I have an Android so maybe it's different. I am able to disable the urgent low alarm. Not through the app, I just turn off Bluetooth. I also do not need to open the app to scan. I just pick up my phone and unlock it with my fingerprint and scan the sensor. It reads the sensor and automatically opens the app. For me personally, unless I'm purposefully turning off Bluetooth, I have not had it disconnect from my phone.
This comes to preferences, I was hoping there was something more specific to the reader results and not to what you consider inconvenience b/c it’s hard for you to follow an xtra step to use the cell phone app. Other that signal loss very sporadic I appreciate the use and ease of the Mobil app, instead of carrying an extra device which is very expensive and you don’t need. I can do with a $10 glucose meter and still use the phone app. 👍
If you press and hold the icon on iOS a drop down appears, and you can click scan sensor. When you do, it’ll open the app where it is already to scan without having to do the extra steps. Also, if you develop some iOS shortcuts, those can save you a lot of time too.
it gives an alarm for a 50 but finger prick showing 75 ..80 ??? i guess that's rendering the cgm close to useless, and it does match the accuracy praised by abbott
For $80 out of pocket to get the reader, I will stick to the app. I work from home so all the cons listed don't apply. I thought the list would be more about accuracy than convenience.
Been using Freestyle since 2019. Went to the 2 as soon as it came out. The app has received several updates since this VIDEO was released. Every single CON you listed is no longer an issue with the latest version of the Freestyle 2 App. 1. Silent Mode added (to shut off alarms for a specified amount of time 2. There is no SCAN button... you unlock your phone and scan the sensor... NO 2nd or 3rd step 3. Scan errors still happen but just hold the phone to the sensor it automatically rescans. All I can say to his comments are... keep the app running... don't shut the app off. I keep my app on 24/7... I have no issues with my phone charge either.
Yes but when using the app on your phone with the libre 3 Bluetooth on your phone has to stay on all the time and then when you get a text message you don't hear the sound notification of the text message so that's a big problem. You wouldn't have that problem with the reader while using the libre 3 or the three plus
Your points were spot on! I was about to donate 5 Libre 2 sensors and 2 scanners until I came upon your video. I did not think about using my scanner so that I could turn off the alarms, not to mention the other things you pointed out: reader errors, the phone app beeping every 5 minutes because it says it lost signal (even though it is in your back pocket), scanning ease while driving (versus the 3 clicks with your phone). Any medical person prescribing the "2" to people should definitely let them know that unless they are hard of hearing, or sleep really, really deep, the alarm for going below 55 will wake up an entire household, and startle the heck out of the diabetic while waking them up. Disappointing considering I was looking forward to that alarm feature due to my nightly lows. Libre should fix the app such that you can control the volume according to your ears and the way you sleep, with or without a low. Thanks a ton!
4 of 5 of your reasons are why I switched back to the reader. Another reason is that I have to get my phone seemingly exactly in the right position to get a reading. In the summer it's okay, but as the weather gets colder and I wear more layers, it's difficult to find the sensor when I can't even feel the sensor. With the reader I just wave it around in the general area and I get the reading.
I my have my first 14 day Libre 2 but that doesn't bring a reader. So need to use use my phone. My doctor gave me this sample. What do you think I should do. I have an android phone. What app is the one I should use. Thanks
The Libre 14 day with the app was actually a pain in the neck to scan on the phone! I was using the Galaxy S22+ last. Scan failures were more than 50% of the time! But having switched to the Libre3 now, I LOVE it!
The phone app is absolute garbage even on a brand new high-end phone like mine. However the reader doesn't last me more than 3 days before it needs to be charged again and it just stops working all by itself and says you can't scan until you charge..... I think someone's making a lot of money for such a little return to the customer
Fine, unless you're a blind diabetic as I am, and as are thousands of other diabetics. Abbott totally failed by not making their reader accessible to everyone! I have watches, clocks, amateur radios, etc, etc, that speak to me, and some cost less than $10. Yet Abbott didn't make their reader accessible to thousands of people who need audio accessibility to maybe save their life or prevent complications from diabetes. Inexcusable.
I use my reader (libre 1) in conjunction with my phone (android), definitely sensor at night or in the car with the phone occasionally but today I made the big mistake of starting a new sensor with my phone, now my reader will not read my sensor as it was started by another reader (phone) and can't be used. What a pain in the bum. Also I find the reader to be far more sensitive to reading, just a swipe will do, the phone you have to line up the sensor very carefully. I agree reader over phone.
I just wish with the Libre 2 they’d bring back that feature the 1 had with being able to scan with both like you’re able to do now with yours. It was nice to have the option. I know it’s due to the alarms, but it’s still a shame.
I just got mine, libre 14 day, today and scanned it with my iPhone first, didn't realize that once I did that I wouldn't be able to use the reader either. It should work with both or there should be a giant notice on the box that you will only be able to scan it with only one device if you don't scan it with the reader first. It's buried in the instructions so totally missed that. Will be waiting 14 days to then scanning first with my reader.
@@diabetesdailydigest I use the reader as main, but as long as I scan my reader first I can also scan with my iphone (although without alarms on the phone). Seems like Android has a much better setup in their app :(
Thanks for the information. I have been diabetic for over 40 years. Just today getting ready to put on my second Libre2 sensor. I had debated using my phone but I had thought of several of the same reasons you gave for staying with the reader and was glad to find your channel and hearing you say the same things. Thanks. I’ll be watching for you - I subscribed.
I'm going to try the reader, the phone has a lot of errors and looses signal straight after a reading sometimes. I do like the convenience of just having the phone but like you say it can go flat in a day.
The doctor has to specifically send a prescription for the reader separately. Often times it’s assumed that the phone will be utilized and a prescription for the reader is not sent.
Helpful video. I’m new to CGM. I’m fortunate in that I’m a mild type 2 (I like to call it insulin resistant) so I don’t need to use it all the time. I will just use it occasionally to check that I’m eating right. I was going to use the phone app but these are all good reasons to use the reader. Thanks.
I found that when I was using the phone app the Bluetooth would interfere with my text notifications on my cell phone and that was a big problem. Because on the phone the Bluetooth had to be on all the time continuously
😳 I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING THE PAST 12 DAYS WITH LOWS, DO TO ERROR READINGS IN THE APP. I AM CHECKING BOTH WAYS WITH A PHONE AND FINGER CHECK THE READER IS VERY CONSISTENT. Very RELIABLE. I HAVE S22. DOWN SIDE YOU cannot send records to Dr with reader
I am someone who doesn't carry their phone on their person 24/7 so using the reader was preferable from the start. For one thing, it's considerably smaller to carry than a phone! As for loss of connectivity, this happens often with the reader too--it's not just a phone thing. We've started to refer to is as "the reader getting lonely". Funny thing, though, when it does beep for a loss of connection, there's often a change happening that I should be aware of (and act on before getting to an alarm stage)!
dude, iPhone has shortcuts app...scanning is a breeze. There are also double and triple back taps, and now action button to launch app or shortcuts for what you want to do. Freestyle Libre 3 is the latest now which works great on scanning reliability
This guy loves to talk. He takes more than 10 minutes to make 60 seconds worth of points. 1. Alarm flexibility. Oh No! Can't shut off the extreme low alarm on the phone 2. Scanning simpliity. Oh No! I have to unlock my phone! 3. Scanning reliability. Sometimes the scan fails on [his] phone.
BS!!!!!!!!!!! Having more than one reader is INVALUABLE! With the libre 1 i could use the phone app when i was out and use the reader at home. I never had ANY major number gaps using both simultaneously. Now I have to take the reader everywhere risking losing it ALONG with risking losing my phone! Now once I'm locked in for 2 weeks, if I lose whichever device I started it on I CAN'T SCAN AT ALL!!! WTF???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously considering going back to the reader because using the phone app just keeps me addicted to my phone. The things I do like about the phone app are that my partner can see my readings on libre link-up, my readings get sent to the endo, and I can link to things like the sugar pixel clock, which is really useful
Interesting. But not relevant to me as I dont scan frequently bc i am not diabetic but using this to monitor and reduce pre diabetes. The convenience of the phone in that circumstance outweighs the downsides.
Yeah this definitely is really only relevant to those scanning very frequently. For instance I scan sometimes 30-40 times in a day which can make a lot of these "little" problems more a nuisance.
I have an OnePlus 6 using librestyle2 and get lately annoying error messages like this: Alarms Alarms are only available when you start a FreeStyle Libre 2 Sensor with this device. Low Glucose Alarm Below 70 mg/dl Alarms Unavailable On Alarms are unavailable due to one or more of the following: Channel Notifications disabled Lock Screen Notifications disabled Notification Sounds disabled Sound and Pop-up Notifications disabled I must say I have turned off the high and loss signal options What's going on here? Thkx
Being totally blind, I have no choice. I have to use my iPhone because the reader doesn’t talk. I don’t want to have to depend on someone else to always read it to me so I use my iPhone with voiceover and I have had great success so far.
I wouldn't mind the app's fixed alerts if you could set all of them to vibrate when needed. For the urgent low alarm, the fact it will take control of the volume and blast it on high is unacceptable. Also, I'd say 50% plus of my scans with an Android are unsuccessful.
I'm using a Samsung device and I don't have that many issues. Once I unlock my phone, I just scan. No need to open the app. I get that error message once in awhile. Not to the point where I'm annoyed. I think it's time to drop Apple and come to the light… LMAO
I am having the same issue all night sensor says low glucose when I check fingerstick it's always higher. I am gestational diabetic abs due to this issue I have been eating wrong since one week.
Has anyone made a non-touchscreen reader for the sensor? The main reason I got the reader was because I hate touchscreens and will never willingly own a touchscreen phone ...then I found out the reader also uses that awful technology!
I WISH i could get the reader, i tell my endo and she just ignores me on it...tells me to try the app it works better, and i'm having the same problem like you on these issues, i have an android. how can you get a libre 2 with a reader or how do you ask your endo? i'm just about to change docs too...in the libre i get the "signal loss" as well multiple times on the phone
Scanning simplicity; scanning with your phone is difficult, while this may be true with any brand phone other than a samsung it is much easier with a samsung becuse the app does not have to running to scan. i have gone so far as to close all running apps and scan and it automatically opens the app and shows my reading. Scan error is the same with Samsung.
You can used both the phone and read start it up with the reader first than after 60mins scen your phone and you can used both the reader and the phone works with the 1 and 2 not sure about the new 3
Since you recommended so highly to using the scanner opposed to the phone. Do or can you recommend a carrying case or cover to use on the reader? So it’s easier for females especially to get to the device easier. That will help us to access the reader without having to search in our purses for it? The device is not particularly the same size as a cell phone. Any suggestions and or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Personal preference but heres some tips Tip number one, get an android. Sounds to me like iPhone is half the issue. On my android s20 i click side button, then finger print unlock (which is as half a se one more than one action) and scan. Don't need to open an app. Re the scanning issue I find if you do touch the phone to the sensor that happens often. You don't need to touch them together. I use my fingers to provide an air gap between the sensor and the phone. Rarely get that error now. Urgent hypo alert alarm? Don't have that on my libre 2 app. Might be as I'm not in US? Reasons the reader is bad. The touch screen is awful. The menu navigation is awful. Viewing stats is really poor. Carrying another device. I check my glucose whilst reading, the Internet and don't have to go find another device. My phone is with me most of the time. I also use phone for Spotify and sat nav in my car in a holder so it's really easy to remove from. Again finger print unlock (altho not usually needed as phone is unlocked in holder) , phone from holder, scan. Get a holder that doesn't grip the phone. There are holder with a mechanism on which the weight on the phone closes the side of the holder to lightly grip the phone. Just lifting the phone from the holder doesn't require any extra effort as its not gripped by the holder. I rarely get the loss of signal alarm. Again maybe phone issue? Also you can use the phone app and libre 2 reader together (at least in Europe) but you can only have alarms on the reader device though., which is fine is you prefer the reader. You may have said this in the vid at start? Hope these helps.. My sister refused to use the phone app (technophobe) and stuck with the reader. I finally persuaded her to change and now she loves the phone app. Also got her to change to tresiba from levemir with great results but that's another story
Agree with you on iPhone being a big part of the problem (using iPhone myself, hence reader is still more convenient). But another dealbreaker for me in the app is the lack of tracking remaining insulin. This I can in the reader, put in rapid dose in the reader and it will tell me how much is remaining at any given time. Is this possible in the Android version of the app?
I recently got the Libre 2. You would think the company making the app would do an update to make it better. You think with the app there would be more options for the sound. I’m trying to figure it out to put it on vibrate if having a low blood sugar or high. The one option I do like about the phone is that you can edit your food and insulin intake with any reading in the past.
I really hope when they Libre 3 comes out they release a new app and update a lot of things. With the dexcom you have all sorts of options, different alarm sounds, different profiles for certain parts of the day, a lot more options the Libre is lacking at this time. I’m hopeful they’ll update at some point in the future.
I can not agree with the point about the scanning error messages. I have gotten those sporadically on my reader after an attempted scan. Sometimes it tells to scan again in 10 minutes and sometimes several hours. Also, the reader is not always just a click away. I have had several taps to go through occasionally based on other messages it wants to give me. Thanks for your comments. My concern is battery life on the phone.
Yeah the reader unfortunately isn't without its faults either. Most of the issues that you are speaking of are more a sensor problem though rather than the reader. The Libre 3 just got FDA approved and I'm hoping a lot of these issues will be resolved with the next generation. Unfortunately with the Libre 3 there will no longer be a reader, you can only use a smartphone from my understanding.
@@diabetesdailydigest This is not good, because no one is obliged to have a mobile phone, especially not a smartphone... I don't like how they force us to use a smartphone, to have a digital identity in various ways by blackmail. My father got Frestyle libre 2, and in the pharmacy they didn't activate the reader, but the application in his smart phone, which he has, but it's very difficult for him to use, because he's 68 years old... With the first sensor, it read fine, but on the second and now on the third, it keeps showing sensor errors. It reads regularly via Bluetooth, but reading the current glucose level via NFC does not work. I read a lot of comments all over the net with the same problems. We have a reader, so next time we will activate the sensor with it in 12 days, just to see if it is better, as you say... because this application is shit.
Thank You for posting & sharing your experience … Just received mine as a first time user and based on your opinions I’m going to use the supplied reader instead of my smartphone.
I prefer to use app as carrying reader is not an easy thing for me. Moreover I'm using Blucon on top of my sensor to get readings on my phone and watch without scanning it. There are many more features which are essential for diabetic to maintain the diabetes
In terms of using the phone to scan it doesnt need to be 3 steps, you dont need to open the app or press scan sensor, if your phone is unlocked it will scan straight away and open the app automatically for you.
You nailed it, my friend! I am a new user (almost done my 2nd sensor). Libre 2 has really changed my life in a positive way, despite its *low zone* (in)accuracies! The battery life, and other stuff you mentioned (signal loss, too many steps etc) have bothered me too. Thank you for your sharing and also your style of presentation! Your speed of delivery is perfect, your factual and crisp presentation tells me that you are a *science* guy! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been a diabetic for now 40+ years and had been on insulin before 2016 and again now (Beta tank is empty! ;-) Back recently on insulin and Libre 2 has been a god-sent!
My endocrinologist set me up with a trial sensor using my Android Smartphone (Motorola Edge 2020). Just got on it today 5.20 2022. Still trying to get used to the ins and outs of it but so far no issues. Thanks for the videos. Looking forward to using this device and will definitely check out your other videos
I love my iPhone and do all my readings, boluses from there. I hated carrying the pdm or the libre reader. There was times I used to go mad because I had lost it somewhere in the house. I have no issues u have mentioned with my iPhone and run a closed loop on it.
Glad to hear it’s working well for you with the phone. That’s awesome you’re able to do a closed loop with the phone, I’ve always wanted to try that out.
Hey Scott, thank you for this incredibly informative video. My wife is type 1 and I am her caregiver & we have been very happy with the Freestyle Libre 14 day except for that it does not give low glucose warnings. As we upgrade to the Freestyle LIbre 2 we would like to continue with the reader over using the phone. The disappointment with what I am gathering about the reader is it seems I would not be getting a warning to my iphone if she has a low blood sugar reading. Assuming we would like to stay with the freestyle Libre 2, do you know of anyway that she can use the reader and it could still alert (me) caregivers to low and high readings? In the past, while on the Freestyle Libre 14 day we did have a Blucon, when it would work it was great but it was really hit or miss as to whether it would work or not, it was because of our frustration with the Blucon that we are upgrading to the Freestyle LIbre for alerts. Thank you in advance, -Charles
I feel in your case it may be beneficial to use the phone, just for the sake of the shared glucose readings. As far as I know there’s no way to share the readings when you use the reader. Good luck with everything, please let me know if there’s anything else I can help with!
My phone's not compatible with the app either. I've been borrowing a relative's phone who lives for me just to try this out for the first time since I got a free sample Sensor. But I won't have anything to scan with when I go to work. It's a real pain.
I had a reader with Libre 1, and a reader with my Libre 2 I’m using now. It’s a newer version obviously. But because it has the alert system the battery lasts no time. I didn’t want the app on my phone because the doctors can link to it and follow my every test. They expect us to have perfect readings all the time (4-7mmol) As any type 1 knows, it’s just not like that.
I use the reader in preference to the phone app but the version 2 reader is rubbish in comparison to the version 1 reader because of the battery needing charging every 2 to 3 days.
I recently put the sensor on my husbands arm and downloaded the app. on my phone and used it instead of using the reader. I have not been able to get a good reading through the app. and decided to use the reader. The reader hasn’t been able to read the sensor. Is it because I started with the app and messed it up? Any suggestions, on how to get the reader to work, would be greatly appreciated.
If you're using Libre 2 you have to stick with the first device you use with the new sensor, you can't switch to another device with that sensor. This is explained in the video.
Android phones have the same issues ..... my doctor tried to tell me I wasn't doing it right.. On the 4th day, it was reading 54 for 3 days in a row...my finger stick was 98 to 115
Thank you Scott! I came to this video looking for a way to disable the Android "Urgent Low Glucose Alarm" and am happy to find that my phone isn't the only solution for scanning my Freestyle Libre 2. In addition, I couldn't agree with you more on all of your other points. I have had my Freestyle Libre 2 for less than a week and can already attest to the other various issues you mentioned. The bluetooth loss of connectivity, the frequent scan failures and the app constantly complaining that I rejected its ability to use notifications. (Not that disabling notifications actually work for the "Urgent Low Glucose Alarm.") I still need to research how an app can hijack that ability in Android. In the meantime, thank you again and I will be ordering the Libre Reader.
Only difference between the 2 and the 14 day is the 2 has alarms through Bluetooth. So if you go high or low, even when you’re not scanning, it will let you know and start to beep. Really important when you’re sleeping to let you know of a low blood sugar. Otherwise it’s the same.
On the Libre app you need to click on "connected apps" at the bottom of the side bar settings, from there you click on Libreview "connect", and the next screen will ask for a code that should be specific to your providers practice. Once that code is put in you are linked to their practice and they will be able to access all of your glucose readings.
P.S. any ideas as why or what is the cause for the alarm not to go on when my sugar levels are hi or low, checked all the settings in my IPhone sometimes when it’s acting up like this it gets scary!!! Feedbacks will be appreciated. Thanks
If the alarms arent going off, its having trouble connecting, possibly a bluetooth issue. I would try deleting and reinstalling the app to see if that helps.
Overall yes. They can sometimes be a bit inconsistent, and I’ve had to replace some sensors in the past, but overall I have had pretty good results with accuracy.
I just got freestyle Libre 2 for my son I was wondering if you could connect both the reader and my phone so when he's at school or way I can't track his sugar he's new diagnosed and we were told that it could be done not only for his doctors but so I can monitor it too is this possible
So here's how you would do it: 1) He would have to use his phone for the Libre, the reader does not have internet capability so it would not be able to remotely share the data. 2) On your phone you would download "LibreLinkUp" from the app store and login to his shared account to see his glucose levels remotely. This is the link to the app www.librelinkup.com/articles/qsg. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Good video! I used my phone for months and had never used the reader. When I read the documentation, it seemed the phone was the clear winner. Then my phone died and I had to switch to the reader. I do not plan on ever going back to my phone! Everything you said is exactly my experience (I've been on Android) and the reader is superior for all the reasons you gave.
Do you check this for comments? I just started using the 3 and i hate the app. I used a Dexcom G6 for the last few years and my insurance made me switch to this. If I like the interface of the G6 will I like the Libre 2 well enough? I can't believe they dont make it so u can use the alarms on the app. And not being able to put the app on your locked screen is ridiculous. The company someone told me they dont even make an android app, but im sitting here reading my number on my Samsung phone so i think that guy was behind
Unfortunately no reader for the Libre 3 at this time, they’re only allowing for it to be used on the phone app. I think this will change though, I believe they’re working on adding a reader.
I called the company and the guy told me there is a reader for the 3. I'm going to make some calls in the morning and figure out what I need to do to get that because I hate the app! Coming from using Dexcom's reader to this is aweful. Can you tell me how to view a smaller window of time on the app? And how to view it on my locked screen. I want to push my phones power button and the number is right there. I have to push power button, unlock screen, then open the app. I was looking at my Dexcom reader probably 200 times a day, and I get around to looking at this maybe 30 because it's such a hassle, and the graph it shows you is a joke oh my god. Here's 18 hours of readings on a screen made to show 3 or 2 or 1. Please help I hate this thing!@@diabetesdailydigest
Wonderful information! Last 3 sensors and iPhone 12 as reader the fault codes and incorrect LOW GLUCOSE warnings have sent me back to finger sticking! Next sensor will be synced with Libre reader!!!
Thank you so much! Make sure to get those sensors replaced by Libre, they’ll send you a replacement anytime the sensors are inaccurate like that. Thanks for the comment!
@@diabetesdailydigest Yes I call, Abbott each time a sensor malfunctions but the the background questions information required by the service rep with each and every call equates to a inquisition.
I am having the same issue all night sensor says low glucose when I check fingerstick it's always higher. I am gestational diabetic abs due to this issue I have been eating wrong since one week.
Hi there, my country Malaysia only has Libre 1 sensor, 2&3 not available. Can I use phone and reader both at the same time for Libre 1? May I know what can I do to make the libre 1 reader work fine in winter? Going to travel winter country by the end of the year. Appreciate if you could advise. Thanks.
Hi! I’m new to Libre2 using my smartphone vs scanner, and for unknown reasons losing the Alarm signal regardless if I’m at home with a good WI-FI or on the go. Any suggestions, feedback on that? As well as when I scan and it happens frequently instead of getting my results it gives me like an error message to rescan also any feedback? Thank u in advance
The error message unfortunately happened with my phone when scanning as well. I found it was due in part to the type of case I had on my iphone and when the case was off of the phone, the errors improved. Also make sure you are scanning with the top back side of the phone, where the camera is, thats where the NFC chip is located and will work at this spot best. As far as the connectivity issues, it may be an issue depending on how close or far away you are from your phone. If it is still happening when you're in the same room, you may want to try to reinstall the app, also try clearing your network settings.
Nice video brother, alot of good points. Quick question since you know probably best. As for using the cell phone with the libre 2 sensor app. Do you have to have wifi , Bluetooth, NFC and also Location all turned on to scan your sensor? Thanks 👊
The FreeStyle Libre 3 does come with a Reader. I just purchased Libre 3 after using 2 for a while. I didn't use my iphone because with the Libre 2 if the sensor wasn't compatiable you couldn't rescan. I do have to take the reader with me but it beats taking test strips, the test strip reader and alcohol pads and then having to prick my finders multiple times. I love the cgm. I have used the Dexcom and found it easier to use but my insurance pays for the Libre 3 only. I am on insulin and I sometimes have lows and I am glad for the alarms.
I am a very new user of the reader, just switched over (maybe) from Dexcom. They are sending me a replacement reader because I can't hear any of the signals, even with high setting. Is the alarm loud enough to wake you up at night? If not, I'll have to pay the big bucks for Dexcom I guess. The whole point of my CGM use is safety and warning for lows. I've tried to find an example of the alarm sound online but no luck.
@@catherinezilber7677 I personally do not feel you will have any problems hearing the alarm. It is like an ignoring beep and it is definitely loud enough. You can turn the volume up. I have been woken several times out of a deep sleep with the alarm going off. And then I get up and fingerstick. That is why I use a cgm for the lows that I have and I have never slept through an alarm. That is from using the reader. And I forgot to mention I have some hearing loss and I am hearing the alarm ok. I hope it works for you. I am so glad to not have to prick my finger and know when I am having a low. Also all of this is with the Libre 2. I haven't experience how the alarm sounds with the Libre 3 yet.
