The fastest way to update your Fitbit's time
Your Fitbit updates its time automatically if you have the Fitbit app installed on your phone and Bluetooth is turned on. The device syncs with your phone's time whenever it connects, so if your phone shows the correct time, your Fitbit will too. This happens in the background — you do not need to do anything.
If your Fitbit is showing the wrong time and automatic sync is not working, you can change it manually through the Fitbit app in about two minutes. The steps differ slightly depending on which Fitbit model you own, but the process is the same for all current devices.
Key Takeaways
- Fitbit syncs time automatically from your phone when Bluetooth is on and the app is installed, so manual changes are rarely needed.
- To change the time manually, open the Fitbit app, tap your profile picture, select your device, scroll to Time Zone, and choose the correct zone from the list.
- If manual time zone changes do not stick, turn off Bluetooth for 10 seconds, turn it back on, and sync again.
- Daylight saving time changes happen automatically on Fitbit devices that support it, as long as automatic sync is working.
How to manually change the time zone in the Fitbit app
Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. From the menu that appears, select the Fitbit device you want to adjust — if you have more than one, make sure you pick the right one.
Scroll down the device settings page until you see "Time Zone". Tap it and choose your time zone from the list. The app shows time zones by region and city, so look for the one that matches where you are. Once you select it, the change saves automatically.
After you change the time zone, open the Fitbit app's main screen and tap the sync button (the circular arrow icon at the top). This sends the new time zone to your device. Your Fitbit should update within a few seconds.
Why your Fitbit might show the wrong time
The most common reason is that your phone's time zone setting does not match where you actually are. If you traveled across time zones and your phone did not update automatically, your Fitbit will follow the old time zone until you change it. Check your phone's time zone setting first — on most phones, this is in Settings under Date & Time, and there is usually a toggle for automatic time zone detection.
Another reason is that Bluetooth is turned off or the Fitbit app is not installed. Without Bluetooth, your Fitbit cannot sync with your phone, so it stays on whatever time zone was set last. Turn Bluetooth on and make sure the Fitbit app is running in the background.
Occasionally the sync fails even when Bluetooth is on. If you changed the time zone in the app but your Fitbit still shows the old time after 10 minutes, try turning Bluetooth off for 10 seconds, turning it back on, and syncing again. This usually forces a fresh connection.
What happens during daylight saving time
If your Fitbit model supports automatic time updates — which includes most devices made in the last three years — the time change happens on its own when daylight saving time begins and ends. You do not need to do anything. The device relies on your phone's time zone setting to know when the change occurs, so make sure your phone is set to a time zone that observes daylight saving time if you live in one.
Older Fitbit models, like some Charge 2 or Blaze devices, do not support automatic daylight saving time changes. If you own one of these, you will need to manually change the time zone twice a year — once when daylight saving time starts and once when it ends. The process is the same as changing the time zone for any other reason.
Troubleshooting when the time will not update
If you have changed the time zone in the app and synced, but your Fitbit still shows the wrong time, start by checking that you selected the correct time zone. Open the app again, go to your device settings, and look at what time zone is currently set. Compare it to your phone's time zone setting — they should match.
If they do match and the time is still wrong, restart your Fitbit. The way to do this depends on your model: for most devices, hold the button on the side or back for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear. For touchscreen models like the Sense or Versa, swipe down from the top of the screen and look for a power or restart option. After the restart, sync again through the app.
If restarting does not work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Fitbit app. This clears out any settings that may have become corrupted. After you reinstall, log back in, select your device, and set the time zone again. This solves the problem in most cases where the app itself is the source of the issue.
Fitbit models with different time-setting options
Most Fitbit devices — including the Inspire, Charge, Sense, and Versa lines — use the same time zone method described above. You change the time zone in the app, and the device updates when it syncs.
Some older models like the Fitbit One or Zip have a slightly different process. These devices do not connect to the app the same way, and you may need to change the time through the Fitbit website instead of the phone app. If you own one of these older models, visit fitbit.com, log in, go to your device settings, and look for a time or time zone option there. The change will sync the next time your device connects to the computer or phone you use to charge it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit keep changing back to the wrong time?
This usually means your phone's time zone is set incorrectly or automatic time zone detection is off. Your Fitbit syncs to your phone's time zone, so if your phone is wrong, your Fitbit will be too. Check your phone's Settings under Date & Time and turn on automatic time zone detection if it is available.
Can I change the time without using the app?
No. All current Fitbit models require the Fitbit app to change the time zone. Older models like the One or Zip can be adjusted through the Fitbit website, but you still need to log in to your account. There is no way to change the time directly on the device itself.
What if I travel to a new time zone — does my Fitbit update automatically?
Only if your phone updates automatically. When you cross into a new time zone, your phone should detect it and change the time zone setting on its own (if automatic detection is on). Your Fitbit will then sync to the new time zone the next time Bluetooth connects. If your phone does not update automatically, you will need to change it manually, and your Fitbit will follow.
Does my Fitbit need to be charged to change the time?
No. Your Fitbit can be at any battery level when you change the time zone in the app. The change syncs as long as Bluetooth is on and the device is in range of your phone. However, if the battery is very low, the device may not hold the new setting until it is charged.