Uncertain how to start a new g7 after the old expires; it just keeps saying "sensor expired"

[bkuz114]

Hello. I have successfully used xDrip with my previous Dexcom g7. I set it up using these instructions

That sensor expired and it's been thrown away. I put on a new sensor and started it via my Dexcom receiver. However, it's unclear to me how to get it to work in xDrip, because xDrip keeps saying "sensor expired", as though it thinks I'm still using the previous one.

I had a look at this page but I am having a difficult time following it. Maybe it's a language issue. I don't have a second phone ('test phone') to set things up on. I did disconnect via settings -> hardware data source -> disable collection. But when I switch this back to g7 and update the pairing code to the new pairing code, it just continually says "sensor expired" (as though it thinks this is the old sensor).

Do I need to redo the entire setup again? (uninstall xdrip and start over from the beginning?)

Note that the "start a subsequent g7" instructions page, points to this page again, so I did re-scan that QR code and entered the new pairing code again. On the dex status page, it does prompt me to pair with the new g7. However, the "sensor status" still says "sensor expired"

[Navid200]

We are still improving G7 functionality as much as possible.

If you use a receiver or a pump, things get a little bit tricky and I need to update the guide to cover that.

But, the first problem you are experiencing is because you just threw away the old sensor. But, very likely, it is still close to you and not inside a metallic container.
That's why xDrip is still connected to it. Yes, you have entered the pairing code of the new device. This is one of the limitations of xDrip. At least, for now. Possibly always.
So, you should not just throw away the sensor. You should put it inside a metallic box or if you throw it away, it should be really far AWAY.

If you are really away from the old sensor, you need to turn off your receiver. Then, wait 15 minutes. Now, G7 is in rapid connect mode.
Now, go to the status page and you should get a pair request.
After you do and approve it and get readings, you can restart the receiver and the two will coexist after that.

[bkuz114]

Hey, not sure if this is useful info. But unfortunately I needed to get this working before sleep, so I went ahead and uninstalled xdrip, then re-installed xdrip and went through the set up again, and I was able to get things working.

I've made notes for myself about how to do the setup (using your instructions here, and just taking what's relevant for my phone), so that it's only a few concise steps. This means the set up only takes a few minutes. Going forward I might just take this approach going forward.

[Navid200]

Great

Make sure to have a certain plan for the used devices. I put all mine inside a metallic box.

[bkuz114]

Thanks a lot, and thanks for all your wonderful work on getting the g7s to work natively with xdrip. It's lifechanging for myself, and for many others I'm certain.

I'm curious about something, if you don't mind. (BTW - if the answer is very involved or would take a lot of your time, please feel free to disregard. This is just curiosity on my end, and doesn't impact my ability to use xDrip.) How is bluetooth connection so strong on these devices (i.e. that it keeps detecting old devices), when it disconnects so easily while in use? For example, if I am just in another room, xdrip tends to disconnect and it takes 5-10 minutes for it to reconnect.

Even if I weren't using xdrip and were just using dexcom app, I feel like if I went very far away, the bluetooth connection would disconnect. It's just shocking to me that it is able to detect the old devices so strongly.

[Navid200]

You said the old device was only 20 feet away. That is only 6 meters. That's not too far.

G7 changed dramatically with respect to G6. With G7, we don't know what the Bluetooth name is just looking at the pairing code. With G6, xDrip could figure out what the Bluetooth name would be just by having the serial number.
This has put xDrip at a disadvantage with respect to establishing a p[airing with a new G7 device.
That is why xDrip cannot distinguish between the old and the new device as easily as it could with G6. So, we advise that you keep the old device isolated to make things easier for xDrip.

It will eventually connect as you experienced. But, it is not 100% predictable with an old device sitting nearby.

After there is a pairing, xDrip and G7 are both looking for each other every 5 minutes. After xDrip connects, it does what it can to stay connected. If xDrip is connected to the old G7, it will try to stay connected with it even if you change the pairing code because of the reason I explained.

My hope is that we can improve this.

[bkuz114]

Thanks for taking your time to explain this. That makes a lot of sense, and also explains why it keeps pairing with the old receiver even when you put a new pairing code in.

I think you guys have done a fantastic job with g7 support. Yes, the sensor disconnects frequently (as I mentioned above), but my assumption is that has nothing to do with xdrip, and everything to do with bluetooth on my phone (phone bluetooth has issues no matter what the device - lots of disconnects from say a bluetooth headphone, etc.) Aside from that it works flawlessly. Understanding now the roadblocks you guys face with g7 (that you don't know the name just from the pairing code), I'm even more impressed by how well xdrip works.