# How to use the Freestyle Libre anywhere, without a reader **URL:** \ **Category:** C/GM\ **Tags:** freestyle-libre\ **Created:** [September 22, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-to-use-the-freestyle-libre-anywhere-without-a-reader/2120 "2017-09-22T15:39:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 1
**Author:** ![MaryPat](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/marypat/32/985_2.png) [@MaryPat](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MaryPat)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-to-use-the-freestyle-libre-anywhere-without-a-reader/2120/1 "2017-09-22T15:39:43Z")
I am really interested in the Freestyle Libre, which is not available yet in the US. I have looked into what it would take to use it. Many forum threads discuss it, so finding info is easy. Finding good info is harder. Some things I figured out: - You can mix and match readers and sensors from any country. - Readers are locked into mg/dl or mmol/L, so, if you decide to purchase a reader, it is best to purchase one in a country which uses the unit you use. - It is possible to use the FreeStyle Libre without a reader, by using a phone app, for any phone that has NFC. Android and iOS phones both have NFC built-in, but Apple does not allow apps to use it (reserved for Apple Pay), so reading a Freestyle Libre sensor is only possible with an Android phone. - In order to run an app to read the Libre sensor, your phone must have NFC enabled: not all Android phones do. For instance, you don’t get NFC in a Moto G5S+. - NFC only works within 1.5" (4 cm): that’s how close you need to bring your phone to read the Libre sensor. - Prior to use, the sensor must be initialized, normally by the reader, so that it can start its 14-day life. - It is possible to initialize the sensor with an Android app called [Glimp S](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.ct.glicemia_starter&hl=en), made by Italian developers (CTAPP Software). If you use Glimp S for that, you can’t use a regular Libre reader afterwards. - It is possible to use an app called [Glimp](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.ct.glicemia&hl=en) to read the Libre sensor from your Android phone. - The app can download, not only the last point of data on the Libre, but also every minute reading, for the past 12 hours. - The life of the Libre sensor is limited (by software) to 14 days. But the sensor keeps on broadcasting data longer and you can receive this data with a phone app. Some people write that it is repeating the last 8 hours of its 14-day data after that, though. - The Glimp app gives slightly different readings from the Libre reader. Some people write that the app gives results closer to a manual meter than the reader. - Some specific Android phones may brick a sensor when using the Glimp app: this is mentioned by both the users and the developers. The developers write that the Nexus 6P, Samsung Galaxy Core Prime, Samsung Galaxy Young and Samsung Galaxy may brick the sensor. - Glimp can be connected to open-source app Nightscout - @Michel mentioned finding Libre sensors for sale with worldwide shipping on several sites: [Freestyle Libre, $45, shipped worldwide](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/freestyle-libre-45-shipped-worldwide/2057) This is all second-hand information so far, gathered on the web. Glimp user’s manual: [http://www.deebee.it/?p=1411](http://www.deebee.it/?p=1411) Glimp PDF user’s manual (download): [http://www.deebee.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Glimp-User-manual1.pdf](http://www.deebee.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Glimp-User-manual1.pdf) --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-to-use-the-freestyle-libre-anywhere-without-a-reader/2120)._