Change the time on your Fitbit through the Fitbit app or on the device itself

The method depends on which Fitbit model you own. Most Fitbit trackers and smartwatches sync their time automatically from your phone when the Fitbit app is open and connected via Bluetooth. If your Fitbit shows the wrong time, the fastest fix is usually to open the Fitbit app, wait 30 seconds for the sync to complete, and check the time again. If automatic sync does not work, you can manually set the time in the app settings or directly on the device.

Fitbit devices do not have a built-in clock app you can tap to change the time the way you would on a phone. Instead, the time lives in your device settings and syncs from your phone's time zone. If you travel across time zones or your phone's clock is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Fitbit devices automatically sync time from your phone when the Fitbit app is open and connected, so opening the app often fixes a wrong time without any manual steps.
  • If automatic sync fails, you can manually update the time zone in the Fitbit app under device settings, which forces a resync.
  • Some Fitbit smartwatches (like Fitbit Sense and Versa models) let you change the time directly on the device through the Settings menu.
  • Restarting your Fitbit device or reinstalling the Fitbit app can fix sync problems that prevent the time from updating.

Update the time through the Fitbit app on your phone

Open the Fitbit app on your phone and wait for it to sync with your device. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. Once the sync is complete, check whether the time on your Fitbit has corrected itself. If it has, you are done — automatic sync worked.

If the time is still wrong, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the app. Select your device from the list. Scroll down and tap Time Zone. Choose the correct time zone from the list. The app will send this change to your Fitbit within a few seconds. Your device should now show the correct time.

If you do not see a Time Zone option, your Fitbit model may not support manual time zone changes in the app. In that case, move to the next section to change the time directly on your device.

Change the time directly on your Fitbit device

Some Fitbit smartwatches — including the Sense, Versa 2, Versa 3, and Ionic — have a Settings menu on the device itself. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu. Look for a gear icon or the word "Settings." Tap it.

Once in Settings, scroll to find Time or Time Zone. Tap it and use the arrow buttons to select your time zone or adjust the time manually. The exact steps vary slightly by model, but the principle is the same: navigate to the time setting and confirm your choice.

Fitbit trackers (like the Charge or Inspire models) do not have on-device menus and cannot be adjusted this way. If you own a tracker rather than a smartwatch, use the app method described above.

Restart your Fitbit if the time will not sync

If you have tried opening the app and updating the time zone but your Fitbit still shows the wrong time, restart the device. The restart process differs by model.

For most Fitbit trackers and smartwatches, plug the device into its charging cable and hold the button on the side or back for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen. Release the button and wait for the device to restart, which takes about 30 seconds. Once it restarts, open the Fitbit app again to let it sync.

For Fitbit Sense and Versa models, swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Settings, scroll to About, and look for a Restart or Reboot option. Tap it and confirm. The device will restart and resync with your phone.

Check that your phone's time is correct

Your Fitbit pulls its time from your phone, so if your phone's clock is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too. Open your phone's Settings app and check the date and time. Make sure the time zone is set correctly for your location.

On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle on Set Automatically. On an Android phone, go to Settings > System > Date & Time and turn on Automatic Date & Time. Once your phone's time is correct, open the Fitbit app and wait for the sync to complete.

Reinstall the Fitbit app if sync keeps failing

If you have restarted your device, checked your phone's time, and updated the time zone but your Fitbit still will not sync, the app itself may be corrupted. Uninstall the Fitbit app from your phone completely. Go to your phone's app store (Google Play for Android, App Store for iPhone), search for "Fitbit," and install the official Fitbit app again.

When you open the reinstalled app, it will ask you to sign in and reconnect your device. Follow the on-screen prompts. Once reconnected, the app will sync your device's time automatically. This process usually takes two to five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit time change when I travel?

Your Fitbit syncs time from your phone. When you travel to a new time zone, your phone automatically updates its time zone (if you have automatic time zone enabled), and your Fitbit syncs that new time the next time the app connects. If your Fitbit does not update, manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app settings.

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

No. Fitbit devices do not have independent time settings. The time on your Fitbit is always pulled from your phone's time zone. If you need a different time displayed, you would need to change your phone's time zone, which affects all apps and functions on your phone.

What if my Fitbit shows the time but it is off by one hour?

This usually means your time zone setting is wrong by one hour. Open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, and check the Time Zone. Make sure it matches your actual location. Daylight saving time changes can also cause this — your phone may have updated automatically but your Fitbit has not synced yet.

Does restarting my Fitbit erase my data?

No. Restarting your Fitbit device does not erase any of your activity data, heart rate history, or personal settings. It only restarts the software. Your data is stored on the device and in the Fitbit app, and a restart does not affect either.

How often does my Fitbit sync the time?

Your Fitbit syncs time whenever the Fitbit app is open and connected via Bluetooth. If you open the app once a day, your Fitbit will update its time at least once a day. If the app is open constantly, the sync happens continuously, so time zone changes take effect within seconds.