The fastest way to update your Fitbit's date and time
The date and time on your Fitbit update automatically when you sync the device to your phone through the Fitbit app. Open the Fitbit app, tap the profile icon in the bottom right, select your device, and tap the sync button (the circular arrow icon). Your Fitbit will pull the correct date and time from your phone within seconds.
If automatic sync does not work or your Fitbit still shows the wrong time after syncing, you can manually adjust the settings in the app. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, but both routes take less than a minute.
Your Fitbit does not have its own GPS or internet connection, so it cannot fetch the time independently. It relies entirely on your phone's clock. If your phone's date and time are wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too — so check your phone's settings first.
Key Takeaways
- Syncing your Fitbit through the app is the simplest way to update the date and time, and it happens automatically when you open the app on most devices.
- If sync does not fix the time, you can manually adjust it through your device settings in the Fitbit app without needing to restart anything.
- Your Fitbit pulls the time from your phone, so if your phone's clock is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong even after syncing.
- Time zone changes (like during travel or daylight saving time) update automatically through the app sync, so you do not need to change them manually.
How to sync your Fitbit on iPhone
Open the Fitbit app and look at the bottom of the screen. Tap the profile icon (it looks like a person's silhouette) in the bottom right corner. Find your device in the list — it will show the device name, like "Fitbit Charge 6" or "Fitbit Inspire 3".
Tap your device name to open its settings page. At the top of the screen, you will see a circular arrow icon (the sync button). Tap it. The app will connect to your Fitbit wirelessly and pull the current date and time from your phone. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. Once the sync completes, your Fitbit's display will update.
If the time still appears wrong after syncing, check that your iPhone's date and time are correct. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure "Set Automatically" is turned on. If it is already on, toggle it off and back on, then return to the Fitbit app and sync again.
How to sync your Fitbit on Android
Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap your device name. You will see a sync button (a circular arrow) near the top of the screen. Tap it to start the sync.
Your Fitbit will connect to your phone and receive the correct date and time. The process takes about 10 to 30 seconds. Once it finishes, your device's display will show the updated time.
If the time is still incorrect, verify that your Android phone's date and time are set correctly. Go to Settings > System > Date & Time and turn on "Automatic date and time" if it is off. Then return to the Fitbit app and sync once more.
Manual time adjustment if sync does not work
If syncing repeatedly does not fix the time, you can manually set it through the app. Open the Fitbit app, go to your profile, and select your device. Scroll down to find "Time Zone" or "Date & Time" (the exact name depends on your Fitbit model).
Tap the setting and choose your time zone from the list. Some older Fitbit models let you manually enter the hour and minute instead. Make the change and save. Your Fitbit should update within a few seconds.
Manual adjustment is rarely necessary — most time problems are solved by syncing or by fixing your phone's clock. If you find yourself adjusting the time frequently, the issue is usually that your phone's automatic time setting is turned off or your Fitbit is not syncing properly.
Why your Fitbit time might be wrong
The most common reason is that your phone's date and time are incorrect. Your Fitbit has no way to know the real time on its own — it depends entirely on your phone. If your phone thinks it is 3 p.m. when it is actually 2 p.m., your Fitbit will show 3 p.m. too.
Another reason is that you have not synced your Fitbit since changing time zones or since daylight saving time began. The app does not push updates to your device constantly. Sync happens when you open the Fitbit app or when you manually tap the sync button. If you travel across time zones and do not open the app until hours later, your Fitbit will still show the old time until you sync.
Occasionally, a Fitbit will lose its connection to your phone or the app will fail to sync properly. Closing the Fitbit app completely and reopening it usually fixes this. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to close the app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit and tap "Force Stop", then reopen the app.
Time zone changes during travel
When you travel to a different time zone, your Fitbit will not automatically know you have moved. However, your phone will update its time zone automatically if you have location services or automatic time zone detection turned on. Once your phone's time zone changes, the next time you sync your Fitbit, it will receive the new time.
You do not need to do anything manually. straightforward open the Fitbit app after you arrive at your destination, and the sync will update your device. If your phone's automatic time zone setting is off, you will need to manually change your phone's time zone in Settings, then sync your Fitbit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit show the wrong time even after I synced it?
Your phone's date and time are probably incorrect. Check your phone's settings first — if your phone is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong after syncing. Go to your phone's date and time settings, turn on automatic time, and sync your Fitbit again.
Can I change the time on my Fitbit without using the app?
No. Fitbit devices do not have a built-in menu to change the date and time directly on the device itself. You must use the Fitbit app on your phone. The app is the only way to adjust these settings.
Does my Fitbit update the time automatically when daylight saving time changes?
Yes, as long as you sync your Fitbit through the app after the time change. Your phone will update its time automatically, and when you open the Fitbit app and sync, your device will receive the new time. You do not need to manually adjust anything.
What should I do if my Fitbit still shows the wrong time after trying everything?
Restart your Fitbit by holding the button on the side or back of the device for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black. Then release and wait for it to turn back on. After the restart, open the Fitbit app and sync. If the time is still wrong, restart your phone as well, then sync again.
Does my Fitbit need internet to update the time?
Your Fitbit does not need internet directly. It syncs with your phone through Bluetooth, and your phone provides the time. Your phone does need internet or location services to determine the correct time zone, but the actual time sync happens over Bluetooth without needing a data connection.