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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tracing App - iPhones

50 replies

Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 13:09

Interested to know how many of my fellow iPhone users can't use the NHS Covid App due to phone being too old.
I have an iPhone 6, 2015, it's too old (although an iPhone 6S from later in 2015 would apparently work).
If you want to use the voting -
YABU - I have a newer iphone so can use the app
YANBU - I have an older iphone like OP so cannot use the app

OP posts:
Lockheart · 25/09/2020 13:24

What are you doing this survey in aid of?

Ch0colatecake · 25/09/2020 13:26

Hingeandbracket I have read/heard that the app is not compatible with iPhone 6.

Legoandloldolls · 25/09/2020 13:31

Not much good on my year old Andriod either. Galaxy's have such low internal storage for apps that I dont have the space and I can only free up space onto SD card for things other than apps.

Unless I delete the other apps I use every day. I dont go out enough to want to do that. Unless I catch it on the school run. Everyone else I come into contact with, I talk to daily ( people in my house and best mate)

I'm a anti socail recluse because of covid

ElfAndSafetyBored · 25/09/2020 13:36

I would have happily downloaded it but I can't because I have an iphone 6 and I have no intention of upgrading my phone because of this.

Original poster
Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 13:45

@Lockheart

What are you doing this survey in aid of?
Curiosity
OP posts:
Original poster
Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 13:47

@Ch0colatecake

Hingeandbracket I have read/heard that the app is not compatible with iPhone 6.
You read correct - sorry if I didn't make that clear, I know already, I can't use the app as my iphone is too old. That much I know - I was just curious how many fellow iphone users have an old one like me.
OP posts:
Original poster
Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 13:47

@ElfAndSafetyBored

I would have happily downloaded it but I can't because I have an iphone 6 and I have no intention of upgrading my phone because of this.
Your situation is identical to mine.
OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 25/09/2020 13:50

Looking to get my daughter a new phone for this reason. She’s high risk and want to know if she has come into contact with anyone who has it.

BarbaraofSeville · 25/09/2020 13:52

I've got someone on my FB complaining about it not working on an iphone 6.

I've got a Motorola G7 which, despite being a cheap phone, has loads of storage, so I expect that it should be fine for the app, should I get round to downloading it.

The app is supposed to be very basic, so it seems strange that certain phones can't run it.

AlternativePerspective · 25/09/2020 13:59

TBH given the iPhone6 is seven years old I’d imagine there are few people who still have one. Even if people don’t upgrade every year most people do upgrade every two or three years. In fact I’m amazed it’s compatible with iOS14, and if it is I’d imagine it will be very buggy.

PleasantVille · 25/09/2020 13:59

I'm sure that Apple or the networks will know how many of those phones are currently in use, you might be able to find out if you email them or do you only want to know how many MN readers still have one?

Original poster
Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 14:00

Apparently we could have a version to run on any phone - but then we'd all have to turn it on each day - this is the failed IOW app that has now been scrapped - the French have done one like that.
Now we have got into bed with Apple and Google (not saying we should or shouldn't have) there are technical constraints. Apple reckons they can't make it work for older phones.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 14:01

My source for this was listening to BBC radio BTW so I may have some details wrong.

OP posts:
Popcornismandatory · 25/09/2020 14:02

I haven't tried to download the app but I have an iPhone 6 too so presumably can't and can't afford/be arsed to upgrade either.

Original poster
Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 14:05

@PleasantVille

I'm sure that Apple or the networks will know how many of those phones are currently in use, you might be able to find out if you email them or do you only want to know how many MN readers still have one?
Was just curious about MN - I am not a journo or a civil servant, just wondering idly. I would like to download the app and "do my bit" but I can't. Wondered how far out of line with others I am by having such an old phone.
OP posts:
Potterpotterpotter · 25/09/2020 14:06

I have a 11.. I’m not downloading the app though as I don’t want to.

Pangwin · 25/09/2020 14:13

I have the iPhone 6 and I can't get the app. Not everyone wants to constantly replace their phones, or can afford to, especially when they're happy with the one they currently have.

alibongo5 · 25/09/2020 14:14

@AlternativePerspective

TBH given the iPhone6 is seven years old I’d imagine there are few people who still have one. Even if people don’t upgrade every year most people do upgrade every two or three years. In fact I’m amazed it’s compatible with iOS14, and if it is I’d imagine it will be very buggy.
Doesn't seem that my old Samsung phone (S5) is compatible either. I can't remember how old it is but it still does everything I need it to and I bought it outright so have no need to upgrade it. Have never felt the need to upgrade my phone until I have a reason to.
ceeveebee · 25/09/2020 14:27

@BarbaraofSeville

I've got someone on my FB complaining about it not working on an iphone 6.

I've got a Motorola G7 which, despite being a cheap phone, has loads of storage, so I expect that it should be fine for the app, should I get round to downloading it.

The app is supposed to be very basic, so it seems strange that certain phones can't run it.

Apparently it’s to do with the type of Bluetooth technology that is needed for the phones to “talk” to one another - older phones don’t have this
Original poster
Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 14:33

@AlternativePerspective

TBH given the iPhone6 is seven years old I’d imagine there are few people who still have one. Even if people don’t upgrade every year most people do upgrade every two or three years. In fact I’m amazed it’s compatible with iOS14, and if it is I’d imagine it will be very buggy.
My iphone 6 is 5 years and 5 months old, not 7 years. It is still too old.
OP posts:
Original poster
Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 14:34

My iphone 6 isn't compatible with OS14

OP posts:
fairyqueen · 25/09/2020 14:38

We have some older phones lying around that I was considering sending to my parents who don’t have smart phones. Guess that won’t work!

Florencex · 25/09/2020 14:41

I would have happily used the app but I can’t as I have a five year old iPhone. I have no intention of upgrading my phone whilst this one still works.

Sn0tnose · 25/09/2020 14:46

I met a friend for lunch yesterday and was asked to download it. My phone is old and knackered and definitely not able to do apps (although I’d happily download it if it was possible). She let me in on the basis that my friend had done it and I gave her my name and phone number.

Wherearemymarbles · 25/09/2020 14:54

I’ve got an iphone 6. You need ios13 for the app to run and the 6 stops at ios12

No plan to upgrade my phone for this!