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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

AriettyHomily · 25/09/2020 15:48

I've got a 6 for work and it has downloaded fine not sure what iOS I'm running but I've had the phone since 2016

Akire · 25/09/2020 15:52

I bought my iPhone 6 brand new from 02 shop 2y ago. Granted wasn’t the newest and that why it cost £250 not £750!! Not everyone has had their phone for years and years.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 25/09/2020 15:55

I've got an 11 Pro but won't be downloading the app yet as I want you to see how well it works first. I know some places are insisting on it but surely they have to have an alternative for those with older phones or no smartphone.

vanillandhoney · 25/09/2020 15:55

Mine is compatible but I won't be downloading the app. I don't use Bluetooth as it kills my battery.

Heatherjayne1972 · 25/09/2020 15:57

So If you don’t have a mobile or you not got it with you will some places refuse you service??
There must be an alternative
My sister - the conspiracy fan is refusing to download this app as it’s a method of control

vanillandhoney · 25/09/2020 16:01

@Heatherjayne1972

So If you don’t have a mobile or you not got it with you will some places refuse you service?? There must be an alternative My sister - the conspiracy fan is refusing to download this app as it’s a method of control

I think some places are still doing pen/paper. They'll have to, surely? Not everyone owns a mobile, let alone one that's compatible with the app.

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 25/09/2020 16:14

@AriettyHomily

I've got a 6 for work and it has downloaded fine not sure what iOS I'm running but I've had the phone since 2016

If everything I read is correct - you have an iPhone 6s

OP posts:

ChavvySexPond · 28/09/2020 15:57

I downloaded it immediately because Test Trace and isolate is the most crucial part of getting the virus under control.

But nowhere I've been has had a QR code to check in with.

Not that I'm out and about much.

Comefromaway · 28/09/2020 16:00

@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.

I upgrade my phone when the old one stops working or they bring out a new function that is lots better than what I've got.

I LOVE my iphone 6, it's so much nicer than my son's iphone 7 anad there is no way I can afford a newer one. My mum who only calls and texts is still happily using my old iphone 4.

thecatsatonthewall · 28/09/2020 16:07

My iphone SE will download the app, as its a 6S in a 5 case but i won't be, i cannot afford to self isolate for no other reason than i might have been nr someone who has CV, it doesn't mean i have it at all and this may happen multiple times as infection rates increase over winter.

All very well but who is going to pay my bills and food? Will Lidl, EDF and the Council give me a payment holiday ?

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 29/09/2020 09:17

Thanks everyone, interesting perspectives. DP has a Samsung phone so has the app.I have an iphone 6 so do not.

OP posts:

bwfcchick88 · 29/09/2020 09:39

I read the NHS app is only compatible with certain versions of Android (Android 6 and above). Think it is from the 6s/SE 1st gen onwards for iOS.

Scattyhattie · 29/09/2020 10:35

I've an old phone so wouldn't work for me either, but Bluetooth being on all time would probably kill off its battery before day was out anyway. I'm rarely going anywhere at the moment so not much of an issue.

TeenPlusTwenties · 29/09/2020 10:40

My phone runs on Android 2.6, so nowhere near the Android 6 needed for the App. Luckily I don't go anywhere / do anything that needs test and trace.

lifesalongsong · 29/09/2020 10:43

@Scattyhattie

Apparently it doesn't, I heard a tech expert say that it only takes about 3% of battery per day. I've no idea if this is correct but he was an independant reviewer of the app

edwinbear · 29/09/2020 10:59

I too have an iphone 6 which works perfectly well and I have no intention of replacing until it doesn't. I could easily afford to, but really don't like wastefulness so will hang onto it until it's broken. I would have downloaded it had I been able to.

pointyshoes · 29/09/2020 12:51

@Heatherjayne1972

So If you don’t have a mobile or you not got it with you will some places refuse you service?? There must be an alternative My sister - the conspiracy fan is refusing to download this app as it’s a method of control

Whilst you have to leave your contact details, legally it doesn’t have to be via the app. Businesses can let you use pen/paper. If they insist on the app it’s because they don’t want to bother with pen/paper, not a legal thing. Too many people are unable to download the app for it to become a legal requirement.

RobertaTheGreat · 29/09/2020 12:58

I have no storage capacity on my old samsung to download this app. The official line is that businesses should offer an alternative way of recording your details - pen and paper. If they don't then they will lose even more business than they are already.

TheHighestSardine · 29/09/2020 13:01

@ChavvySexPond

I downloaded it immediately because Test Trace and isolate is the most crucial part of getting the virus under control.

But nowhere I've been has had a QR code to check in with.

Not that I'm out and about much.

The checkin QR codes aren't really the important bit. The phone does "who have you been next to for quite a while" anyway.

Shakespearsister · 29/09/2020 13:05

Didn't work on my Blackberry but one of the kids had an 6s she upgraded from so I had it sorted. Looking at Android enabled Blackberry but surpringly expensive.

Elphame · 29/09/2020 13:10

Many of us have older iPhones. The new ones are stupid money.

My 5S won't run it I'm told but as i wouldn't be installing it even if I could. it's not an issue. DP has a 6. His won't work either

iphonefail · 29/09/2020 14:47

iPhone 5s here. Perfectly good phone and I really don't want to upgrade. Irritating.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 29/09/2020 15:03

Apparently it doesn't, I heard a tech expert say that it only takes about 3% of battery per day. I've no idea if this is correct but he was an independant reviewer of the app

I have bluetooth on most of the time but I presume the app would need location services on, which I always have set to 'only while using the app'.

Original poster

Hingeandbracket · 29/09/2020 17:29

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

Apparently it doesn't, I heard a tech expert say that it only takes about 3% of battery per day. I've no idea if this is correct but he was an independant reviewer of the app

I have bluetooth on most of the time but I presume the app would need location services on, which I always have set to 'only while using the app'.

Fairly sure the app doesn't use location service. The idea is (I think) it just uses bluetooth, so it knows if you have been near someone else with the app who later tests positive. The QR codes can help locate if there's a hotspot but they are not essential.

OP posts:

TheGrayChapter · 29/09/2020 18:35

I have no desire to have the app even if my phone can run it 🤷‍♀️

I don’t go anywhere anyway 😂

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