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 if the time drifts or you travel across time zones, you can adjust it in two ways: through the Fitbit mobile app on your phone, or directly on the watch if your model supports it. The app method works for all Fitbit watches. The on-device method depends on your model — newer watches like the Sense 2 and Versa 4 let you change it directly, while older models like the Ionic and original Versa require the app.

Most of the time, your Fitbit will correct itself automatically when your phone's time updates. But manual adjustment takes less than a minute and is useful when you travel or notice the time has drifted by an hour or more.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Fitbit app, tap your profile picture, select your device, and toggle off "Set time automatically" before you can change the time manually.
  • Once automatic time is off, tap "Time" and adjust the hours and minutes to match your current time zone.
  • Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4, and some newer models let you change the time directly on the watch by swiping to Settings and selecting Time.
  • After you change the time, you can turn automatic time back on so future updates happen without your input.
  • If your watch still shows the wrong time after adjustment, restart the watch by holding the back button for 10 seconds.

Change the time through the Fitbit mobile app

Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select the device you want to adjust — if you own multiple Fitbits, make sure you choose the right one. Scroll down and tap the name of your device to open its settings page.

Look for the "Time" option and tap it. You will see a toggle labeled "Set time automatically" — turn this off first. Once it is off, the time fields become editable. Tap the hour and minute fields and adjust them to match your current time. The watch uses 12-hour or 24-hour format depending on what you selected during setup, but you can change that format in the same settings menu if needed.

After you set the correct time, you can turn "Set time automatically" back on. This way, your watch will sync to your phone's time going forward without you having to adjust it manually each time you cross a time zone or your phone updates.

Change the time directly on newer Fitbit watches

If you own a Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4, or Inspire 3, you can change the time without opening the app. Swipe down from the top of the watch face to open the quick settings menu. Scroll down and tap "Settings," then select "Time."

Tap the hour field and use the up and down arrows to adjust it. Do the same for the minutes. Some models also show a toggle for 12-hour or 24-hour format in this menu — change it if you prefer a different display. When you are done, press the back button or swipe left to save and exit.

Older Fitbit models like the Ionic, Versa, and Versa 2 do not have this on-device time adjustment feature, so you will need to use the app method instead.

What to do if the time still shows incorrectly after you change it

If you adjusted the time but the watch still displays the wrong time, restart the device. Hold down the back button (the button on the left side of the watch) for about 10 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen. Release the button and wait for the watch to power back on — this usually takes 30 seconds to a minute.

After the restart, check whether the time is now correct. If it is still wrong, open the Fitbit app again and verify that "Set time automatically" is turned off and that you entered the time correctly. If automatic time is on, your watch may be pulling the time from your phone instead of using your manual entry.

Why your Fitbit time might be wrong in the first place

Your Fitbit syncs its time to your phone when you first pair it and whenever the app runs in the background. If you travel across time zones and your phone updates automatically, your watch should follow. However, if your phone's time is set to manual instead of automatic, or if the Fitbit app has not synced recently, the watch can fall behind by an hour or more.

Daylight saving time changes can also cause a mismatch. If your phone updates for daylight saving but your Fitbit does not, you may see a one-hour difference. Turning automatic time off and back on in the app usually forces a resync and fixes this.

In rare cases, a software bug or a very old app version can prevent proper time syncing. If restarting the watch and toggling automatic time does not work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Fitbit app on your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the time on my Fitbit affect my activity tracking?

No. Your Fitbit records activity data with timestamps, but changing the time does not erase or alter past data. The watch will straightforward use the new time for any activity logged after the change. If you are concerned about time-stamped logs, note the exact time you made the change so you can account for it if needed.

Will my Fitbit automatically update for daylight saving time?

If "Set time automatically" is on, your Fitbit will update when your phone updates for daylight saving time. If automatic time is off, you will need to adjust it manually. Most people leave automatic time on and only turn it off when traveling or troubleshooting.

What if I cannot find the Time option in my Fitbit app?

Make sure you are looking at the device settings, not your account settings. Tap your profile picture, then tap the device name itself — not just the category. If you still cannot find it, your app may be outdated. Check your phone's app store for a Fitbit app update and install it.

Can I set a different time on my Fitbit than on my phone?

Yes, you can set any time you want on your Fitbit as long as "Set time automatically" is off. However, if you turn automatic time back on, your watch will sync to your phone's time and overwrite your manual setting.