About Dexcom G7
I’ve been using the Dexcom G7 CGM system for about six months now, and the companion app is the central hub for my diabetes management. Before this, I was finger-pricking 10+ times a day, so having this continuous stream of data on my phone feels nothing short of revolutionary. It’s not just a passive display; it’s an active tool that helps me make decisions about food, insulin, and activity in real-time. This review is based on my daily experience using it on an iPhone, paired with the G7 sensor.
Features & Highlights
The core feature is, of course, the real-time glucose graph. I can see not just my current number, but a trend arrow that tells me if I’m rising quickly, stable, or dropping. This trend is what makes it powerful. For example, seeing a steady diagonal down arrow at 100 mg/dL tells me I need to eat something now, whereas a flat arrow at the same number means I’m fine. The predictive alerts are a game-changer. I have mine set to warn me 20 minutes before a predicted low. Just last week, it buzzed my watch while I was driving, letting me pull over and treat a low before I even felt shaky.
The sharing feature, called “Follow,” is a huge relief for my family. I’ve added my husband, and he can see my glucose on his phone from anywhere. When my alerts go off at night, his phone also vibrates. It gives us both peace of mind. I also appreciate that it integrates with Apple Health, so my glucose data flows into other health apps I use.
User Experience
Getting started was straightforward. Once my sensor was warm, the app found it immediately. The home screen is clean: a large, easy-to-read number, the trend arrow, and a 24-hour graph. I did find the settings menu a bit overwhelming at first—there are so many options for alerts (high, low, urgent low, rise rate, fall rate). It took me a good 30 minutes to tweak them to my personal comfort zones, but now that they’re set, I rarely touch them.
My most common interaction is just glancing at my phone or Apple Watch complication. The true test was during a intense workout. I was able to watch my levels dip gradually on my watch and sip a sports drink to keep them steady, something impossible with finger sticks. The app itself is stable, but I’ve had two instances where the Bluetooth connection to the sensor dropped for about 10 minutes, which is always a bit anxiety-inducing until it reconnects.
Pricing
The Dexcom G7 app itself is completely free to download and use. However, the catch is you absolutely need the Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring hardware, which requires a prescription. The cost is in the sensors and transmitter, which are typically covered (at least partially) by insurance. Without insurance, the system is very expensive. For me, the value is immeasurable. The data and safety it provides are worth the fight with my insurance company every few months to get supplies. The free app is the essential key that unlocks the value of the expensive hardware.
Updates & Support
Dexcom updates the app fairly regularly, every few months. Updates usually include bug fixes, small UI improvements, or new compatibility (like support for a new phone model). I’ve never had an update break functionality. As for support, I’ve only contacted them once when a sensor failed early. I used the in-app “Report an Issue” form, and they called me back within an hour. The rep was knowledgeable and shipped a replacement sensor immediately at no cost. It was a surprisingly painless experience for medical device support.
Security & Privacy
You download the app directly from the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Given that this app handles sensitive, real-time health data, security feels paramount. All data transmission is encrypted. You have full control over the “Follow” feature—you decide who to invite and can remove them anytime. Dexcom’s privacy policy is clear that they use your anonymized data for product improvement. I don’t see any ads in the app, which is a relief. My biggest privacy consideration is with the sharing feature itself; I’m careful to only share with people I fully trust, as it’s a window into my body’s functioning 24/7.
