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

Your Fitbit watch syncs its time automatically when you first set it up, but you can change it manually if it drifts or if you travel across time zones. The fastest method is through the Fitbit app on your phone — you can adjust the time in about 30 seconds without touching the watch. If you prefer to change it directly on the device, you can do that too, though the steps vary slightly depending on your Fitbit model.

Most Fitbit watches update their time automatically when they sync with your phone, so if your watch is off by a few minutes, syncing often fixes it without any manual adjustment. However, if automatic sync isn't working or you need to set a specific time zone right away, the manual methods below will get you there.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app method works for all Fitbit models and takes about 30 seconds — open the app, tap your device, go to Time Zone, and select your location.
  • On the watch itself, swipe to the Settings app, find Time Zone or Clock settings, and select your time zone from the list.
  • Syncing your Fitbit with your phone after changing the time ensures the change sticks and prevents the watch from reverting.
  • If your watch still shows the wrong time after syncing, restart the Fitbit by holding the button for 10 seconds, then sync again.
  • Daylight saving time changes happen automatically on most Fitbit models when you sync with your phone, so you usually don't need to adjust manually.

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. Find your device in the list — it will show your watch model name. Tap on it to open the device settings.

Look for "Time Zone" or "Clock" in the settings menu. Tap it and select your time zone from the list by city or region. The app will show your current selection at the top. Once you've selected the correct time zone, the change saves automatically. Sync your watch with the app by swiping down from the top of the Fitbit app screen to confirm the new time appears on your device.

Change the time directly on your Fitbit watch

On most Fitbit models, swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open the app menu. Scroll through the apps until you find Settings — it usually looks like a gear icon. Tap Settings to open it.

Swipe down through the Settings menu until you see "Time Zone" or "Clock." Tap it and you'll see a list of time zones organized by city or region. Scroll to find your location and tap to select it. The watch will return to the home screen once the change is saved. Some older Fitbit models may label this option differently — if you don't see "Time Zone," look for "Date & Time" or "System Settings" instead.

Sync your watch after changing the time

After you change the time on either the app or the watch, sync your Fitbit to make sure both devices agree on the correct time. On your phone, open the Fitbit app and swipe down from the top of the screen. Wait for the sync to complete — you'll see a checkmark when it's done.

If you changed the time on the watch itself, the app will pull the new time from the device during the sync. If you changed it in the app, the watch will receive the update. Either way, syncing ensures the change is locked in and prevents the watch from reverting to an incorrect time later.

Restart your Fitbit if the time won't change

If you've changed the time but the watch still shows the wrong time after syncing, restart the device. Press and hold the button on the side of your watch for about 10 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen. Release the button and wait for the watch to restart — this usually takes 30 seconds.

Once the watch has restarted, sync it with the app again. The correct time should now appear on your watch face. If the time is still wrong after a restart and sync, check that your phone's time is correct — your Fitbit syncs to your phone's clock, so if your phone is set to the wrong time, your watch will be too.

Handle time zone changes when you travel

When you travel to a different time zone, your Fitbit can update automatically if your phone updates automatically. Most phones detect your location and change the time zone on their own when you land in a new area. Once your phone updates, sync your Fitbit and it will pull the new time zone from the app.

If your phone doesn't update automatically, you'll need to change the time zone manually on your phone first, then sync your Fitbit. Go to your phone's Settings, find Date & Time, and turn off "Automatic" if it's on. Select your new time zone, then open the Fitbit app and sync. Your watch will now show the correct time for your new location.

Daylight saving time adjustments

Most Fitbit watches update automatically for daylight saving time when you sync with your phone. Your phone detects the time change based on your location and time zone settings, and your Fitbit pulls that information during the next sync. You don't usually need to do anything — the change happens in the background.

If your watch doesn't update for daylight saving time, manually sync it with the app. If it still doesn't change after syncing, restart the watch and sync again. This forces the device to pull the latest time information from your phone. Daylight saving time changes happen on different dates depending on your country or region, so make sure your phone's location and time zone settings are correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit keep showing the wrong time?

Your watch may not be syncing with your phone regularly. Open the Fitbit app and swipe down to sync manually. If the time is still wrong after syncing, restart your watch by holding the button for 10 seconds, then sync again. Also check that your phone's time is correct — your Fitbit copies the time from your phone.

Do I need to change the time on my Fitbit when I travel?

Not always. If your phone automatically detects your new time zone and updates, your Fitbit will pull the new time during the next sync. If your phone doesn't update automatically, change the time zone in your phone's Settings first, then sync your Fitbit.

Can I set a custom time that's different from my actual time zone?

No. Fitbit only lets you select from standard time zones. You can't set a time that's offset from your actual location. If you need a specific time for another reason, you'll need to change your phone's time zone setting, which will then sync to your watch.

What happens to my Fitbit time if I don't sync for a long time?

Your watch will keep the time it was set to, but it may drift slightly over days or weeks. Syncing regularly keeps your Fitbit accurate. If you haven't synced in a while and the time is off, sync now and the watch will correct itself.

Does changing the time affect my activity data or sleep tracking?

Changing the time zone may shift when your daily activity and sleep data are recorded, but it won't delete or lose any data. Your Fitbit stores all activity with timestamps, so changing the time zone just reorganizes when those activities appear in your history.