How to Set the Time on a FitBit

Fitbit devices are designed for your health by keeping track of your fitness goals. Available in different models, the best option for you depends on your needs and budget.

Sometimes the simplest features can cause problems, and many owners of this little gadget report problems with setting the time, regardless of the model they choose. Probably one of the most annoying things about these devices is that you can't change the time directly on your Fitbit.

Suppose you traveled to a different time zone and your Fitbit didn't keep up. When this happens, you may need to put in extra effort to get back on track.

If you're wondering how to set the time on Fitbit, look no further. This article lists ways to set the time on your Fitbit, regardless of model.

Fitbit Surge: how to set the time

Before you do anything else, the first step is to sync your Fitbit with your smartphone. Once done, in theory, you shouldn't need to make any further changes because the location and timezone are already monitored.

However, there are times when your Fitbit won't be able to keep up. It may happen that while you are changing time zones, your phone is turned off and therefore cannot send the correct information to your device.

If you find that your device is out of sync, there are two ways you can fix this problem. The first is to re-sync your Fitbit with your smartphone (you can also use a tablet or computer). This might be the fastest way to set the time on your Fitbit. Here's how to resync your Fitbit Surge:

1. Turn on your Fitbit tracker.
   
2. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the pairing device you chose.
   
3. Open the Fitbit app (the app icon is a blue background with white dots).
   
4. Select your phone's Fitbit icon on the app.
5. A small menu should appear detailing the time your Fitbit was last synced.
6. Select the icon that looks like two arrows forming a circle to perform a manual sync.

The second way to change the time on your Fitbit is to do it manually. Depending on whether you are using a smartphone or a computer, these steps may vary. Here's how:

For smart phones:

1. Open the Fitbit app and click "Account" in the upper right corner.
   
2. Scroll down and tap "App Settings". If "Set automatically" is enabled, disable then re-enable the toggle before syncing.
   
3. If the previous step doesn't work, manually set your time zone by disabling automatic time zone tracking and choosing a city in your time zone.
4. Force sync with your tracker by heading to the main dashboard and swiping down.

For computers:

1. Log in to your Fitbit account on the website and click "Settings".
   
2. Scroll down and tap "Advanced Settings".
   
3. Go to “Personal Information” and select “Time Zone”.
   
4. Force sync with your Fitbit by simply clicking the "Fitbit Connect" icon and then "Sync Now".

Fitbit Ionic: how to set the time

Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa come with different clock faces, allowing customization of your watch. Although it may look great, incorrect time zone display can be a problem. Depending on the synchronization device you have chosen, here is how to fix this problem.

For iPhones and Android devices:

1. Open the Fitbit app and tap the "Today" tab, then "Profile Picture."
   
2. Go to "App Settings", then choose "Time Zone".
   
3. Disable the "Set automatically" option.
   
4. Tap on the “Time Zone” option (or “Select Time Zone” for Android users) and select your correct time zone.
   
5. Sync your Fitbit with your smartphone via Bluetooth.

From a Windows device:

1. Open the Fitbit app dashboard and tap the account icon, then tap "Advanced settings."
   
2. Tap "Time Zone".
   
3. Disable the “Auto” option and select your correct time zone.
4. Sync your Fitbit.

Fitbit Alta: How to set time

To change your time settings on your Fitbit Alta, just follow these steps:

From your iOS device:

1. Open your Fitbit app and tap "Account."
2. Under the “Settings” option, tap on “Advanced Settings”.
3. Look for the option to change your time zone.
4. Sync your device by returning to the "Account" tab and tapping your tracker's name.
5. Tap "Sync now".

From your Android:

1. Open your Fitbit app and tap the menu icon in the top left corner.
2. Go to "Account".
3. Tap “Settings”.
4. Find the option to change your time zone.
5. Sync your device by returning to the "Account" screen and tapping your tracker's name.
6. Tap "Sync now".

From your Windows PC:

1. Open your Fitbit dashboard and click on the "Account" tab.
2. Click on “Advanced Settings”.
3. Look for the option to change your time zone.
4. Sync with your device.

Fitbit Blaze: how to set the time

While you can't change the time and date directly from your wearable Fitbit, you can go through the app or use the website. Here's how:

On the app:

1. Open the Fitbit app on your device of choice.
2. Tap "Account".
3. Tap "Advanced Settings".
4. Next to where it says 'Automatic time zone', drag the slider to 'Off'.
5. Tap "Time Zone" (or "Select Time Zone" depending on your device) and choose your current time zone.
6. Sync your device.

On the website:

1. Open fitbit.com.
2. Select “Settings” then “Personal Information”. Your account should appear.
3. Scroll down until you see the "Time Zone" option and select the time zone you have chosen.
4. Synchronize your device to display the time zone you have chosen.

Fitbit Ace: how to set the time

To set the correct time on your Fitbit Ace, you can start by resetting your device. Next, you'll need to make sure that the device you're syncing your Fitbit to has the correct time and date. From there, follow these steps:

1. Open your Fitbit dashboard or Fitbit app, then tap the gear icon.
2. Go to “Settings” then “Personal information”.
3. Select "Advanced Settings" and search for "Clock Display Time".
4. Choose your preferred time format.
5. Click "Submit" and sync your device.

Fitbit Zip: how to set time

Again, you will need to sync your Fitbit Zip with your Fitbit account online. Whether you choose to do this via your smartphone or a computer, the steps are relatively simple.

1. Open fitbit.com or the Fitbit app and sign in to your account.
2. Select "Settings" in the upper right corner of the screen. Your “Personal Information” account should appear.
3. Scroll down until you see the "Time Zone" option.
4. Tap the drop-down menu below where it says "Time Zone" and select the time zone you've chosen.
5. Synchronize your device to display the time zone you have chosen.

Fitbit Flex: How do I set the time?

With its wristband-style design, the Fitbit Flex is a popular choice for fitness enthusiasts. This feature makes it particularly useful for sleep tracking. However, despite its sleek design, setting the correct time on your Fitbit Flex requires a few extra steps.

1. Depending on your chosen device, open the Fitbit app or go to fitbit.com on your browser.
2. Go to “Settings” then “Personal information”.
3. Go to "Advanced Settings" (or just scroll down if you're using a computer) and look for the "Time Zone" option.
4. Select the chosen time zone.
5. Sync your device.

Fitbit Charge 2: How to set the time

To see the correct time on your tracker, you need to do the following using your Fitbit app:

1. Open "Settings" in your Fitbit app and tap "Advanced Settings."
2. Tap on the “Account” tab.
3. Sync your tracker by tapping your tracker's name and selecting "Sync Now".

If the above steps fail to set the time, try this instead:

1. Sign out of your Fitbit app.
2. Force close the application.
3. Restart your tracker.
4. Disable Bluetooth on your device and on your tracker.
5. Turn off and turn on your device after 1-2 minutes.
6. Enable Bluetooth on your device and tracker and reconnect to your app.

Additional FAQs

How do I change the clock face on my Fitbit?

If you experience a "Clock Error" on your Fitbit Blaze, you may need to change your clock face. Follow these steps to make the change:

1. Open your Fitbit app on your device of choice and tap "Today".

2. Select your profile photo and then your device image.

3. Tap "Clock Faces", then "All Clocks".

4. Browse through the available clock faces and select the one you want to install.

5. Sync your device to see the change.

One last piece of information

Many people claim that their use of Fitbit has had a positive impact on their overall well-being. That's no surprise since they were made specifically to measure people's progress as they embark on a health and fitness journey.

This makes issues like time issues directly mess with your mojo. However, as long as you have access to a smartphone or computer, you should be able to fix the problem with relative ease.

We hope this article has helped make the process a little less time-consuming (if you'll excuse me for the pun).

Have you had any issues with setting the time on your Fitbit? Was it easy to solve? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.