Reset the time on your Fitbit through the mobile app or web dashboard
Your Fitbit syncs its time automatically when you connect it to your phone or computer, so in most cases you won't need to reset it manually. If your device is showing the wrong time, the fastest fix is to open the Fitbit app on your phone, go to your device settings, and toggle the automatic time zone setting off and back on. This forces a fresh sync and usually corrects the time within seconds.
If that doesn't work, you can manually set the time through the app. Open the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon, select your device, scroll to Time Zone, and choose your correct time zone from the list. The app will then push the correct time to your device during the next sync.
For web users, log into fitbit.com, click your profile icon in the top right, select your device, find the Time Zone setting, and update it there. The change syncs the next time your device connects to the internet.
Key Takeaways
- Your Fitbit normally sets its time automatically when it syncs with your phone or the Fitbit app, so manual resets are rarely needed.
- Toggling the automatic time zone setting off and back on in the Fitbit app fixes most time display problems within seconds.
- You can manually select your time zone through the Fitbit mobile app or the web dashboard if automatic sync fails.
- Time zone changes take effect during the next sync between your device and your phone or computer.
- Restarting your Fitbit device can resolve time sync issues if the app settings don't fix the problem.
Why your Fitbit time gets out of sync
Your Fitbit relies on your phone or computer to know what time it is. When you first set up your device, it pulls the time from your phone's clock and your phone's time zone setting. If your phone's time zone is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too. Similarly, if you travel across time zones and your phone doesn't update automatically, your Fitbit won't either.
Fitbit devices don't have their own GPS or internet connection—they can't look up the time on their own. They depend entirely on the sync between your device and the Fitbit app. If that sync breaks or gets interrupted, the time can drift or freeze.
Using the Fitbit app to fix the time on iOS or Android
Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap the profile icon at the bottom right (on iOS) or top left (on Android). Find your device in the list and tap it. Scroll down until you see Time Zone.
If you see a toggle for "Set automatically," turn it off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. This tells your Fitbit to re-sync with your phone's current time and time zone. Your device should update within a minute.
If the automatic toggle doesn't exist or doesn't fix it, tap Time Zone and manually select your correct time zone from the dropdown list. After you save, your Fitbit will sync the new time the next time it connects to your phone.
Resetting the time through the Fitbit web dashboard
Go to fitbit.com and log in with your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select your device from the dropdown menu. Look for Settings or Device Settings (the exact label varies by device model).
Find the Time Zone field. Click on it and select your correct time zone from the list. Save your changes. The next time your Fitbit syncs—usually within a few minutes if your phone is nearby—it will pull the updated time from the web dashboard.
The web dashboard is useful if your phone app is acting up or if you want to make changes from a computer. Both the app and the web dashboard control the same settings, so changes made in one place show up in the other.
Restarting your Fitbit device to clear time problems
If changing the time zone in the app or web dashboard doesn't work, restart your Fitbit. The restart process differs by model. For most Fitbit trackers and watches, hold the button on the side or bottom of the device for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen, then release.
After the restart completes, open the Fitbit app and let your device sync. During that sync, it will pull the correct time from your phone. This clears any stuck or corrupted time data on the device itself.
If you're not sure how to restart your specific model, check the device manual or search "restart [your Fitbit model]" on the Fitbit support site. The steps vary slightly between Charge, Inspire, Sense, and Versa models.
What to do if your phone's time is wrong
Before you spend time adjusting Fitbit settings, check your phone's clock. Your Fitbit can only be as accurate as the device it syncs with. If your phone is showing the wrong time, your Fitbit will too.
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure "Set Automatically" is turned on. On Android, go to Settings > System > Date & Time and toggle "Set automatically" on. This tells your phone to pull the correct time from your carrier or internet connection.
Once your phone shows the right time, open the Fitbit app and let it sync. Your Fitbit should correct itself within a minute or two.
Traveling across time zones with your Fitbit
When you travel, your phone usually updates its time zone automatically if location services are on. Your Fitbit will follow along during the next sync. You don't need to do anything—just let your devices sync as normal.
If your phone doesn't update automatically (which can happen on older phones or if location services are off), manually change your phone's time zone in Settings, then open the Fitbit app to sync. Your Fitbit will pick up the new time zone during that sync.
Some users prefer to turn off automatic time zone updates and set the time manually when traveling, especially if they move between time zones frequently. You can do this by toggling "Set automatically" off in the Fitbit app and selecting your time zone by hand each time you arrive somewhere new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit show the wrong time even after I synced it?
Your phone's time or time zone is probably wrong. Check your phone's clock first—your Fitbit can only match what your phone is telling it. If your phone is correct, restart your Fitbit device by holding the button for 10 to 15 seconds, then sync again through the app.
Can I set the time manually on my Fitbit without using the app?
No. Fitbit devices don't have a manual time-setting option on the device itself. You must use the Fitbit app on your phone or the web dashboard at fitbit.com to change the time or time zone. The change then syncs to your device.
How long does it take for my Fitbit to update after I change the time zone?
Usually within one to two minutes if your phone is nearby and Bluetooth is on. If it takes longer, open the Fitbit app and manually trigger a sync by pulling down on the screen (iOS) or tapping the sync icon (Android).
Does daylight saving time affect my Fitbit?
No, as long as your phone updates automatically. Your phone handles the daylight saving time change, and your Fitbit syncs with your phone, so it adjusts without you doing anything. If your phone doesn't update automatically, your Fitbit won't either.
What if my Fitbit still shows the wrong time after restarting and syncing?
Try unpairing your device from the Fitbit app and pairing it again. Open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Remove This Device." Then set up your Fitbit again from scratch. This forces a complete time sync and usually fixes stubborn time problems.