Change the time in the Fitbit app on your phone

The fastest way to update your Fitbit's time is through the Fitbit app on your smartphone. Open the app, tap your profile icon in the top left corner, select your device, and scroll down to find "Clock" or "Time Zone." Tap that option and choose your time zone from the list. The Fitbit will sync automatically within a few seconds, and the time on your device will match your phone's time.

This method works for almost all Fitbit models—Charge, Inspire, Sense, Versa, and Ace. The app handles the sync in the background, so you do not need to manually enter numbers or adjust anything on the device itself. If you recently moved to a different time zone or switched to daylight saving time, this is the method to use.

Make sure your Fitbit is within Bluetooth range of your phone (usually 30 feet or closer) when you change the time zone. If the sync does not happen right away, try closing the app completely and reopening it, or restart your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and tap "Clock" or "Time Zone" to change the time automatically.
  • The time syncs from your phone to your Fitbit within seconds once you select a new time zone.
  • Your Fitbit must be within Bluetooth range of your phone for the sync to work.
  • If the time does not update, close and reopen the app or restart your phone to force the connection.
  • Fitbit does not have a manual time-setting option on the device itself—all time changes go through the app.

What happens if your Fitbit is not syncing with your phone

If you changed the time zone in the app but your Fitbit still shows the old time, the devices are not communicating. First, check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings and that your Fitbit appears in the list of connected devices. If it does, try "forgetting" the device and re-pairing it: go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, find your Fitbit, and tap "Forget" or "Remove." Then open the Fitbit app and follow the pairing steps again.

If Bluetooth is already on and your devices are paired, restart both your phone and your Fitbit. Power off your Fitbit by holding the button for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo, then turn it back on. Restart your phone normally. Once both devices are back on, open the Fitbit app and try changing the time zone again.

If the time still does not sync after restarting, check that you are using the latest version of the Fitbit app. Open your phone's app store (Google Play for Android, App Store for iPhone), search for "Fitbit," and see if an update is available. Installing the newest version often fixes sync problems.

Fitbit models that set time automatically

Most modern Fitbit devices—released in the last five years—set the time automatically from your phone without any extra steps. Models like the Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4, Charge 6, and Inspire 3 all sync time through the app. Older models like the original Charge, Charge 2, and Versa 1 also use app-based time setting, though they may take a few extra seconds to sync.

Fitbit does not make any models with a manual time button or dial on the device. All time changes, whether for a new time zone or daylight saving time, happen through the Fitbit app. This design means you cannot accidentally change the time by pressing buttons on the device, but it also means you must have your phone nearby to update it.

Changing the time when you travel to a new time zone

When you travel across time zones, your Fitbit will not automatically update unless you tell the app where you are. Before you leave, or as soon as you arrive at your destination, open the Fitbit app and change your time zone. Tap your profile, select your device, go to "Clock" or "Time Zone," and choose the correct zone for where you are now. The Fitbit will update within seconds.

If you forget to change the time zone before traveling, your Fitbit will keep showing the old time until you update it. This affects not just the clock display but also when your device records activity and sleep. For example, if you travel east and do not update the time, your Fitbit may log your morning walk as happening at midnight. Changing the time zone fixes this retroactively for future activity, though past entries will keep their original timestamps.

Daylight saving time and your Fitbit

When daylight saving time begins or ends, your Fitbit does not change automatically. You have to update it manually through the app, just as you would for any time zone change. On the day the clocks change, open the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and tap "Clock" or "Time Zone." Your phone's time zone setting should already reflect the change, so selecting your same time zone again will push the new time to your Fitbit.

Some phones update their time zone automatically when daylight saving time happens, but Fitbit devices do not. If you do not update your Fitbit, it will be one hour off until you change it. Setting a phone reminder on the morning of the time change helps you remember to sync your Fitbit.

Troubleshooting when the time shows incorrectly even after syncing

If your Fitbit shows the correct time right after you change it but then drifts back to the wrong time, the device may have lost its connection to your phone. Fitbit devices do not have built-in GPS or internet, so they rely entirely on syncing with your phone to know the time. If your phone and Fitbit disconnect for more than a few hours, the Fitbit's internal clock may drift slightly.

To fix this, open the Fitbit app and let it sync again. The app will send the correct time to your device. If this keeps happening, check that your Fitbit syncs with your phone at least once a day. You can force a sync by opening the Fitbit app and swiping down on the home screen, or by restarting both devices.

If the time is consistently wrong even right after syncing, your Fitbit's internal battery may be failing. Fitbit devices have a small battery that keeps the time when the device is not syncing. If this battery is dead or dying, the device cannot hold the correct time. Contact Fitbit support through the app to discuss a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Fitbit devices do not have a manual time-setting option on the device itself. All time changes must go through the Fitbit app on your phone. This is by design—it prevents accidental changes and keeps the time synced with your phone automatically.

Why does my Fitbit show a different time than my phone?

Your Fitbit and phone are not synced. Open the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and tap "Clock" or "Time Zone" to force a sync. Make sure Bluetooth is on and your devices are within 30 feet of each other. If the time still does not match after syncing, restart both devices.

Does my Fitbit update automatically when daylight saving time changes?

No. You must manually update your Fitbit through the app when daylight saving time begins or ends. Open the app, go to your profile, select your device, and tap "Clock" or "Time Zone." Your phone's time zone should already be correct, so selecting it again will push the new time to your Fitbit.

What if I do not have the Fitbit app on my phone anymore?

You will need to reinstall the Fitbit app to change the time. read it from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone), sign in with your Fitbit account, and pair your device again. Once paired, you can change the time zone through the app as usual.

Will my Fitbit lose the time if the battery dies?

Fitbit devices have a small internal battery that keeps the time even when the main battery is completely drained. However, if your Fitbit sits unplugged for several weeks, the internal battery may run out and the time may reset. Charging your Fitbit regularly prevents this.