Follower Heartbeat devices

A heartbeat device can help Follower mode check for new readings while xDrip4iOS is in the background. It does not supply glucose readings.

Bluetooth activity from the selected device gives xDrip4iOS an opportunity to wake and check the configured follower source. The glucose still comes from Nightscout, Dexcom Share, Shared Calendar, CareLink, LibreLinkUp, or Medtrum EasyView.

Available choices

  • Libre/Generic uses the Bluetooth activity from a Libre device or another compatible device.
  • Dexcom G7/ONE+/Stelo uses the Bluetooth activity from that sensor family.
  • OmniPod uses Bluetooth activity from a compatible OmniPod.

Configure

Configure Follower mode and its glucose source first. In Devices, add a Follower Heartbeat device and select its family. Enter an identifier when requested and connect the device. Then select Heartbeat from Keep-alive under Settings > Data Source.

The follower source remains the selected online service or shared calendar. If that source is unavailable, the heartbeat cannot create a glucose reading.

Libre or Generic

Before adding this heartbeat, force-close the app that normally controls the Bluetooth device. Find the device name under the iPhone Bluetooth settings and enter that name in xDrip4iOS. After the heartbeat connects, reopen the controlling app if it is still needed.

Compatible devices can show their battery level on the device information screen. The battery row appears only when the device provides a supported value. Select the value to open Battery History.

Subscription mode

The Subscriptions section is available for a Libre/Generic heartbeat.

  • Single automatically selects one supported Bluetooth channel and keeps subscriptions to a minimum. If that subscription fails, xDrip4iOS tries another supported channel.
  • All subscribes to every supported Bluetooth channel so that activity from any of them can provide a heartbeat.

Use Single unless heartbeat activity is unreliable with the device. A change is applied on the next connection.

Dexcom G7, ONE+, or Stelo

Enter the Bluetooth name shown under the iPhone Bluetooth settings. The official Dexcom app must still be configured correctly for the sensor. The heartbeat connection does not replace that app or turn the sensor into a direct xDrip4iOS data source.

OmniPod

Keep the pod near the iPhone while xDrip4iOS scans. The pod continues to be controlled by its normal system. xDrip4iOS uses only its Bluetooth activity as a heartbeat.

Check that it is working

Open the heartbeat in Devices and confirm that it is active. Then return to Settings > Data Source and confirm that Keep-alive is set to Heartbeat.

The data source section at the bottom of Home shows the follower source and background method. Always check the reading time. A connected heartbeat cannot provide a reading when the follower service, calendar sync, or internet connection is unavailable.

Select Signal Strength on the heartbeat screen to check its Bluetooth reception. Devices that stay connected show a live two-minute chart while the screen is open.

Battery use and limitations

Heartbeat normally has less effect on iPhone battery life than the audio-based keep-alive modes. It depends on regular Bluetooth activity from the selected device and cannot guarantee that iOS will allow every background check.