The quickest way to update your Fitbit's time

The fastest way to change the time on your Fitbit is through the Fitbit app on your phone. Open the app, tap your profile icon, select your device, then tap the gear icon for settings. Look for "Time Zone" or "Time" and change it to your current location. The watch syncs automatically within a few minutes, and you're done—no buttons to hold or menus to navigate on the watch itself.

If your Fitbit is set to automatically detect your time zone (which is the default), it should update on its own whenever you cross into a new zone or when daylight saving time changes. You only need to manually adjust it if automatic detection is turned off or if your watch is showing the wrong time for another reason.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app on your phone is the easiest place to change your watch's time—just go to settings for your device and select time zone.
  • Most Fitbits are set to automatically update the time when you move to a new location or when daylight saving time begins or ends.
  • If automatic time detection is off, you can turn it back on in the app rather than manually entering the time each time it changes.
  • Some older Fitbit models allow you to change the time directly on the watch using the side button, but the app method works on all current models.

Changing the time zone in the Fitbit app

Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Find your device in the list—if you have more than one, make sure you're selecting the right one. Tap the gear icon next to the device name to open its settings.

Scroll down until you see "Time Zone" or "Time" (the exact wording varies by Fitbit model). Tap it and select your current time zone from the list. The app will show you the time that corresponds to your selection. Once you confirm, your Fitbit will sync the change the next time it connects to your phone, usually within a few minutes.

Turning on automatic time detection

If you travel frequently or live somewhere that observes daylight saving time, automatic time detection saves you from having to manually update your watch twice a year. In the Fitbit app, go to your device settings and look for "Automatic Time Zone" or "Set Automatically." Toggle this on, and your Fitbit will adjust itself based on your phone's location and time settings.

Your phone must have location services enabled for this to work. If your Fitbit isn't updating automatically even though you've turned the setting on, check that your phone's location permission for the Fitbit app is set to "Always" or "While Using the App," depending on your phone's operating system.

Changing the time directly on older Fitbit models

Some older Fitbits—particularly the Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa series—allow you to adjust the time using the watch's buttons. Press and hold the back button (usually on the left side of the watch) until you see the settings menu. Navigate to "Settings," then "Time," and use the buttons to scroll through the hours and minutes until the correct time appears.

This method is slower than using the app and is not available on newer models like the Fitbit Sense 2 or Fitbit Inspire 3. If your watch doesn't show a time adjustment option in its on-device menu, the app is your only option.

What to do if your Fitbit shows the wrong time

If you've changed the time in the app but your watch still shows the wrong time after waiting 10 minutes, try restarting the sync. Open the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon, select your device, and look for a "Sync Now" button (usually at the top of the screen). Tap it to force an when ready sync rather than waiting for the automatic one.

If the time is still wrong after syncing, restart your Fitbit. Most models restart by plugging the charger in, waiting for the Fitbit logo to appear on the screen, then unplugging it. Check your device's manual if you're unsure how to restart yours. After the restart, open the app and sync again.

Time zone changes when you travel

When you travel to a new time zone, your Fitbit should update automatically if automatic time detection is on. This usually happens within an hour of your phone connecting to the internet in the new location. If it doesn't, manually change the time zone in the app using the same steps described above.

Your activity history and sleep data are tied to the time zone your Fitbit was in when you recorded them, so changing the time zone won't erase or move your past data. The watch straightforward displays the current time going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit show the wrong time even after I changed it?

The most common reason is that the sync hasn't completed yet. Wait at least 10 minutes after changing the time in the app, then open the app again and tap "Sync Now" to force an when ready update. If it's still wrong after that, restart your Fitbit by plugging it in until you see the logo, then unplugging it.

Does changing the time zone delete my activity data?

No. Your steps, heart rate, sleep, and other recorded data stay on your watch. Changing the time zone only affects what time the watch displays and how it labels future activities. Past activities keep their original timestamps.

Can I set my Fitbit to a time zone it doesn't recognize?

The Fitbit app only shows standard time zones that your phone recognizes. If you live in a location with an unusual time offset, select the closest standard time zone from the list. You can also manually adjust the time by a few minutes if needed, though automatic detection won't work for non-standard zones.

What if my phone's location services are off?

Automatic time detection won't work without location services enabled. Turn on location services in your phone's settings, make sure the Fitbit app has permission to access your location, and toggle automatic time zone back on in the Fitbit app. The watch should update within the next sync.