The fastest way to update your Fitbit's time
The time on your Fitbit updates automatically if your phone is connected and has the correct time set. If your Fitbit shows the wrong time, the quickest fix is to open the Fitbit app on your phone, go to your device settings, and toggle the automatic time zone setting off and back on. This forces a sync and usually corrects the time within seconds.
If automatic sync doesn't work, you can set the time manually in the app. Open the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon, select your device, scroll to Time Zone, and choose your location from the list. The app will then push the correct time to your watch or tracker.
Key Takeaways
- Fitbit syncs time automatically from your phone when the app is open and Bluetooth is on, so the simplest fix is to check that your phone's time is correct first.
- Toggling the automatic time zone setting off and back on in the Fitbit app forces an when ready sync and corrects most time errors.
- If automatic sync fails, you can manually select your time zone in the app under your device settings, and the change will appear on your device within a few seconds.
- Daylight saving time changes are handled automatically by the app, so you do not need to adjust your Fitbit twice a year.
Why your Fitbit time might be wrong
Your Fitbit relies on your phone to know what time it is. It does not have its own GPS or connection to a time server — it pulls the time from your smartphone through the Fitbit app whenever the two devices are paired and Bluetooth is active. If your Fitbit is showing the wrong time, one of three things is usually happening: your phone's time is set incorrectly, Bluetooth is off or the connection has dropped, or the app has not synced recently.
Travel across time zones is the most common reason people notice the time is wrong. If you fly from New York to Los Angeles, your Fitbit will still show Eastern time until you force a sync. The app should update automatically once you land and your phone's location services recognize the new time zone, but this can take a few minutes.
How to sync your Fitbit time through the app
Start by making sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings and that the Fitbit app is open. Open the Fitbit app and look at the top of the screen — you should see your device name and a green dot or checkmark indicating the connection is active. If you see a red X or the connection shows as offline, tap it and wait for the devices to reconnect.
Once connected, tap your profile icon (usually in the bottom right corner), then tap your device name. Scroll down until you see Time Zone. Tap it and select your current location from the list. The app will send the update to your Fitbit when ready. Check your device — the time should change within a few seconds.
If the time still does not update, try toggling the automatic time zone setting. In the same Time Zone menu, look for an option that says "Automatic" or "Set automatically." Turn it off, wait five seconds, then turn it back on. This forces the app to re-read your phone's time and push it to your device.
Manual time adjustment when automatic sync fails
If syncing through the app does not work, check that your phone's time is actually correct. Go to your phone's Settings app, find Date & Time, and make sure "Set automatically" is turned on. If it is already on, turn it off, note what time your phone shows, then turn automatic back on. This resets the phone's connection to the network time server.
Once your phone shows the right time, open the Fitbit app again and repeat the time zone sync steps above. Most of the time, this solves the problem. If your Fitbit still shows the wrong time after this, the device may need to be restarted. Restart your Fitbit by plugging it into its charger for 10 seconds, unplugging it, then plugging it back in for a full restart. Then sync again through the app.
Handling daylight saving time changes
You do not need to manually adjust your Fitbit when daylight saving time begins or ends. The Fitbit app handles this automatically as long as your phone's automatic time setting is on. When your phone's clock springs forward or falls back, your Fitbit will update the next time it syncs with the app.
If you notice your Fitbit is still on the old time after a daylight saving change, force a sync by toggling the automatic time zone setting off and back on. This is usually necessary only if the app was not open at the moment the time change occurred.
Troubleshooting when the time still will not update
If you have tried syncing and manual adjustment and your Fitbit time is still wrong, the issue may be with the app itself. Close the Fitbit app completely (swipe it away from your recent apps list, do not just press the home button), wait 10 seconds, then reopen it. This clears the app's memory and often fixes sync problems.
If closing and reopening the app does not work, check that you are running the latest version. Open your phone's app store, search for Fitbit, and see if an Update button appears. If it does, tap it and let the update finish. Older versions of the app sometimes have trouble syncing time.
As a last resort, unpair your Fitbit from the app and pair it again. In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, tap your device, scroll to the bottom, and select "Remove this device." Then go through the pairing process again as if it were a new device. This resets the connection and usually fixes persistent sync issues. Your data will not be lost — it is stored on Fitbit's servers and will reappear once you pair again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit time change when I turn off Bluetooth?
Your Fitbit cannot update its time without a connection to your phone. If Bluetooth is off, the device keeps whatever time it last synced. Turn Bluetooth back on and open the Fitbit app to sync the correct time again.
Does my Fitbit need to be charged to update the time?
No. Your Fitbit can sync time at any battery level, even if it is nearly dead. However, if the battery is completely empty, the device will not turn on to receive the time update until it is charged.
Can I set a custom time zone that does not match my phone's location?
Yes. In the Fitbit app's Time Zone menu, you can select any time zone from the list, regardless of where your phone thinks you are. This is useful if you work in a different time zone than where you live.
What happens to my Fitbit time if I travel without my phone?
Your Fitbit will keep the time from your last sync. It will not update until your phone is nearby and Bluetooth reconnects. Once you sync again, it will jump to the correct time for your new location.
Why does the time on my Fitbit lag behind my phone by a few seconds?
This is normal. Your Fitbit syncs time periodically, not constantly. A small difference of a few seconds is not a problem and will correct itself at the next sync.