Blog - Diabetes Management
Can you check your blood sugar with an iPhone app?
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems provide regular, automatic glucose readings, which are displayed on a CGM receiver or compatible diabetes iPhone app.
All Dexcom CGM systems are compatible with Apple iOS and can alert you about any significant fluctuations to your glucose levels, becoming a key part of your diabetes management.
Benefits of using your iPhone with a Dexcom CGM system
Pairing a Dexcom CGM sensor with the Dexcom iOS diabetes phone app offers a range of benefits, from control over glucose to the option to setting up alerts if your glucose levels fall outside normal range, all with fewer finger prick tests.*
Glucose updates in real time
Customise your alerts
Alert functionalities can be fully customised to support you at every stage. With key insights displayed on your diabetes iPhone app, you can spot patterns on how your glucose levels change throughout the day for extra peace of mind. The Dexcom G7 also allows users to add an additional person to an account, so they will receive an alert if your blood sugar goes beyond a set parameter.
Some of the alert features for Dexcom CGM system are outlined below:
Urgent Low Soon Alert: A feature of Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7. A 20-minute advance warning when you will reach 3.1 mmol/L allows you to act quickly and reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.1
Delay 1st Alert: A feature of Dexcom G7 and Dexcom ONE. You can delay for a certain time when you receive High Alerts to make alerts more relevant for you. Consult with your diabetes consultant for the best delay time for you.
Silent Mode: A sole feature of Dexcom G7. Silent Mode is suited to those with busy work schedules or who wish not to be interrupted for up to six hours – a range of customisable options are available.
Alert Schedule: A feature of Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7. You can customise your CGM system to factor in lazy weekends and late nights or schedule the creation of additional alerts for further support during specific periods.
Pair your CGM sensor with Siri
By pairing your Dexcom CGM system with your iPhone diabetes monitoring app, you can utilise the virtual assistant Siri by asking “Siri, what’s my blood glucose?” It will then provide you with a reading of your glucose levels.† To ensure you are alerted if your glucose levels go too high or low, pair your CGM with the associated Dexcom iPhone app so you can access customised alert settings and be made aware of any significant fluctuations.
Glucose readings can also be displayed directly on the Today View widget on the lock screen, allowing you to easily and quickly view your glucose readings, delivering ultimate accessibility and convenience. This feature is only compatible with iOS devices using iOS 13 and above.
Compatibility
The Dexcom G6 CGM System, Dexcom G7 and Dexcom ONE are all compatible with iOS devices. There are several advantages in pairing your chosen CGM system with the associated iOS diabetes app:
For a list of compatible iOS devices, visit www.dexcom.com/en-GB/compatibility.
Dexcom G6
Dexcom G7
Dexcom ONE
Why use your iPhone to support your diabetes management?
iPhones have become an essential part of your everyday diabetes management and pairing your compatible diabetes iPhone app with Dexcom CGM System can deliver further flexibility and convenience and give you the added confidence to transform your diabetes management.
Supporting those with busy lifestyles, parents with young children or elderly parents, those with longstanding diabetes or have recently been diagnosed, there is truly ‘no one size fits all’, but Dexcom CGM System can provide the ultimate support.
To ensure Dexcom users can access additional support and guidance from friends, loved ones and healthcare professionals, the Dexcom Follow app and the Dexcom Clarity** app are also available on iPhone. These apps allow your glucose monitoring data to be shared.
Create a support network
The Dexcom Follow diabetes iPhone app is available for those using Dexcom G6 or G7 CGM system and allows you to share glucose data with up to 10 people.§ Building a close support network can give you greater confidence about managing your diabetes symptoms, reduce the risk of hypoglycaemic events7 and offer peace of mind.
Data has even revealed a correlation between those who use Dexcom Follow and time spent in range, resulting in improvements to average glucose control, also known as HbA1c levels, over two to three months.8-11
Customised glucose management
Managing your diabetes can be complicated and time consuming, but with Dexcom Clarity** as diabetes iPhone app , life is made that bit easier. The app allows you to track your glucose levels and look for any visible trends in your glucose data via illustrative graphs to identify hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia patterns. You can receive weekly notification and routinely monitor your time in range.1,2
Importantly, you can authorise data sharing from the app with your healthcare team so they can tailor your management plan.
Other apps to support your diabetes management
While diabetes iPhone apps compatible with Dexcom CGM systems can support your everyday glucose monitoring, there are a range of iPhone apps on the market that can complement your diabetes management plan. From mental health and wellbeing apps to diet planners and fitness trackers to sleep trackers, these apps offer invaluable insights and practical tips that can work alongside your CGM system to support a healthy lifestyle. Find out more information regarding Digital Health apps which connect with Dexcom CGM.
Maintaining a healthy diet and increasing your physical activity to up to 150 hours a week will help to keep your glucose levels in range and keep you in good shape.13 Apps can help you to manage your nutritional needs by helping you create healthy diet plans and learn how meals will impact your glucose levels.
There are several apps on the market that can be used to track your physical activity – enabling you to set customised targets to improve your overall fitness, allow you to share your health goals with friends and family, join monthly challenges, interact with like-minded individuals, and even discover new places to venture.
While not specifically diabetes phone apps, there are several medical programs that improve access to healthcare information and services, such as:
- Additional learning around diabetes symptoms
- Repeat prescriptions
- Booking medical appointments
- Self-referring to different services.
Learn more about differences between Dexcom ONE, Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 for T1D or T2D diabetes so you can choose the right continuous glucose monitor for you.
References and Footnotes
* Finger pricks may be required when symptoms or expectations do not match CGM readings.
† If your glucose alerts and readings from Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.
‡ Dexcom G6 is compatible with a selection of insulin pumps, including the Tandem t:slim and CamAPS FX.
§ Internet connectivity required for data sharing. Following requires the use of the Follow App. Followers should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G6 App or Receiver before making treatment decisions.
‖ Notifications and emails are only available for users who opt in and use the Dexcom CGM app
**An internet connection is required to send data to Dexcom Clarity. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
1 Puhr S, et al. Real-world hypoglycemia avoidance with a continuous glucose monitoring system's predictive low glucose alert. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2019;21(4):155-158.
2 Akturk HK, et al. Continuous Glucose Monitor with Siri Integration Improves Glycemic Control in Legally Blind Patients with Diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(1):81-83. NIH.
3 Data on file 2022.
4 Brown SA, et al. Six-Month Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Closed-Loop Control in Type 1 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(18):1707-1717.
5 Thabit H, et al. Use of factory-calibrated real-time continuous glucose monitoring improves time in target and HbA1c in a multiethnic cohort of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: The MILLENNIALS Study. Diabetes Care. 2020;43(10):2537-2543.
6 Martens T, et al. Effect of continuous glucose monitoring on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272.
7 Erie C, et al. Schooling diabetes: Use of continuous glucose monitoring and remote monitors in the home and school settings. Pediatr Diabetes. 2018;19(1):92-97. NIH.
8 Polonsky WH, Fortmann AL. Impact of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Sharing on Quality of Life and Health Outcomes in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(3):195-202.
9 Polonsky WH, Fortmann AL. Impact of Real-Time CGM Data Sharing on Quality of Life in the Caregivers of Adults and Children With Type 1 Diabetes. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022;16(1):97-105.
10 Welsh JB, et al. Real-Time Sharing and Following of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data in Youth. Diabetes Therapy. 2019;10(2):751-755.
11 Polonsky WH, Fortmann AL. Impact of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Sharing on Quality of Life and Health Outcomes in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(3):195-202.
12 Akturk HK, et al. Real-World Evidence and Glycemic Improvement Using Dexcom G6 Features. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(S1):S21-S26.
13 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prediabetes – Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Updated 21 December 2021. Accessed 26 January 2023. CDC.
* Finger pricks may be required when symptoms or expectations do not match CGM readings.
† If your glucose alerts and readings from Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.
‡ Dexcom G6 is compatible with a selection of insulin pumps, including the Tandem t:slim and CamAPS FX.
§ Internet connectivity required for data sharing. Following requires the use of the Follow App. Followers should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G6 App or Receiver before making treatment decisions.
‖ Notifications and emails are only available for users who opt in and use the Dexcom CGM app
**An internet connection is required to send data to Dexcom Clarity. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
1 Puhr S, et al. Real-world hypoglycemia avoidance with a continuous glucose monitoring system's predictive low glucose alert. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2019;21(4):155-158.
2 Akturk HK, et al. Continuous Glucose Monitor with Siri Integration Improves Glycemic Control in Legally Blind Patients with Diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(1):81-83. NIH.
3 Data on file 2022.
4 Brown SA, et al. Six-Month Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Closed-Loop Control in Type 1 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(18):1707-1717.
5 Thabit H, et al. Use of factory-calibrated real-time continuous glucose monitoring improves time in target and HbA1c in a multiethnic cohort of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: The MILLENNIALS Study. Diabetes Care. 2020;43(10):2537-2543.
6 Martens T, et al. Effect of continuous glucose monitoring on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272.
7 Erie C, et al. Schooling diabetes: Use of continuous glucose monitoring and remote monitors in the home and school settings. Pediatr Diabetes. 2018;19(1):92-97. NIH.
8 Polonsky WH, Fortmann AL. Impact of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Sharing on Quality of Life and Health Outcomes in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(3):195-202.
9 Polonsky WH, Fortmann AL. Impact of Real-Time CGM Data Sharing on Quality of Life in the Caregivers of Adults and Children With Type 1 Diabetes. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022;16(1):97-105.
10 Welsh JB, et al. Real-Time Sharing and Following of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data in Youth. Diabetes Therapy. 2019;10(2):751-755.
11 Polonsky WH, Fortmann AL. Impact of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Sharing on Quality of Life and Health Outcomes in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(3):195-202.
12 Akturk HK, et al. Real-World Evidence and Glycemic Improvement Using Dexcom G6 Features. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(S1):S21-S26.
13 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prediabetes – Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Updated 21 December 2021. Accessed 26 January 2023. CDC.