What are the recommended G6 Android phone settings?
The Dexcom G6 is Dexcom's latest generation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. Unlike previous generations, this CGM system is factory-calibrated - so zero finger pricks are required.
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.
Focus Mode
On Android 9 and above, 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.
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.
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.
Device Location
Location must 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 requires 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. When Battery Optimizing 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 Battery Optimizing.
How to turn Background Restrictions 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
Do Not Disturb silences all alerts except for the Urgent Low alarm and Transmitter Failure, Sensor Failure, and App Stopped Alerts. If the Dexcom G6 Always Sound feature is on, it will override your phone settings, so you hear glucose alerts set to sound. Exception: No alarm or alerts sound when your phone is in the most restrictive Do Not Disturb setting.
How to turn DND Permission on and 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.
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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