The fastest way to change your Fitbit's time
The time on your Fitbit updates automatically if your phone is connected and has the correct time set. If your Fitbit shows the wrong time, the quickest 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 usually corrects the time within 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 use an iPhone or Android phone, 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 Bluetooth is on, so checking your phone's time first saves troubleshooting steps.
- Toggling the automatic time zone setting off and back on in the Fitbit app fixes most time problems without manual entry.
- Manual time adjustment is available in device settings within the Fitbit app and takes effect immediately after you save.
- Time zone changes happen automatically when you travel if automatic time zone is turned on, but you can override this by turning the setting off.
How to fix the time using automatic sync on iPhone
Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap your device name to open device settings. Look for "Time Zone" or "Automatic Time Zone" and toggle it off, wait three seconds, then toggle it back on.
After you toggle it back on, keep the app open for 10 to 15 seconds while your phone and Fitbit communicate. You should see a brief sync notification at the top of the screen. Once the sync completes, check your Fitbit's display — the time should now match your phone.
If the time still does not match after syncing, your phone's time itself may be wrong. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time on your iPhone and make sure "Set Automatically" is turned on. This ensures your phone pulls the correct time from your carrier.
How to fix the time using automatic sync on Android
Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right. Select your device name, then scroll to find "Time Zone" or "Automatic Time Zone" settings. Toggle the setting off, wait a few seconds, and toggle it back on.
Leave the app open while the sync happens — you may see a notification that your device is syncing. The time on your Fitbit should update to match your phone within 15 seconds. If it does not, check your Android phone's time by going to Settings > System > Date & Time and confirming "Use network-provided time" is enabled.
Setting the time manually if automatic sync fails
If toggling automatic time zone does not work, you can enter the time by hand. Open the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and look for a "Time" setting separate from "Time Zone." Tap it and use the plus and minus buttons to set the hours and minutes to match your current time.
Manual time entry is useful if you are in a location where your phone cannot detect the time zone automatically, or if you want to keep your Fitbit on a different time than your phone. Once you save the manual time, it stays fixed unless you change it again — it will not update automatically when you travel.
What to do if your Fitbit time keeps changing
If your Fitbit time changes on its own every time you sync, automatic time zone is likely turned on. This is the normal behavior — your Fitbit is designed to update its time whenever it connects to your phone. If you do not want this to happen, turn off automatic time zone in device settings and set the time manually instead.
Another reason the time might shift is if your phone's time is wrong. Your Fitbit syncs from your phone, so if your phone is set to the wrong time zone or has an incorrect time, your Fitbit will copy that error. Check your phone's date and time settings first before adjusting your Fitbit.
Changing time zone when you travel
If automatic time zone is on, your Fitbit updates to the local time zone as soon as your phone does — usually within a few minutes of landing and turning on Bluetooth. You do not need to do anything. Your Fitbit will show the correct local time for wherever you are.
If you want to keep your Fitbit on your home time zone while traveling, turn off automatic time zone before you leave. Then manually set the time to your home time zone and leave it there. Your Fitbit will not change when you travel, even though your phone will.
Troubleshooting when the time still will not sync
If the time remains wrong after trying automatic sync and manual entry, restart both your phone and your Fitbit. On your Fitbit, hold the button on the side or bottom for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear, then release. On your phone, power it off completely and turn it back on.
Once both devices have restarted, open the Fitbit app and let it sync for 30 seconds. If the time is still incorrect, check that Bluetooth is on and that your phone's time is correct. You can also try removing your device from the Fitbit app entirely and re-adding it — this forces a fresh connection and often resolves sync problems that persist after a simple restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit show a different time than my phone?
Your Fitbit syncs time from your phone, so if they show different times, either your phone's time is wrong, automatic time zone is off and your Fitbit is set to a different time zone, or the sync has not completed yet. Open the Fitbit app and let it stay open for 15 seconds to force a sync. If the times still differ after that, check your phone's date and time settings.
Does changing the time on my Fitbit affect my activity history?
Changing the time zone does not erase or move your activity data. Steps and heart rate recorded at a specific moment stay attached to that moment, even if you change the time zone afterward. However, the time labels on your activity history will shift to match the new time zone you set.
Can I set my Fitbit to a time zone that does not exist where I am?
Yes. If you turn off automatic time zone and set the time manually, you can set your Fitbit to any time you want, regardless of where you are. This is useful if you work across multiple time zones or want to keep your device on a specific schedule separate from your phone.
What happens to my Fitbit's time if I do not sync for a week?
Your Fitbit has an internal clock that keeps running even when it is not connected to your phone. Over time, this clock can drift slightly — usually by a few minutes per week. The next time you sync, the time corrects automatically. If you notice your Fitbit is consistently off by several minutes, sync it more frequently or check that automatic time zone is enabled.
Do I need to change the time manually if I travel across time zones?
No, not if automatic time zone is on. Your Fitbit updates automatically when your phone does. If you turn off automatic time zone, you will need to manually update the time when you travel, or your Fitbit will stay on your home time zone.