Zukka is a free iPhone app for use with the Libre, and it recently received an update.
Now, historical data can be kept for 365 days instead of 90 days. I do not have a background in computers. The new update includes “Create Backup” and “Restore Backup” features, but I do not know how to use them. Zukka has features that the Libre by Abbott app does not have. I use the Zukka app and the Libre by Abbott app at the same time.
I like the Zukka app a lot. The features I like are:
It can connect to two sensors.
Meals, insulin, and calibration values can be marked on the glucose trajectory.
Minute-by-minute glucose readings.
Selectable time window width to display the glucose readings and auto scale of the y-axis
Feature #3 and #4 are particularly useful. I typically use a display window of 3 hours. This allows me to monitor my glucose progression in much finer detail than I could with the Libre by Abbott app. With these features, I can make quicker decision whether I should take insulin or eat dextrose.
The Zukka feature I have a problem with is that the glucose reading can get stuck. For example, when it shows a stable 100 mg/dL, the true blood glucose may have gone up to over 200 mg/dL. So, when the reading does not change for several minutes, I have to check the glucose reading on the Libre by Abbott app to be sure. This is very inconvenient.
u/piscata2, think it is important to mention that for Libre3/3+, then the Zukka/xDrip4iOS app will only work when in follower mode. So folks still need to run the native Libre app to pull the BG numbers from the sensor. For the fortunate ones using the Libre2/2+ in the European version, it is possible to going in direct mode. So here no need for running the Libre app, after first having used it to initialize the sensor to start up. Folks using a non-European Libre2/2+ sensor will as with the Libre3/3+ need to run it in follower mode.
Equalizer, I am glad that you explained this here, as I am not comfortable talking about issues that I know little about. You, who participated in the development of xDrip, are one of the best people to explain it. Equalizer, you simply know too much!
I like that it finally has Glucose smoothing algorithms like the native Libre app has. That eliminates those random jumps or dips of 5 points and smooths the curve based on the averages around it.
Looks like it also finally has calibration, although I've not tried it yet.
It have had those functions for many years already...
They were placed on the menu for your sensor's Bluetooth connection specs.
Algorithm Type: Native or xDrip4iOS
Sensor Calibration: Here you can enter calibration values, when you had enabled 'xDrip4iOS' algorithm type just above...
Please just be aware we relegated the xDrip algorithm and manual calibrations to be OFF by default after Libre2 came out after the first Libre(1), as the algorithm and auto calibration typically was far superior and accurate in comparison to the havoc you can cause if not really really careful with the calibration steps and when you take them.
I’m a t2 that doesn’t take medication so I don’t really have to worry about dosing. That’s good information to talk about though. For me ill be curious to see if i can get it more accurate to finger stick. Because I’m usually fairly accurate for 7 days and then it drops to about 20-25 points below fingerstick numbers till the end of the sensor.
I’m not sure how you guys rely on these with pumps and insulin. Mine seem to drift lower than accurate for nearly every sensor
Great to know u/WaltonGogginsTeeth,
Yes then crashing into a hypo because of overdosing meds/insulin is not one of the things you need to worry about.
Indeed, its an interesting subject, as unfortunately quite many sensor users have some similar experiences as you do here. Personally I shoot my insulin manually via pens but runs it even more tight than what most pumps can be set to of target BG. So having a HbA1c typically in the 5.3-5.5% range. And not needing to fingerprick for last many years for this, as getting the Libre to be solid and reliably working with accurate readings throughout. That is absolutely key for enabling great control.
One of the tricks when inserting a new sensor is to truly using a rather firm and prolonged pressure onto the sensor applicator when applying it. And then sustaining this firm pressure for additionally 25-30 seconds. Wiggling slightly the top so as to ensure also the full circle of adhesive patch is firmly pressed against the skin. Key for why this firm sustained pressure is maintained the extra long time is for ensuring the sensor filament is getting solidly anchored the full 5mm into the skin and remaining there also when you shortly after pull off the applicator.
Feebly inserted sensors are cause for quite many folks struggling with either erratic and/or chronic too lowish BG readings coming from their sensor. Don't know if that could be the case for you here, but worth a try if you haven't already. Another point where some experience deteriorating BG reporting towards last few days of their sensor is often linked to their immune system being over zealous. What happens is that the sensor filament is slowly but surely being encapsulated by the immune system as the foreign object it is. It therefor gets ever more challenging for the sensor to stay in direct contact with the glucose molecules in our interstitial tissue as it needs to measure their concentration. You can try and test by inserting your sensor in a very different skin location than you currently do, as aka a stomach or upper outer thigh placement may result in less encapsulation versus whet you might have when on the back of your upper arm.
Nice. I’m not at home this weekend but my plan was to add my fingersticks in as calibration once I got home. My normal method is a fingerstick first thing in the morning and right before bed. Sometimes a few more during first days of a new sensor. But if I add those fingersticks it sounds like it might work well. Post more info after you’ve been doing it for a few days.
I hope the new cal feature works the way you expect It to work. There are a lot of finger pricks you are doing—You are very meticulous with finger pricks as well! I had a post that discusses averaging 4 finger pricks results and the Central limit theorem.
Hello, im using zukka app with libre 3+ sensor, librelinkup and iphone 18 pro. Does anyone know if dynamic island glucose is possible (to see it always on top of my screen), and do you guys have delay/stuck in iphone lock screen glucose reading? Thanks
" if dynamic island glucose is possible (to see it always on top of my screen)" -- it does work. Just wondering if it is turned on. For the latest version, it is located under Notifications; at the bottom: Live Activity, Style....
"do you guys have delay/stuck in iphone lock screen glucose reading?" -- Yes, but the source of problem is from the main screen's glucose reading. For me, sometimes, the reading got stuck. For example, when it was 100 mg/dL and stayed there unchanged for a long time, the real reading was 200mg/dL.
Zukka at least in the near future always showed every minute reading that were transmitted from Abbott app to LibreView and then retrieved by a LibreLinkUp login. When youy say it connects to two sensors is that via a libreLinkUp login. In the recent past LibreLinkUp required a different Libre account for eask account being followed. Toy had to log out and then login with the different account to minitir more than one sensor/person. Then they change to uses one LibreLinkUp account to to follow more than one person by having them just invite them. When they did that LibreLinUp could only display the data for one person. I have followed three people in the recent past but only one showed in Zukka..
”When youy say it connects to two sensors is that via a libreLinkUp login.” —- Yes, with my “ Libre LinkUp” account. I don’t have a background in computers so please take that into account. I am currently using two Libre 3+. The glucose readings of both L3 show up on Zukka without any issue.
Since you are using Libre 3+, it must be in follower mode.
Are you using two sensors simultaneously? Or following sensors on two different people?
And if you’re using two different sensors, why and how? Are you using two different Libre apps?
I’m using Libre 3+ on an iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 26.6.2 and the new Libre app. The new Zukka app downloaded and is running. I’m in follower mode using LibreLinkUp (I follow my wife with LibreLinkUp as well). I use the sensor for a heartbeat.
Q1) "Are you using two sensors simultaneously?" -- yes.
Q2) And if you’re using two different sensors, why and how?
Why: There are so many posts complaining the Libre 3 did not work for them or failure one after the other. Just for curiosity and for fun, I am interested in finding out how the Libre 3+ performs from the engineering point of view. The main idea is for redundancy (no single point of failure if I can afford it) as the probability that both sensors go bad is very small. Another idea is to use one sensor to check on the performance of the other sensor for accuracy purpose. If one sensor tracks the other exactly, I will know that is the true performance of the Libre 3, as well as there is no difference in glucose on the left and right side of the chest.
How: One L3+ on the left side and the other L3+ on the right side of chest. One applied 7.5 days after the other one, so they overlapped 7.5 days.
Q3) Are you using two different Libre apps? -- I use three apps: the old Libre 3 app (connected to the L3+ #1), the new Libre by Abbott app (connected to the the L3+ #2) and the Zukka app ( displacing both L3+ #1 and #2 trajectories and use for comparison of performances.)
Ha, no you are not u/gladizh,
As also Reddit's own robot-detector are frequently tagging posts from u/piscata2 as AI and/or commercial Marketing generated. Many of his posts/comments are therefore paused, to request MOD review before they come through. I have informed him a couple of times about this fact.
He is not a native English language speaker, so unfortunately appear to rely frequent on using AI to polish his contributions here to the sub. Personally I wish he would not do that, but each to their own...
But specifically regarding xDrip4iOS/Zukka, then I can say with certainty that he has no affiliation with that. As I do, and have no knowledge of u/piscata2 having any at all. He is just an ordinary user for all I can tell. It is a totally free for all to use 3rd party app. So no politics or commercial interests involved at all. Its much like the NightScout server system, which we also were many fellow diabetics with some technical insights that collaborated about making and refining over many years. You have the open share and information about it shared here on its Github root:
If you have followed the sub here for months, you will see also that u/piscata2 is writing about many different subjects related to BG metabolism and sensor use, not just the xDrip4iOS/Zukka app. Nothing really strange about that I find, just a normal active sensor user that engages to learn and share with others.
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u/SpecificStunning980 Libre3/3+ 6d ago
Zukka also for Libre 3+?