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

The fastest way to fix your Fitbit's date and 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 "Date & Time." Tap that option and you'll see the current setting. Toggle the switch next to "Set automatically" to turn it off, then manually enter the correct date and time. Once you save, your Fitbit will sync with your phone within a few seconds.

This method works on both iPhone and Android. The app communicates with your Fitbit wirelessly, so your device doesn't need to be plugged in or in any special mode. If the automatic setting is already on, your Fitbit should update whenever it syncs with your phone — usually within minutes of opening the app.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app on your phone is the primary way to change date and time settings, accessed through your profile and device settings.
  • Turning off "Set automatically" lets you enter the correct date and time manually instead of relying on your phone's clock.
  • Your Fitbit syncs with the app wirelessly, so changes take effect within seconds without needing to restart the device.
  • If automatic time is on, your Fitbit updates whenever it connects to your phone, so manual changes are only necessary if you disable that feature.

Why your Fitbit date and time might be wrong

Your Fitbit's date and time drifts out of sync for a few common reasons. If you recently traveled across time zones, your device may not have updated automatically. If you turned off automatic time syncing in the app, your Fitbit won't update when your phone's clock changes. Battery drain can also cause older Fitbit models to lose time — the internal clock runs slower when the battery is very low.

Occasionally the Fitbit app loses connection to your device temporarily, which can prevent automatic updates from going through. Restarting the app or restarting your Fitbit can fix this. If you notice the time is consistently off by the same amount, the automatic setting may have been disabled at some point and you didn't realize it.

Step-by-step: using the Fitbit app on iPhone

Start by opening the Fitbit app and making sure you're logged in. Tap the profile icon — it looks like a person's silhouette — in the bottom right corner of the screen. You'll see a list of your devices. Find the Fitbit you want to adjust and tap it.

Scroll down the device settings page until you see "Date & Time." Tap that option. You'll see a toggle switch labeled "Set automatically." If it's already on (the switch is blue), your Fitbit should update on its own. If you want to set the time manually, turn the toggle off by tapping it. The screen will now show fields where you can enter the date and time. Tap each field, use the number picker to select the correct values, and then tap "Save" at the top right. Your Fitbit will update within a few seconds.

Step-by-step: using the Fitbit app on Android

Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the top left corner of the screen (it may look like a gear or person icon depending on your app version). Select your device from the list. Scroll down until you find "Date & Time" and tap it.

Look for the toggle next to "Set automatically." If it's on, turn it off by tapping the toggle so you can enter a custom date and time. Tap the date field and use the calendar picker to select the correct date. Tap the time field and use the time picker to set the hours and minutes. Make sure you select AM or PM correctly. Tap "Save" when you're done. Your Fitbit will sync the new settings within seconds.

What to do if the app won't save your changes

If you've entered the correct date and time but the app keeps reverting to the old setting, the most common cause is that "Set automatically" is still on. Even if you think you turned it off, toggle it again to make sure it's actually off — sometimes the toggle doesn't register the first tap. Wait a few seconds and check that the toggle is blue (on) or gray (off) as intended.

If the toggle is definitely off and your changes still aren't sticking, restart the Fitbit app completely. Close it by swiping up from the bottom of your screen (iPhone) or tapping the back button repeatedly (Android), wait 10 seconds, and open it again. Then try changing the date and time once more. If that doesn't work, restart your Fitbit device itself. Most Fitbits restart by plugging them in for 10 seconds, unplugging, waiting 5 seconds, and plugging back in. Check your device's manual for the exact restart method.

Syncing issues and how to fix them

Your Fitbit needs an active connection to your phone to receive date and time updates. If your device hasn't synced in a while, open the Fitbit app and look for a sync button — it's usually a circular arrow icon. Tap it and wait for the sync to complete. This can take 30 seconds to a minute depending on how much data your Fitbit has to send.

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings and that your Fitbit is within 30 feet of your phone. If you've recently uninstalled and reinstalled the Fitbit app, you may need to re-pair your device. Go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, forget the Fitbit, then open the Fitbit app and follow the pairing steps. Once paired, the date and time should sync automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the date and time affect my activity data or stats?

No. Changing the date and time in your Fitbit settings does not erase or alter the activity data you've already recorded. Your steps, heart rate, and other metrics stay the same. The change only affects how your Fitbit displays the current time and date on its screen and in the app.

What happens if I travel to a different time zone?

If "Set automatically" is on in your Fitbit app, your device will update to the new time zone automatically when your phone's clock changes. If you have automatic time off, you'll need to manually change the time in the Fitbit app settings. Most people leave automatic time on so they don't have to think about it when traveling.

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

Most Fitbit models do not have a menu on the device itself to change date and time — you must use the app. Some older Fitbit models may have limited settings on the device, but the app is the standard and most reliable method for all current devices.

Why does my Fitbit keep showing the wrong time even after I changed it?

The most likely reason is that "Set automatically" is still enabled, which overrides your manual setting. Turn off the automatic setting, enter the correct time, and save. If it still doesn't work, restart both the app and your Fitbit device, then try again.