Certain data collected by the NHS COVID-19 app is stored on your phone. No one can see or use this data unless you choose to submit it. You can see what app data is held on your phone by selecting Settings on the homescreen of your app.
Area Data
When you first download the NHS COVID-19 app, you’ll be asked to enter your postcode district, which is the first part of your postcode. If your postcode district covers more than one local authority area, the app will ask you which local authority you live in. This is so the app can give you the most accurate information for your area’s risk level. Read more about why we ask for your postcode district or local authority.
Other data
What you see in the Other data section depends on how you have been using the app.
Last applicable test result
If you have booked a coronavirus (COVID-19) test through the app, or linked your test result, the date you received your result will be shown here, and whether it was positive or negative. This information helps the self-isolation countdown timer to work. Read more about how the app calculates how long you need to self-isolate.
In some cases, the last applicable test result shown here may not be the last test you took. For example if the test you took was void (unclear result), or if it was negative but you’re already self-isolating because of a previous positive test result.
This section also lists the test kit type. Different types of tests for coronavirus are used in different situations.
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LAB_RESULT indicates that your test result was sent off to and processed in a lab, which can take between 1 and 3 days to get your result. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, it is likely you will take a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, which falls into this category.
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RAPID_RESULT indicates that your test was a rapid swab test, often known as an LFD (lateral flow device) test. You will normally get your result for this kind of test between 15 minutes and 2 hours. RAPID_RESULT means your test was assisted, i.e. someone helped you take the test.
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RAPID_SELF_REPORTED indicates that you had a rapid swab test that you administered yourself. For example, if you took the test at home.
There is also a section under ‘last applicable test result’ for Follow-up test. If you test positive from a self-reported rapid swab test, you will need to get another type of test that is sent to a lab, to verify the result. This section indicates whether you need or have taken this follow-up test.
Self-isolation
This reminds you of the last day of your self-isolation period. Read how your self-isolation period is calculated.
Symptoms information
If you report coronavirus symptoms in the app, you will be asked for the date when your symptoms started. This is the date that’s shown here. If you said that you cannot remember when your symptoms started, the app will record it as 2 days before you entered your symptoms. This information helps the self-isolation countdown timer to work. Read more about how the app calculates how long you need to self-isolate.
Venue linked to a COVID-19 outbreak
If you have previously checked in to a venue, the data included the date that you checked in and you would have received an alert to say you were at risk of coronavirus.
Exposure notification
If you have been in close contact with an app user who has tested positive for coronavirus and chosen to share this result anonymously, the NHS COVID-19 app will send you an alert. Read more about when this alert is sent. The information in this section helps the self-isolation countdown timer to work. Read more about how the app calculates how long you need to self-isolate.
Encounter date
The encounter date tells you the date you were in contact with the person who tested positive. It is likely that they did not know they had coronavirus at the time, and only received a positive test result later. Read more about what to do if you’ve been in close contact with someone who’s tested positive for coronavirus.
Notification date
This is the date that you received an alert on your phone to tell you that you’d been in close contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.
Venue history
If you have used the NHS COVID-19 app to check into a venue in the last 21 days, a list of these venues will appear, along with the date that you checked in.