COVID-19: iOS 13.7 Introduces COVID-19 Exposure Notifications WITHOUT Need for 3rd Party App

Greetings friends. This blog post is an update to my June 25, 2020 two-part article called “COVID-19: Exposure Logging and Contact Tracing: Is It Safe?”. If you have not read it yet, you can access it at the following URL:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/COVID-19-ExposureLogging-ContactTracing-1.html

In addition to that article, you may also want to read my following blog post, being as it is also related to iOS devices and the current COVID-19 pandemic:

BBB Blog Post: “COVID-19: Attention iOS Users! This May Be of Interest to You if You Use the “Maps” App!”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/covid-19-attention-ios-users-this-may-be-of-interest-to-you-if-you-use-the-maps-app/

To continue, with Apple’s release of iOS 13.7, it appears that Apple has simplified the process for activating Exposure Logging and Contact Tracing on iOS devices, meaning on iPhones and iPads. As I explain in the aforementioned article, prior to this current time, while Apple had already added the API — or Application Programming Interface — to iOS devices, so that these COVID-19 features could be implemented, they still required that a person download a third party app from their local health department or agency in order to conduct the actual logging and tracing.

However, with the release of iOS 13.7, that has now apparently changed. In fact, as many of you have probably already discovered, upon beginning the process to download and install the iOS 13.7 updated, Apple is being very upfront about this change, and presents the iOS device user with the following notice:

iOS 13.7 Exposure Notifications advisory:

iOS 13.7 lets you opt-in to the COVID-19 Exposure Notifications system without the need to download an app. System availability depends on support from your local public health authority. For more information see covid19.apple.com/contacttracing. This release also includes other bug fixes for your iPhone.

While Apple mentions other bug fixes and improvements, given the download time and size of the iOS 13.7 update — it is rather quick and small — I suspect that the introduction of this new COVID-19-related code is the primary feature of the 13.7 update.

Once you do install the iOS 13.7 update, if you go into the “Settings” app on your device, you will notice a new setting on the main “Settings” window called “Exposure Notifications”. In other words, unlike before, you no longer need to go to Settings -> Privacy -> Health. It is right there on the main “Settings” screen. If you click on the “Exposure Notifications” link on that “Settings” screen, you will be presented with the following window:

Now, unless you want to actually activate “Exposure Notifications” on your device, do not tap on that blue link at the top of the screen which says “Turn On Exposure Notifications“, because if you do, your device will begin sending and receiving location data and other COVID-19-related info.

Please notice too that the screen makes clear that “Exposure Notifications” may not yet be available in some areas of the world. In other words, while Apple has made “Exposure Notifications” possible on your iOS device, it is my impression from what Apple has stated, that it still requires that your local government or health department has the software infrastructure in place in order for the notifications to be transmitted to your device, and vice versa.

In short, my understanding is that Apple probably realized that a lot of iOS device users are not inclined to install yet another third party app on their device; particularly not one which may potentially encroach further on their personal privacy, despite Apple’s guarantees. Thus, Apple chose to switch the technical burden over to the local governments and health departments. That seems to be why there is an option on that screen — which is already enabled, by the way — which says “Availability Alerts”.

I could be wrong about this, but that is the impression I currently have. In fact, this may tie in directly to the “Maps” app, as I discuss in the aforementioned blog post “COVID-19: Attention iOS Users! This May Be of Interest to You if You Use the “Maps” App!”.

Now, whether or not you choose to enable “Exposure Notifications” on your iOS device is entirely up to you. From the many reactions and comments I have seen on Facebook and elsewhere, I suspect that many iOS users will decline to enable the feature. For the record, while I am considered high risk due to my age and other health factors, personally, I have no intentions of enabling “Exposure Notifications”; one reason being that I don’t wish to be placed in a situation where I will be forced to have a COVID-19 test performed on my person. As is, I have remained locked up since mid-March, other than for my monthly lab work and doctor’s appointment. Aside from that, my only exposure to other people is to my daughter and her family every few weeks when they do food shopping for me, and those visits are rather brief, and they wear masks. So, that is my position. You may feel differently regarding your personal situation. According to your faith.

So, that is the latest info I have for iOS device users. I hope you have found it helpful.

For those of you who may have possibly missed some of my previous coronavirus-related writings, following is a list of everything I have written to date regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe that you will find a lot of useful, factual, instructive and Scriptural information in this material. Please feel free to share this list on your own timelines, pages, in your Facebook groups, and on any other social networks where you happen to participate. Thank you so very much, and God bless you!

Bill’s Bible Basics Coronavirus Information Center:

Bill’s Bible Basics Coronavirus Information Center

Bill’s Bible Basics Articles:

BBB Article: “Coronavirus: Just the Facts, Ma’am”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/coronavirus-1.html

BBB Article: “COVID-19, Financial Assistance and Christian Love”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/covid-19-financial-assistance-christian-love-1.html

BBB Article: “Coronavirus: Defiant Christians, Stay Home!”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/coronavirus-defiant-christians-stay-home-1.html

BBB Article: “COVID-19: Exposure Logging and Contact Tracing: Is It Safe?”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/COVID-19-ExposureLogging-ContactTracing-1.html

Bill’s Bible Basics Blog Posts: