Kardia and incompatible phones!

[Coco51]

Well here's a turn up for the books.

I've been a fan of the Kardia AliveCor for 5 years. My GP and EP have been impressed by the traces and been able to read more in them than the algorithm can. It put me on the fast track for my second ablation, because when the consultant asked if I was sure I was still getting AF I could show him the Kardia reading to prove I was.

I used it successfully for 5 years with my Samsung J5 and my M31. Then suddenly I started to get lots of interference - possibly a sign the battery needs changing. So I changed the battery and now the Kardia is dead a doornail.

Well, I contacted customer support only to be told my phones aren't compatible with Kardia. When I asked what had gone wrong because it worked before. The answer was that sometimes phone updates suddenly affect the compatibility of the phone.

So check before you buy. Here's the list

alivecor.zendesk.com/hc/en-...

[Jalia]

I had similar problem and response. It turns out I needed a new Kardia as mine had been a extremely well used!! Anyway, bought a new one, about £90/100, and all working perfectly even though my Samsung is not on the approved list! 5 years is a reasonable time

Phone currently in use us Samsung Galaxy A51 but also works on a previous Samsung and Samsung tablet

Just realised that my Kardia was 6 years old and had made 3040 recordings so can't really complain

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Jalia]

I think mine must be older as it was given to me for appraisal when they first came over here and I met Dr Dave at an event at House of Commons.. Haven't used it for a few years so bet it is dead by now. It used to fit on the back of my first i phone! Still in original box if there are any museums interested. lol 😁

[Coco51 in reply to BobD]

😃 let me know if you find one!

[Coco51 in reply to Jalia]

I have sent for a new one, still in it's wrapping, which they have offered to refund, but I will try it now. Thanks!

[Coco51 in reply to Coco51]

Wow Jalia! In have tried the new one id sent for and was going to return for a refund. And guess what! IT WORKS ON THE ALLEGEDLY INCOMPATIBLE M31. Thanks for the advice

[momist]

It's a bit of a lottery whether a newish mobile will work with the 2 lead Kardia. The device uses high frequency sound to communicate with the phone through it's microphone, and many high end modern phones have noise cancelling and filters to improve the audio on a phone call for you. Sadly, the companies list of approved phones is much restricted, and to my mind meaningless.

However, the newer and more expensive 6 lead Kardia uses Bluetooth to communicate, and should therefore work with the majority of Android phones, and of course iOS phones or tablets.

My latest phone will not work with my old Kardia (it's a Oneplus 5T) but it still works with my tablet and also I've kept my old phone (Motorola G5) on a different provider service as a backup, and it works well with that.

I hope you get this sorted out.

[Coco51 in reply to momist]

Just tried a new Kardia and it DOES WORK! The old one was obviously on the blink. So much for Kardia customer support.

[Desanthony]

Oh goodness! Never thought of updates affecting comparability!

[momist in reply to Desanthony]

I don't believe they should, or will. Why they can be temperamental after a battery change, I don't know.

[malaekahana]

My Kardia abruptly stopped working with my iPhone 12 so I changed the battery. Still would not transmit. Talked to two different help guys, and the second was very helpful, sharing that one customer had had success by setting his Kardia directly on the phone rather than level with and pointing at it. Also had me remove the case. Once I did all this, it started working again. When I put the case back on, it worked in the previous position, sitting in front of the phone. Go figure.

[Coco51 in reply to malaekahana]

Temperamental little beasts. If you have seen the thread above you can see my newly purchased replacement Kardia IS working on my old phone !