This technology allows time synchronization in wireless networks with mobile stations. A wireless network controller transmits instructions to access points (“APs”) within the wireless network to monitor transmissions for time synchronization. One or more second APs observe fine time measurement (“FTM”) exchanges between a first AP and a mobile station. A particular second AP determines whether to perform a time synchronization with the first AP based on the detection of the FTM exchange or a determination that the station is moving toward the second AP. For time synchronization, the second AP determines the time that the first AP transmitted the FTM exchange and the time of transmission from the first AP to the second AP. The second AP synchronizes a second AP clock to the summation of the time of the transmission of the FTM exchange and the time of transmission from the first AP to the second AP.