TECH A CHANCE
THE UK's coronavirus Test and Trace app has finally launched today after months of delays.
The contact tracing app has gone live from September 24 across England and Wales in the hope it will reduce the spread of the virus by identifying and containing the bug. Here's how it works, how you can download it to your phone and what to expect.
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The app lets people scan barcode-like QR codes to register visits to hospitality venues.
It will use Apple and Google's method of detecting other smartphones.
A trial of the app – provisionally called “NHS – Covid-19” – started on the Isle of Wight from Tuesday, May 5.
However, it was redeveloped entirely over the summer to adopt a framework created by Apple and Google, after an initial attempt to build an independent one failed to deliver on iPhones.
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What is it and how does it work?
The contact-tracing app is designed to let users know if they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus.
The purpose of the app is to track down people who have been in contact with an infected person and alert them to self-isolate.
The app keeps track of people you have been in contact with through Bluetooth signals.
If that person tests positive for the virus you will be informed and told to self-isolate.
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Users of the app can voluntarily opt-in to record details of their symptoms when they start to feel unwell.
Unlike the first app, this contact-tracing app will include features designed to give users "personal benefits" including a countdown timer for people who are self-isolating and alerts about the local level of Covid-19.
People can choose at any time to make the app stop recording connections to other phones.
And the app will now not send any information to the NHS or the Government - people will only be given advice to self-isolate if they are at risk, or advised to get a test if they have symptoms.
The app will also have a toggle switch for people to turn the contact tracing on or off without uninstalling it.
People will have to report a positive test themselves in order to alert people they may have put at risk.
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How to download the track and trace app on iPhone
Firstly, ensure your phone's operating system has recently been updated.
On the iPhone, this means iOS 13.5 or later (released in May 2020). This operating system can only be used on the iPhone 6S or newer.
If you have a handset which is more than five years old - of which there are 10 in total - it will not be compatible with the new app.
Next, head to the App Store and search "NHS Covid-19" and proceed to follow the download instructions like any other app.
Once it is downloaded, open up the app and follow instructions.
The app will then ask for your permission to track your activities in the background - detecting if your phone has been in contact with somebody who has tested positive for coronavirus, and sending an alert if necessary.
The app will let you report symptoms, book a test, and provides a self-isolation countdown that will alert you when the period is over.
How to download the track and trace app on Android
Similarly to the process outlined above, Android users can download the app via Android's Google Play by searching for "NHS Covid-19".
However, your handset must have Android 6.0 (released in 2015) and Bluetooth 4.0 or higher.
Some of the latest Huawei handsets are also excluded.
How to download the track and trace app on Samsung
Samsung users can follow the same process for Google Play downloads.
You can watch a video on how to download the app here.
If you have any issues using or downloading the app, check the NHS App help and support page.
Dr Hilary Jones gives the new NHS coronavirus track and trace app the thumbs up
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