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Connecting your FreeStyle Libre to SocialDiabetes on iOS is very simple. However, to keep your data continuously synchronized, you need to accept certain permissions. This post explains the basics and then offers a more detailed explanation for those who wish to dive deeper.
This process is completely reversible; you decide to continue sharing your data with us or not.
Steps to integrate FreeStyle with SocialDiabetes
Step 1: Access your FreeStyle account settings
Open the FreeStyle Libre app (LibreLink or Libre 3).
Access the side menu (three lines on the top left).
Select the Account Settings option.
Step 2: Copy the email address associated with your account
On the settings screen, you will see the email associated with your FreeStyle account.
Copy this email address; you will need it later.
Step 3: Connect LibreLinkUp with SocialDiabetes
Go back to the side menu and select Connected Applications.
Choose the LibreLinkUp option and click Connect.
Step 4: Add the connection
Enter the email you copied in step 2 in the appropriate field.
Click on Add connection.
Step 5: Quick and Easy Connection
- Enter your FreeStyle account username and password.
- Select the country associated with your FreeStyle account.
Why are special permissions required?
In iOS, apps have restrictions on running in the background. For SocialDiabetes to update your data without you having to open the app every time, it is necessary to:
- Enable push notifications: These notifications, mostly invisible, tell the app that it needs to sync.
- Activate “Background App Refresh”: This allows the app to update in the background.
Detailed Explanation
iOS greatly restricts what apps can do when they’re not in use, to protect device performance, save battery life, and manage data usage. This means that:
- Without push notifications and Background App Refresh: The app will only update when you open it, which can leave long periods without data.
- Invisible push notifications: They allow the app to update without disturbing you, as long as the app remains in the background and hasn’t been closed from the app switcher or restricted by battery-saving modes.
- Banner-type notifications: These serve as a backup measure. They appear briefly, without sound, to ensure the update, but because they are visible, they might be less convenient.
- Additionally, Abbot (the owner of FreeStyle Libre) only provides data from the last few minutes, so SocialDiabetes needs to sync every few minutes to avoid any gaps in your information.
What can I do if the notifications bother me?
As developers, we cannot prevent the banners from appearing. If you prefer not to see them, you must disable them manually in the iOS notification settings for SocialDiabetes.
⚠️ Keep in mind that by doing so, other alerts (such as alarms or reminders) from the app will also be disabled.
In the example, banners won’t appear when the notification is received, but they will show up in the “Notification Center.”
