Panic Ensues as iPhone App for Diabetics Fails, Disrupting Glucose Monitoring
- The FreeStyle Libre app provides real-time blood sugar level monitoring through a sensor.
By Xantha Leatham, Deputy Science Editor
Updated: 01:38 BST, 15 July 2023
Diabetics in the UK are unable to monitor their glucose levels due to a malfunctioning update on a widely used app.
The FreeStyle Libre app relies on a small sensor inserted into the body to monitor blood sugar levels. It sends real-time updates to a mobile phone and can issue alerts if glucose levels are too high or too low.
However, the app suddenly stopped working for some iPhone users and has since been removed from the Apple app store.
The manufacturer, Abbott, provided instructions on deleting and reinstalling the app, which seemed to resolve the issue temporarily.
A spokesperson for Abbott stated that the app will be made available again soon. Nonetheless, the company received backlash from diabetic individuals who depend on the app for their health management.
Diabetics across the UK have been unable to monitor their glucose levels after an update on a popular app caused it to stop working on some phones [File image]
A file image showing a woman wearing an Omnipod insulin pump and Freestyle Libre sensor on the arm
David Burchell, who has type 1 diabetes, expressed his concern, saying, “This equipment is supposed to save your life. I woke up yesterday morning, went to check my sensor, and it broke, showing a white screen. I panicked.”
He further added, “I’ve contacted Abbott several times before for similar issues. They instructed me to delete the app, restart my phone, and reinstall it. However, when I tried to redownload it, the app was no longer available on the store. So, I was left without an active test, except for fingerprick testing, which is a nightmare to do a hundred times a week.”
Another individual expressed their frustration online, pointing out the potential danger caused by the malfunctioning Freestyle Libre 2 app. They stated, “Not being able to check my sugar for 24 hours is careless, and Abbott’s lackadaisical attitude is unacceptable.”
A third user raised concerns about the withdrawing of the Freestyle Libre 2 app from the app store. They commented, “They know there’s a problem, they have our information, but they are keeping silent despite this being a life-threatening issue.”
The NHS reports that around 200,000 individuals use similar sensors provided by the health service for managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Abbott responded by saying, “Some customers in the UK are experiencing issues with successfully upgrading to the latest version of the FreeStyle LibreLink iOS app. We have temporarily removed it from the iOS app store while we work on finding solutions.”
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