Fitbit didn’t update the time, time zone, or it’s wrong? How to set the time on your Fitbit

Distance on Fitbit Clock Face as default

When you travel between time zones or when daylight saving or standard time arrives, your Fitbit is supposed to adjust your device’s time automatically. But that often does not happen.

So, if you changed time zones or the time sprung forward/fell back and the time on your device is incorrect, follow the steps below to fix it!

In a hurry?Updated in a hurry

If time is short and you don’t need a thorough step-by-step, follow these quick instructions to get the right time on your Fitbit!

  • Verify that your paired phone is showing the correct time zone. If not, update the time zone settings on your phone first, then sync your Fitbit using the Fitbit app.
  • Force a sync between your Fitbit and the Fitbit app using the Sync Now option.
  • Restart your Fitbit and your phone.
  • Verify that the Fitbit app refreshes its data in the background.
  • Manually change your time zone or toggle Set Automatically off and on.
  • Use the 24-hour clock (military time) instead of the 12-hour clock or vice-versa.

Related reading

How do you set or change the time on your Fitbit?

First, check that the phone you use with your Fitbit shows the correct time. The Fitbit app pulls data from your phone, so if it’s wrong, your Fitbit is also wrong.

  • For iPhones, open Settings > General > Date & Time. Toggle Set Automatically on or off and on. set date and time automatically on iPhone
  • For Android, go to Settings > System > Date and time. Toggle on (or off and on), Set time automatically, Set time zone automatically, and Use location to set time zone. time settings on Android

Then, plug your Fitbit into its charger and allow it to automatically sync to the Fitbit app on your mobile device. Fitbit syncing in Fitbit app Connected to Fitbit

Some folks found that simply charging their Fitbit also worked!

If needed, force a sync using the Sync Now feature

  1. In the Fitbit app, tap the Devices icon at the top left. Fitbit app top settings, messages, and devices
  2. Under Connected to Fitbit, tap your Fitbit. Fitbit app list of connected to Fitbit devices
  3. Scroll down the devices menu and tap Sync Now. Sync Now in the Fitbit app

Syncing your Fitbit almost always solves problems with the displayed time on your Fitbit. If you can’t get your Fibit to sync at all with the app, see this article.

However, if syncing automatically or manually didn’t update your device to the correct time, let’s do some manual steps.

Verify you allow the Fitbit app to background app refresh Allow Fitbit app to run in the background on Apple iPhone and iPad

Since your Fitbit pulls data from the Fitbit app, you want to make sure that the Fitbit app continues to refresh data, even if it’s not active and open on your phone.

  • For iPhone, open Settings > Fitbit app and toggle on Background App Refresh.
  • For Android, open Settings > Apps > Fitbit > Mobile data & Wi-Fi and toggle on Background Data and Unrestricted data usage.

Restart your device

Another tried and true method to get your Fitbit device to show the correct time is to restart it or shut down and then power it back on.

For most Fitbit smartwatches like the Versa Series or Sense and others, restart by going to Settings > About > Shutdown > Yes, then wait 20-30 seconds before you power back on.

For most Fitbit trackers, such as the Inspire or Charge Series, go to Settings > Restart Device > Restart, Settings > Reboot, or Settings > About > Reboot.

Change the time zone setting manually in the Fitbit app

If you’re traveling through many different time zones in a short time, try turning off the automatic time zone option and entering the current time zone manually.

After setting it manually, sync your Fitbit with the app. Then, try turning on the automatic time zone feature again, and hopefully, it should now work and update when a timezone changes.

  1. Open the Fitbit app and tap the Settings Gear icon at the top right. If you use a Google account, tap your profile picture > Fitbit Settings.Fitbit app top settings, messages, and devices
  2. Under Settings, choose App Settings. Settings in Google redesigned Fitbit app
  3. Under App Settings, select Time Zone. Fitbit app App Settings menu
  4. Under Time Zone, turn off Set Automatically. Tap the current city or region listed in Time Zone.Toggle off Set time zone automatically in Fitbit app
  5. Choose a city or region from the list for the correct time zone for your current location. Manually change time zone in Fitbit app
  6. Sync your Fitbit. If needed, manually force a sync, go to the Today tab and press and hold on the screen, then pull down. You see a sync progress bar at the top. Fitbit app sync from the Today tab
    1. You can also tap the Devices icon at the top left on any tab and choose your Fitbit from the list under Connected to Fitbit. Then, scroll down and choose to Sync Now.
  7. Now, try toggling Set Automatically back on. Tap OK on the warning. Set time zone automatically on Fitbit app
  8. Sync your Fitbit again with the app and see if your Fitbit updates.

You can also update your Fitbit’s time zone settings using your online Fitbit account’s dashboard.

How to manually change the time on your Fitbit without your phone

Use your Fitbit online account’s dashboard to change the time zone setting manually

  1. Log into your Fitbit account and tap the Settings icon (gear.)
  2. Select Settings.fitbit account settings under the website settings gear
  3. In the sidebar, choose Personal Info.Fitbit online account sidebar for personal info
  4. Scroll to the section called Advanced Settings.
  5. Tap Time Zone.manually change timezone settings online using Fitbit account dashboard
  6. Choose the time zone for your current location.choose new time zone using Fitbit's account website
  7. Tap Submit and sync your Fitbit.

Fitbit didn’t automatically update to daylight savings or standard time? Or not updating with recent firmware updates?

If your Fitbit didn’t update after the time adjusted for daylight savings or standard time or after a firmware update, try charging your Fitbit all the way up to 100%. 

Then, toggle the automatic timezone settings off and on.Fitbit charging

Toggle the automatic timezone setting off and on

  1. Open the Fitbit app and tap the Settings Gear or your account profile picture > Fitbit settings.
  2. Select App Settings > Time Zone.
  3. Turn off Set Automatically. Fitbit app turn off set automatically for time zone
  4. Wait 30 seconds.
  5. Turn Set Automatically back on. Select OK at the warning. Set time zone automatically on Fitbit app
  6. Force sync your Fitbit again via the Today tab and pressing and holding on the screen and pulling down or using the Sync Now option in your Fitbit device’s settings. Fitbit app refresh a sync with device via Today tab

Change your Fitbit from a 12-hour clock to a 24-hour clock or vice-versa

Many people, especially those currently in or previously in the military, prefer using a 24-hour clock. It’s often referred to as “military time.”

The good news is that you can indeed have your Fitbit show a 24-hour clock, OR if it’s set to 24-hour and you prefer a 12-hour clock, you can change that too!

Depending on your Fitbit model, you may be able to make this change in the Fitbit app. 

  1. In the Fitbit app, tap the Settings Gear icon or your profile picture > Fitbit Settings.
  2. Select Clock Display Time. Fitbit app App Settings menu
  3. Choose your preferred clock display of either 24 hour or 12 hour. Clock Display Time settings Fitbit app
  4. Sync your Fitbit to the app.

For all Fitbits, you can change this setting from your Fitbit account’s web dashboard.

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A. Beth Whittenberger
I started my love affair with computers way back in elementary school with the Apple II. Since then, I've worked with technology in my career as a media educator and videomaker. I have an MFA in media making from Temple University, where I also taught undergrads as an adjunct faculty member. Additionally, I was a writer, content producer, and editor on the popular tech blog AppleToolBox. So I know a thing or two about teaching others and creating how-to guides! After a cancer diagnosis, I turned to mobile technology like my Apple Watch to help me monitor my health throughout my chemotherapy treatment and later, to regain my wellness once in remission. I love sharing how to understand and use mobile tech, like smartwatches and phones, as a tool for empowerment to live our best and healthiest lives! Connect with me on LinkedIn!

6 COMMENTS

  1. Hi, I found my watch not updating with recent firmware updates.

    I found toggling the App’s Settings, Time Zone on/off, then forcing a Sync to do the job. Thanks for your article.

    • Hi Patsie,

      Try to open your Fitbit account using a browser, instead of the Fitbit app. Go to this site and log in with your Fitbit account user id and password.

      In the profile section, scroll down to the timezone category and update it to a different time zone, then press submit. Once changed, go back and change it to your timezone, then press submit again.

      After doing that, open the Fitbit app and sync with your Inspire. See if the time is now correct (fingers crossed.)

  2. Time syncing sleep syncing both not easy like my previous Blaze model
    Is there an patch or do I constantly have to manually reset every thing over and over

  3. Fitbit used to be the gold standard of activity trackers:extremely intuitive and just very thought through.
    Recent products/ software is just half-baked as if they hired a whole bunch of young and dynamic gamers that like toys and gadgets.
    Simple functionality like syncing the time with your phone suddenly is often not working. For a device where time and timing is a CORE functionality, this is just mind-boggling.

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