Change the time directly on your Fitbit watch or through the Fitbit app

Your Fitbit watch can update its time automatically if it syncs with your phone, or you can set it manually using the watch buttons or the Fitbit app on your phone. The method depends on which Fitbit model you own and whether you want a one-time adjustment or automatic updates going forward.

Most Fitbit watches sync with your phone's time automatically when they connect via Bluetooth, so if your phone shows the correct time, your watch usually will too. If your watch is showing the wrong time and won't sync, or if you need to set it manually, you have two straightforward paths: use the watch's own menu system, or open the Fitbit app and change it there.

Key Takeaways

  • Fitbit watches typically sync time automatically from your phone when they connect via Bluetooth, so checking your phone's time first can save you a step.
  • If automatic sync isn't working, you can manually adjust the time using your watch's menu buttons or through the Fitbit mobile app.
  • The exact button sequence varies by model—Fitbit Versa, Fitbit Sense, and Fitbit Inspire have different menu layouts.
  • Restarting your watch or forcing a sync with the app often fixes time display problems without requiring manual adjustment.

Automatic time sync through Bluetooth

When your Fitbit watch is paired with your phone via Bluetooth and the two devices are in range, the watch pulls the time from your phone automatically. This happens in the background without any action on your part. If your phone's time is correct and your watch is synced, the watch time should match.

To confirm your watch is synced, open the Fitbit app on your phone, tap your profile icon, select your device, and look for a "Sync Now" button or option. Tap it to force an when ready sync. After syncing completes, check your watch face to see if the time has updated. This solves the problem in most cases where the time drifted or the watch fell out of sync.

Manual time adjustment on Fitbit Versa and Versa 2

On a Fitbit Versa or Versa 2, swipe down from the top of the watch face to open the quick settings menu. You'll see icons for settings, battery, and other options. Tap the gear icon to enter the full settings menu.

Scroll down and select "Clock" or "Time." You'll see options for the time format (12-hour or 24-hour) and the ability to set the time manually. If you see an option to toggle automatic time on or off, make sure automatic is enabled so the watch syncs with your phone. If you need to set the time by hand, select the hour and minute fields and use the up and down arrows to adjust them to the correct time.

Manual time adjustment on Fitbit Sense and Sense 2

The Fitbit Sense and Sense 2 use a similar menu structure to the Versa line. Swipe down from the top of the screen to access quick settings, then tap the gear icon for the full settings menu. Scroll to find "Clock," "Time," or "Date & Time" depending on your software version.

Once you're in the time settings, you can toggle automatic time synchronization on or off. If automatic is already on, toggle it off and then back on to force a fresh sync with your phone. If you need to set the time manually, the same up and down arrow controls let you adjust hours and minutes. After making changes, swipe back to exit the menu and your new time will take effect when ready.

Manual time adjustment on Fitbit Inspire and Inspire 2

Fitbit Inspire models have a simpler interface. Press and hold the side button to open the menu, then scroll to "Settings." Tap to enter settings, then look for "Clock" or "Time." The menu structure is more compact than the Versa or Sense, but the adjustment process is the same: use the up and down controls to set hours and minutes.

After you've set the correct time, press the back button or side button to save and exit. Your watch will display the new time when ready. If you prefer automatic sync, make sure your watch is paired with the Fitbit app and that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.

Fixing time sync problems

If your watch time keeps drifting or won't update even after syncing, try restarting your watch first. The restart process varies by model: on most Fitbit watches, you can go to Settings > About > Restart, or you can hold the side button for 10 to 15 seconds until you see a restart prompt. After the watch restarts, it will reconnect to your phone and pull the correct time.

If the restart doesn't work, check that Bluetooth is turned on for your phone and that the Fitbit app has permission to access location and Bluetooth. On some phones, the Fitbit app needs location permission to maintain a Bluetooth connection. Close the Fitbit app completely and reopen it, then tap "Sync Now" again. If the time still won't sync, unpair the watch from the app, restart both your phone and watch, and then pair them again from scratch.

Time format and timezone settings

Your Fitbit watch can display time in 12-hour format (with AM/PM) or 24-hour format (military time). You can change this preference in the Clock or Time settings menu on your watch. Some Fitbit models also let you set your timezone manually, which is useful if you travel frequently or if automatic detection isn't working.

If you're traveling and your watch isn't updating to the local time automatically, go into Clock settings and look for a timezone option. You can usually select your timezone from a list or let the watch detect it automatically based on your phone's location. After you change the timezone, the watch will adjust the displayed time to match.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your phone's time may be incorrect, or the sync didn't complete fully. Check that your phone displays the right time first. Then open the Fitbit app, force a new sync, and wait 30 seconds for the watch to update. If it still shows the wrong time, restart your watch and try syncing again.

Can I set my Fitbit watch to a different timezone than my phone?

Yes, if your watch has a timezone setting in the Clock menu. Go to Settings > Clock or Time and look for a timezone option. You can select a different timezone manually, though most people leave it on automatic so it matches their phone.

Does my Fitbit watch need to be connected to my phone to keep the correct time?

No. Once your watch syncs with your phone, it keeps accurate time on its own. It doesn't need to stay connected to your phone to maintain the time. However, if your watch loses power or restarts, it will need to sync again to update the time.

What if my Fitbit watch time is off by several hours?

This usually means your phone's time is wrong, or your watch is set to a different timezone than your phone. Check your phone's time and timezone settings first. If those are correct, restart your watch and force a sync through the Fitbit app. If the problem persists, manually set the timezone on your watch to match your location.