Change the date and time through the Fitbit app on your phone
The fastest way to fix the date on your Fitbit is through the Fitbit app. Open the app on your phone, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, select your device, and scroll to "Date & Time". The app will usually sync the correct date and time from your phone automatically — you do not need to enter them manually. If the date still shows wrong after syncing, try disconnecting and reconnecting your Fitbit to the app.
On some older Fitbit models like the Charge 2 or Blaze, the date and time settings appear under "Device" instead of a separate menu. The steps are the same: find the setting, tap it, and let the app pull the time from your phone. This method works on both iPhone and Android.
If your Fitbit shows the wrong time zone even after syncing, check your phone's time zone setting first. Your Fitbit pulls the time zone from your phone, so if your phone is set to the wrong region, your Fitbit will be too. Change your phone's time zone in its system settings, then sync your Fitbit again.
Key Takeaways
- The Fitbit app syncs your phone's date and time to your device automatically when you visit the Date & Time settings.
- Older Fitbit models store this setting under "Device" rather than a dedicated menu, but the sync process works the same way.
- If the time zone is wrong, check your phone's time zone setting first — your Fitbit copies it from there.
- Restarting your Fitbit or reinstalling the app fixes sync problems when the date does not update after you change it.
Restart your Fitbit if the date does not sync
Sometimes the Fitbit app syncs but the device does not accept the change. A restart clears the connection and forces a fresh sync. The restart method depends on your model: on most Fitbits (Inspire, Charge, Sense, Versa), hold the button on the side or bottom for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen, then release. On the Zip or Flex, plug it into the charger and wait for the logo to appear.
After the restart completes, open the Fitbit app again and go back to Date & Time. The app will sync your phone's date and time to the device. This usually fixes the problem if the initial sync did not work.
Reinstall the Fitbit app if syncing keeps failing
If you have restarted your Fitbit and the date still will not update, the app itself may have a corrupted sync setting. Uninstall the Fitbit app from your phone completely, restart your phone, then read the app fresh from the App Store or Google Play. Log back in with your account, reconnect your Fitbit, and try syncing the date and time again.
This step takes longer but fixes problems that a straightforward restart cannot. Reinstalling clears any cached data that might be preventing the sync from working. After you reinstall, do not skip the reconnection step — your Fitbit needs to pair with the fresh app before it will accept the new date.
Check your phone's date and time settings
Your Fitbit cannot show the correct date if your phone is wrong. Before you troubleshoot your Fitbit, open your phone's settings and verify that the date, time, and time zone are all correct. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure "Set Automatically" is turned on. On Android, go to Settings > System > Date & Time and turn on "Use network-provided time".
If your phone's date and time are correct but your Fitbit is still wrong, the problem is with the sync between your phone and device, not with your phone itself. In that case, follow the restart or reinstall steps above.
What to do if your Fitbit has no internet connection
Fitbits that connect only through Bluetooth (like the Inspire or Charge) rely on your phone to get the correct time. If your phone has no internet connection, the Fitbit app cannot pull the time from your phone's network settings, so the sync may fail or show an incorrect time. Make sure your phone is connected to WiFi or mobile data before you try to sync the date.
Fitbits with built-in WiFi (like the Versa or Sense) can pull the time directly from the internet without going through your phone. If your Fitbit has WiFi, connect it to your home network through the app, and it will fetch the correct time on its own. This is useful if your phone's time is wrong but you want your Fitbit to show the correct time anyway.
Manually set the date on older Fitbit models
Very old Fitbits like the original Charge or Surge do not sync automatically and require manual entry. If you have one of these models, open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, and look for a "Set Date" or "Set Time" option. Tap the field and use the plus and minus buttons to adjust the month, day, year, hour, and minute. This is slower than automatic sync but works if your device is too old to support it.
If you cannot find a manual date setting in your app, your Fitbit model may not have one. In that case, the device pulls the time from your phone whenever it syncs, and you cannot override it. Check your device's manual or the Fitbit support website to confirm whether your specific model supports manual date entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit show the wrong date after I change it?
Your Fitbit syncs the date from your phone, so if your phone's date is wrong, your Fitbit will be too. Check your phone's date and time settings first. If your phone is correct, restart your Fitbit and try syncing again through the app.
Can I change the date on my Fitbit without the app?
Most modern Fitbits cannot change the date without the app — they rely on automatic sync from your phone. Older models like the original Charge had manual date settings, but newer ones do not. You must use the Fitbit app to sync the date.
What if my Fitbit is not connected to my phone?
Your Fitbit cannot sync the date if it is not paired with the app. Open the Fitbit app, go to your profile, and look for an option to reconnect or re-pair your device. Once it is connected again, go to Date & Time and let it sync.
Does changing the date affect my Fitbit's step count or activity history?
Changing the date does not erase your activity history, but it may shift when your Fitbit records new activity. If you set the date forward, new steps will be logged to that future date. If you set it backward, new steps will be logged to the past date until you correct it again.
How often should I sync my Fitbit's date?
Your Fitbit syncs automatically whenever you open the app and your device is nearby. You do not need to manually sync the date unless it shows the wrong time. If you travel across time zones, the app will update your Fitbit's time zone the next time it syncs with your phone.