33 Comments
When purchasing a new smartphone, do you consider the phone’s compatibility with T1D devices and apps?
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No, I love my iPhone. I’d switched to omnipod last summer with rep saying the company is working on compatibility and should be available early fall. “Working on it” has been the only answer I’ve gotten. It is more troublesome than I thought to carry my phone and the controller. Omnipod is a solid system, but my fault for jumping in. I know there is a work around but not sure I can implement it!!
I thought Omnipod 5 recently integrated with Dexcom???
I haven’t yet but my next smartphone will both have the Dexcom app and bolus from phone for my Tandem. Current phone only has the T Connect app and can’t bolus from it.
Found an article about minimalist tech that got me thinking about getting a LightPhone, but a big drawback to getting one would be still having to carry a regular smartphone with me for CGM monitoring. Though it might be kind of nice to split device usage, and not always be watching my numbers on top of everything else my phone enables/forces me to pay attention to.
Dexcom notoriously behind on their technology. Recently I noticed that they have caught up with iPhone models and iOS. I bought an iPhone XR which at the time was the newest phone Dexcom compatible with. Now waiting for Apple Watch to catch up. I recently went from model 3 to a 6. Dexcom wasn’t working the usual way and I called and found out the hadn’t caught up. Fortunately it still will show my BS but I have to tap face. Still wouldn’t go back to finger sticks lol
I had to switch phone companies because it was taking the one I had to long to get the Dexcom app. Carrying a phone and Dexcom reader just seemed silly. This was also with all the other diabetic supplies. One less does make a difference.
Yes. I specifically bought my current Samsung phone because it was “supposed” to be compatible with the Dexcom App. But, when I downloaded the Dexcom App, it messed up my tandem pump, and I kept getting “- – -” on my phone and pump. I had to uninstall the Dexcom App to get my pump and CGM to work again.
Now I have the Tandem, T:connect app. It works! But my phone does not allow me to bolus from my phone, which is fine with me.
No.
Belligerent, blaring, blasphemously loud noises are not what I need for a good life. Don’t any of these companies know about courteousness, politeness, and civility?
We’ve switched to iPhones long before I got T1D.
Yes, but more smartwatch compatibility. Wish Dexcom would link directly with watch and bypass the phone.
I recently had to purchase a new phone as my devices would no longer be compatible with my pump and cgm.
I answered “no”. With my Tandem X2 and Dexcom integrated – they are enough. One less device, to carry around (and as a woman, the waistbands on our clothes aren’t up to the task of several devices – I’d have to add suspenders to my wardrobe!). Long before smart phones were a consumer item, I had a short leash via similar devices to work – on call alot. I’m over it.
I haven’t yet because I didn’t have diabetes tech when we last purchased phones. I will, however, in the future.
I didn’t the first time, but last time I did make sure it would work with Dexcom, and this time I am taking the list of models with me to make sure it works with the G7.
I use a Dexcom G6 wit the tandem t:slim X2 IQ. Both companies have great apps that make my life so
much easier.
I also use an Apple Watch that reads my phone and I can look at and see my BG at any time when I’m driving or any social situation.
Once you have the Dexcom and the pump connected you do NOT need a receiver…and who doesn’t carry an IPhone these days? And who doesn’t wear a watch?
Also Tandem
Has The t:connector app for the iPhone and you can bolus from it. No
Need to pull out your pump to do this. You can bolus during any social situation from your phone without pulling out your pump and have people ask you about it.
I think they are the most fantastic aids we can hope for.
The only think you have to be careful is to have both phone and watch on the “no automatic downloads “. Some of the newer Apple IOS versions are not as yet compatible compatible with your version of Dexcom or tandem. I think is a small price to pay.
For the people with a tandem pump: be aware that the new Dexcom G7 version is not as yet compatible with the Tandem t:slim 2x. Tandem has sent notifications out to all their customers. So don’t upgrade your sensor without checking.
I’ve used Apple products since the 80’s and there’s never been a question of compatibility with Dexcom apps. I do have to delay OS upgrades sometimes until Dexcom catches up to the latest.
When I bought my most recent phone, I made sure that it was on the compatible list for both Dexcom and Tandem.
In fact, I had to fight with AT&T to return a phone they claimed was compatible but was not. I ended up buying the phone at BestBuy.
Yes now I have to, but I never had to consider it before getting the mobile bolus feature for tandem.
As a pretty old diabetic and pumper who has memories of test tubes, the very slow crawl of technology, and now the urging to turn into a bionic Wonder Woman does not appeal. Sure, I want my blood sugars in range, and yes, living out this disease on two legs is very important. I’m afraid all the new technology isn’t so much aimed at those goals. I have no interest in spending time looking for compatible gadgets, or letting my phone do more than the phones I grew up with. The pleasant sound of an operator saying “Number please” was all that was necessary to complete a call that wasn’t so often about transactions. Sorry to sound so grumpy, but I get the feeling the real purpose of pumping insulin is getting lost in the circus. I depend on insulin delivery, not on sharing my blood sugars with the world at large! :*}
Our first phone number was 126.
It was a party line and you had to turn the crank to make a call. I understand the Russian army still uses this type.
This is a trick question. Today I am not in the market for a new phone. When that time comes I will certainly look into it but it may not be the ultimate deciding factor.
Lots of storage 200+ G
I’m surprised that in the 23 comments I’ve read above mine, no one has mentioned the Abbott FreeStyle Libre (FSL), which, I’ve discovered, has horrific problems with certain Android-based phones, such as my Huawei Mate 20 Pro. The alarms were intermittent, at best. I just switched to an iPhone 7 and the alarms are consistently available. (I’ll soon upgrade to an iPhone 12 with more storage.) I’ll probably stick with the iPhone unless and until FSL Android compatibility is assured.
I thought I had purchased a compatible phone… turns out I didn’t because of the “operating system”… *sigh Oh well.
It’s all so complicated for me… makes my head spin! :p
My first consideration when purchasing a smartphone is service. It’s up to app developers to keep apps up-to-date with new products.
I probably should have “clicked” yeah but I’ve screwed up…twice. Not the most sophisticated apple in the orchard, researched my last phone: wasn’t until a more recent update the phone did it work with the MEDTRONIC app. Just downloaded the Libre3 app, placed the sensor on, didn’t “pair!?!?” The Android13 isn’t compatible, only 12 and under but….. Waiting at Verizon willing to purchase a new phone, or ideas how to go back to 12. The first tech asked me to wait on the other, cursed, googled, duck-duck-went: found an idea to reboot the phone and it seemed to work…for now.
In a way I did, but good thing I fed myself with a hammer and a prybar.
I did consider it and bought one that compatible. The program or app running it kept crashing so I sent the phone back. I really wanted a newer phone than the ones compatible and since it didn’t work with the phone I had purchased I decided to wait. Now they have a bug fix for the original phone. I am waiting and waiting for the App to be compatible with Android 13. Omnipod works so slow. The new G7 is out but again Omnipod lags behind with the G7 not being compatible with the Omnipod 5. Crazy waiting game.
I purchased a phone thinking it was compatible but found out, too late, that it was the phone above and below my model.
I said “no” because I want an up-to-date phone. The apps usually lag behind. And then, once I purchase a phone, I do not trade it in every 2 years. I keep it until it cannot be fixed any more. Frequently purchasing new cars or phones or computers is a waste of materials, and damages the planet My phone is only 5 years old, but the latest app for my pump doesn’t work on it. I see no reason to buy a new phone for $900 just to use an app. That would make pump supplies and pumps even more costly than they already are.
Looking to upgrade from Libre 2 to either Libre 3 or more likely Dexcom G7 and neither offers a reader so I will need to buy a system compatible smart phone however it doesn’t need to have a plan because I am planning exclusively as a data reader only with WIFI..
I’m leery of using phone apps for CGMs because the manufacturers are not subject HIPAA requirements.
I intend to consider compatibility but every time I have gotten a new phone I have forgotten to think about it and have usually been screwed over by this issue.