What are the recommended iPhone 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.
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FAQ Description
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FAQ Instructions
Device Bluetooth
Your Dexcom G6 app uses Bluetooth to connect with your transmitter. You must keep your phone Bluetooth turned on to get alerts and sensor readings.
How to turn Bluetooth on?
Go to Settings, find Bluetooth, and turn it on.
App Bluetooth Permission
Apple requires you to give the Dexcom G6 app permission to use Bluetooth. You must keep Bluetooth Permission turned on for the Dexcom G6 app to work.
How to turn Bluetooth Permission on?
Go to Settings, tap on Dexcom G6, and turn Bluetooth on.
Notifications Permission
Notifications let you get alarm and alerts on your phone. If notifications for the Dexcom G6 app are off, you won’t get any alarm or alerts. We recommend turning Dexcom G6 app notifications on. On iOS 15 and above, do not add the G6 app to Scheduled Summary.
How to turn Notifications on?
Go to Settings, choose Dexcom G6, tap Notifications, turn Allow Notifications on.
Critical Alerts
You must allow Critical Alerts for the Dexcom G6 app to work. This permission is needed to hear important alerts like the Urgent Low Glucose Alarm even when your phone is on mute/Do Not Disturb or notifications are off.
How to turn Critical Alerts on?
Go to Settings, choose Dexcom G6, tap Notifications, and turn Critical Alerts on.
Background App Refresh
Background App Refresh allows the Dexcom G6 app to continue running in the background. If Background App Refresh is turned off, your Dexcom G6 alarm and alerts may be delayed. If you’re using Share, information sent to followers may also be delayed. We recommend keeping Background App Refresh turned on.
How to turn Background App Refresh on?
Go to Settings, find Dexcom G6, and turn Background App Refresh on.
Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb silences all alerts except for the Urgent Low alarm, Transmitter Failure, Sensor Failure, and App Stopped Alert. If the Dexcom G6 Always Sound feature is on, it will override your phone settings, so you hear glucose alerts set to sound.
How to turn Do Not Disturb off?
Go to Settings, tap on Do Not Disturb, and turn it off.
To turn Always Sound on, open your Dexcom G6 app, tap Settings, choose Alerts, and turn Always Sound on.
Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode may prevent the Dexcom G6 app from running in the background. When Low Power Mode is on, your Dexcom G6 alarm and alerts may be delayed. If you’re using Share, information sent to followers may also be delayed. We do not recommend using Low Power Mode.
How to turn Low Power Mode off?
Go to Settings, tap Battery, and turn Low Power Mode off.
Screen Time
Screen Time's Downtime and App Limits can temporarily disable apps. If you set time limits for the Dexcom G6 app, you may not open the app, get alerts or sensor readings. Either:
  • Turn off Downtime and App Limits or
  • Add Dexcom G6 app to the Always Allowed app list
How to add G6 to Allowed Apps?
Go to Settings, find Screen Time, choose Always Allowed, find Dexcom G6, and tap the plus icon to add Dexcom G6 to the Allowed Apps list.
Focus
On iOS 15 and above, the Focus feature will silence alerts and notifications for chosen apps. If you add Dexcom G6 to any Focus mode, your Dexcom G6 alarm and alerts may be delayed. Either:
  • Don’t use Focus modes or
  • Add Dexcom G6 app to Allowed Apps
How to add G6 to Allowed Apps?
Go to Settings, find Focus, choose a Focus mode, add Dexcom G6 as an Allowed App, and repeat for each Focus mode.
The location of each setting may be different based on your iOS version. Please refer to your smart device instructions for detailed information. Not sure which iOS version you’re on? Find your device’s iOS version within the About section of your phone’s Settings.

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