The fastest way to change your Fitbit's time and date

Open the Fitbit app on your phone, tap your profile picture in the top left, then select your device. Scroll down to "Clock" or "Time" (the exact name depends on your Fitbit model) and toggle the "Set automatically" switch off. Once you turn off automatic time, you can manually enter the correct time and date. The change takes effect within a few seconds.

If your Fitbit is set to automatic time, it pulls the time from your phone's settings. Turning off automatic time is the only way to set a time that differs from what your phone shows. Most people leave it on automatic because it stays correct when you travel or when your phone updates for daylight saving time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app on your phone controls the time and date — you cannot change them directly on the device itself.
  • Automatic time syncs with your phone, so if your Fitbit shows the wrong time, check your phone's time and time zone first.
  • Turning off "Set automatically" in the Clock settings lets you type in any time and date you want.
  • Manual time changes do not sync back to your phone and will revert to automatic if you turn that setting back on.

Why your Fitbit might show the wrong time

Your Fitbit gets its time from your phone by default. If your Fitbit is wrong, your phone's time is usually wrong too. Check your phone's clock first — go to Settings, then Date & Time, and make sure "Set automatically" is on. If your phone is correct and your Fitbit is not, the app may not have synced yet. Close the Fitbit app completely and open it again.

Daylight saving time changes can also cause confusion. When your phone updates for daylight saving, your Fitbit should update automatically within a few hours. If it does not, restart the Fitbit app or restart your phone. A restart forces the app to resync with your device.

Steps to manually set the time on your Fitbit

Start in the Fitbit app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select the Fitbit device you want to adjust. Scroll down until you see "Clock," "Time," or "Time Zone" — the label varies by model. Tap that option.

You will see a toggle for "Set automatically." Turn it off. Once it is off, new fields appear where you can enter the hour, minute, and AM or PM. Type in the correct time. Some models also let you set the date in this same menu; if you see a date field, enter that too. Tap Save or Done, and the change sends to your device right away.

What happens when you turn off automatic time

Once you turn off automatic time, your Fitbit no longer syncs with your phone's clock. You are responsible for updating it manually if the time drifts or if you travel to a different time zone. This is why most people leave automatic time on — it is one less thing to remember.

If you turn automatic time back on later, your Fitbit will reset to match your phone's time. Any manual time you set will be overwritten. This is useful if you have been traveling and want your Fitbit to go back to your home time zone automatically.

Changing the time zone on your Fitbit

If you travel or move to a new time zone, you do not need to manually change the time if automatic time is on — your Fitbit will update when your phone's time zone changes. To change your time zone manually, go to the Clock settings in the Fitbit app, turn off "Set automatically," and look for a "Time Zone" field. Select your new time zone from the list.

Some Fitbit models do not have a separate time zone field. On those devices, you change the time zone through your phone's settings instead. Go to your phone's Settings, find Date & Time, and change the time zone there. Your Fitbit will pick up the new zone the next time it syncs.

Troubleshooting when the time will not change

If you have turned off automatic time but the time still will not change, make sure the Fitbit app has permission to access your phone's date and time. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, Fitbit, Permissions, and turn on Calendar and other time-related permissions. On iPhone, go to Settings, Fitbit, and check that all permissions are allowed.

If permissions are fine, try closing the Fitbit app completely and reopening it. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, Fitbit, and tap "Force Stop," then open the app again. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close the app, wait a few seconds, and tap the Fitbit icon again. After you reopen the app, go back to Clock settings and try changing the time again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the time directly on my Fitbit device without using the app?

No. Fitbit devices do not have a menu on the device itself for changing time and date. You must use the Fitbit app on your phone. This design keeps the device straightforward and reduces battery drain from a full settings menu on the watch or band.

Will changing the time on my Fitbit affect my activity tracking?

Changing the time will not erase your activity data, but it may shift when your daily stats reset. Most Fitbits reset daily stats at midnight in your current time zone. If you change the time zone while in the middle of a day, your step count and other metrics for that day may appear in a different time slot in the app.

What if my Fitbit keeps reverting to the wrong time?

This usually means automatic time is still on. Go back to Clock settings and confirm that "Set automatically" is toggled off. If it is off but the time keeps changing, your phone's time may be changing automatically. Check your phone's Date & Time settings and make sure automatic time is set the way you want it.

Do I need to change the time on my Fitbit when I travel?

If automatic time is on, your Fitbit will change automatically when your phone's time zone changes. You do not need to do anything. If you prefer to keep your Fitbit on your home time zone while traveling, turn off automatic time and manually set it to your home time zone instead.