Guidance

[Withdrawn] NHS COVID-19 app: who can use the app

Updated 28 March 2023

This guidance was withdrawn on 27 April 2023

The NHS COVID-19 app has closed down, so this content is out of date.

It is important that you continue to follow the latest guidance to protect yourself and others:

• England COVID-19 guidance on nhs.uk
• Wales COVID-19 guidance on GOV.WALES

This includes reporting NHS lateral flow test results on GOV.UK. If you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment, you must report your result so the NHS can contact you about treatment.

Find out about:

• why the app has closed down
• your app data and privacy

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Tynnwyd y canllawiau hyn yn ôl ar 27 Ebrill 2023

Mae ap COVID-19 y GIG wedi cau.

Mae’r cynnwys hwn wedi dyddio.

Mae’n bwysig eich bod yn parhau i ddilyn y canllawiau diweddaraf i ddiogelu hun ac eraill:

• Canllawiau COVID-19 Lloegr ar nhs.uk
• Canllawiau COVID-19 Cymru ar LLYW.CYMRU

Mae hyn yn cynnwys adrodd canlyniadau profion llif unffordd y GIG ar GOV.UK. Os ydych yn gymwys ar gyfer triniaeth COVID-19, rhaid i chi adrodd eich canlyniad fel y gall y GIG gysylltu â chi ynglŷn â thriniaeth.

Dysgwch:

• pam mae’r ap wedi cau
• am eich data ap a phreifatrwydd

Applies to England and Wales

If you live in England or Wales, and are 16 or over, you can download the app on your phone.

Phones and other devices

Find out more about using the app in a different language.

Phones the NHS COVID-19 app will work on

The app currently supports Apple iOS versions 13.5 and higher and Android version 6.0 (Marshmallow) and higher. This is because the app uses technologies only available in these versions. While the app does work on iOS version 13.5, we recommend you upgrade to version 14 or higher.

The app will not work on phones that do not support Android or Apple (iOS).

The app does not work on:

• Apple phones using lower than iOS 13.5 (includes iPhone 6, 6 Plus and earlier models)
• Android phones using lower than version 6.0 (Marshmallow)
• Windows phones launched before May 2019
• Huawei phones launched from May 2019

Your phone must have Bluetooth enabled for contact tracing to work.

Other devices

The app is not designed for use on laptops, PCs, smart watches or iPads. The app is designed for use on smartphones only because for contact tracing to be effective, it needs to be on a device that you carry with you most of the time.

You can use the app on Android tablets. The tablet must have a sim card so it can use a mobile connection, for example 4G or 5G.

If you have a compatible smartphone and cannot install the app, you can report a technical problem.

Children and the app

If your child is aged 16 or over, they can download and use the app.

Although those aged 16 and over can use the app in education settings, the main benefit is outside that, when they are socialising, using public transport, or in a public space.

If a 16 or 17 year old receives an alert through the app, they are advised to show the message to a trusted adult.

The age limit is aligned to wider NHS services which generally consider those aged 16 and above to have sufficient maturity and capacity to make decisions relating to health care.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance may be different for children and adults.

Healthcare workers and the app

Healthcare workers are advised to pause contact tracing while they are working in healthcare buildings, including hospitals and GP surgeries.

Read more about how and when to pause contact tracing.

This advice is being given as healthcare workers are working in highly specialised secure environments, trained in infection prevention and control processes, and wearing medical-grade PPE as required.

If a healthcare worker believes they have developed symptoms or been in contact with COVID-19, or gets an alert telling them they’ve been in contact with someone who has later tested positive, they should follow the guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection and guidance for the management of staff with a respiratory infection or a positive COVID-19 result.