The fastest way to fix your Fitbit's time

Your Fitbit syncs its time automatically from your phone when you open the Fitbit app, so the quickest fix is to open the app and let it update. If that does not work, you can change the time manually in the app settings — the exact steps depend on which Fitbit model you own and whether you use an iPhone or Android phone. Manual changes take about two minutes and do not require restarting your device.

Most of the time, automatic sync solves the problem without you doing anything else. You open the app, wait for the spinning sync icon at the top to finish, and your Fitbit displays the correct time within seconds. If your Fitbit still shows the wrong time after syncing, the issue is usually that your phone's time is incorrect — fix your phone's clock first, then sync the app again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Fitbit app on your phone and wait for the sync icon to finish spinning — this automatically pulls the correct time from your phone to your Fitbit.
  • If automatic sync does not work, go to your device settings in the Fitbit app and toggle off "Set automatically" to change the time manually.
  • Manual time changes appear on your Fitbit within seconds, and you do not need to restart or re-pair your device.
  • If your Fitbit still shows the wrong time after manual changes, check that your phone's time is correct and restart the Fitbit app before trying again.

Automatic time sync through the Fitbit app

The Fitbit app pulls the time from your phone every time you open it and sync your device. This is the method that works for most people and requires no manual steps. Open the Fitbit app, wait for the sync to finish (you will see a spinning icon at the top of the screen), and your Fitbit should display the correct time within a few seconds.

If your Fitbit is still showing the wrong time after syncing, the problem is usually that your phone's time is incorrect. Check your phone's clock in the status bar at the top of the screen. If your phone time is wrong, fix that first — go to Settings on your phone, find Date and Time, and make sure "Set automatically" is turned on. Then open the Fitbit app again and sync.

Manual time changes on iPhone

Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap your device name. Scroll down again and tap "Time Zone" or "Set Time" depending on your Fitbit model. Toggle off "Set automatically" if it is on. You will now see fields where you can enter the hour and minute manually. Tap the hour field, use the plus and minus buttons to set the correct hour, then do the same for the minutes. Tap the back arrow or "Done" to save.

The time change appears on your Fitbit screen within seconds. You do not need to restart the app or your Fitbit. If you want the app to sync the time automatically again in the future, go back to the same screen and toggle "Set automatically" back on.

Manual time changes on Android

Open the Fitbit app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap your device name. Scroll down and tap "Time Zone" or "Set Time." Toggle off "Set automatically." You will see input fields for the hour and minute. Tap each field and type the correct numbers, or use the plus and minus buttons if they appear. Tap "Save" or the back arrow to confirm the change.

The new time displays on your Fitbit within seconds. Like on iPhone, you can turn "Set automatically" back on later if you want the app to handle time updates on its own.

Why your Fitbit time might be wrong

Fitbits lose their time setting when the battery drains completely, when you unpair and re-pair the device, or when you travel across time zones and the automatic sync does not catch up. If you travel frequently, you can leave "Set automatically" on and the app will update your Fitbit's time whenever you open it in a new location. If you turn off automatic sync for any reason, you will need to manually update the time yourself when you travel.

Occasionally the Fitbit app fails to sync even though it is open. This usually happens if the app has not been updated in a while or if your phone and Fitbit are not connected. Close the Fitbit app completely (swipe it away from your recent apps), wait 10 seconds, and open it again. Let it sync fully before checking your Fitbit's screen.

Restarting your Fitbit if time changes do not stick

If you change the time manually but it reverts to the wrong time after a few minutes, restart your Fitbit. The restart process differs by model: for most Fitbits, hold the button on the side or back of the device for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen. For Fitbit Sense and Sense 2, swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Settings, scroll to About, and tap "Restart." For Fitbit Inspire and Inspire 2, hold the button for 10 seconds.

After the restart, open the Fitbit app and sync again. The time should now stay correct. If it still does not, check that your phone's time is set to automatic and that you have the latest version of the Fitbit app installed from your phone's app store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Fitbit automatically change time when I travel?

Yes, if you have "Set automatically" turned on in the app. When you open the Fitbit app in a new time zone, it syncs your phone's time to your Fitbit. If you turn off automatic sync, you will need to manually change the time yourself.

Will changing the time affect my activity data or step count?

No. Changing the time does not erase or alter your recorded steps, heart rate, or other activity data. Your Fitbit stores all data with timestamps, so the historical information stays the same even if you adjust the current time.

What if the time keeps changing back to the wrong time?

Restart your Fitbit using the method for your model, then open the Fitbit app and sync. If it still reverts, check that your phone's time is set to automatic. You can also try unpairing your Fitbit from the app (go to your device settings and tap "Unpair"), then re-pairing it by opening the app and following the setup steps.

Can I change the time without using the Fitbit app?

No. You cannot change the time directly on the Fitbit device itself. All time adjustments must be made through the Fitbit app on your phone. Some Fitbit models have a time display on the screen, but they do not have buttons to edit it.