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

The fastest way to update your Fitbit's date and time is through the Fitbit mobile app. Your Fitbit syncs with your phone's time automatically in most cases, but if the time drifts or you travel across time zones, you can manually adjust it in the app settings. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you use an iPhone or Android phone.

Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select your device from the list, then tap the gear icon to open device settings. Scroll down until you see "Date & Time" or "Time Zone" — the exact label depends on your Fitbit model. Tap that option, choose your time zone from the list, and confirm the change. Your Fitbit will sync with your phone within a few seconds.

If you do not see a Date & Time option in your device settings, your Fitbit model syncs time automatically and does not allow manual changes. This is true for most newer Fitbit trackers. In that case, make sure Bluetooth is turned on, close and reopen the app, and let it sync for 30 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Fitbit models sync time automatically from your phone and do not need manual adjustment.
  • If your Fitbit shows the wrong time, open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, and look for a Date & Time or Time Zone option.
  • Changing the time zone in the app takes effect on your device within seconds of syncing.
  • If the Date & Time setting does not appear in your device settings, your model does not support manual time changes and relies on automatic sync instead.
  • Turning off and back on Bluetooth, then reopening the app, forces a fresh sync if the time still seems wrong after a manual change.

Why your Fitbit time might be wrong

Fitbit trackers pull the time from your paired phone, so the time on your wrist should always match your phone's time. If they do not match, it usually means your Fitbit has not synced recently. This happens most often after you travel across time zones, restart your phone, or turn Bluetooth off for a while.

Another common cause is that your phone's time is set to manual instead of automatic. If your phone is not set to pull time from your carrier or network, your Fitbit will copy the wrong time. Check your phone's settings first: on iPhone, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on "Set Automatically." On Android, go to Settings > System > Date & Time and toggle "Automatic date & time" on.

Steps to sync your Fitbit after changing time zones

When you travel across time zones, your Fitbit should update automatically once you open the app on your phone in the new time zone. However, if your tracker still shows the old time after an hour, you can force a sync by restarting Bluetooth.

On your phone, go to Settings and turn Bluetooth off completely. Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Open the Fitbit app and wait for the sync icon to finish spinning — this usually takes 15 to 30 seconds. Your Fitbit should now show the correct time for your new location.

If you are using an older Fitbit model that has a manual time zone setting, open the app, go to your device settings, and select the new time zone from the list. The change takes effect when ready on your device.

What to do if the time still will not update

If your Fitbit still shows the wrong time after syncing, try closing the Fitbit app completely and reopening it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Fitbit, and swipe it away. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit and tap "Force Stop," then open the app again from your home screen.

If that does not work, restart your phone entirely. This clears any temporary connection issues between your phone and Fitbit. Turn your phone off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once your phone is fully loaded, open the Fitbit app and let it sync for at least 30 seconds.

As a last step, you can unpair and re-pair your Fitbit. In the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Remove This Device." Then go through the pairing process again as if you were setting up the Fitbit for the first time. This resets the connection and usually fixes persistent sync problems.

Fitbit models with manual time zone settings

Older Fitbit models — including the Fitbit Charge 2, Fitbit Blaze, and Fitbit Surge — have a manual time zone setting in the app. Newer models like the Fitbit Charge 5, Fitbit Sense, and Fitbit Inspire series do not have this option because they sync time automatically from your phone.

If you own an older model and want to change the time zone, open the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon, select your device, tap the gear icon, and look for "Time Zone" in the settings menu. Tap it, choose your zone, and confirm. The change appears on your device within seconds.

If you own a newer model and the time is wrong, the issue is almost always that your phone's time is set to manual or that Bluetooth has not synced in a while. Automatic sync is more reliable than manual settings because it updates whenever you open the app, so you do not have to remember to change it when you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your Fitbit copies the time from your phone, so they should always match. If they do not, your Fitbit has not synced recently. Turn Bluetooth off and back on, then open the Fitbit app and wait 30 seconds for the sync to complete. If your phone's time is set to manual instead of automatic, your Fitbit will copy the wrong time — check your phone's date and time settings first.

Do I need to change the time manually when I travel?

No. Most modern Fitbit models update the time automatically when you open the app in a new time zone. Your phone detects the new time zone and your Fitbit syncs to it. If you have an older model with a manual time zone setting, you can change it in the app, but automatic sync is the default for newer devices.

What if my Fitbit does not have a Date & Time setting in the app?

Your model syncs time automatically and does not allow manual changes. This is by design on newer Fitbits. Make sure Bluetooth is on, close and reopen the app, and let it sync for at least 30 seconds. If the time is still wrong, restart your phone and try again.

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

Yes, but the setting is in your device settings in the Fitbit app, not in the time zone menu. Open the app, go to your device settings, and look for "Clock Format" or "Time Format." Tap it and choose either 12-hour or 24-hour display. The change takes effect on your device within seconds.

How long does it take for a time change to show up on my Fitbit?

If you change the time zone in the app, your Fitbit updates within seconds of syncing. If you are relying on automatic sync, it can take up to a few minutes after you open the app. If the time still has not updated after 10 minutes, restart Bluetooth and try syncing again.