The fastest way to change your Fitbit's time

Open the Fitbit app on your phone, tap your profile picture in the top left, then select your device. Scroll down to find "Clock" or "Time Zone" (the exact name depends on your Fitbit model), and change it there. The watch syncs automatically within a few seconds. If you have an older Fitbit without the app feature, you can also hold down the button on the side of the watch for three seconds to cycle through the time display, though this only works if your watch is already set to the correct time zone.

The app method works for all current Fitbit models—Charge, Inspire, Sense, Versa, and Ace. You do not need to unpair your device or restart anything. The change takes effect as soon as you confirm it in the app.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app is the main way to change your watch's time; open your profile, select your device, and look for the Clock or Time Zone setting.
  • Your Fitbit syncs the time automatically from your phone, so if your phone time is wrong, your watch will be wrong too.
  • Some older Fitbit models let you cycle through time displays by holding the side button, but this does not change the actual time stored on the device.
  • If the time does not update after you change it in the app, try closing and reopening the app, or turn your Fitbit off and back on.

Why your Fitbit time might be wrong

Your Fitbit pulls its time from your phone, not from a network or GPS. If your phone's time is set incorrectly, your watch will show the wrong time too. Check your phone's clock first—go to Settings, then Date & Time, and make sure "Set automatically" is turned on. If your phone is correct and your Fitbit is still wrong, the two devices may not have synced recently.

Fitbits also do not automatically adjust for daylight saving time in all cases. If you travel across time zones or daylight saving time changes, you may need to manually update the time zone in the app. The watch will then sync to your phone's time zone the next time the app refreshes.

Step-by-step: changing the time in the Fitbit app

Step 1: Open the Fitbit app on your phone and make sure you are logged in.

Step 2: Tap your profile picture or avatar in the top left corner of the home screen.

Step 3: Find your device in the list. If you have more than one Fitbit, select the one you want to adjust.

Step 4: Scroll down the device settings page until you see "Clock," "Time," or "Time Zone." The label varies by model.

Step 5: Tap that option and select your time zone from the list, or manually enter the time if your model allows it.

Step 6: Confirm your choice. The app will sync the change to your watch within a few seconds. You should see the updated time appear on your Fitbit's screen.

What to do if the time still will not change

If you have followed the steps above and your Fitbit still shows the wrong time, try closing the Fitbit app completely and opening it again. On most phones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top on older Android phones) and close the app by swiping it away. Then reopen it and check the time again.

If that does not work, restart your Fitbit. The method depends on your model: for most watches, hold the side button for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo, then release. For Fitbit Inspire or Charge models, you may need to open the app, go to your device settings, and select "Restart Device." Wait about 30 seconds for the watch to restart, then check the time.

As a last resort, unpair and re-pair your Fitbit. In the app, go to your device settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Unpair This Device." Then go through the pairing process again as if it were a new watch. This forces a full sync and usually fixes time zone problems that the app alone cannot solve.

Fitbit models with different time-setting options

Most Fitbit watches use the app method described above. However, some older or simpler models have slight differences. The Fitbit Ace (designed for kids) syncs time through the parent's app in the same way. The Fitbit Inspire and Inspire HR use the standard app method. The Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5 also follow the same steps.

If you own a very old Fitbit Flex or Fitbit One, these devices do not have a screen that displays time, so there is no time to change. Fitbit Blaze and Fitbit Ionic (both discontinued) used the app method but may no longer receive updates, so time zone changes might not work reliably.

Manually setting time on watches without automatic sync

Some Fitbit models, particularly older Versa watches, let you manually adjust the time on the watch itself if the app method does not work. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu, then look for a Clock or Settings icon. Tap it and use the on-screen controls to change the hour and minute. This method is slower than using the app and should only be used if the app sync is not working.

Manual adjustment on the watch does not change the underlying time zone setting, so if you travel to a different time zone, you will still need to use the app to update the time zone properly. The watch will then re-sync to the correct time automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Fitbit automatically adjust for daylight saving time?

Most Fitbits do adjust automatically if your phone adjusts automatically. However, if you manually set your phone's time or if your phone's automatic adjustment is turned off, your Fitbit will not adjust either. Check your phone's Date & Time settings and make sure "Set automatically" is on. If it is, your Fitbit should follow the change within a few hours.

What if I travel to a different time zone?

Open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, and change the time zone to match your new location. Your watch will sync within a few seconds. If you are traveling back and forth frequently, you can also just let your phone's time zone change automatically—your Fitbit will follow it.

Can I set a 12-hour or 24-hour time format on my Fitbit?

Yes, for most models. In the Fitbit app, go to your device settings and look for "Clock Format" or "Time Format." You can usually choose between 12-hour (with AM/PM) and 24-hour format. Not all older models have this option, so if you do not see it, your watch may only support one format.

Why does my Fitbit show the wrong time even though my phone is correct?

The app may not have synced recently. Close and reopen the Fitbit app to force a sync. If the problem continues, restart your Fitbit by holding the side button for 10 to 15 seconds. If neither of those works, unpair and re-pair your device in the app to perform a full reset.

Do I need to change the time on my Fitbit if I change my phone's time?

No. Your Fitbit syncs from your phone, so once your phone's time is correct, your watch will update automatically the next time the app syncs. This usually happens within a few seconds of opening the app.