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4 Hidden iPhone Features to Quickly Access Your Diabetes Apps
Here’s are my go-to iPhone customization features to quickly open your favorite diabetes apps and controls
Justin Eastzer
January 15, 2025
Managing diabetes with tech has never been easier on iPhone— if you know where to look, that is. Read on to see how I use my iPhone to simplify everything from glucose tracking to insulin delivery with apps like Dexcom and Omnipod. If you’re an iPhone user, these hacks will save you time, energy and make opening up your apps much more convenient!
1. Control Your iPhone from Your Mac (and get your CGM readings)
The iPhone Mirroring app allows you to display your iPhone screen and control it from your Mac.
This one is a game changer for creators, busy professionals, or anyone who is constantly on Zoom calls. With iOS 18, Apple introduced a feature called Switch Control that lets you access and use your iPhone directly from your Mac. Imagine this: you’re working, streaming, editing, or simply doing today’s Wordle, and you do a quick screen toggle to check your glucose levels or adjust bolus settings—all without picking up your phone. And the best part is your phone can be in the other room!
Here’s how to set it up:
Make sure Mac and iPhone are running the latest OS and are on the same WiFi.
Go to Finder > Applications, and search for the iPhone Mirroring app.
Once opened, you’ll have full control of your iPhone right from your Mac desktop. You can even add the app to the dock!
No more shuffling between big screen and little screen. Now, just like magic, you can minimize your phone screen time by managing your diabetes directly from your laptop. As a creator, my favorite use case is uploading videos to Instagram and typing descriptions from my keyboard!
This hack is a lifesaver for quick access to apps that require your frequent attention. With previous generations of iOS, the camera and flashlight icons on your home screen were locked in place. Now, with the latest OS, you can customize those icons to any shortcut you’d like. I used this hack by swapping my camera button for a shortcut with the Omnipod app. With just a tap, I’m able to take a bolus. No swiping, no searching–instant access from my Lock screen.
Have multiple different lock screens? You can add different shortcut buttons to each. (source: Apple)
Here’s how to customize your lock screen buttons to open a specific app:
Hold down on your home screen and tap Customize.
Select Lock Screen.
Tap the camera icon (or any button you want to replace) and hit the minus sign.
Tap the plus sign, scroll to Shortcuts, and select Open App.
Choose the app you want access to and hit Done.
That’s it—instant access to your apps, or diabetes tools, right from your lock screen.
The Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro and the latest iPhone 16s is my favorite tool. This button replaces the Ring/Silent switch to become a trigger button for just about anything you want! I’ve turned mine into a “Pancreas Button,” giving me one-press access to my DIY Loop controls.
The Action Button opens your preferred app using a single long-press. (source: Apple)
To set it up:
Go to Settings > Action Button.
Select Shortcuts and choose Open App.
Pick your app and you’re good to go.
Now, every time you press the Action Button, it opens the app–even from the Lock screen. It’s small tweaks like this that make managing diabetes feel so much simpler.
4. Double Tap the Back of Your iPhone for Instant App Access
More customization? Say less. Back Tap is one of those features that feels like a secret weapon to customizing your iPhone experience. With a simple double tap on the back of my iPhone with my index finger, my Dexcom app is opened!
With a series of two or three taps on the back of your iPhone, you can trigger any app to open.
Here’s how to set it up:
Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut to open your desired app
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
Choose Double Tap (or Triple Tap) and select your shortcut.
Done! Now, you can double tap the back of your phone to instantly access the app.
Stay tuned for more iPhone hacks and the latest in diabetes tech by following along on my TikTok, Instagram, Youtube and podcast.
Which feature are you most excited to use? |
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