The quickest way to fix your Fitbit's time

The fastest way to change the time on your Fitbit is through the Fitbit app on your phone. Open the app, tap your profile picture, select your device, scroll to "Time Zone," and choose your location. The time updates automatically within a few seconds. If you have an older Fitbit model without app-based time settings, you may need to manually adjust it on the device itself using the side buttons, though this varies by model.

Most newer Fitbits (Charge 5, Sense, Inspire 3, and similar models released after 2020) sync the time automatically from your phone once you pair them. If your time is wrong, the problem is usually that your phone's time is wrong, or the Fitbit hasn't synced yet. Restarting the Fitbit or force-closing and reopening the app usually fixes this.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app on your phone is the main way to change time zones; open your profile, select your device, and tap "Time Zone."
  • Most modern Fitbits pull the time from your phone automatically, so if the time is wrong, check that your phone's time is correct first.
  • Restarting your Fitbit or force-closing the Fitbit app often fixes time sync problems without needing manual adjustment.
  • Older Fitbit models may require you to hold down buttons on the device itself to change the time, and the exact steps depend on which model you own.

Change the time zone through the Fitbit app

Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. From there, select the device you want to adjust (if you have more than one Fitbit). Scroll down until you see "Time Zone" and tap it. A list of time zones appears — select the one where you are, or where you want the Fitbit to display time.

The change takes effect within seconds. Your Fitbit will now show the correct time on its screen and in any notifications it sends. If you travel and cross time zones, you can repeat this step to update your Fitbit to the new zone. The app remembers your choice, so if you return to your home time zone, you can switch back the same way.

Restart your Fitbit if the time won't sync

If you changed the time zone in the app but your Fitbit still shows the wrong time, restart the device. The restart method depends on your model. For most Fitbits (Charge 5, Sense, Inspire 3), hold down the button on the side or bottom of the device for 10 to 15 seconds until you see a restart screen or the Fitbit logo appears. Release the button and wait for the device to turn back on.

After the restart, open the Fitbit app and check whether the time has updated. If it hasn't, force-close the Fitbit app on your phone (swipe it away from your recent apps list on Android, or swipe up from the bottom on iPhone), then reopen it. This forces the app to resync with your Fitbit. In most cases, the time corrects itself after this step.

Check your phone's time if your Fitbit keeps showing the wrong time

Fitbits pull their time from your phone, so if your phone's time is wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too. Go to your phone's settings and check the date and time. On most phones, this is under Settings > System > Date and Time (Android) or Settings > General > Date and Time (iPhone). Make sure "Set Automatically" or "Set Automatically" is turned on so your phone updates its time from your carrier or internet.

If your phone's time is correct but your Fitbit is still off by an hour or more, you may have set the wrong time zone in the Fitbit app. Go back to the app, tap your profile, select your device, and double-check the "Time Zone" setting. Daylight saving time changes can also cause a one-hour difference — if you recently crossed into or out of daylight saving time, make sure your phone's time zone setting reflects that change.

Manual time adjustment for older Fitbit models

If you have an older Fitbit model (Charge 2, Charge 3, Inspire, or models from before 2020), the time zone option may not be available in the app. Instead, you adjust the time directly on the device using the buttons. The exact steps vary by model, but the general process is: hold down the main button until a menu appears, navigate to "Settings" or "Clock," and use the side buttons to change the hour and minute.

Consult your device's manual or search "Fitbit [your model] manual" online to find the exact button sequence for your device. Fitbit's support website also has step-by-step guides for each model. Once you set the time manually, it stays set until you change it again — older models do not automatically update for daylight saving time, so you may need to adjust them twice a year.

What to do if your Fitbit still shows the wrong time after these steps

If you have tried restarting your Fitbit, checked your phone's time, and confirmed the time zone in the app, but the time is still wrong, your Fitbit may have a software issue. Try unpairing and re-pairing the device. In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and tap "Remove This Device." Then turn off your Fitbit, turn it back on, and pair it again as if it were new. This forces the app to resync all settings, including the time.

If the time is still incorrect after re-pairing, contact Fitbit support through the app or their website. Provide your device model and a description of what you have already tried. In rare cases, a device may have a hardware problem that requires replacement, though this is uncommon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit show a different time than my phone?

Your Fitbit pulls time from your phone, so they should match. If they don't, your phone's time may be wrong, or the Fitbit hasn't synced yet. Check your phone's date and time settings, then restart your Fitbit. If the problem persists, force-close the Fitbit app and reopen it to trigger a fresh sync.

Do I have to change the time manually when daylight saving time happens?

No, if you have a newer Fitbit and your phone's time zone is set to update automatically, your Fitbit will update automatically too. Older Fitbit models do not auto-update for daylight saving time, so you will need to manually adjust them twice a year through the device buttons or the app.

Can I set my Fitbit to a different time zone than my phone?

Not directly. Your Fitbit syncs its time from your phone, so they will always match. If you need to display a different time zone, you would have to change your phone's time zone, which affects all apps and functions on your phone. Most people keep their Fitbit in their home time zone.

What if the time zone option doesn't appear in my Fitbit app?

You likely have an older Fitbit model that doesn't support app-based time zone changes. These models require you to adjust the time directly on the device using the buttons. Look up your specific model number and search for its manual online, or contact Fitbit support for instructions.