xDrip+ settings

If not already set up then download xDrip+.

This documentation is for xDrip+ for Android only. There is an app “xDrip for iOS” that has nothing to do with the original xDrip+ for Android.

For G6 transmitters manufactured after fall/end of 2018 (i.e. serial no. starting with 80 or 81) please make sure to use at least the master dated 2019/05/18.

If your Dexcom G6 transmitter’s serial no. is starting with 8G... or 8H... use one of the latest nightly builds.

If your phone runs Android 10 and you have difficulties with xDrip+ master try nightly build 2019/12/31 or later.

Basic settings for all CGM & FGM systems

  • Make sure to set Base URL correctly including S at the end of https:// (not http://)

    i.e. https://API_SECRET@your-app-name.herokuapp.com/api/v1/

    -> Hamburger Menu (top left of homescreen) -> Settings-> Cloud Upload-> Nightscout Sync (REST-API) -> Base URL

  • Deactivate Automatic Calibration If the checkbox for Automatic Calibration is checked, activate Download data once, then remove the checkbox for Automatic Calibration and deactivate Download data again, otherwise the treatments (insulin & carbs) will be added twice to Nightscout.

  • Tap Extra Options

  • Deactivate Upload treatments and Back-fill data.

    Safety warning : You must deactivate “Upload treatments” from xDrip+, otherwise treatments can be doubled in AAPS leading to false COB and IOB.

  • Option Alert on failures should also be deactivated. Otherwise you will get an alarm every 5 minutes in case wifi/mobile network is too bad or the server is not available.

    xDrip+ Basic Settings 1

    xDrip+ Basic Settings 2

  • InterApp-Settings (Broadcast) If you are going to use AndroidAPS and the data should be forwarded to i.e. AndroidAPS you have to activate broadcasting in xDrip+ in Inter-App settings.

  • In order for the values to be equal, you should activate Send the displayed glucose value.

  • If you have also activated Accept treatments and broadcasting in AndroidAPS, then xDrip+ will receive insulin, carbs and basal rate information from AndroidAPS and can estimate the hypo prediction etc. more accurately.

    xDrip+ Basic Settings 3

Identify receiver

  • If you discover problems with local broadcast (AAPS not receiving BG values from xDrip+) go to Settings > Inter-app settings > Identify receiver and enter info.nightscout.androidaps.

  • Pay attention: Auto-correction sometimes tend to change i to capital letter. You must use only lowercase letters when typing info.nightscout.androidaps. Capital I would prevent AAPS from receiving BG values from xDrip+.

    xDrip+ Basic Inter-app Settings Identify receiver

xDrip+ & Dexcom G6

  • The Dexcom G6 transmitter can simultaneously be connected to the Dexcom receiver (or alternatively the t:slim pump) and one app on your phone.
  • When using xDrip+ as receiver uninstall Dexcom app first. You cannot connect xDrip+ and Dexcom app with the transmitter at the same time!
  • If you need Clarity and want to profit from xDrip+ alarms use the patched Dexcom app with local broadcast to xDrip+.

xDrip+ version depending on G6 transmitter serial no.

Dexcom specific settings

  • Open G5/G6 Debug Settings -> Hamburger Menu (top left of homescreen) -> Settings -> G5/G6 Debug Settings Open xDrip+ Settings

  • Enable the following settings

    • Use the OB1 Collector
    • Native Algorithm (important if you want to use SMB)
    • G6 support
    • Allow OB1 unbonding
    • Allow OB1 initiate bonding
  • All other options should be disabled

  • Adjust battery warning level to 280 (bottom of G5/G6 Debug Settings)

    xDrip+ G5/G6 Debug Settings

Connect G6 transmitter for the first time

For second and following transmitters see Extend transmitter life below.

For G6 transmitters manufactured after fall/end of 2018 (i.e. serial no. starting with 80 or 81) please make sure to use at least the master dated 2019/05/18.

If your Dexcom G6 transmitter’s serial no. is starting with 8G or 8H try nightly build 2019/07/28 or later.

  • Turn original Dexcom receiver off (if used).

  • Long press the red xDrip+ blood drop icon on the main screen to enable the Source Wizard Button.

  • Use the Source Wizard Button which ensures default settings including OB1 & Native Mode

    • This guides you through the initial set up.
    • you will need your transmitter serial number if this is the first time you’ve used it.
  • Put in serial number of new transmitter (on the transmitter packaging or on the back of the transmitter). Be careful not to confuse 0 (zero) and O (capital letter o).

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter Serial No

  • Insert new sensor (only if replacing)

  • Put transmitter into sensor

  • Do not start new sensor before the following information is shown in Classic Status Page -> G5/G6 status -> PhoneServiceState:

    • Transmitter serial starting with 80 or 81: “Got data hh:mm” (i.e. “Got data 19:04”)
    • Transmitter serial starting with 8G or 8H: “Got glucose hh:mm” (i.e. “Got glucose 19:04”) or “Got no raw hh:mm” (i.e. “Got now raw 19:04”)

    xDrip+ PhoneServiceState

  • Start sensor (only if replacing)

    -> Near the bottom of the screen Warm Up x,x hours left must be displayed after a few minutes.

-> If your transmitter serial no. does not start with 8G or 8H and there is no time specification after a few minutes stop and restart the sensor.

  • Restart collector (system status - if not replacing sensor}

  • Do not turn original Dexcom receiver (if used) back on before xDrip+ shows first readings.

  • Long press the red xDrip+ blood drop icon on the main screen to disable the Source Wizard Button.

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter 1

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter 2

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter 3

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter 4

Transmitter battery status

  • Battery status can be controlled in system status (Hamburger menu top left on homescreen)
  • Swipe left once to see second screen. xDrip+ First Transmitter 4
  • The exact values when the transmitter “dies” due to empty battery are not known. The following information was posted online after the transmitter “died”:
    • Posting 1: Transmitter days: 151 / Voltage A: 297 / Voltage B: 260 / Resistance: 2391
    • Posting 2: Transmitter days: 249 / Voltage A: 275 (at time of failure)

Extend transmitter life

  • So far life cannot be extended for transmitters whos serial no. starts with 8G or 8H.

  • To prevent difficulties starting sensors it is highly recommended to extend transmitter life before day 100 of first usage.

  • Running sensor session will be stopped when extending transmitter life. So, extend before sensor change or be aware that there will be a new 2 h warm-up phase.

  • Stop sensor manually via hamburger menu.

  • Switch to the engineering mode:

    • tap on the character on the right of the xDrip+ start screen that represents a syringe
    • then tap on the microphone icon in the lower right corner
    • In the text box that opens type “enable engineering mode”
    • click “Done”
    • If Google Speak engine is enabled, you can also speak the voice command: “enable engineering mode”.
  • Go to the G5 debug settings and make sure Use the OB1 collector is enabled.

  • Use the voice command: “hard reset transmitter”

  • The voice command will be executed with the next data receipt of the transmitter

  • Look at the system status (Hamburger menu -> system status) and see what happens

  • If you see a message “Phone Service State: Hard Reset maybe failed” on second system status screen just start the sensor and this message should go away.

    xDrip+ Hard Reset maybe failed

  • Transmitter days will be set to 0 after successful extension and start of sensor.

Replace transmitter

For G6 transmitters manufactured after fall/end of 2018 (i.e. serial no. starting with 80 or 81) please make sure to use at least the master dated 2019/05/18.

If your Dexcom G6 transmitter’s serial no. is starting with 8G or 8H use one of the latest nightly builds.

  • Turn original Dexcom receiver off (if used).

  • Stop sensor (only if replacing sensor)

    Ensure it really is stopped:

    On the second “G5/G6 Status” screen look at Queue Items about halfway down - It may say something like (1) Stop Sensor

    Wait until this goes - usually within a few minutes. Sensor Status must be “Stopped” (see screenshot).

    -> To remove transmitter without stopping sensor see this video https://youtu.be/AAhBVsc6NZo.

    xDrip+ Stop Dexcom Sensor 1

    xDrip+ Stop Dexcom Sensor 2

  • Forget device in xDrip+ system status AND in smartphone’s BT settings (Will be shown as Dexcom?? whereas ?? are the last two digits of the transmitter serial no.)

    xDrip+ Forget Device

  • Remove transmitter (and sensor if replacing sensor)

  • Put the old transmitter far away to prevent reconnection. A microwave is a perfect Faraday shield for this - but unplug power cord to be 100% no one is turning the microwave on.

  • Long press the red xDrip+ blood drop icon on the main screen to enable the Source Wizard Button.

  • Use the Source Wizard Button which ensures default settings including OB1 & Native Mode

    • This guides you through the initial set up.
    • You will need your transmitter serial number if this is the first time you’ve used it.
  • Put in serial number of new transmitter. Be careful not to confuse 0 (zero) and O (capital letter o).

  • Insert new sensor (only if replacing).

  • Put transmitter into sensor - Do not start sensor immediately!

  • New “Firefly Transmitters” (serial no. starting with 8G or 8H) can only be used in native mode.

  • The following options must not be activated for new “Firefly Transmitters” (serial no. starting with 8G or 8H):

    • Preemptive Restart (disable!)
    • Restart sensor (disable!)
    • Fallback to xDrip+ (disable!)

    Settings for Firefly transmitters

  • Check in Classic Status Page -> G5/G6 status -> PhoneServiceState if one of the following informations is displayed:

    • Transmitter serial starting with 80 or 81: “Got data hh:mm” (i.e. “Got data 19:04”)
    • Transmitter serial starting with 8G or 8H: “Got glucose hh:mm” (i.e. “Got glucose 19:04”) or “Got no raw hh:mm” (i.e. “Got now raw 19:04”)

    xDrip+ PhoneServiceState

  • Wait 15 minutes as the transmitter should communicate several times with xDrip before new sensor is started. Battery data will be shown below Firmware information.

    Firefly transmitter battery data

  • Start sensor and DO NOT BACKDATE! Always select “Yes, today”!

  • Restart collector (system status - if not replacing sensor)

  • Do not turn original Dexcom receiver (if used) back on before xDrip+ shows first readings.

  • Long press the red xDrip+ blood drop icon on the main screen to disable the Source Wizard Button.

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter 1

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter 2

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter 3

    xDrip+ Dexcom Transmitter 4

New Sensor

  • Turn original Dexcom receiver off (if used).

  • Stop sensor if necessary

    Ensure it really is stopped:

    On the second “G5/G6 Status” screen look at Queue Items about halfway down - It may say something like (1) Stop Sensor

    Wait until this goes - usually within a few minutes.

    xDrip+ Stop Dexcom Sensor 1

    xDrip+ Stop Dexcom Sensor 2

  • Clean contacts (transmitter backside) with alcohol and let air-dry.

  • In case you use this function disable Restart Sensor and Preemptive restarts (Hamburger menu -> Settings -> G5/G6 Debug Settings). If you miss this step and have these functions enabled the new sensor will not start properly.

    xDrip+ Preemptive Restart

  • Start Sensor

    For new Firefly transmitters (serial no. starting with 8G or 8H) it is mandatory, for all other transmitters it is recommended to wait approx. 15 minutes between stopping and starting the new sensor (until Sensor Status: Stopped is shown on second system status screen). DO NOT BACKDATE!

  • Set time inserted

    • To use G6 Native mode you must wait for the 2 hour warm up (i.e insertion time is now).
    • If you are using the xDrip+ algorithm then you can set a time more than 2 hours ago to avoid warm up. Readings may be very erratic. Therefore, this is not recommended.
  • Enter Sensor code (on the peel-off foil of the sensor)

    • Keep code for further reference (i.e. new start after transmitter had to be removed)
    • Code can also be found in xDrip+ logs: Click 3-dots-menu on xDrip+ homescreen and choose View Event Logs.
  • No calibration is needed if you use G6 in “native mode”. xDrip+ will show readings automatically after 2 hour warm-up.

  • Do not turn original Dexcom Receiver (if used) back on before xDrip+ shows first readings.

    xDrip+ Start Dexcom Sensor 1

    xDrip+ Start Dexcom Sensor 2

Retrieve sensor code

  • In master dated 2019/05/18 and the latest nightly builds the sensor code is shown in system status (Hamburger menu top left on homescreen).

  • Swipe left once to see second screen.

    xDrip+ Retrieve Dexcom Sensor Code2

  • Dexcom sensor code can also be found in xDrip+ logs.

  • Tap 3 dot menu (top right side on homescreen)

  • Select View Event Logs and search for “code”

    xDrip+ Retrieve Dexcom Sensor Code

Troubleshooting Dexcom G5/G6 and xDrip+

Problem connecting transmitter

  • Transmitter must be shown in your smartphone’s bluetooth settings.
  • Transmitter will be shown as Dexcom?? whereas ?? represent the last two digits of your transmitter serial no. (i.e. DexcomHY).
  • Open system status in xDrip+ (hamburger menu on top left side of home screen).
  • Check if your transmitter is shown on first status page (‘classic status page’).
  • If not: Delete device from your smartphone’s bluetooth settings and restart collector.
  • Wait about 5 min. until Dexcom transmitter reconnects automatically.

Problem when starting new sensor

Please note that the following method might likely not work if your Dexcom G6 transmitter’s serial no. is starting with 8G or 8H.

  • Native sensor is marked as “FAILED: Sensor Failed Start”
  • Stop sensor
  • Restart your phone
  • Start sensor with code 0000 (four times zero)
  • Wait 15 minutes
  • Stop sensor
  • Start sensor with “real” code (printed on the adhesive protector)

Check in xDrip+ logs if xDrip+ starts counting “Duration: 1 minute” (and so on). Only in the xDrip+ logs you can detect at an early stage whether xdrip+ has stopped a sensor. Latest status is not always shown correctly on bottom of startscreen.

xDrip+ & Freestyle Libre

Libre specific settings

  • Open Bluetooth Settings -> Hamburger Menu (top left of homescreen) -> Settings -> scroll down -> Less common settings -> Bluetooth Settings

    xDrip+ Libre Bluetooth Settings 1

  • Enable the following settings

    • Turn Bluetooth on
    • Use scanning
    • Always discover services
  • All other options should be disabled

    xDrip+ Libre Bluetooth Settings 2

Connect Libre Transmitter & start sensor

xDrip+ Start Libre Transmitter & Sensor 1

xDrip+ Start Libre Transmitter & Sensor 2

xDrip+ Start Libre Transmitter & Sensor 3