In May 2020, Apple introduced an Exposure Notifications System, which allows public health authorities and governments around the world to assist people in determining if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, and if so, what steps to take next to limit the virus’s spread.
The underlying APIs and Bluetooth capability were built by Apple and Google, and the technology has been put into apps designed by public health agencies globally, which may utilise the monitoring information to deliver notifications on exposure and follow up with recommended next steps. But before that
The exposure notification feature is intended to notify you if you have been in close proximity to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. However, if you’re concerned that you’ve missed a notification or should have received one, you may manually check for them on your iPhone by following these instructions.
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Exposure Notifications.
- Tap View Exposures in App at the top.
This will take you to the app that employs Exposure Notifications. These apps have different interfaces and information is organised differently depending on your local health authority, but regardless of which app you use, any exposure logs should be highlighted prominently so you don’t miss them.
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Some states and countries use a “Express” Exposure Notification system that does not require an app. In these cases, you will not be directed to an app, but rather to a “Exposure Check Status” page that will inform you if you have been exposed. Follow the first two steps listed above to check the status.
You can alleviate any future concerns by going to the Settings app on your iPhone and turning on Exposure Notifications -> Monthly Update. When you enable the option, you’ll receive a monthly notification reminding you that the feature is active and that potential exposures are being shared with your authorised public health authority app.