Access the Time Settings Through the Fitbit App

The fastest way to change your Fitbit's time is through the Fitbit mobile app on your phone. Open the app, tap the profile icon (usually in the bottom right corner), select your device from the list, and look for "Clock" or "Time" in the device settings. The exact wording depends on which Fitbit model you own — some say "Time Zone," others say "Set Time" — but the option appears in the same general location for all current models.

Once you find the time setting, you can either set it manually by typing in the hour and minute, or let the app detect your phone's current time and sync automatically. Most people choose automatic sync because it updates whenever you travel across time zones. After you change the setting, your Fitbit will update within a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on your Bluetooth connection strength.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fitbit app on your phone is the primary way to change the time; open your profile, select your device, and find the Clock or Time Zone setting.
  • You can set the time manually by typing in the hours and minutes, or turn on automatic sync to match your phone's time.
  • Some older Fitbit models allow you to change the time directly on the device using the buttons, though this method is slower and less common.
  • After you make a change, wait a few minutes for your Fitbit to sync with your phone over Bluetooth before assuming the change did not work.

Manual Time Entry on Your Device

Older Fitbit models — particularly the Fitbit Charge 2, Fitbit Blaze, and some Fitbit Ionic versions — let you adjust the time directly on the device itself without opening the app. Press and hold the button on your device until you see a menu, then navigate to Settings using the side buttons. Look for a Clock, Time, or Time Zone option and use the buttons to increment the hours and minutes.

This method takes longer than using the app and is easy to mess up if you press the wrong button. Most current Fitbit models have removed this feature entirely, so check your device's manual first. If your model does not have on-device time settings, the app is your only option.

What Happens When Your Fitbit Time Is Wrong

An incorrect time on your Fitbit affects more than just the display. Your device uses the time to log when you exercised, slept, and moved throughout the day. If the time is off by several hours, your activity log will show workouts at the wrong time of day, and your sleep tracking may not record properly because the device will not recognize when you actually went to bed.

The Fitbit app syncs all this data to your account, so the wrong time can also throw off your weekly and monthly activity summaries. Correcting the time retroactively does not fix data that was already recorded with the wrong timestamp, so it is worth setting it right as soon as you notice the problem.

Syncing Issues and Bluetooth Connection

If you changed the time in the app but your Fitbit still shows the old time, the device and phone are not communicating properly over Bluetooth. First, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings and that your Fitbit is within 30 feet of your phone. Then close the Fitbit app completely and reopen it to force a fresh sync.

If that does not work, try removing your Fitbit from your phone's Bluetooth settings and re-pairing it. Go to your phone's Bluetooth menu, find your Fitbit device, select "Forget," then open the Fitbit app and follow the pairing steps again. This usually takes two to three minutes and resolves most sync problems. After re-pairing, the time should update within a minute.

Time Zone Changes When You Travel

When you cross into a new time zone, your Fitbit can update automatically if you have the automatic time sync turned on in the app. This happens because your phone detects the time zone change and sends the new time to your Fitbit over Bluetooth. You do not have to do anything — the device will adjust on its own, usually within an hour of your phone updating.

If automatic sync is off, you will need to manually change the time zone in the app before or after you travel. Changing it before you leave means your Fitbit will be correct as soon as you land. Changing it after means your activity log for the travel day will show the wrong times, but future activity will be recorded correctly.

Different Steps for Different Fitbit Models

Fitbit makes several product lines — Inspire, Charge, Sense, Versa, and Ace — and the steps to change the time vary slightly between them. The Fitbit Inspire and Charge lines have the simplest process: open the app, go to your profile, select your device, and tap Clock or Time Zone. The Fitbit Sense and Versa models follow the same path but may label the setting differently depending on the software version.

Fitbit Ace (designed for children) uses the same app process as other models, but the parent or guardian account holder must make the change. If you are unsure which model you own, look at the back of your device or check your Fitbit account online — your device name and model appear in your profile settings. Once you know the model, you can search the Fitbit support site for model-specific instructions if the general steps do not match what you see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit keep reverting to the wrong time?

This usually means automatic time sync is turned on, and your phone's time is incorrect. Check your phone's clock in the settings menu and correct it if needed. Your Fitbit will then sync to match. If your phone's time is correct but your Fitbit keeps changing, turn off automatic sync in the Fitbit app and set the time manually instead.

Can I change the time format from 12-hour to 24-hour?

Yes. In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and look for "Clock Format" or "Time Format." You can toggle between 12-hour (with AM/PM) and 24-hour (military time) display. This setting is separate from the actual time and does not affect how your activity is recorded.

What if the Fitbit app does not show a time or clock setting?

Some very old Fitbit models or devices running outdated software may not have this option in the app. Try updating your Fitbit device firmware by opening the app, going to your device settings, and looking for an "Update" or "Check for Updates" button. If no update is available and no time setting appears, your device may only allow time changes through the on-device buttons.

Does changing the time affect my step count or calorie burn data?

Changing the time does not recalculate your steps or calories — those numbers are based on your movement and heart rate, not the clock. However, the time stamp on when that activity occurred will change, so it may appear in a different part of your activity log or on a different day if you change the time by several hours.