Updates on standalone watches receiving readings direct from dexcom / xdrip

Type 1 & LADA
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Hi there,

I have been reading through some old posts about smart watches that can get dexcom readings without the use of a phone and without using a network signal i.e. direct from dexcom to the watch. I understand that using xdrip with a dexcom g6 sensor direct to a Bluejay GTS smart watch was the best option but now that type of watch is no longer made and the current Bluejay model has a terrible battery life because they had to design it to be compatible with the G7 sensor which runs on encrypted readings and takes much more processing than the G6 readings that were not so locked down.

So given the above, it seems like there is no good option currently for a standalone smart watch that receives readings directly from a G6 or G7 sensor and does not rely on a network signal. Can anyone provide further info on what watch to get that would not need be used with a phone or network signal and can receive readings directly from the sensor? I really like the idea of being able to walk away from the phone but still know what my bloodsugar level is (and also not have to rely on a network signal). This is useful in general as a backup device to get readings but also especially useful for watersports where it is not possible to bring a phone around with you. Honestly, at this point I don’t care if the watch is waterproof if there is one out there that would do the seemingly simple function that is not also waterproof.

In an post on this subject from last year, I noticed someone shared this link ( can’t post link as new user but Google: “xDrip+ Wear Setup and Troubleshooting Guide nightscout foundation” and look for watch guide documentation” ) which looks useful but it is referencing G5 sensors so is obviously out of date. It also seems complicated because it seems to reference standalone watches as ones that need to have cellular network signal to collect readings which really should not be necessary to get readings. Needing cellular network defeats the purposes of what I am looking for since I live in an area with unreliable network signal, and I don’t want to have to pay a per month plan for a watch and a phone! To be clear, “standalone” = no phone to carry around and no cellular signal needed.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Hi Tyler - welcome to FUD! Glad that you’ve been looking around.

I wish I had something helpful to add here, aside from the welcome. But I don’t. Good luck in getting this addressed.

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The G7 will display directly to an Apple Watch without the phone. Would this meet your needs?

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I believe the G6 and the G7 use the exact same encryption protocol (AES) because both use BLE (BlueToothLe) which mandates AES.

Current BlueJay watches support the G7, I can’t remember any issues posted here or on TUD. I suggest you try it; it’s a lot cheaper than an iWatch:

You may have problems getting one, seems supply is limited and it is a hot-ticket item, or maybe they just went out of business, who knows?

Here’s a Reddit thread which might help with finding a good watch for the G7:

Bear in mind the first comment; never buy anything new.

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I use the new Bluejay watch and really like the xdrip collector. I don’t use a lot of the other watch functions (stuff like messages or mail) so the battery life is okay for me. What I really like is that I don’t have to swipe to turn the watch on—there’s a side button that’s easy to press while wearing garden or winter gloves.

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Thanks for the suggestions all. I also want to use the xdrip collector with the smart watch. One of the big advantages to xdrip for me is that I can program the alarms so much better than the Dexcom app.

I don’t think Apple watches work with xdrip - is that right?

@catlady What is the battery life of the new Bluejay watch if you are just using for xdrip which is what I would do? Thanks

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If I am checking it often (for example, when I am doing yard work) it usually lasts all day; when I am not active, then easily 2 days.

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