The quickest way to fix your Fitbit's time

Your Fitbit syncs its time automatically when you open the Fitbit app on your phone, so the fastest fix is to open the app, wait for it to connect to your device, and then close and reopen the app. If that does not work, you can manually adjust the time in the app settings. The exact steps depend on whether you own a Fitbit Charge, Inspire, Sense, Versa, or Ace — the menu locations are slightly different — but all of them let you change the time through the same general path: the device settings inside the Fitbit app.

You do not need to reset your Fitbit to fix the time. A full reset erases all your data and takes much longer. A time adjustment takes less than a minute and keeps your activity history intact.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Fitbit app on your phone and let it sync with your device — this usually fixes the time automatically without any manual steps.
  • If syncing does not work, go to your device settings in the Fitbit app, find the time or clock setting, and adjust it manually.
  • The time setting location varies by device model, so look for "Device Settings" or "Clock" in the app menu for your specific Fitbit.
  • A time adjustment is different from a factory reset and does not erase your activity data or require you to set up your device again.

Syncing your phone's time to your Fitbit automatically

The Fitbit app pulls the correct time from your phone every time it connects to your device. If your Fitbit shows the wrong time, the simplest first step is to make sure your phone has the correct time set, then open the Fitbit app and let it sync.

Open the Fitbit app on your phone. Wait 10 to 30 seconds for the app to connect to your Fitbit — you will see a spinning icon or a "syncing" message on the screen. Once the sync completes, close the app completely and reopen it. Your Fitbit should now show the correct time. This works because the app sends your phone's time to your device during the sync.

If your phone's time is already correct and syncing did not fix the problem, move to the manual adjustment steps below. Syncing fails most often when Bluetooth is turned off on your phone or when your Fitbit is too far away from your phone.

Manually adjusting the time on Fitbit Charge and Inspire models

For Fitbit Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 3, and Inspire 4 models, the time setting is in the device settings menu inside the app. Open the Fitbit app, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, then tap your device name. Scroll down to find "Clock" or "Time" — the exact label depends on your model — and tap it. You will see options to set the time manually or to turn on automatic time adjustment.

If you see an "Automatic time" toggle, turn it on. This tells your Fitbit to sync the time from your phone every time the app connects. If you need to set the time right now, tap the time display and use the plus and minus buttons to adjust the hours and minutes. Tap the checkmark or "Save" button when you are done.

Manually adjusting the time on Fitbit Sense and Versa models

Fitbit Sense, Sense 2, Versa 3, and Versa 4 have a slightly different menu structure. Open the Fitbit app, tap the profile icon, select your device, and scroll down to "Device Settings" or "Settings." Look for "Clock," "Time," or "Time Zone" in that menu. Tap it to open the time adjustment screen.

You will see a toggle for automatic time adjustment — turn this on if it is off. If you need to manually set the time, tap the time display and adjust the hours and minutes using the on-screen controls. Some Versa models also let you choose between 12-hour and 24-hour time format in this same menu. Save your changes when you are done.

Adjusting the time on Fitbit Ace models

Fitbit Ace and Ace 3 are designed for children and have a simpler interface. Open the Fitbit app, tap the profile icon, select your child's device, and look for "Device Settings." Tap "Clock" or "Time" and toggle on automatic time adjustment. If you need to set the time manually, use the plus and minus buttons to adjust the hours and minutes, then save.

The Ace models sync time less frequently than adult devices, so if the time is wrong, a manual adjustment is usually faster than waiting for the next automatic sync.

What to do if the time still will not change

If you have tried syncing and manual adjustment and the time is still wrong, check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings and that your Fitbit is within 30 feet of your phone. Close the Fitbit app completely — not just minimize it — and reopen it. Sometimes the app gets stuck and a full close-and-reopen fixes it.

If the problem continues, restart your Fitbit. The restart method depends on your model: most Fitbits restart by holding down the button on the side or bottom of the device for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen. After the restart, open the app again and let it sync. This clears any temporary glitches that might be preventing the time from updating.

If restarting does not work and you have tried everything above, the time setting may be stuck due to a software issue. Check the Fitbit support website for your specific model to see if there is a known issue or a firmware update available. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the Fitbit app, which sometimes fixes persistent sync problems.

The difference between adjusting time and resetting your Fitbit

Adjusting the time keeps all your activity data, heart rate history, and personal settings intact. A factory reset erases everything and returns your Fitbit to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box. You should never need a factory reset just to fix the time.

A factory reset is only necessary if your Fitbit is not responding to any commands, will not sync with the app, or is stuck in a boot loop. If you are considering a reset because the time is wrong, try the steps above first. They take a few minutes and solve the problem without losing your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit time keep changing on its own?

Your Fitbit updates its time every time the app syncs with your phone. If your phone's time is set to automatic (which most phones are), your Fitbit will always match it. If your phone's time is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too. Check your phone's time settings and make sure automatic time is turned on.

Can I set my Fitbit to a different time zone than my phone?

Most Fitbit models do not let you set a separate time zone. Your device uses the time zone from your phone. If you travel and want your Fitbit to show local time, change your phone's time zone in its settings, then sync the app. Your Fitbit will update to match.

Does adjusting the time on my Fitbit erase my activity data?

No. Changing the time or time zone does not affect your step count, heart rate data, or any other activity history. All your data stays on your device. Only a factory reset erases data.

What if my Fitbit shows the right time in the app but the wrong time on the device screen?

This usually means the app has not synced with your device recently. Open the Fitbit app and wait for the sync to complete. If the app shows the correct time but your device screen does not update after syncing, restart your Fitbit by holding the button for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the logo.

How often does my Fitbit sync the time with my phone?

Your Fitbit syncs whenever the Fitbit app opens and connects to your device. If you open the app once a day, your Fitbit updates once a day. If you open it multiple times, it syncs multiple times. If you turn on automatic time adjustment in the device settings, your Fitbit will always use your phone's current time the next time it syncs.