Do you have any iPhones or Android smartphones that you're not using anymore?
An idle smartphone can be turned into a device that is
dedicated to running the
COVID Alert app
(sample screen shot).
Such a device could then be carried/kept by someone who doesn't have a smartphone,
or someone who wouldn't normally use a smartphone. Someone like ...
- a parent?
- a grandparent?
- any still-active senior?
They wouldn't have to interact with the device at all (see "Follow up" below).
It would simply be like asking them to carry a radiation exposure badge.
You do have the
COVID Alert app
installed on
your own smartphone
... right?
And so do all your other smartphone-carrying friends and relatives ...?
minimum requirements for the
COVID Alert app
:
- the Android must be version 6 or later.
- the iPhone must be a 6S or newer
running iOS 13.5 or later.
What to do on an Android phone:
- remove the SIM -- a SIM is not necessary to run the app.
the
COVID Alert app
does not need cell service.
so it won't matter if the smartphone is locked to a cell provider.
[ NOTE: a SIM-less cell phone can still call 911. ]
[ NOTE: a SIM-less cell phone still receives emergency/Amber/President(US) alerts/. ]
- reset the smartphone to the factory defaults
- disable as many of the default apps/features as possible (extends battery time)
- enable Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS/location
- sign on to Google Play
- install and run the
COVID Alert app
- clear the main screen of all apps/icons except for COVID Alert
- [ optional ] disable Wifi to extend battery time even further.
[ optional ] enable Wifi only while checking the app's status.
Sorry, no steps for iPhones.
Follow up:
- have your friend/relative simply carry the COVID Alert smartphone.
- keep the COVID Alert smartphone charged for them.
- check the status of the app for them.
bonus:
a SIM-less smartphone is basically a small tablet computer:
it could be used as ...
- a clock
- a music player
- a radio
... etc.
