What are the recommended Android phone settings?

Your phone settings can prevent the Dexcom G6 app from working. Learn more about the settings that will allow your app to work as expected.
FAQ Issue title
FAQ Description
FAQ How-to title
FAQ Instructions
Device Bluetooth
The Dexcom G6 app uses Bluetooth to connect with your transmitter. You must keep your device’s Bluetooth turned on to get alarm, alerts, and sensor readings.
How to turn Bluetooth on?
Go to Settings, find Bluetooth, and turn it on.
Nearby Device Permission
On Android 12 and above, you must allow Nearby Device Permission for the Dexcom G6 app to work. This permission is needed for the app to access your phone’s Bluetooth.
How to turn Nearby Device Permission on?
Go to Settings, choose Dexcom G6, tap Permissions, and tap Allow Nearby Device Permission.
Device Location
Android 9, 10, 11 require Location to be turned on to use Bluetooth. If Location is off, you won’t get alarm, alerts, or sensor readings.
How to turn Location on?
Go to Settings, find Location, and turn it on.
App Location Permission
Android 9, 10, 11 require you to give the Dexcom G6 app location permission all the time to use Bluetooth. If you do not give the Dexcom G6 app location permission all the time you won’t get app alarm, alerts, and sensor readings.
We understand you may be concerned about sharing your location, but Dexcom does not use this permission to track your location.
How to turn Location Permission on?
Android 10 and above: Go to Settings, find Dexcom G6, tap Location Permission, and choose Allow All the Time.
Android 9 and below: Go to Settings, find Dexcom G6, tap Location Permission, and turn it on.
Notifications Permission
Notifications allow you to receive alarm and alerts on your phone. If notifications for the Dexcom G6 app are off, you won’t get alarm or alerts.
How to turn Notifications on?
Go to Settings, choose Dexcom G6, and turn Notifications on.
Battery Optimizing
Battery Optimizing prevents the Dexcom G6 app from using background data. Turning Battery Optimizing off for the Dexcom G6 app ensures your Dexcom G6 alarm and alerts aren’t delayed.
How to turn Battery Optimizing off?
Go to Settings, find Dexcom G6, and turn Battery Optimizing off.
Background Restriction
Background Restriction prevents the Dexcom G6 app from running in the background. When Background Restriction is on, you won't receive Dexcom G6 app alarm and alerts when the app is in the background. We recommend turning Background Restriction off and allowing Background Data.
How to turn Background Restrictions off?
Go to Settings, find Dexcom G6, and turn Background Restriction off, or turn Allow Background Data on.
Do Not Disturb Permission
You must allow Do Not Disturb Permission for the Dexcom G6 app to work. The Do Not Disturb Permission ensures you always get the Urgent Low alarm and important Dexcom alerts even when you put your phone in the most restrictive Do Not Disturb setting.
How to turn DND Permission on?
Follow in-app instructions, or go to Settings, find DND Permission or DND Access, choose Dexcom G6, tap Allow DND, and tap Allow.
Battery Saver Mode
Battery Saver Mode prevents the Dexcom G6 app from using background data. When it is on, your alarm and alerts may be delayed. If you’re using Share, information sent to followers may also be delayed. We do not recommend using Battery Saver Mode and recommend choosing the highest battery performance option on certain phones.
How to turn Battery Saver Mode off?
Go to Settings, and turn Battery Saver Mode off, or choose the highest battery performance on certain phones.
Focus Mode
Focus Mode disables apps when it is on. Using Focus Mode with the Dexcom G6 app will prevent you from seeing all alarm, alerts, and sensor readings. Either:
  • Turn off Focus Mode or
  • Remove Dexcom G6 app from the Distracting Apps list
How to remove G6 from the Distracting App list?
Go to Settings, find Digital Wellbeing, and confirm Dexcom G6 is not in the Distracting Apps list.
App Pause
On Android 10 and above, Pause temporarily disable apps. Using Pause with the Dexcom G6 app stops all alarm, alerts, and sensor readings. We do not recommend using Pause with the Dexcom G6 app.
How to exit App Pause?
Tap the Dexcom G6 app icon on the desktop or in the app drawer, and tap Unpause app
Private Spaces
When an app is in the Private Spaces folder it will not send notifications or alerts.
Private Spaces lets a user put an app in a folder that shuts the app off.
After you move this app out of the Private Spaces folder you must log in and pair your sensor again.
Private Spaces was introduced with Android 15.
How to take your app out of Private Spaces?
  1. Open apps and scroll down to Private Spaces.
  2. Uninstall Dexcom G6 app
  3. Install Dexcom G6 app on phone but not in Private Spaces
The location of each setting may be different based on your Android OS version. Please refer to your smart device instructions for detailed information. Not sure which Android OS version you’re on? Find your device’s OS version within the About section of your phone’s Settings.

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