The quickest way to set the time on your Fitbit

The time on your Fitbit updates automatically if your phone is nearby and your Fitbit app is open. If the time is wrong, the fastest fix is to open the Fitbit app on your phone, go to your device settings, and toggle the automatic time zone setting off and back on. This forces a sync and corrects the time in seconds.

If automatic sync does not work, you can set the time manually through the Fitbit app. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have a Fitbit with a touchscreen (like Sense or Versa) or a button-based model (like Charge or Inspire), but both routes take less than a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fitbit syncs time automatically from your phone when the app is open and your devices are connected, so most time problems fix themselves without action.
  • Toggling automatic time zone off and on in the Fitbit app forces an when ready sync and corrects the time in most cases.
  • Manual time adjustment is available in device settings but is rarely needed unless you travel frequently or your phone's time is set incorrectly.
  • Fitbit models with touchscreens let you adjust time directly on the device, while button-based models require the app.

Using automatic time sync through the Fitbit app

Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select your device from the list, then scroll down and tap "Time Zone" or "Date and Time" depending on your model. You should see a toggle for "Automatic" or "Set Automatically" — make sure it is turned on.

If the toggle is already on, turn it off, wait five seconds, then turn it back on. This forces your Fitbit to request the current time from your phone when ready. Your device should update within a few seconds. If you see the time change on your Fitbit's screen, the sync worked.

This method works because your phone always knows the correct time — it updates from your carrier or Wi-Fi network — and your Fitbit trusts that information. As long as your phone's time is correct, automatic sync will keep your Fitbit accurate.

Setting the time manually on touchscreen Fitbits

If you have a Fitbit Sense, Versa, or Versa 2, you can adjust the time directly on the device. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu, then tap the gear icon to enter full settings. Scroll to "Time" and tap it.

You will see options to set the hour and minute. Tap the plus or minus buttons to adjust each value. Some models show a 12-hour clock with an AM/PM toggle; others use 24-hour time. Once you have set the correct time, tap the checkmark or back button to save. The change takes effect when ready.

Manual adjustment on the device is useful if you travel across time zones and want to set a specific time without waiting for your phone to sync, or if your phone's time is temporarily wrong and you need your Fitbit to show the correct local time.

Setting the time manually on button-based Fitbits

Fitbit Charge and Inspire models do not have touchscreens, so you cannot adjust the time directly on the device. Instead, open the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon, select your device, and scroll to "Time Zone" or "Date and Time." Tap the field and choose your time zone from the list, or manually enter the hour and minute if your model offers that option.

After you save the change, your Fitbit will sync with your phone and update the time on its screen. This usually happens within a few seconds, but if it does not, close the Fitbit app completely and open it again to force a fresh sync.

Button-based models rely entirely on the app for time changes because they lack the interface to adjust settings on the device itself. This is one reason why keeping the Fitbit app installed and occasionally opened is important — it is how your device receives updates and corrections.

Why your Fitbit time might be wrong

The most common cause is that your phone and Fitbit are not synced. This happens when the Fitbit app has not been opened in a while, or when your phone and Fitbit are too far apart to connect. Fitbit uses Bluetooth, which typically works within 30 feet, so if you leave your phone in another room for hours, your Fitbit will not receive time updates.

A second cause is that your phone's time is set incorrectly. If your phone is set to the wrong time zone or has the wrong time manually entered, your Fitbit will copy that error. Check your phone's clock first — if it is wrong, fix it there, then sync your Fitbit.

Daylight saving time changes can also cause a mismatch. When your region switches to or from daylight saving, your phone updates automatically, but your Fitbit updates only when it syncs with the app. If you have not opened the app since the change, your Fitbit may be an hour off. Opening the app and letting it sync fixes this.

Troubleshooting when the time still will not sync

If toggling automatic time zone off and on does not work, try closing the Fitbit app completely and opening it again. On most phones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top on older Android phones) to see your open apps, then swipe the Fitbit app away to close it. Wait a few seconds, then tap the app icon to reopen it.

If that does not work, restart your Fitbit. The method depends on your model — some have a restart option in the app settings, while others require you to hold the button on the device for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black. Check your device's manual or the Fitbit support website for the exact steps for your model.

As a last resort, unpair your Fitbit from the app and pair it again. This erases the connection between your phone and device and creates a fresh one. Open the Fitbit app, go to your device settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Unpair." Then follow the pairing steps as if you were setting up the device for the first time. Your data will not be lost — it is stored on Fitbit's servers — but this process can take 10 to 15 minutes.

Keeping your Fitbit time accurate while traveling

When you travel across time zones, your phone updates automatically if you have automatic time zone enabled in your phone's settings. Your Fitbit will update the next time it syncs with the app. If you want your Fitbit to show the correct local time when ready, open the Fitbit app and toggle automatic time zone off and on, or manually set the time zone in device settings.

Some people prefer to set their Fitbit to their home time zone and leave it there, especially if they travel frequently for short periods. You can do this by turning off automatic time zone in the Fitbit app and manually selecting your home time zone. Your Fitbit will then stay on that time regardless of where you are, though this means the time will be wrong when you are traveling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit time change on its own?

Your Fitbit syncs with your phone whenever the Fitbit app is open and your devices are connected. If your phone's time changes — such as when you cross a time zone or daylight saving time occurs — your Fitbit will update to match. This is automatic and normal. If the time keeps jumping around, check that your phone's time is set correctly.

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

Yes, if you turn off automatic time zone in the Fitbit app and manually set the time on your device. However, every time you open the Fitbit app, it may try to sync your phone's time to your Fitbit, so manual time setting works best if you rarely open the app or if you turn automatic sync off permanently.

Does my Fitbit need to be connected to Wi-Fi to update the time?

No. Your Fitbit uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone, not Wi-Fi. As long as your phone is nearby and the Fitbit app is open, your Fitbit can sync the time. Your phone needs internet access to know the correct time, but your Fitbit does not.

What if my Fitbit time is correct but my phone time is wrong?

Fix your phone's time first. Go to your phone's settings, find Date and Time, and make sure automatic time zone is on. Once your phone shows the correct time, open the Fitbit app and let it sync. Your Fitbit will then copy the correct time from your phone.

How often does my Fitbit sync the time?

Your Fitbit syncs whenever the Fitbit app is open and your phone and device are connected via Bluetooth. There is no set schedule — it happens on demand. If you open the app once a day, your Fitbit will check the time at least once a day. If you never open the app, your Fitbit will not sync and may drift out of sync over time.