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Libre press release - Android alarms & Libre 3 Apps

Mrs HJG

Mrs HJG

Well-Known Member
Messages
328
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was sent an urgent (hmm... 9th Feb) press release from my Doctors today, (nothing from my diabetes team or Abbott directly obvs), for anyone using the app on android or Libre 3. Hope this helps anyone having problems.
 

Attachments

9th February 2023
Urgent Field Safety Notice
Product: FreeStyle LibreLink App for Android and FreeStyle Libre 3 App for Android (all versions) Reference: ADC FA1010-2023
Communication from Manufacturer
Dear Customer:
Extended periods of signal loss, which could impact your ability to receive glucose alarms or readings, may be experienced by users who are using the Android operating system 13 with the FreeStyle LibreLink app (with alarms ON) or the FreeStyle Libre 3 app. If this occurs, turn your Bluetooth OFF and then ON or turn your smartphone OFF and then ON. Please read below for additional information. Note: If you are not sure what operating system you are using, see the “Find Your Operating System Version” section below.
Problem / Issue
Abbott has recently discovered that when using smartphones with the Android 13 Operating System (OS), customers may experience extended periods of signal loss in the FreeStyle LibreLink and FreeStyle Libre 3 Android apps. During these extended periods of signal loss, users of glucose alarms will not receive low glucose or high glucose alarms and FreeStyle Libre 3 users will not receive glucose readings. If you are a FreeStyle LibreLink user, this does not impact your ability to get glucose readings by scanning your Sensor with the FreeStyle LibreLink app on your smartphone or with your Reader.
Potential Harms
  • Missed glucose alarms could lead to undetected low or high glucose, which could result in delayed treatment, such as not taking insulin (for high glucose), or not taking glucose (for low glucose) when required
  • Missed glucose results (FreeStyle Libre 3 only) could lead to undetected low or high glucose, which could result in delayed treatment, such as not taking insulin (for high glucose), or not taking glucose (for low glucose) when required
View attachment 59547
Actions for Users
If you experience extended periods of signal loss, either of the following actions should assist in reconnection:
  • Turn Bluetooth OFF and then ON again from your Android smartphone settings
  • Turn your smartphone OFF and then ON again
    Configure your signal loss alarm to be ON with “Override Do Not Disturb” enabled. Please refer to www.FreeStyleandroid.com for more information on how to configure alarms.
    If you have not already upgraded your smartphone OS to Android 13 and are using the FreeStyle LibreLink or FreeStyle Libre 3 App, we advise you to delay upgrading until you receive additional notice from Abbott.
    If these steps do not resolve the issue please call Abbott Customer Service at 0800 170 11 77.
View attachment 59548
You will know that you are connected when the symbols (see below) no longer appear on your app.
You will need to repeat one of these steps above if you experience an extended period of signal loss in the future.
It is important to note that signal loss conditions can occur that are unrelated to this issue. For example, signal loss may occur if your smartphone is too far away from your sensor. If this occurs, follow instructions as outlined in the User Manual troubleshooting section.
This does not impact you if:
  • you use a reader to start your sensor
  • you use FreeStyle LibreLink with FreeStyle Libre Sensors
  • you use FreeStyle LibreLink or FreeStyle Libre 3 app on an Apple iPhone
  • you use FreeStyle LibreLink or FreeStyle Libre 3 app on a smartphone running Android 12 OS or
    below
  • you use FreeStyle LibreLink and you are not using alarms on your app
View attachment 59549 View attachment 59550
Find your Operating System Version
If you want to check which operating system version is running on your smartphone, follow the instructions below:
  • - Open your Android smartphone Settings
  • - Near the bottom, tap About phone, then Android version
    We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
    We have notified the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and we are working to correct this issue. We will notify you when the issue has been resolved.
    If you have any further questions or would like to report a device fault, please call Abbott Customer Service at 0800 170 11 77.
    Sincerely,
    Abbott, Diabetes Care
    ADC-70255 v1.0
 
I have had the constant signal loss alarm since upgrading my phone to Android 13. Abbott have released an update to the App which fixes the problem with Android 13 and restores the low and high glucose alarms. It works on my Samsung A12. Go to the Play store, search for LibreLink App and update your App to the latest version 2.8.4.
 
I got an email from Abbot Australia (similar, but not the same, to the ones above). It says "If you have not installed Android 13, we recommend you wait to do so until the FreeStyle LibreLink Android app update is available. We will update users when the app update becomes available in the coming weeks." I haven't received any further emails and there's no update for LibreLink on play store. Do the updates roll out based on country?


Edit: Forget most of what I just wrote. Just checked my email and there's another one from Abbot Australia 30 minutes ago. Checking play store, again, now

"
FreeStyle LibreLink Android (ARTG: 363331)
To our valued Freestyle Libre community,​
FreeStyle LibreLink Android app update version 2.8.4 now available to download​
We recently communicated about the FreeStyle LibreLink App and its compatibility with the Android 13 Operating System (OS), which may have resulted in extended periods of signal loss in the app which could have impacted your ability to receive glucose alarms.​
We’re pleased to inform you that our latest version of the FreeStyle LibreLink App 2.8.4 is now compatible with Android OS 13. Please update your FreeStyle LibreLink App for Android OS to the latest version 2.8.4 as soon as possible to ensure you are receiving glucose alarms on your smartphone when using the app with Android OS 13.​
To check which version of the app you have, view the Aboutscreen in the app. Please ensure you are using version 2.8.4 and running a minimum Android 8 OS on your smartphone. If your app was not automatically updated to version 2.8.4, you can update your app manually following these steps:
  • Open the Google Play Store app
  • At the top right, tap the profile icon
  • Tap Manage apps & device. Locate the FreeStyle LibreLink app labeled "Update available"
  • Tap Update
To check which Android OS version is running on your smartphone, follow the instructions below:
  • Open your smartphone Settings
  • Near the bottom, tap About phone, then Android version
 
Hi everyone, I'm a diabetic who uses freestyle libre 2, Samsung Android phone.

I'm currently using version 2.8.4 of the FreeStyle LibreLink App which IS compatible with Android OS 13 and all alarms work correctly.

But now I'm hesitant to ever update my android operating system ever again.

I'm currently on this version

Build Number : S901EXXU2BVKM
Android version : T(Android 13)
Release Date : 2022-12-21
Security patch level : 2022-12-01
(One UI 5.0)

I'm considering upgrading to:

Build Number : S901EXXU5CWEC
Android version : T(Android 13)
Release Date : 2023-06-26
Security patch level : 2023-06-01
(One UI 5.1)

Please let me know if anyone has had experience with the latest Android version (June 2023) for Samsung and freestyle libre 2?

Thanks
 
Hi
The June 2023 update has reduced the bluetooth low energy signal range used by the libre 2 alarms to maybe 9 inches on my Samsung A53 5G model phone. If you have that phone definetly don't update.
I don't know if this affects other Samsung models.
 
Hi, thanks so much for your reply. Do you know what Baseband version you are currently on? I already upgraded to the June update but as I'm located in Australia I believe my June update might be an earlier version than yours.

I'm currently on Samsung Build Number : S901EXXU5CWEC (Google play system update 1May 2023, android security patch level 1 June 2023), bluetooth alarms work for the librelink app version 2.8.4, seems to work further than 9 inches still. I have a Samsung S22.

Perhaps it's the next update that breaks it?

Thanks again
 
Last edited:
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