Covid Exposure Notifications disappear

Question

Level 1

66 points

Covid Exposure Notifications disappear

I have an iPhone SE (the 2020 version). I have downloaded the NHS Covid Test and Trace app. A couple of times in the last few weeks a message has appeared (are they called Notifications?) on the screen saying that I have come into contact with someone with covid. I've touched the message to see what it says (thinking that it will open the NHS Covid app for more info) but nothing happens and the notification disappears. Then a minute later another notification appears saying something about they have calculated that there is no risk. Again I click the notification, it again disappears.

I've opened the NHS app expecting to see notifications / messages / further info, but there isn't anything.

I've swipped down from the top of the iPhone screen to display 'Notifications Centre' but the covid notifications are not displayed.

I've done a little research and seen in the news in October that the NHS app could generate 'ghost' disappearing messages, but the app has been updated to stop this. I beleive iOS updates app automatically? I can't find a way to manually update the app.

What's going on?

Do I even need the NHS app? Do Apple phone now come with built in covid exposure tracking? I've read something about Exposure Notification, but I can't find an app on my phone called that and nor can I find it Settings.

iPhone SE, iOS 14

Posted on Jan 25, 2021 8:27 AM

Reply

Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

100,895 points

Jan 25, 2021 8:37 AM in response to Sparky Marky

Yes in UK you need the app. The built in API in iphone simply allows the app to work.

Yes the first version had this bug . if you just installed it then you have the latest version.

You can uninstall and re-install if you want.

All I can say is if there is no permanent notification then ignore it. It will in no uncertain terms tell tou how many days to isolate.

One possibility is the other guy put in a positive result from 14 days ago so, yes you no longer need to isolate. Too late!

Reply

Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

100,895 points

Jan 25, 2021 8:41 AM in response to LD150

PS Settings, Battery shows the iphone’s exposure notification working.

I use my phone a lot so it uses 3% of my day’s battery

my wife never uses her phone so it shows 90% fir exposure notifications. Thats 90% of not very much,

Reply

Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

100,895 points

Jan 25, 2021 9:34 AM in response to Sparky Marky

I think both. The only notifications I have had was the monthly one in notification area.

Remember if you delete the app you delete the data. At this stage it is maybe a good idea. In future either Offload the app in Settings, General, iPhone storage, or check it has updated in App Store purchases.

Offloading preserves data but removes the app.

The app keeps about 2 weeks of instances of being less than 2 metres from another phone with the app for 15 minutes. The app does not know who the phone owners are, or where they are.

Reply

Answer 4

Sparky Marky Author

Level 1

66 points

Jan 25, 2021 9:09 AM in response to LD150

Many thanks.

I think I will delete the app and then install the app (to make sure it is up to date).

If the app spots something (like I need to isolate) how does it communicate this to me? With a notification in Notifcation Centre or with a message within the app? or both?

Reply

Answer 5

Sparky Marky Author

Level 1

66 points

Jan 26, 2021 4:13 AM in response to LD150

Thanks.

Done a bit more exploring. In Settings > Exposure Notifications > Under Availability Alerts it says "Availability Alerts are not available because Location Services is turned off in Settings.

What are Availability Alerts? And should I turn on Location Services for it to work? I presume the NHS covid app works without Location Services turned on (the app doesn't mention turning this on)?

Reply

Answer 6

LD150

Level 10

100,895 points

Jan 26, 2021 5:45 AM in response to Sparky Marky

I think that is looking from the iphone API outwards to see what apps are available and is more useful in USA . We in UK just go for the England or the Scotland app. (or Wales or NI if they have them.)

No, the NHS apps themselves work without gps, because the Google/Apple design insists on privacy. It only knows roughly where I am because I put in first three digits of postcode.

The Isle of Wight prototype was much more personal but would not work on iphones because of the enhanced privacy. £40m up the spout.

Reply