Abbott has announced the FreeStyle LibreLink app is now available in Europe for use with compatible smartphones2 (both iPhone and Android). People with diabetes living in Europe and using the FreeStyle Libre system3 are now able to access glucose data directly from their smartphones, eliminating the need to carry the separate FreeStyle Libre reader4 (a handheld device used to scan the FreeStyle Libre sensor to get a glucose result). Since 2015 the app offering for the FreeStyle Libre system was only available for Android users but now the FreeStyle LibreLink app is also compatible with iPhone.

Utilizing their phone's near-field communication (NFC), the FreeStyle LibreLink app enables users to hold their smartphone near their FreeStyle Libre sensor to capture and view their real-time glucose levels, their eight-hour glucose history, and how their glucose is currently changing; and easily add notes to track food, insulin use, medication and exercise.

"We're committed to bringing life-changing technology and tools to liberate people from the many hassles of diabetes management," said Jared Watkin, senior vice president, Diabetes Care, Abbott. "The FreeStyle LibreLink app is a digital health tool that integrates glucose data directly on a smartphone so everything is all in one place. This is another step forward in making glucose monitoring seamlessly fit into a patient's daily lifestyle -- helping them live a fuller, healthier life."

Customers using the FreeStyle LibreLink app will have access to several updates and new features in comparison to the FreeStyle Libre reader4, including: a larger, high-resolution display, text-to-speech capabilities for glucose readings (when enabled), the ability to log smaller doses of insulin (0.1 unit versus 0.5 units), and support for 26 languages. While the app can replace the reader4, the two can also be used in combination with each other3.

FreeStyle LibreLink users also have the option to share their information with their healthcare professional and caregivers through LibreView and LibreLinkUp, other digital health tools that are also part of the FreeStyle Libre platform: LibreView5 is a secure, cloud-based diabetes management system that enables the patient to share their glucose insights with their healthcare provider.LibreLinkUp6 is an app that enables caregivers of people living with diabetes in Europe to remotely monitor their loved ones' glucose readings.

Abbott's FreeStyle LibreLink app is available free of charge for both iPhone and Android, initially in 12 European countries including Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Abbott is aiming to provide a mobile app solution for FreeStyle Libre users outside of Europe, based on in-country regulatory approvals.