Can I set a custom time on Charge 5?

[ChKr]

I need to set my watch 10 minutes faster than my phone's network time. This is the time my cell phone shows (the slightly faster time which I set manually in my phone's settings) but the Fitbit Charge 5 won't sync to the time my phone shows, it will only go to the network time.

I can't imagine it's not possible to set your watch to any time you choose! (Again, not talking about time zone, I'm talking about the actual time).

Any help appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Odyssey13]

Hi @ChKr  the Fitbit gets time from the device that it uses to sync. I have an Android phone and can't manually set the time, but it uses the network time. Which operating system are you using? 

[ChKr]

Thanks for your reply! I'm using Android 13. The Fitbit Charge 5 is using the network time from my phone - which is disappointing, because I have the time on my phone set 10 minutes off from the network time and I was really hoping that the fitbit would sync to THAT time. Or at least that there is an option to choose which one it uses? Or - call me crazy - that you could just input any time you wanted? Like every other watch I've ever owned?

The Fitbit may need the network time for some reason related to functionality, but even so, there are apps such as Google Authenticator which have configuration options allowing them to use the network time without you having to set your phone to that time, so I know I'm not the only one who has a preference for displaying a time other than the network time.

[Rich_Laue]

So you are saying the Authenticator, like Fitbit, ignores the time on the phone, and uses the network time? 

Other than being lazy, I can't imagine why the time needs to be 10 minutes ahead. 

[ChKr]

No, that's not what I'm saying. Authenticator uses the PHONE time, not the network time. However, there is a function called "Time Correction for Codes" that can be used when the 2 times differ.

[LizzyFitbit · Accepted solution]

@ChKr Welcome to the Community. @Odyssey13 and @Rich_Laue Thanks for stopping by to help our new member.

@ChKr Thanks for the detailed information, and the steps tried on your own. As our friend mentioned, the time displayed on your Fitbit device is based on either the time of your phone, or the the time zone selected on your profile. However, currently it's not possible to set a custom time on your Charge 5.

I understand how helpful it'd be to have this available and I'd encourage you to share it as an idea in the Feature Suggestions board. That way our developers can take it into consideration for future improvements. To learn more about this board, see our FAQs.