syncs but the time on your watch doesn't change. A restart clears temporary glitches that prevent the update from taking effect. Hold down the back button (the small button on the left side of your watch) for about 10 seconds until the Fitbit logo appears on the screen. Release the button and wait 30 seconds for the watch to fully restart.

After the restart completes, open the Fitbit app again and check that your time zone is still set correctly. The watch should now display the correct time. If it still shows the wrong time after a restart and sync, move to the next step.

Manually set the time if your watch is offline

If your Fitbit is not connecting to your phone via Bluetooth, you can set the time manually on the watch itself. The steps vary slightly depending on your model. On most Fitbit watches, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu, then look for a "Settings" option. Tap it and scroll to "Time" or "Clock."

Once you find the time setting, you'll see options to adjust the hour and minute. Use the plus and minus buttons or swipe to change each number. Some models let you toggle between 12-hour and 24-hour format here as well. After you've set the correct time, press the back button to save your changes. When your watch reconnects to your phone, the app will sync and confirm the time zone again.

Check your phone's time zone setting

Your Fitbit pulls time information from your phone, so if your phone's time zone is wrong, your watch will be wrong too. On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap "General," then "Date & Time." Make sure "Set Automatically" is turned on—this tells your phone to update based on your location. On Android, open Settings, go to "System," then "Date & Time," and turn on "Automatic Date & Time."

If you've recently traveled or moved, your phone may not have updated automatically. You can also manually select your time zone in these same menus if automatic detection isn't working. Once your phone shows the correct time and time zone, open the Fitbit app and let it sync. Your watch should update within a few seconds.

Understand daylight saving time updates

When daylight saving time begins or ends, your Fitbit should update automatically if your phone updates. Most phones change their time automatically on the day the change occurs, and your Fitbit syncs that change the next time you open the app. You don't need to manually adjust your watch twice a year in most cases.

If your watch time is off by one hour after a daylight saving change, it usually means your phone hasn't synced with your watch since the change happened. Open the Fitbit app to trigger a sync. If the problem persists, check that your phone's time zone setting is still correct—sometimes a phone update can reset this setting unexpectedly.

Troubleshoot if the time keeps reverting

Occasionally a Fitbit will show the correct time right after syncing but then revert to the wrong time within hours. This usually means your watch is not staying connected to your phone between syncs. Check that Bluetooth is enabled on both devices and that you haven't blocked the Fitbit app from using Bluetooth in your phone's permissions. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure your Fitbit is listed and connected. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit and check that Bluetooth permission is granted.

If Bluetooth is on and permissions are correct, try "forgetting" your watch and pairing it again. In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Remove This Device." Then restart both your phone and watch, and pair them again from scratch. This often fixes persistent sync issues that cause the time to revert.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit show the wrong time even after I synced it?

Your phone's time is probably incorrect. Check your phone's date and time settings and make sure "Set Automatically" is on. Your Fitbit copies the time from your phone, so if your phone is wrong, your watch will be too. After fixing your phone, open the Fitbit app to sync again.

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

Yes. On your watch, swipe down to open quick settings, tap Settings, find Time or Clock, and use the plus and minus buttons to adjust the hour and minute. This works when your phone isn't nearby, but the app will override it the next time you sync, so use the app method when possible.

What if my Fitbit and phone are showing different times?

Close the Fitbit app completely and reopen it to force a sync. Make sure Bluetooth is on and your devices are within 30 feet. If they're still different after syncing, restart your watch by holding the back button for 10 seconds, then sync again.

Does my Fitbit update automatically for daylight saving time?

Yes, in most cases. When your phone updates for daylight saving time, your Fitbit syncs that change the next time you open the app. If your watch is still off by an hour, open the Fitbit app to trigger a manual sync.