I am diabetic and monitor my blood sugar levels with a Libre 2 device via their app downloaded from the Apple Store.
Or at least I did until Apple pushed iOS 18.1.1 to my phone at 6 am one morning.
Since then my phone refuses to recognize the monitor.
I have reported this to both Apple and Abbott Labs the owners of the Libre 2 devices.
Abbott web site only lists compatibility through iOS 17 and seem reluctant to update their app to iOS 18
The monitor buttons themselves are working just fine and can be read with a dedicated reading device, but ads for the Libre 2 system still use the iPhone reader app as a major selling point.
Was wondering if others in my situation have experienced similar difficulties or is this an issue just with my iPhone?
I use the Libre system as well (Libre 3+). I have not upgraded from iOS 17 yet because of the compatibility question.
Considering that Abbott was listing iOS 17 as “compatibility not verified” at the time iOS 18 was released, I don’t expect them to claim compatibility with 18 any time soon. Also, the Libre 2 app hasn’t been updated in the past three months, while the Libre 3 app (which works with both the Libre 3 and 3+ sensors) was last updated about a month ago. So I wouldn’t expect any further compatibility updates for the Libre 2 app. They’re trying to phase out the Libre 2 system.
I suspect that the OS update broke the Bluetooth pairing between your phone and the current sensor. The fact that you can get the data from the Reader supports this, as Abbott says that a sensor connected to the Reader device cannot be connected to the app.
If you can continue to get the data from the Reader, I suggest you use that to finish out the sensor’s lifespan, then try to activate the next sensor with the app. If that fails, contact Abbott. I can’t guarantee they’ll do anything for you, as iOS 18 is officially listed as not compatible, but they might give you a voucher to upgrade to the 3 or 3+ (you would need a new prescription as well; the 2, 3, and 3+ can’t be substituted for one another). I have seen anecdotal reports of the 3/3+ working with the app on iOS 18 for some people.
The other thing I’d suggest is asking on Reddit. There’s a subreddit for Libre users (r/Freestylelibre) that has a lot of information you’re not going to find anywhere else. A large number of users there use iPhones, a much larger number than TidBITS-Talk readers using Libre sensors. You might find someone there who has a solution for you.
FWIW, I have been using a Libre 3 device to monitor my diabetic cat. The Libre 3 app has been working just fine under iOS 18.2.1, and earlier updates. I’ve never noticed the app to have a problem after an iOS update.
(I certainly detest the app itself, which doesn’t allow you to export the data. Abbott clearly wants to keep you, and your doctor, tied to them. Thanks much to @ Quantumpanda, I’ll check out the subreddit to see if there are work-arounds.)
I have seen reports that data can be exported from the LibreLinkup app. I’ve never tried this myself, though, so I don’t know if it actually works. (I don’t use LibreLinkup at all.)
Honestly, it’s an annoyance that more and more proprietary glucose monitor apps (both for CGM and for fingerstick monitors) are adopting. I used to use the OneTouch Verio, which does allow export, but last year I switched to Contour Next because my insurance had an arrangement with Contour for the meter, strips, and lancets at zero copay. (I say “had” not because the deal is no longer available, but because I no longer have that insurance since Spouse was laid off last fall. I’m self-employed, so their insurance was carrying us both.) The Contour app doesn’t appear to have any export options at all. Everyone wants to lock up your data in their silo.
Here’s a fairly popular open source iOS app that works with Libre 3 CGMs worldwide but only European models of Libre 2. The bottom of the web page shows several screenshots including export capability.
However, it has not been approved for distribution in the Apple App Store, so the only way to install it on an iOS device is to build the source code yourself using Xcode.