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Warning to Freestyle Libre users - regarding Apple iOS updates.

rebrascora said:
Out of curiosity is your favoured arm.... ie right if you are right handed, readings lower than your left arm... or vice versa?
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I don’t feel there is any preferred readings from the arm used? Just less likely to knock it with either a back pack strap worn on one arm or my wife on the intimacy front, if placed on the left side. Lol, I almost put the new one on the same arm. But thought it may cause confusion with removal of the old one.
 
Kol said:
Hi @Mike D

Have you tried 18.3 yet with any success?
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No, I’ve been tempted, but not yet.
I have still been attempting to get an answer from Abbott regarding WHEN they will update their software - but they keep repeating the same useless advice. Two months now and they have failed to update their software to the current iOS, it is abysmal.
 
NickE said:
Mike - I too have had a similar experience to you. I tend to update my iPhone whenever Apple tell me to, and did so just after Christmas. When a new sensor failed to work I went through my entire stock of NHS supplied sensors trying to find a way through. I tried different sites on my arms, reloading the app, and everything I could think of. Fortunately an unscheduled visit to my Diabetic Clinic at Chelsea was very helpful. They explained the likely cause, gave me a new sensor and reader. They pointed me to Abbott, who I phoned. I was then sent three replacement sensors and told “not to automatically update”. Too late! No explanation of how long they will take to catch up with Apple IOS updates. They were sorry but seemed to take no responsibility for the lack of warning. Ho hum. I like using the iPhone and dislike having to use a reader. By the way reloading an earlier IOS version to my iPhone looks complicated and full of pitfalls.

So now I find myself with a non-functioning for FSL iPhone 11 on IOS 18.3. There seem to be mixed messages about trying a new sensor when the present one runs out having reloaded the Librelink app. I might just see what happens at the risk of sacrificing one of my sensors. Meanwhile the Freestyle Libre 2 Plus is looming …

Nick
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I am still only able to use the Reader ( 2 months now! ) - I feel an update to iOS 18.3 ( I had been holding off in limbo awaiting for a LibreLink software update - which hasn’t happened! ) may be the last thing I can try :(
 
NickE said:
Blimey! I’ve just put on a new sensor and it works with my iPhone 11 (IOS 18.3). I reloaded the Librelink 2 app. So now I'm wearing a sensor on my left arm for the iPhone and another on the right arm for the Reader. I didn't know you could do that until recently. The Reader sensor runs out tomorrow so it will be interesting to compare readings. Fingers crossed. Nick
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Well that didn’t go as hoped. It worked OK for a couple of days or so then started requesting new scans by touching the sensor to get a reading rather than it happening automatically. Then the readings themselves started going haywire with sky-high readings, particularly overnight, despite me following my usual diet. No choice but to abandon the iPhone and revert to the Reader this morning. Out of curiosity I will keep both sensors on for a while … Nick
 
By the way I just checked with Abbott Customer Support and they have tested up to IOS 18.0.1.
 
NickE said:
By the way I just checked with Abbott Customer Support and they have tested up to IOS 18.0.1.
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Yep, that update only appeared a couple of weeks ago. A very poor response by a 'supposedly' professional company!
 
I just think they made a big mistake introducing a phone app. The reader works brilliantly and very reliably and I don't get issues with sensor failures. The whole system is simple but reliable and infinitely better than finger pricking all the time. The problem with the phone app is that it introduces too many variables and potential for problems beyond Abbott's control. Issues with the individual phones as well as updates etc and people quite rightly become frustrated and dissatisfied. When it first came out people were happy to use the reader because that was all there was and it worked well. Once the phone app was introduced failures rocketed and people became disgruntled and they now see having to go back to using a reader as a step backwards and are still disgruntled, whereas I love my Libre and reader.
 
Bruce Stephens said:
I think nowadays you can't not offer a phone app, though.
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Yes, I agree they were kind of forced into it by the market but I think it creates a myriad of issues and a lot of dissatisfaction and creates a lot of waste, so to me it seems like a very negative affect of advancing technology, when the basic technology is good and has a very beneficial effect. It just seems sad to me that there is a really good reliable system being undermined by this need to have a phone app that covers multiple different types of phone and operating systems which keep changing and creating problems as it changes. The Dexcom system has a more limited number of phones that are compatible which may make it appear more reliable because it reduces the variables and presumably makes dealing with updates easier.
 
grovesy said:
I personally think there are so many differnt phones, it most be difficult to test them all.
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I'm sure that's true. Even specific iPhone models can vary a bit (different ones might use different chips for various things depending on what's available).

I'm sure it's also true that Abbott have a better overall understanding of the level of problems from phone users. I'm guessing it's low enough that they're not that worried.
 
rebrascora said:
I just think they made a big mistake introducing a phone app. The reader works brilliantly and very reliably
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What if you have a diabetic kid? You can’t follow them on a reader.
 
Does it make a difference if you have an Android OS or iPhone?
Does anyone have a working link for a list of freestyle libre compatible phones? Those given on their website failed to work today.
I like the app (when it’s working!) as it provides more information to me and my Clinic, and above all that you do not need to scan by touching near the sensor.
 
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