Change the time in the Fitbit app on your phone

The fastest way to update your Fitbit's time is through the Fitbit app on your smartphone. The app syncs with your device wirelessly, so you do not need to connect anything by hand. Open the Fitbit app, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, select your device, and scroll down to find "Clock" or "Time Zone". Tap it and choose your time zone from the list. The change takes effect within a few seconds once your Fitbit syncs.

This method works for almost all Fitbit models — Charge, Inspire, Sense, Versa, and Ace. The only exception is older Fitbit trackers like the original Flex or One, which do not have app-based time settings and update automatically when you sync them to a computer.

If you do not see a Clock or Time Zone option in your app, your device may update time automatically based on your phone's location. Check your phone's time zone setting first — your Fitbit often mirrors it. If your phone shows the correct time but your Fitbit does not, try closing the Fitbit app completely and reopening it, or restart your phone and sync again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and tap Clock or Time Zone to change the time.
  • Most Fitbit models sync the time wirelessly through the app within seconds of you making the change.
  • If your Fitbit does not have a Clock option in the app, it updates time automatically when you sync to your phone.
  • Restarting your phone and reopening the Fitbit app fixes most time sync problems.
  • Older Fitbit models like the original Flex update time only when synced to a computer, not through the app.

Update time zone when you travel

When you cross time zones, your Fitbit does not always update automatically. If your phone's location services are on and your Fitbit app has permission to access your location, the time zone should shift on its own within a few minutes of landing. However, this does not always work reliably, especially on international flights where your phone may not connect to a network right away.

The safest approach is to manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app as soon as you arrive. Go to your device settings in the app, find Clock or Time Zone, and select the correct zone for your new location. This ensures your activity log, sleep tracking, and alarms all use the right time from that moment forward.

Manually set the time if automatic sync fails

Some Fitbit models let you set the time by hand if the app method does not work. On Fitbit Versa and Sense watches, swipe down from the top of the screen to open quick settings, tap Settings, scroll to Clock, and choose your time zone. On Fitbit Charge models, hold the button on the left side of the device to open the menu, navigate to Settings, and look for Time or Clock.

Not all Fitbit trackers have this option — many smaller models like the Inspire do not allow manual time adjustment on the device itself. If your device does not have a manual time setting, the app is your only option. If the app method fails, try unpairing your Fitbit from your phone and pairing it again, which often forces a fresh sync of all settings including time.

Check your phone's time zone setting

Your Fitbit often pulls the time from your phone, so an incorrect phone time zone will throw off your device. Go to your phone's Settings, find Date & Time, and make sure your time zone is set correctly. On most phones, there is a toggle for "Automatic time zone" — turn it on if you want your phone to update based on location, or turn it off if you prefer to set it manually.

Once your phone shows the right time, open the Fitbit app and let it sync. Your Fitbit should update within a minute. If it does not, close the app completely (swipe it away from your recent apps list, not just the back button) and reopen it.

Restart your Fitbit if the time stays wrong

If you have changed the time in the app and synced multiple times but your Fitbit still shows the wrong time, a restart often fixes it. The method depends on your model. For Fitbit Charge and Inspire, hold the button on the left side until you see a restart screen, then confirm. For Fitbit Versa and Sense, swipe down from the top, tap Settings, scroll to About, and select Restart.

After the restart completes, open the Fitbit app and sync again. The time should now match your phone. If the problem returns after a few days, your Fitbit may have a deeper software issue — check the Fitbit website for your specific model to see if a firmware update is available through the app.

Understand why your Fitbit time might drift

Fitbit devices do not have their own internal clock like a phone does. Instead, they rely on syncing with your phone to know what time it is. If you do not open the Fitbit app for several days, your device may drift by a few minutes because it has no way to update on its own. This is normal and not a sign of a problem.

The drift becomes noticeable only if you ignore the app for a week or longer. Opening the app once a day keeps your Fitbit's time accurate. If you use your Fitbit mainly for step counting and sleep tracking, a few minutes of drift does not affect your data — the device logs activity by the time it records it, not by what the screen displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your Fitbit may not have synced with the app yet. Close the Fitbit app completely and reopen it to force a sync. If the time is still wrong after that, restart your Fitbit device. Hold the button until you see a restart screen, confirm, and then sync again through the app.

Does my Fitbit update time automatically when I travel?

It may, if your phone's location services are on and the Fitbit app has permission to access your location. However, this does not always work, especially during flights. It is safer to manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app as soon as you arrive at your destination.

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

Some models can — Fitbit Versa and Sense have a Clock setting in the device menu. Most smaller trackers like Inspire and Charge do not. Check your device's menu by holding the button or swiping down to see if a Clock or Time option appears. If not, you must use the app.

What if the Fitbit app does not show a Clock or Time Zone option?

Your device likely updates time automatically based on your phone's time zone. Check that your phone's time zone is correct in Settings, then open the Fitbit app and sync. If your phone shows the right time but your Fitbit does not, try restarting your phone and syncing again.

Will my Fitbit lose the correct time if I do not use it for a while?

Yes, it may drift by a few minutes over several days because the device has no internal clock. Opening the Fitbit app once a day keeps it accurate. A few minutes of drift does not affect your activity or sleep data — the device logs what happens when it happens, regardless of what the screen shows.