Dexcom G6

Basics first

  • Follow general CGM hygiene and setting sensor recommendation here.
  • For G6 transmitters manufactured after fall/end of 2018 please make sure to use one of the latest nightly built xDrip+ versions. Those transmitters have a new firmware and latest stable version of xDrip+ (2019/01/10) cannot deal with it.

General hints for looping with G6

What’s clear is that using the G6 is perhaps a little more complex than it as first suggests. To use it safely, there are a few points to be aware of:

  • If you are using the native data with the calibration code in xDrip or Spike, the safest thing to do is not allow preemptive restarts of the sensor.
  • If you must use preemptive restarts, then make sure you insert at a time of day where you can observe the change and calibrate if necessary.
  • If you are restarting sensors, either do it without the factory calibration for safest results on days 11 and 12, or ensure you are ready to calibrate and keep an eye on variation.
  • Pre-soaking of the G6 with factory calibration is likely to give variation in results. If you do pre-soak, then to get best results, you will probably need to calibrate the sensor.
  • If you aren’t being observant about the changes that may be taking place, it may be better to revert to non-factory-calibrated mode and use the system like a G5.

To learn more about the details and reasons for these recommendations read the complete article published by Tim Street at www.diabettech.com.

If using G6 with xDrip+

  • 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+.
  • If not already set up then download xdrip and follow instructions on nightscout (G5).
  • Select xdrip in ConfigBuilder (setting in AndroidAPS).
  • Adjust settings in xDrip+ according to xDrip+ settings page
  • If AAPS does not receive BG values when phone is in airplane mode use Identify receiver as describe on xDrip+ settings page.

If using G6 with patched Dexcom app

  • Download the apk from https://github.com/dexcomapp/dexcomapp, and choose the version that fits your needs (mg/dl or mmol/l version, G6).

    Region in Dexcom G6 URL

  • Stop sensor and uninstall the original Dexcom app, if not already done.

  • Install downloaded apk

  • Start sensor

  • Select Dexcom App (patched) in ConfigBuilder (setting in AndroidAPS).

  • If you want to use xDrip alarms via local broadcast: in xDrip hamburger menu > settings > hardware data source > 640G /EverSense.

Troubleshooting G6

Dexcom G6 specific troubleshooting

  • Transmitters with serial no. starting with 80 or 81 need at least last stable xDrip version from May 2019 or a newer nightly build.
  • Transmitters with serial no. starting with 8G need at least nightly build from July 25th, 2019 or newer.
  • xDrip+ and Dexcom app cannot be connected with the transmitter at the same time.
  • Wait at least 15 min. between stopping and starting a sensor.
  • Do not rewind back time of insertion. Answer question “Did you insert it today?” always with “Yes, today”.
  • Do not enable “restart sensors” while setting a new 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

General troubleshoothing

General Troubleshoothing for CGMs can be found here.

New transmitter with running sensor

If you happen to change transmitter during a running sensor session you might try to remove the transmitter without damaging the sensor mount. A video can be found at https://youtu.be/AAhBVsc6NZo.