Change the time on your Fitbit through the mobile app or on the device itself

Your Fitbit syncs its time automatically when you first set it up, but if the time drifts or you travel across time zones, you can adjust it in two ways. The easiest method is through the Fitbit app on your phone—the app can update the time automatically or you can set it manually. If you prefer to change it directly on your device, most Fitbit models let you do this in the Settings menu, though the exact steps vary by model.

The time on your Fitbit matters because it affects when your device records activity, sleep, and heart rate data. An incorrect time can also throw off reminders and alarms you have set. Most users find the app method faster, especially if you are already syncing your device regularly.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app can sync your device's time automatically to match your phone's time zone, which is the fastest method for most users.
  • If automatic sync is off, you can manually set the time in the app under your device settings without touching the Fitbit itself.
  • Some Fitbit models (Ionic, Versa, and Sense) let you change the time directly on the device through the Settings app.
  • After changing the time, sync your Fitbit to your phone to confirm the change took effect.
  • If the time keeps reverting, check that automatic time zone detection is turned on in your phone's settings.

Change the time using the Fitbit mobile app

Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select your device from the list. Scroll down and tap "Clock" or "Time Zone" depending on your Fitbit model. If you see a toggle for "Automatic time zone," turn it on—this will sync your device to your phone's current time zone. If the toggle is already on and the time is still wrong, turn it off, then turn it back on to force a refresh.

If you need to set the time manually instead, tap the time display and use the plus and minus buttons to adjust the hours and minutes. Some models show the time in 12-hour or 24-hour format; check which one your device uses before entering the time. Once you have set it correctly, tap the checkmark or back arrow to save. Then open the main app screen and tap the sync button (usually a circular arrow icon) to push the change to your device.

Change the time directly on your Fitbit device

Not all Fitbit models support on-device time changes, but Fitbit Ionic, Versa, and Sense do. Swipe down from the top of your device's screen to open the quick settings menu. Tap the Settings icon (usually a gear symbol). Scroll down and select "Clock" or "Time." Use the plus and minus buttons or swipe to adjust the hours and minutes. The device will show you the time as you change it, so you can verify it is correct before saving.

After you finish, press the back button or swipe left to exit the settings menu. Your device will save the change when ready. Sync your Fitbit to your phone within the next few minutes to confirm the change registered in the app. If the time reverts after syncing, the app's automatic time zone setting may have overridden your manual change—go back to the app and check whether automatic time zone is turned on.

Handle time zone changes when you travel

When you cross time zones, your Fitbit should update automatically if your phone's location services are on and the app has permission to access your location. The automatic time zone feature in the Fitbit app handles this without any action from you. However, if you have turned off location services or the automatic time zone toggle, you will need to update the time manually using either the app or the device.

If you are traveling and want to keep your Fitbit on your home time zone for a few days, turn off the automatic time zone toggle in the app. This prevents the device from syncing to the local time. When you return home, turn the toggle back on so the device resumes automatic updates. Keep in mind that your activity and sleep data will still be recorded based on the time zone your device is set to, so if you leave it on home time while traveling, your data will reflect home time, not local time.

Troubleshoot if the time keeps changing or reverting

If you set the time manually but it keeps reverting to the wrong time after you sync, the automatic time zone setting is likely overriding your change. Open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, and look for "Automatic time zone" or "Set time automatically." Turn this off if you want to keep a manual time setting. If you want the automatic feature to work correctly, make sure your phone's location services are enabled and the Fitbit app has permission to access your location.

Another common issue is that your phone's time is incorrect. Your Fitbit syncs to your phone's time, so if your phone is set to the wrong time, your Fitbit will be too. Check your phone's clock in the system settings and correct it if needed. After fixing your phone's time, open the Fitbit app and tap the sync button to push the correct time to your device. If the problem persists, try unpairing and re-pairing your Fitbit to your phone—this forces a fresh sync and often resolves time-related glitches.

Understand why your Fitbit time matters

Your Fitbit uses its internal clock to timestamp every piece of data it collects—steps, heart rate, sleep, and workouts. If the time is wrong, your data will be recorded at the wrong times in the app, which can make it harder to track patterns or correlate activity with specific events. For example, if your device thinks it is 3 p.m. when it is actually 4 p.m., a workout you do at 4 p.m. will show up in the app as a 3 p.m. workout.

The time also affects any alarms or reminders you have set on your device. If your Fitbit is set to the wrong time, alarms will go off at the wrong time. For most users, keeping automatic time zone on is the simplest solution—your device will always match your phone's time, and you will not have to think about it unless you travel frequently or your phone's clock is manually set.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The automatic time zone setting in the Fitbit app may be overriding your manual change. Open the app, go to your device settings, and check whether "Automatic time zone" is on. If it is, turn it off to keep your manual time setting. Also verify that your phone's clock is correct, because your Fitbit syncs to your phone's time.

Can I change my Fitbit to a different time zone without changing my phone?

Yes. Turn off the automatic time zone toggle in the Fitbit app, then manually set the time to the time zone you want. Your Fitbit will stay on that time zone until you turn automatic time zone back on or manually change it again. This is useful if you want to keep your device on home time while traveling.

Does changing the time on my Fitbit erase my data?

No. Changing the time does not delete any of your activity, sleep, or heart rate data. The data you have already recorded stays in your account. The time change only affects how new data is timestamped going forward and how past data is displayed in the app's timeline.

What if my Fitbit model does not have a clock setting?

Older Fitbit models like the Charge 2 and Flex 2 do not have on-device time settings. For these models, you can only change the time through the Fitbit app. Open the app, go to your device settings, and adjust the time there. The change will sync to your device the next time you sync.

How often should I sync my Fitbit after changing the time?

Sync your Fitbit within a few minutes of changing the time to confirm the change took effect. After that, your device syncs automatically throughout the day whenever it is near your phone and the Bluetooth connection is active, so you do not need to do anything else.