Recommended Android Phone Settings for Dexcom Apps

Updates & Compatibility

• Before Starting on a Dexcom Sensor, updating your OS or getting a new phone, check compatibility at https://www.dexcom.com/compatibility.
• Manually update the Dexcom app and your Android OS.

Notifications

• Enable notifications for the Dexcom app in your phone’s settings. Allow notifications to appear on the lock screen.
• Avoid using Do Not Disturb or Total Silence, which can suppress critical alerts. If using these features, ensure you have “always sound” enabled within the Dexcom App and have allowed critical alerts within the phone settings by adding Dexcom to the “Allowed apps” list¹.
• For Android 10 and above, App Pause and Focus Mode can disable Dexcom notifications. Ensure the app is not paused or listed as a “distracting app”.
• To turn off App Pause, Long press on the app icon and then tap the pause button to edit App Pause.
• To turn off Focus Mode (Phone Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Turn off focus mode).

Battery & Power

• Turn off Battery Saver Mode, which can delay or block background data and notifications. (Settings > Battery > Turn off Battery saver mode).
• Exclude Dexcom apps from battery optimisation or adaptive battery settings or turn these features off within the phone’s battery settings.
• Keep your phone charged to avoid missed alerts.

Internet, Data & Bluetooth

• Maintain an active Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
• If your phone or carrier supports VoLTE, enable it to maintain internet access during calls.
• Disconnecting from both Wi-Fi and mobile data will stop readings and notifications transferring to the cloud, meaning followers will not receive notifications.
• Dexcom Follow: Requires continuous internet connection and notification access to receive shared data.
• The Dexcom Product app uses Bluetooth to connect with your sensor. You must keep your phone Bluetooth turned on to get alerts and sensor readings.
• Regularly remove all old Dexcom devices from your Bluetooth list. These will show as Dexcom or DXCM.

Permissions

• Location access must be enabled for the Dexcom app.
• Ensure Bluetooth is turned on and functioning properly.
• Nearby Device permission needs to be enabled if you are using Android 12 or above.

How to turn Nearby Device Permission on

1. Go to your smartphone’s Settings.
2. Find Dexcom Product app in Apps list.
3. Tap Notification.
4. Turn on Notification.

App Behaviour

• Keep the Dexcom app running in the background. Do not force close or swipe it away.
• Turn of Background restrictions within the phone settings. If left on this can prevent the Dexcom App from running in the background.
• Avoid using App Pause, Focus Mode, or Digital Wellbeing features that restrict app activity.
• If setting Screen time, ensure the Dexcom App is excluded.

Location
Location must be turned on to use Bluetooth. Android requires you to give the Dexcom product app, location permission all the time to use Bluetooth. If you don't, you won't get alerts or sensor readings. Dexcom does not use this permission to track your location.

How to turn Location Permission on?

1. Go to phone Settings.
2. Confirm device Location is on.
3. Find Dexcom Product app in Apps list.
4. Tap Location Permission.
5. Tap Allow All the Time.

Time & Date

• Set your phone to automatically update time and date.
• Manual changes to time zones or clock settings may disrupt sensor readings and alert timing.

Audio & Alerts

• Ensure volume is turned up and not muted.
• Use the Always Sound feature to ensure alerts are heard even when the phone is muted or in Do Not Disturb¹.
• If using Bluetooth accessories (e.g. headphones), test where alerts will sound.