Change the time in the Fitbit app on your phone
Your Fitbit syncs its time automatically when you connect it to your phone through the Fitbit app. Most of the time, the device picks up the correct time from your phone's clock without you doing anything. If your Fitbit shows the wrong time, the fastest fix is to open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, and toggle the automatic time setting off and back on again.
Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select your device from the list. Scroll down to find "Time Zone" or "Set Time" depending on your device model. If you see a toggle for "Automatic Time" or "Set Automatically", turn it off, wait five seconds, then turn it back on. Your Fitbit will sync to your phone's time within a few seconds.
If automatic time is already on and your Fitbit still shows the wrong time, your phone's clock itself may be wrong. Check your phone's date and time settings — on most phones this is under Settings > Date and Time. Make sure your phone is set to automatic time as well. Once your phone shows the correct time, restart the Fitbit app and the device should update.
Key Takeaways
- Your Fitbit automatically syncs time from your phone when you open the Fitbit app, so manual time changes are rarely needed.
- If the time is wrong, toggle the automatic time setting off and back on in your device settings within the Fitbit app.
- Check that your phone's own clock shows the correct time and time zone, since your Fitbit copies from it.
- Some older Fitbit models allow manual time entry in the app if automatic sync fails, but this is uncommon on current devices.
When you travel and need to change time zones
If you travel across time zones, your Fitbit should update automatically when your phone does. Your phone detects the new time zone through its location services or network connection, and your Fitbit follows that change the next time you sync the app.
If you are traveling and your Fitbit has not updated to the new time zone after several hours, manually change your phone's time zone first. Open your phone's Settings, find Date and Time, and turn off automatic time zone detection if it is on. Select your current time zone from the list. Then open the Fitbit app and toggle the automatic time setting off and back on. Your device will sync to the new zone within a minute.
Older Fitbit models that need manual time entry
Some older Fitbit models — particularly the Fitbit Charge 2, Fitbit Blaze, and Fitbit Surge — allow you to set the time manually in the app if automatic sync is not working. These devices are less common now, but the process is the same: open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, and look for a "Set Time" option that lets you choose the hour and minute directly.
If you have one of these older models and manual time entry is not appearing in your app, update the Fitbit app to the latest version from your phone's app store. Older app versions sometimes hide this setting. After updating, restart the app and check your device settings again.
Why your Fitbit time keeps resetting
If your Fitbit time changes back to the wrong time after you fix it, the most common cause is that automatic time is still on but your phone's time is wrong. Your Fitbit will keep syncing to whatever incorrect time your phone is showing. Check your phone's Settings > Date and Time and make sure it is set to automatic. If automatic is already on, your phone may not be connecting to a time server — try turning automatic off and back on.
Another reason the time resets is that your Fitbit app is not syncing properly. Close the Fitbit app completely (not just minimizing it) and reopen it. On some phones, you may need to go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit and force-close the app before reopening. After the app restarts, it should sync your device to the current time within 30 seconds.
If the time keeps changing even after you have confirmed your phone is correct and the app has synced, your Fitbit device itself may have a software issue. Check the Fitbit app for any available device firmware updates under your device settings. Tap the three dots or menu icon and look for "Update Firmware" or "Check for Updates". Install any available update and restart your device.
Fitbit devices that do not display time
Some Fitbit models — like the Fitbit Ace and certain clip-style trackers — do not have a screen that shows the time at all. These devices track your activity and heart rate but do not display a clock face. If you own one of these models, you cannot change the time on the device itself because there is nothing to display. The time setting in the app is used only for logging your activity data with the correct timestamp.
If you have a Fitbit without a time display and you want to see the time, you will need to check your phone or a watch. The Fitbit app itself shows the current time at the top of the screen, so you can always open the app to check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit show the wrong time even though my phone is correct?
Your Fitbit may not have synced with the Fitbit app recently. Close the app completely and reopen it to force a sync. If the time still does not update after 30 seconds, toggle automatic time off and back on in your device settings. If this does not work, restart your Fitbit device by holding the button for 10 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo.
Can I set the time manually on my Fitbit without using the app?
No. All current Fitbit models require the Fitbit app on your phone to change the time. You cannot adjust the time directly on the device itself. The app is the only way to access time settings and sync your device to the correct time.
What happens to my Fitbit time if I do not open the app for a week?
Your Fitbit will keep the time it last synced, but it may drift slightly because the device's internal clock is not perfectly accurate. When you open the Fitbit app again, it will resync to your phone's current time. You do not need to do anything — just opening the app will fix it.
Does changing the time on my Fitbit affect my activity history?
No. Changing the time setting does not erase or alter your past activity data. Your Fitbit stores activity with timestamps, and adjusting the time only affects how future activity is logged. Your step count, heart rate data, and sleep records remain unchanged.