Welcome to the AAPS documentation

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Version 3.3

29/12/2024 : Version 3.3 is out. Check the Release Notes to see what’s new and get update instructions.

Android APS (AAPS) is an open source app for people living with insulin-dependent diabetes. It is an artificial pancreas system (APS) which runs on Android smartphones. AAPS uses an OpenAPS software algorithm and aims to do what a real pancreas does: keep blood sugar levels within healthy limits by using automated insulin dosing. To use AAPS you need three compatible devices: (1) an Android phone, (2) a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and (3) a FDA/CE approved insulin pump. Optionally you will need cloud services (4) to remote control AAPS, share your data and store them in a reporting server, then also (5) a smartwatch.

This documentation explains how to setup and use AAPS. You can navigate through the AAPS documentation either through the menu on the left (and the handy „Search docs“ function), or by using the index at the bottom of this page.

Overview of the AAPS documentation („The docs“)

Section 2) Getting Started, the Introduction explains the general concept of what an artificial pancreas system (APS) is designed to do. It outlines the background of looping in general, why AAPS was developed, compares AAPS to other systems, and addresses safety. It gives suggestions about how to talk to your clinical team about AAPS, explains why you need to build the AAPS app yourself rather than just downloading it, and gives an overview of the typical connectivity of an AAPS system. It also addresses accessibility, and who is likely to benefit from AAPS.

Preparing for AAPS gives more detail about safety considerations, and the phones, CGMs (Continuous Glucose Monitors) and insulin pumps which are compatible with AAPS. It gives an overview of the process you will go through, and provides an approximate timeline for gaining full functionality of AAPS. This section gets you technically prepared to assemble your AAPS setup as quickly and efficiently as possible. The subsection CGM Configuration explains how to optimse CGM setup and what smoothing options are best.

Now that you have a solid understanding of the process, you can start assembling your AAPS loop.

Section 3) Setting up AAPS contains step-by-step instructions to do this. It covers choosing and setting up your reporting server (Nightscout or Tidepool) so you can review and share your data, getting your computer ready for building the AAPS app, building the AAPS app and transferring the AAPS app to your phone. It also covers setting up the AAPS app using the setup Wizard, linking it with your CGM app, and either a real or virtual insulin pump, as well as linking AAPS to your reporting server. You are then slowly introduced to the full usage of what AAPS has to offer via a safe and carefully calibrated step-by-step process designed to make sure that you/your child are thoroughly familiar and comfortable navigating all the different levels and menu configurations before graduating on the next phase, commonly referred to as the next „Objective“, until you are have enough experience to begin using the more advanced options available within the app. These Objectives are specially designed in such a way that will gradually unlock more possibilities of AAPS and switch from Open Loop to Closed Loop.

Section 4) Daily life with AAPS covers key AAPS features, to help you use (and customise) AAPS. This including understanding the screens, carbs-on-board, sensitivity, profile switching, temp targets, extended carbs (or eCarbs), automations, and DynamicISF. It also covers frequent topics like how to manage different types of meals, how to deal with cannula and sensor changes, smartphone updates, daylight saving changes, and travelling with AAPS and sports. Common questions and answers are located within the troubleshooting section.

Section 5) Remote AAPS features highlights a real strength of AAPS. There are a wide range of possibilities for remotely sending commands to, or simply following the data from AAPS. This is equally useful for carers who want to use AAPS for minors, and for adults with diabetes who either want to monitor their sugars (and other metrics) more conveniently than just on their phone (on a watch, in the car etc.), or wish to have significant others to also monitor the data. This section also provides guidance for using Android Auto so you can view glucose levels in the car.

Section 6) Wear OS smartwatches gives information and procedures to use an Android Wear OS smartwatch with the dedicated AAPS watchfaces or custom watchfaces, either as a remote control of your phone or just a display indicator.

Section 7) Maintenance of AAPS covers how to export and backup your settings (which is very important in case you lose/break your phone), gives the latest version notes and details how to update AAPS. You can expect that there will be one new version and 2-3 required updates per year. You are required to do these updates as with all software, as any minor bugs are ironed out, and improvements to AAPS are made. There is a dedicated „updating“ troubleshooting section with the common queries.

Section 8) Getting Help should help direct you to the best places to go to find general help with AAPS. This is very important so that you can get in touch with others as quickly as possible, clarify questions and solve the usual pitfalls. A lot of people are already using AAPS successfully, but everyone has a question at some point that they couldn’t solve on their own. Due to the large number of users, the response times to questions are usually very quick, typically only a few hours. Don’t worry about asking for help, there is no such thing as a dumb question! We encourage users of any/all levels of experience to ask as many questions as they feel is necessary to help get them up and running safely. This section includes general troubleshooting for AAPS and AAPSClient (a companion following app) as well as explaining how to send your AAPS data (logfiles) to the developers for investigation, if you think a technical issue with AAPS needs looking at.

Section 9) covers Advanced AAPS options such as how to progress from using AAPS for hybrid-closed looping (bolusing for meals etc.) to full closed looping (no bolusing), and details development and engineering modes. Most users get on just fine with the main or „Master“ AAPS version without looking into these options, this section is for users who already have good control and are looking to further improve their setup.

In section 10) How to support AAPS we provide information so that you can support this project. You can donate money, equipment or expertise. You can suggest/make changes to the documentation yourself, help with translation of the documentation and provide your data through the Open Humans project.

Section 11) Resources, contains archived or additional documentation, including a subsection for clinicians who have expressed interest in open source artificial pancreas technology such as AAPS, or for patients who want to share such information with their clinicians, this topic is also addressed in the introduction. More diabetes and looping references and resources are also contained in this section. It includes the Glossary, a list of the acronyms (or short-term names) used throughout AAPS. This is where to go to find out what the terms ISF or TT, stand for, for example.

Interested in getting started with AAPS? Read more about AAPS in the Introduction.

SAFETY NOTICE

The safety of AAPS relies on the safety features of your hardware (phone, pump, CGM). Only use a fully functioning FDA/CE approved insulin pump and CGM. Do not use broken, modified or self-built insulin pumps or CGM receivers. Only use original consumable supplies (inserters, cannulas and insulin reservoirs) approved by the manufacturer for use with your pump and CGM. Using untested or modified supplies can cause inaccuracy and insulin dosing errors, resulting in significant risk to the user.

Do not use AAPS if you take SGLT-2 inhibitors (gliflozins), as they lower blood sugar levels. You increase the risk diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) due to reduced insulin delivery and hypoglycemia due to lowered blood sugar levels.

Disclaimer

  • All information and code described here is for informational and educational purposes only. Use Nightscout and AAPS at your own risk, and do not use the information or code to make medical decisions. Nightscout neatitinka jokių privatumo reikalavimų sveikatos priežiūros srityje.

  • Use of code from github.com is without warranty or formal support of any kind. Norėdami gauti daugiau informacijos, perskaitykite šios saugyklos LICENCIJĄ.

  • All product and company names, trademarks, servicemarks, registered trademarks, and registered servicemarks are the property of their respective holders. Jie naudojami tik informaciniais tikslais ir nereiškia, kad AAPS priklauso jiems ir kad jie yra palaikomi.

AAPS has no association with, and is not endorsed by: SOOIL, Dexcom, Accu-Chek, Roche Diabetes Care, Insulet or Medtronic.

AAPS Documentation Index

1) Change language

2) Getting started

3) Setting up AAPS

4) Daily Life with AAPS

5) Remote AAPS features

6) Wear OS Smartwatches

7) Maintenance of AAPS

8) Getting Help

9) Advanced AAPS options

10) How to support AAPS

11) Resources