Apple software updates

Do folks agree that the time taken for Libre to catch up with apple software updates can lead to security compromises on your phone if you put off updating the software until Libre have posted their approval for that particular update? Also, why does it take so long for Libre to catch up with apple software updates?

Hi,
It's not just Libre I'm afraid, Dexcom take just as long. The biggest issue is they are medial devices which have to be 'certified'. It's not like ordinary software that if it goes wrong it doesn't matter, you can make serious decisions based on its output. Therefore they have to do a lot more testing everytime the OS is updated. That said, they get the new releases in advance so you would hope they have more time to test. However I'm not sure how long the MHRA in the UK and other bodies in other countries take to approve the new versions of the apps.

Many thanks marke, it's a pity we can't make representations to Libre/Dexcom to speed up the process. I spoke to apple about this but very non committal. Everyone wants to cover their back

I am beginning to think it's just me, however, Abbot have at long last just announced an update to 18.5 but I can only download 18.7.1 or 26! So it appears that once Abbot have got around to updating apple have moved on so you can't go back and sync with the latest Abbot update!
Sorry if I am making a meal out of this but surely this must affect many others?

It's not just you ! the Reddit forums are full of people moaning about Abbott and Dexcom not updating their software inline with operating system updates. The best option is to keep googling for your Libre version and the iOS version and see if other people have updated to the iOS with no problems. This is what I do, I always wait a few weeks after I find people posting one way or the other to see if many have problems. If everyone seems to be fairly ok after updating I update.
I at least have a fallback now as my pump also links to my CGM and pumps are updated once every few years if you are lucky so if I did update my phone and the app stopped working, I still have the pump giving me readings and warnings....

Thanks marke but sorry to be a bit thick but google what? Do you mean just google Libre whatever iOS updates?

Hi,
Sorry what I mean was type something like 'libre 3 ios 18.7.1' into a search engine ( can be good or any other search engine) and read through the results. Like all search results some are positive , some are negative and some don't apply. It just gives you a feel as to if you are likely to experience issues. Obviously you need to ensure you enter the correct Libre you have in the search, also make sure you don't have a libre App update waiting to be installed.

I tend to use https://www.reddit.com/ for a lot of my info. They have forums for pretty much everything and have various Libre forums which might give you answers. The general opinion on the Dexcom forums is iOS updates for minor versions i.e 18.7 to 18.7.1 are always ok to update, its iOS 18 to ios 26 that are much more risky. That said various people on google say they are running iOS 26.0.1 with the Libre 3 app ok. I haven't updated my phonme to iOS 26 yet though

Thanks again

Sorry to be a pain but apple want to update to 26.5 whereas Abbott have only approved 26.4.1 and by the time they get around to approving it, apple will have brought out another update and so on so conceivably they will always be playing catch up whilst your security on the iPhone could become compromised. So, has anyone updated to 26.5?

Thank you in anticipation

Hi Reg,
As previously suggested type 'libre 3 ios 26.5' into www.google.co.uk . I did but I don't know for sure exactly what Libre you have and what version of the app you have. It's not a black and white, it works or it doesn't as there are a lot of factors involved. Generally ios minor version updates don't cause issues e.g going from 26.4.1 to 26.5. If they first number changes like the change to 27 from 26 in the next few months that is one to be VERY careful with as major version changes often have big changes that affect all apps that have to update to work with the changes. Usually minor version changes are bug fixes that don't affect most apps. However its not 100% guaranteed.

Personally I always leave updates as download only set on my phone and automatically install disabled. It then nags you to allow the install, at which point I check google for what people are saying. I always wait a week or two in case people do have issues. After that point if no one seems to be having issues I do the update. Recently Dexcom actually approved 26.5 before I had installed it .

I understand the concerns about security fixes not being installed but the problem is the Libre/Dexcom is a Medical Device and as such the UK medicines regulatory body insist that the apps have to be 'validated' on every iOS release. This can be a long and complicated process but if the companies don't follow the rules they can be heavily fined. So sadly the only option is to take a calculated risk of updating iOS based on general feedback or wait until Abbott formally approve an iOS version.