The fastest way to change your Fitbit time
Open the Fitbit app on your phone, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, select your device, then tap the gear icon for settings. Scroll to "Time Zone" and choose your location. The watch syncs automatically within a few minutes—you do not need to do anything else on the device itself.
If you are in a new time zone and the app does not update automatically, force a sync by closing the Fitbit app completely and reopening it. The watch will pull the correct time from your phone's clock.
Some older Fitbit models (Ionic, Versa 1 and 2) let you change the time directly on the watch, but this is slower and more error-prone than using the app. The app method works on all current Fitbit devices and is the method Fitbit recommends.
Key Takeaways
- The Fitbit app on your phone controls the time zone, not buttons on the watch itself.
- Go to your device settings in the Fitbit app and select "Time Zone" to change it to your location.
- The watch syncs to your phone's clock automatically, so make sure your phone time is correct first.
- If the time does not update after a few minutes, close the Fitbit app completely and reopen it to force a sync.
Why the Fitbit app controls the time, not the watch
Fitbit watches do not have their own independent clock settings. Instead, they sync to your phone's time and time zone through the Fitbit app. This design means the watch always matches your phone, and you change the time by changing your location in the app, not by tapping buttons on the device.
When you travel across time zones, your phone automatically updates its clock (if you have automatic time zone detection turned on in your phone's settings). The Fitbit app then reads that change and tells your watch to update. This happens in the background without you doing anything.
If you manually change your phone's time zone in the Fitbit app settings, the watch will sync to that new zone within a few minutes. This is useful if your phone's automatic detection is turned off or if you want to set a time zone your phone does not recognize.
Step-by-step: changing the time zone in the Fitbit app
Step 1: Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon (a person's silhouette) in the bottom right corner.
Step 2: Tap the image or name of the Fitbit device you want to change. If you have multiple devices, make sure you select the right one.
Step 3: Tap the gear icon in the top right to open device settings.
Step 4: Scroll down and tap "Time Zone."
Step 5: Select your new time zone from the list. The app shows time zones by region (for example, "America/New_York" or "Europe/London").
Step 6: Tap to confirm. The app will sync the change to your watch within a few minutes. You do not need to manually sync or restart the device.
What to do if the time does not update
If your watch still shows the old time after waiting five minutes, the sync may not have completed. Close the Fitbit app entirely (swipe it away from your recent apps, do not just press the home button), then reopen it. This forces the app to reconnect to your watch and push the time zone change again.
If the time still does not change, check that your phone's Bluetooth is on and that your phone and watch are within normal Bluetooth range (usually 30 feet). Open the Fitbit app and look at the top of the screen—if it says "Syncing" or shows a spinning icon, wait for that to finish before checking the watch time again.
Make sure your phone's own time is correct. The Fitbit watch syncs to your phone's clock, so if your phone time is wrong, the watch will be wrong too. Check your phone's settings and correct the time if needed, then sync the Fitbit app again.
Changing the time on older Fitbit models (Ionic, Versa 1 and 2)
If you own a Fitbit Ionic or Versa 1 or 2, you can change the time directly on the watch itself, though the app method is still faster and more reliable. To change it on the device, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu, then tap the settings icon (a gear). Scroll to "Time" and select your new time zone.
Even on these older models, the watch will sync back to your phone's time zone the next time the Fitbit app syncs. If you want the change to stick, you should also update the time zone in the app using the steps above. Otherwise, the watch may revert to your phone's time zone the next time it syncs.
Traveling across time zones with your Fitbit
When you travel and your phone automatically detects the new time zone, your Fitbit watch will update automatically within a few minutes of the Fitbit app syncing. You do not need to do anything—just make sure your phone's automatic time zone detection is turned on in your phone's settings.
If your phone does not automatically detect the new time zone (which can happen in some regions or if automatic detection is turned off), manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app using the steps above. The watch will sync to the new time zone within a few minutes.
Your Fitbit's activity history and sleep data are tied to the time zone it was in when the activity happened. Changing the time zone does not erase or move past data—it only affects how the watch displays the current time and how it records new activities going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the time on my Fitbit without the app?
On newer Fitbit models (Sense, Versa 3, Versa 4, Inspire 2 and 3), you cannot change the time directly on the watch—you must use the app. On older models like the Ionic and Versa 1 and 2, you can tap the settings icon on the watch itself, but the app method is faster and more reliable.
Why does my Fitbit time keep changing back?
Your watch syncs to your phone's time zone every time the Fitbit app syncs. If you changed the time on the watch directly but did not change it in the app, the watch will revert to your phone's time zone the next time it syncs. Always change the time zone in the Fitbit app to make the change permanent.
Does changing the time zone delete my activity data?
No. Changing the time zone does not erase any past data. Your steps, heart rate, and sleep records stay in your account. The time zone change only affects how the watch displays the current time and how it records new activities from that point forward.
What if my phone and Fitbit are showing different times?
Your phone and Fitbit should always show the same time because the watch syncs to your phone. If they differ, open the Fitbit app and wait for it to sync (you may see a "Syncing" message at the top). If they still differ after syncing, restart the Fitbit app by closing it completely and reopening it.
How long does it take for the Fitbit to update the time after I change the time zone?
The Fitbit app usually syncs the time zone change to your watch within a few minutes. If you do not see the change after five minutes, close and reopen the Fitbit app to force a manual sync.