Change the date and time through the Fitbit app on your phone

Your Fitbit syncs its date and time with your phone automatically in most cases, but if the time is wrong, you can fix it by opening the Fitbit app, going to your device settings, and manually updating the date and time there. The app will then push the correct information to your Fitbit device within a few seconds.

Start by opening the Fitbit app on your phone and tapping the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and select your device name. Look for "Date & Time" or "Time Zone" in the device settings — the exact label depends on which Fitbit model you own. Tap that option and enter the correct date and time, then confirm the change. Your device should update within moments.

If you do not see a date and time option in the app, your Fitbit model may sync automatically and not allow manual changes. In that case, check your phone's date and time settings instead — if your phone is correct, your Fitbit should be too after the next sync.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Fitbit devices pull the date and time from your phone automatically, so fixing your phone's clock often fixes your Fitbit without any extra steps.
  • If manual adjustment is needed, open the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon, select your device, and look for "Date & Time" in the settings menu.
  • After you change the date or time in the app, your Fitbit will sync the new information within a few seconds — you do not need to restart it.
  • Some older Fitbit models do not allow manual date changes and rely entirely on automatic syncing with your phone.

Check your phone's date and time first

Before you open the Fitbit app, verify that your phone itself has the correct date and time. Your Fitbit pulls this information from your phone during sync, so if your phone is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too.

On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap General, then Date & Time. Make sure "Set Automatically" is turned on — this pulls the correct time from your carrier. On an Android phone, open Settings, search for "Date and Time," and confirm that automatic date and time is enabled. Once your phone is correct, open the Fitbit app and let it sync by staying nearby for 30 seconds to a minute.

Update the time zone if you travel or move

If you travel across time zones or move to a new location, your Fitbit may show the old time zone even after you update your phone. The Fitbit app usually has a separate time zone setting from the date and time setting.

In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and look for "Time Zone" as a separate option from "Date & Time." Tap it and choose your current time zone from the list. This is especially important if you travel frequently, because your Fitbit uses the time zone to calculate when your sleep and activity periods occur.

Restart your Fitbit if the time does not update

If you changed the date or time in the app but your Fitbit still shows the wrong information after waiting a minute, restart your device. The restart process is different depending on your model.

For most Fitbit models, plug the device into its charger and hold the button on the side or back for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen. Release the button and let the device restart — this usually takes 30 seconds. Once it finishes restarting, unplug it and open the Fitbit app to sync again. The date and time should now be correct.

Manually set the time on older Fitbit models without an app

Very old Fitbit models like the original Fitbit One or Fitbit Ultra do not have a touchscreen and cannot be controlled through a modern app. If you own one of these devices, you set the time through the Fitbit website rather than the app.

Log into your Fitbit account on fitbit.com, go to your device settings, and look for a date and time option there. Make the change and save it. The next time your device syncs with your computer or phone, it will receive the updated time. These older models sync less frequently than modern Fitbits, so it may take several hours for the change to appear on your device.

Troubleshoot if your Fitbit keeps showing the wrong time

If your Fitbit repeatedly shows the wrong time even after you have updated it multiple times, the issue is usually that your phone's time is drifting or your Fitbit is not syncing properly. Start by checking your phone's date and time settings again — sometimes a phone will revert to an incorrect time if the automatic update is not working.

Next, try unpairing and repairing your Fitbit with the app. In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and tap the three dots in the top right corner. Choose "Unpair Device," then go through the pairing process again as if it were new. This forces a full sync and often clears up time-related glitches. After repairing, the correct date and time should transfer to your device when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your Fitbit pulls the time from your phone during sync, so if they differ, your phone's time is likely wrong or your Fitbit has not synced recently. Check your phone's date and time settings and make sure automatic updates are on. Then open the Fitbit app and wait 30 seconds for a sync to occur.

Can I change the time format from 12-hour to 24-hour on my Fitbit?

Yes, most modern Fitbit models allow this. In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and look for "Time Format" in the settings. Choose either 12-hour or 24-hour format. Some older models do not have this option and will always display the format your phone uses.

Does my Fitbit automatically update when I cross a time zone?

If your phone's automatic time zone setting is on, your Fitbit should update within a few minutes of arriving in a new time zone. If it does not, manually select your new time zone in the Fitbit app under the time zone setting. Your device will sync the change the next time it connects to your phone.

What if I do not have the Fitbit app — can I change the time another way?

If you have an older Fitbit model, you can change the time through the Fitbit website at fitbit.com. Log in, go to device settings, and update the date and time there. Your device will receive the change the next time it syncs with your computer.