Recommended Free Tools
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
To reset the time on most Fitbit devices, synchronize it with the Google Health app. Fitbit generally does not provide a universal manual clock-setting control on the device itself. A factory reset is usually unnecessary: the normal fix is to correct the app’s time-zone setting and sync again.
The one-minute fix
- Keep your Fitbit close to your phone and make sure Bluetooth is enabled.
- Open the Google Health app.
- Open the Today tab, touch and hold the screen, then pull down to manually sync.
- Wait for synchronization to finish and check the Fitbit’s clock.
This refreshes the time using the connected phone and app. It is the best first step after traveling, a daylight-saving-time change, replacing your phone, or allowing the Fitbit battery to run completely flat. See Google’s official time and time-zone instructions.
If the Fitbit still shows the wrong time
Set the time zone manually, then sync once more:
- In Google Health, tap your profile picture or initial.
- Tap Google Health settings.
- Under App Settings, tap Date, time & units.
- Tap Time Zone.
- Turn off Set Automatically.
- Select the correct time zone.
- Return to Today and manually sync the Fitbit.
Some users still see legacy Fitbit wording. The equivalent path may appear as Today → profile picture or settings icon → App Settings → Automatic time zone. Turn automatic detection off, choose Select time zone, select the correct zone, and sync. Follow the labels shown in your app rather than assuming every account has the same interface.
If the clock remains wrong after that, Google recommends logging out of the app, logging back in, and repeating the sync.
#1 Best Overall
- Replacement for the Following Battery Model/Part Numbers: LSS282024P.
- Intended for/Compatible with the Following Smartwatch Models: Fitbit Versa 4, FB523, FB523BKBK, FB523SRAG, FB523RGRW.
- 3.87V 160mAh 0.62Wh Lithium-Polymer Rechargeable Battery Pack.
- Includes Free Installation Tools.
- 1 Year Replacement Warranty. MPF Products is a Registered Trademark.
What the size of the error usually means
One hour wrong
A one-hour offset is most likely related to the selected time zone or daylight-saving-time handling, especially after a seasonal clock change. It is not proof that daylight saving time is the cause. Check that the phone itself displays the correct local time, verify the app’s time zone, disable automatic detection if it appears stuck, and sync again.
Several hours wrong
A larger offset usually indicates that the phone or app is using the wrong time zone, or that the Fitbit has not received a recent synchronization. Correct the phone’s time first, select the right zone in Google Health, and sync. An incorrect zone can also make the timing of daily activity or sleep appear to fall in the wrong day cycle; community reports describe this consequence, but it is not a guaranteed result for every device.
Fixes for common situations
After travel
Once you arrive, let the phone update to the destination’s local date and time. Open Google Health and sync while the Fitbit is nearby. If the clock does not update, manually select the destination time zone under Date, time & units → Time Zone, then sync again. If you used a manual zone before traveling, remember that you may need to change it again when you return.
Rank #2
- Intended for/Compatible with the Following Fitbit Wristband Watch Models: Fitbit Alta, FB406, FB406BUS, FB406BUS, FB406BKS, FB406BKL, FB406GBKS, FB406GBKL, FB406PMS, FB406PML, FB406TES, FB406TEL (PLEASE NOTE: THIS BATTERY IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE FITBIT ALTA HR - FB408).
- 3.7V 36mAh 0.13Wh Lithium-Polymer Rechargeable Battery Pack.
After a daylight-saving-time change
Sync first. If the Fitbit remains an hour ahead or behind, check the app’s time-zone setting and manually select the correct zone before syncing again. The seasonal clock change is a common context for an incorrect Fitbit time, but an incorrect zone or failed sync can produce the same symptom.
After the battery died
Charge the Fitbit, restart it if needed, open Google Health, and perform a manual sync. If the displayed time is still wrong, check the time zone and sync again. User reports describe persistent offsets after a battery reaches zero, but that does not establish a device-wide fault.
The time is right but the format is wrong
If the clock shows 13:00 instead of 1:00 PM, the problem is the display format rather than the time zone:
Rank #3
- Replacement for the Following Battery Model/Part Numbers: LSS271120P.
- Intended for/Compatible with the Following Smartwatch Models: Fitbit Luxe, FB422, FB422BKBK, FB422GLPK, FB422GLWT, FB422SRMG.
- 3.87V 50mAh 0.25Wh Lithium-Polymer Rechargeable Battery Pack.
- Includes Free Installation Tools.
- 1 Year Replacement Warranty. MPF Products is a Registered Trademark.
- Open Google Health and go to Today.
- Tap your profile picture or initial.
- Open Google Health settings.
- Under App Settings, tap Date, time & units.
- Use the arrows beside Clock Display Time to choose 12 hour or 24 hour.
- Sync the Fitbit.
This changes only how the time is displayed. It does not correct a wrong time zone or an offset clock.
What to do when Fitbit will not sync
If the new time cannot reach the device, work through this order:
- Place the Fitbit close to the phone.
- Confirm Bluetooth is switched on.
- Open the Today tab and pull down to retry synchronization.
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait about 10 seconds, and turn it back on.
- Reopen Google Health and try again.
- Restart the Fitbit.
- Log out of Google Health, log back in, and repeat the sync.
On Android, check the app’s required permissions. Google notes that on Android 11 and earlier, location services may be required for device discovery because Bluetooth scanning is bundled with location services on those versions. Battery Saver can also interfere with the connection. These requirements are not a universal statement that location must always be enabled on every Android version or phone.
Rank #4
- Replacement for the Following Battery Model/Part Numbers: LSS271617.
- 100% Compatible with original battery.
- Battery Voltage:3.87V Battery Capacity:65mAh，
- Compatible for Fitbit Charge 5 Fitness Smartwatch FB421 FB421BKBK, FB421SRBU, FB421GLWT
- Warranty :Rest assured with 60 days Refund and 12 months Warranty;24 x 7 email support.
For broader connection guidance, consult Google’s Android Fitbit syncing and Bluetooth troubleshooting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to restart a Fitbit
Restarting is different from resetting the device to factory settings. Google documents restarting as a troubleshooting step for synchronization and display problems and says it does not erase activity data. The procedure varies by model:
| Model or family | Restart method |
|---|---|
| Charge 5 / Charge 6 | Swipe down from the clock screen → Settings → Restart Device → Restart. If unresponsive, connect the charger and press its button three times, with one-second pauses. |
| Inspire 3 | Swipe down → Settings → Restart Device → Restart. If unresponsive, connect the charger and hold the tracker buttons for 10 seconds. |
| Inspire 2 | Open Settings → Reboot Device. If unresponsive, connect the charger and hold the buttons for 10 seconds. |
| Versa Lite / Versa 2 / Versa 3 / Versa 4 | Hold the button for 10 seconds until the Fitbit logo appears. |
| Sense / Sense 2 | Hold the button for 10 seconds until the Fitbit logo appears. |
| Older Inspire / Inspire HR | Connect the charging cable and hold the button or buttons for 5 seconds. Release when the tracker vibrates and shows the smile icon. |
For other models, use Google’s model-specific restart instructions. Do not insert a pin, paper clip, or other object into a small hole on the Fitbit: some holes are sensors, not reset controls.
Do you need a factory reset?
No—not for an ordinary wrong-time problem. A factory reset is disproportionate when the likely cause is a stale sync or incorrect time zone. Try the app, manual time-zone selection, Bluetooth troubleshooting, app relogin, and a model-specific restart first. Treat a factory reset as a last-resort action only if official support directs you to use it, because it can create unnecessary setup and synchronization complications.
When to contact support
Contact official Google/Fitbit support if the Fitbit still cannot sync after the troubleshooting sequence, remains frozen after the correct restart procedure, repeatedly reverts to the wrong time despite a correct app time zone, or continues assigning sleep and activity to materially incorrect dates after a successful synchronization.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
