Recommended iPhone Settings for Dexcom Apps

Q: Recommended iPhone Settings for Dexcom Apps

Ensure your Dexcom ONE, ONE+, G6, G7, or Follow app works reliably on iPhone. Learn which iOS settings to enable or avoid for uninterrupted glucose monitoring and alerts.

To ensure reliable performance of Dexcom apps—including receiving sensor readings, alerts, and notifications—follow these iPhone* settings guidelines. These apply across all Dexcom apps.

Updates & Compatibility

Before starting on a Dexcom sensor, updating your iOS or getting a new phone, check compatibility at https://www.dexcom.com/compatibility.
Manually update the Dexcom app and your iOS.

Notifications

Enable notifications for the Dexcom app in your iPhone settings. Allow notifications to appear on the lock screen.
Avoid using Do Not Disturb, which can suppress critical alerts. If using this feature, ensure you have “always sound” enabled within the Dexcom App and have allowed critical alerts within the phone settings by adding Dexcom app to the “Allowed Apps” List¹.
On iOS 15 and above, do not add the Dexcom G7 app to Scheduled Summary.

Battery & Power

Turn off Low Power Mode, which may prevent Dexcom Apps running in the background and delay alerts.
Turn off “Optimised Battery Charging” This can be done in (Settings > Battery > Battery Health).
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 services must be enabled for the Dexcom app.
Ensure Bluetooth is turned on and functioning properly.

App Behaviour

Keep the Dexcom app running in the background. Do not force close or swipe it away.
Turn on Background App Refresh. This keeps your Dexcom Product app running in the background.
The Screen Time feature's Downtime and App Limits options can temporarily disable apps. If you set time limits for the Dexcom app, you may not be able to open the app or receive alerts or sensor readings. Add the Dexcom App to your list of allowed apps.

How to add Dexcom Product app to Allowed Apps

Go to your smartphone's Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Turn off Downtime and App Limits, or add the Dexcom product app to the Always Allowed app list.
If using the “Reduce interruptions mode” you will need to allow notifications to allow Notifications
1. Open Settings on the phone.
2. Find Focus settings.
3. Tap the plus icon at the top right corner.
4. Under Allowed Notifications, add the Dexcom app.

Privacy and App management

We recommend against putting Dexcom Apps into Locked apps, Hidden Apps, or Private Spaces. This could disrupt notifications and critical alerts. Always Keep apps under Visible and Active
To remove a Dexcom App from the Locked or hidden apps:

Find the Dexcom App in the Locked or Hidden apps folder.
Long press the Dexcom App.
Select “Don’t require Face ID” option.

Widgets

The Dexcom Widget lets you see your glucose results on your lock screen or home screen without opening the app. For the widget to work, your Dexcom app must still be running in the background when you do not have the app screen displayed².

Location

Location must be turned on to use Bluetooth. Apple requires you to give the Dexcom 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.

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 (G6/G7) 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.
* Smart devices sold separately.

For a list of compatible devices, visit dexcom.com/compatibility

† Separate Follow app and internet connection required.
1 Always sound / Critical alerts not available on Dexcom ONE+
2 The Dexcom Widget is not available on all Dexcom products.

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