To set the time on your Fitbit Sense, you must sync the watch with the Fitbit smartphone app; the time cannot be set directly on the watch itself. Open the Fitbit app on your iPhone or Android, then go to Today > your profile picture > Fitbit settings > App Settings.
How to set time on Fitbit Sense
The Fitbit Sense does not have a manual time-setting option on the touchscreen. Instead, the watch automatically pulls the time from your paired phone during a sync. If the time is incorrect, follow these steps to force a correct sync:
- Open the Fitbit app on your smartphone.
- Tap the Today tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap your profile picture in the upper-left corner.
- Tap Fitbit settings (or App Settings depending on your app version).
- Turn off Automatic time zone.
- Tap Select time zone and choose the correct time zone for your current location.
- Sync your Fitbit Sense by pulling down on the app’s dashboard screen or tapping the sync icon.
Once the sync completes, the time on your Sense will match the time zone you selected. This is the only verified method to correct the time on the device.
You can also adjust the time zone directly on the Fitbit Sense touchscreen. Swipe down from the clock face, tap the gear icon, navigate to Clock Faces, tap Set Time Zone, then scroll and select your time zone.
How to switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time
You can change the time format on your Fitbit Sense from the same menu. In the Fitbit app, go to Today > profile picture > Fitbit settings > App Settings. Look for the Clock display or Time format option and toggle between 12-hour and 24-hour format. After making the selection, sync your watch to apply the change. If you want to change your phone time to military time to match, that setting is controlled on your phone separately; the Fitbit app only controls the watch’s display format.
To change the time format directly via the clock face settings, open the Fitbit app, tap your profile picture, tap your Sense device, tap Clock Faces, select your current clock face, tap the settings icon, and look for the Time Display option.
Troubleshooting: time still wrong after syncing
If the time on your Fitbit Sense remains incorrect after following the steps above, the most reliable fix is to log out of the Fitbit app and log back in before syncing again. This refreshes the connection between the app and your watch. To do this:
- Open the Fitbit app and go to Today > your profile picture.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Log Out.
- Close the app completely.
- Reopen the app and log in with your Fitbit account credentials.
- Sync your Fitbit Sense.
If logging out does not resolve the issue, check the following general sync troubleshooting tips:
- Restart: Restart both your Fitbit Sense and your smartphone. To restart the Sense, press and hold the button on the left side until the Fitbit logo appears.
- Updates: Make sure both the Fitbit app and the Sense’s firmware are up to date. Check for app updates in your phone’s app store, and for device updates in the app under your device settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the time on a Fitbit without the app?
No. There is no way to set or adjust the time directly on the Fitbit Sense touchscreen. The time is always set through the Fitbit app on your smartphone. This means you cannot change the time on a Fitbit without the app; the watch relies entirely on the app for timekeeping.
Can I manually adjust the time on my Fitbit Sense?
No, you cannot manually adjust the time on your Fitbit Sense. The time syncs automatically with your paired smartphone.
Why is the time on my Fitbit Sense not syncing?
If the time does not sync after following the steps above, the most common cause is a stale app session. Logging out of the Fitbit app and logging back in, then syncing again, usually forces the time to update. Also confirm that your phone’s own time and date are set correctly, as the Sense pulls from your phone’s time zone data.
Can I set multiple alarms on my Fitbit Sense?
Yes. In the Fitbit app, go to your device settings and tap Alarms. Tap Add Alarm to set the time, days, and snooze duration. You can create as many alarms as you need, and they will sync to your Sense.
Does changing the time zone on my phone automatically update my Fitbit Sense?
Only if the Automatic time zone setting is enabled in the Fitbit app. When this setting is on, the Sense will update its time based on your phone’s detected location. If you turn off automatic time zone, you must manually select the correct time zone in the app and sync.
What should I do if my Fitbit Sense shows the wrong time after traveling?
After traveling to a new time zone, open the Fitbit app, go to Fitbit settings > App Settings, and turn off Automatic time zone. Then manually select the correct time zone for your new location and sync the watch. If you prefer automatic updates, turn the automatic setting back on after your phone has updated to the local time.
