The fastest way to set the correct time
Your Fitbit syncs its time automatically when you connect it to your phone via the Fitbit app. If the time is wrong, the quickest fix is to open the Fitbit app, let it sync with your device, and the time will update within a few seconds. No manual entry needed — the app pulls the time from your phone's settings.
If that does not work, or if you want to set the time manually, you can adjust it directly in the app's device settings. The exact steps depend on which Fitbit model you own, but the process takes less than a minute either way.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Fitbit app and sync your device — the time updates automatically from your phone in most cases.
- If automatic sync does not fix it, go to your device settings in the app and look for a time or clock option.
- Make sure your phone's time is correct first, because Fitbit pulls from your phone's settings.
- Some older Fitbit models do not have a manual time setting and rely entirely on automatic sync.
Syncing through the Fitbit app on your phone
The Fitbit app syncs automatically when you open it and your device is nearby. To force a sync, open the Fitbit app, tap the profile icon (usually in the bottom right corner), select your device, and look for a sync button or option. On most phones this appears as a circular arrow or refresh icon.
Once the sync completes, check your Fitbit's display — the time should now match your phone. This works because the app reads the time from your phone's system settings and sends it to your device. If your phone's time is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too, so check that first.
Manual time adjustment in the app
If syncing does not fix the time, you can set it manually. Open the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon, select your device from the list, and scroll down to find device settings or clock settings. The exact name varies by model — it might say "Time Zone," "Time," or "Clock."
Tap that option and you will see fields for the hour and minute. Use the plus and minus buttons to set the correct time, then save or confirm. The change takes effect when ready on your device. Some models also let you choose between 12-hour and 24-hour time format in the same menu.
Checking your phone's time zone settings
Fitbit often gets the time wrong because your phone's time zone is set incorrectly. Go to your phone's settings, find Date & Time (on Android) or General > Date & Time (on iPhone), and make sure the time zone matches where you actually are. Turn on "Automatic date and time" if it is available — this lets your phone pull the correct time from your carrier.
Once your phone is correct, open the Fitbit app and sync again. Your Fitbit will inherit the corrected time from your phone. This is the most common reason the time drifts after a few days — your phone's time zone changed but your Fitbit did not update automatically.
What to do if your Fitbit keeps losing time
If the time resets or drifts every time you restart your Fitbit, the battery may be low. Charge your device fully — a low battery can prevent the device from holding the correct time between syncs. Leave it on the charger for at least two hours, then sync again through the app.
If the time still does not stick after a full charge, try unpairing and re-pairing your device. In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select the device, and look for an option to remove or unpair it. Then add it back by scanning the code on the device or entering its serial number. This forces a fresh connection and often fixes persistent time issues.
Fitbit models that do not have manual time settings
Older Fitbit models like the Fitbit One, Fitbit Zip, and some Fitbit Flex versions do not have a manual time setting in the app. These devices rely entirely on automatic sync with your phone. If the time is wrong on one of these models, make sure your phone's time is correct, then open the Fitbit app and let it sync for at least 30 seconds.
If automatic sync still does not work, restart your Fitbit by removing and reinserting the battery (if it is removable), or by holding the button for 10 seconds until you see a restart screen. Then sync again. If the time remains wrong after that, the device may have a hardware issue and you may need to contact Fitbit support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit time change when I travel?
Your Fitbit syncs time from your phone, so if your phone's time zone changes when you cross time zones, your Fitbit will too. This is automatic and happens the next time the app syncs. If you want to keep your Fitbit on your home time zone while traveling, turn off automatic time zone adjustment on your phone before you leave.
Can I set a different time on my Fitbit than my phone?
No. Fitbit devices pull their time from your phone and do not allow a separate time setting. If you need a different time, you would have to change your phone's time, which affects all your apps and notifications.
How often does my Fitbit sync the time?
Your Fitbit syncs whenever the Fitbit app opens and your device is in range. If you open the app once a day, the time updates once a day. For more frequent updates, open the app more often or enable background sync if your phone supports it.
What if the time is correct but the date is wrong?
The date is set the same way as the time — through automatic sync or manual adjustment in the app's device settings. Check your phone's date first, then sync the Fitbit app. If the date still does not update, use the manual date setting in the app's clock or time zone menu.