Change the time in the Fitbit app on your phone

The fastest way to update your Fitbit's time is through the Fitbit app on your smartphone. Open the app, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, select your device, and scroll down to find "Time Zone" or "Set Time". Choose your time zone from the list, and the app will sync the correct time to your Fitbit within a few seconds. This method works for almost all Fitbit models.

If you don't see a time zone option in your device settings within the app, your Fitbit may be set to sync time automatically from your phone. In that case, check that your phone's time is correct — your Fitbit will match it. You can verify this by opening the Fitbit app, going to your profile, selecting your device, and looking for an "Automatic time zone" toggle. If it's on, your Fitbit updates whenever you open the app.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app syncs time automatically when you open it on your phone, so the simplest fix is to check that your phone's time is correct.
  • If automatic sync isn't working, go to your device settings in the Fitbit app and manually select your time zone.
  • Some older Fitbit models require you to restart the device after changing the time zone for the change to take effect.
  • Daylight saving time changes happen automatically if your phone's time zone setting is correct and your Fitbit syncs regularly.

What happens when your Fitbit time is wrong

A Fitbit that shows the wrong time won't affect your activity tracking or heart rate data — those are recorded based on when they happen, not what the clock says. However, the wrong time will make your sleep log inaccurate, because Fitbit uses the clock to know when you went to bed and when you woke up. If your Fitbit is three hours behind, it might record your 11 p.m. bedtime as 8 p.m.

The time also matters if you use your Fitbit to set reminders or alarms. A reminder set for 2 p.m. will go off at the wrong moment if your device is running on the wrong time. For most people, the main annoyance is straightforward seeing the wrong time on the display.

Why your Fitbit time drifts out of sync

Fitbits don't have their own cellular connection or GPS, so they can't pull the correct time from the internet on their own. Instead, they rely on your phone to tell them what time it is. If you haven't opened the Fitbit app in several days, or if your phone's time is set incorrectly, your Fitbit will gradually drift.

Daylight saving time is another common reason. If your phone updates automatically but your Fitbit doesn't sync with the app for a few weeks, the two will be an hour apart. Opening the Fitbit app once will fix it, but if you don't sync regularly, you might not notice until you check.

Manual time adjustment on older Fitbit models

Some older Fitbit models, particularly the Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa series, allow you to change the time directly on the device itself. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu, tap the gear icon, and look for "Time" or "Set Time". You can then scroll through the hours and minutes to set it manually.

After you change the time manually on the device, restart your Fitbit by holding the back button for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo. This ensures the change takes effect. However, the next time you sync with the app, the app's time zone setting will override your manual change, so this method is only useful if you're not syncing regularly.

Syncing your Fitbit after a time change

To force an when ready sync after changing the time zone in the app, open the Fitbit app and wait for the sync icon to appear and disappear — this usually takes 5 to 10 seconds. You can also manually trigger a sync by swiping down on the app's main screen and holding until the sync completes. On your Fitbit device itself, you'll see a brief message confirming the sync.

If the time still hasn't updated after syncing, close the Fitbit app completely and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show the updated time on your device. If you're still seeing the wrong time after two syncs, restart your phone and try again.

Traveling across time zones with your Fitbit

When you travel to a different time zone, your Fitbit will update automatically as long as your phone's time zone changes and you open the Fitbit app at least once in the new location. You don't need to do anything manually. Your activity and sleep data will be logged in the new time zone going forward.

If you want your Fitbit to stay on your home time zone while traveling, you can turn off automatic time zone in the Fitbit app and manually set a specific time zone instead. This is useful if you're traveling for only a few days and don't want your sleep log split across two time zones. Just remember to turn automatic time zone back on when you return home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit show the wrong time even after I synced it?

Check that your phone's time is correct — your Fitbit copies the time from your phone, not from the internet. If your phone is set to the wrong time zone, your Fitbit will be too. Also make sure you're in the Fitbit app's device settings and have selected the correct time zone, not just any time zone.

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

No. Your steps, heart rate, and calories burned are recorded based on when they actually happened, not what the clock says. Only your sleep log and any alarms or reminders you've set will be affected by the time change.

What if my Fitbit won't sync with the app?

Restart both your phone and your Fitbit, then try opening the Fitbit app again. If syncing still fails, check that Bluetooth is turned on and that your phone is within 30 feet of your Fitbit. You can also try unpairing and re-pairing your device in the app's settings, though this will reset some of your preferences.

Can I set my Fitbit to a time zone that doesn't match my phone?

Not permanently. The Fitbit app will always sync your phone's time zone to your device. If you turn off automatic time zone and set a manual time, the next time you open the app, it will override your choice. You'd have to keep automatic time zone off and manually update it every time you sync.