Fitbit devices have become a staple for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals alike. They offer a range of features, from tracking your daily steps to monitoring your sleep patterns. Nowadays, it's rare to go to a gym or a running club and not see at least someone sporting one of these useful smartwatches.
However, to ensure the accuracy of these features, your Fitbit device must display the correct time. Also, it's obvious that seeing the proper time on your watch can save your schedule. This is where some users encounter difficulties, especially when traveling across different time zones or adjusting for daylight saving time.
Whether you're a beginner just starting with your new fitness tracker or an experienced user facing time-related issues, this guide is for you. We'll walk you through the process of changing the time on your Fitbit device. We'll also go over how IFTTT, our free automation software, helps thousands worldwide streamline their fitness journeys.
How does Fitbit time synchronization work?
Fitbit devices rely on synchronization with a connected mobile device or computer to keep their time settings accurate. This synchronization process ensures that your Fitbit's time is a reflection of the time on your smartphone or computer.
When you first set up your Fitbit device, you pair it with your smartphone or computer via the Fitbit app. This pairing allows the Fitbit to sync with the time and date settings on the connected device. The Fitbit app acts as a bridge, transmitting data between your Fitbit and the device it's paired with.
Fitbit devices then typically sync automatically at regular intervals, updating various data points, including time. This means every time you open the Fitbit app or manually initiate a sync, your Fitbit’s time is updated to match your smartphone or computer.
If the time zone on your smartphone or computer is incorrect, your Fitbit will reflect the wrong time. Make sure your paired device is set to the correct time zone. During daylight saving time transitions, your Fitbit should automatically adjust to the new time if it doesn’t, check the time settings on your paired device and initiate a manual sync.
Connectivity problems between your Fitbit and the paired device can also prevent proper time synchronization. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled and that your Fitbit is within range of your smartphone or computer. Restarting both your Fitbit device and the paired device can resolve most sync issues.
Step-by-step guide: changing time via the Fitbit app
Changing the time on your Fitbit device is a straightforward process. It involves syncing your device with the Fitbit app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. Before you get started, ensure that your Fitbit device is connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Also, check that your smartphone's time is set correctly because your Fitbit device will mirror the time settings of your smartphone.
Automatically adjusting your Fitbit time
To sync your Fitbit device with the Fitbit app, open the app on your smartphone. You should see your device listed on the dashboard. If not, tap on the account icon and select your device from the list.
Next, pull down on the screen to initiate the syncing process. You should see a spinning icon at the top of the screen, indicating that the sync is in progress. Once the sync is complete, the time on your Fitbit device should match the time on your smartphone.
Manually adjusting Fitbit time in the app
In some cases, you may need to manually adjust the time or time zone on your Fitbit device. To do this, tap on the account icon in the Fitbit app and select your device. Then, tap on 'Advanced Settings'.
Here, you will find options to adjust the time zone and the time format (12-hour or 24-hour). You can also enable or disable the automatic time zone feature. This feature automatically updates the time zone based on your smartphone's location. Remember to sync your Fitbit device with the app after making these changes. This will ensure that the new time settings are reflected on your device.
Can you adjust Fitbit time settings on the web?
The Fitbit Dashboard was one such platform where you can adjust the time settings on a web browser. However, as of July 2024, the Dashboard has been discontinued due to losing popularity with users.
So if you wish to change the time on your device, as well as make any other direct changes, you'll have to do it through the mobile app.
Fitbit time change for frequent travelers
Traveling across different time zones can affect the time displayed on your Fitbit device. Some might wonder how to change the time zone on a Fitbit, but in reality, it changes automatically and isn't usually an issue. This is because your device syncs with the time zone of your connected smartphone or computer.
To ensure accurate time while traveling, enable the 'Automatic Time Zone' setting in the Fitbit app. This allows your Fitbit device to automatically adjust to the time zone of your current location. If you frequently travel between two time zones, consider setting a secondary time zone on your Fitbit device. This feature is available on certain Fitbit models and can be accessed through the Fitbit app.
Better Fitbit with IFTTT
As great as Fitbit is, what if we told you that IFTTT could help unlock functionality you never even knew existed, at no additional charge? IFTTT is our free web-based service and mobile app designed to boost productivity by automating tasks. It works by creating connections between over 1000 popular apps and services, allowing them to work together seamlessly.
The basic idea behind IFTTT is to create "applets" or sets of instructions that trigger when certain conditions are met. This can be turning on the lights automatically when you enter your house, for example. It could be syncing your IOS health data to Fitbit, or generating custom-made spreadsheets with your heart rate data. Serious athletes know the value of IFTTT.
Founded in 2011, IFTTT has been used by over 25 million individuals to automate business, home, and lifestyle tasks, saving time and increasing efficiency. It's commonly used to connect disparate services and systems, making all products and services work well together in a way that instills user confidence. Best of all, it's free and only takes a couple of minutes to set up.
Join IFTTT today for free and see for yourself why we are the most trusted automation platform by professionals and amateurs worldwide.
Top Fitbit Applets with IFTTT
Track your daily Fitbit activity in a Google spreadsheet
One of the most popular Applets. Automatically track all of your daily Fitbit activity into a simple Google spreadsheet.
With this automation, Fitbit will now be able to submit your data to iOS Health.
Log your Fitbit weight to Strava
When your Fitbit weight is updated, it'll automatically sync with Strava
To enable these Applets and millions more (yes, millions), try IFTTT today for free.
Wellness
How to change time on Fitbit devices
September 20, 2024
