Kardia Mobile: Please could someone... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

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Kardia Mobile

bugswhiskers profile image
17 Replies

Please could someone tell me which mobile phone to buy that is compatible with Kardia Mobile. I have never owned a mobile phone but have been advised to get one, and have no idea which one to buy. I would be grateful for any advice.

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bugswhiskers profile image
bugswhiskers
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17 Replies
CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Now there is a can of worms to open!

If you’ve never owned a phone I’m not sure I would buy one just for Kardia. Have you got family or friends to help you? Have you got a tablet because they work also with tablets - the electronic types, not the ones you swallow. What are you using to access this site?

First go to the Alivecor website and see which phones they recommend as compatible.

IF you are not tech savvy and you are ONLY going to use one to use with the Kardia then pick the cheapest.

If you are not tech savvy and never used a mobile I really think you will struggle without extensive help.

Tech can be incredibly useful and helpful but if you anxious and have tech anxiety - best avoided and that’s from a firm advocate of Kardia.

frazeej profile image
frazeej in reply to CDreamer

Grandkids are the best source of tech support in the world! Any kid 10-16 years old has more info than any specialist in the Apple store (!)......and, they are more than eager to show off their knowledge!

Happy reading…..I have the cheapest Apple phone…..

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

Kaz747 profile image
Kaz747

I have an Apple iPhone which works well with the Kardia.

Frances123 profile image
Frances123

Apple iPhone every time for me. Doesn’t have to be an all singing, all dancing top of the range either. I have a 6s plus which has given me excellent service for years and still going strong.

Brad43 profile image
Brad43

If you have a PC and don't want to buy anything, you can install a free android emulator (I use Bluestacks, but there are others) and then Install Google Play Store, and then install Kardia from it. I've done this, and it works for me, though I usually use my phone.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to Brad43

Interesting - good work around.

Ashfield53 profile image
Ashfield53

I have an old Samsung Galaxy S8 and it works well with the Kardia.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

Having had all of the various types over the years, and being married to a wonderful woman but one who hates technology, I can report that she would no never be without her little iPhone 7 and me, my iPhone 12 (recently took the plunge to upgrade). The best phone you can get in my view, now, is an iPhone SE, the latest model_and such good value. These work in harmony with the Apple Watch and absolutely perfectly with the Kardia. You can also sync your Omron blood pressure readings and Kardia readings in the Apple "Health" app.

Why Apple? The products are designed for normal folk to use, not people who want to mess with settings and reprogramming geeks; they don't get hacked; they don't get viruses; they don't go wrong; and the build quality is simply legendary. Also, the staff at the Apple shops in major city centres are incredibly helpful.

I would by second-hand Apple any day rather than new anything else if I had to save money (the Apple Watch 4 is still an exceptional device, for example).

Steve

If you are a newbie to phones, likely you are not that tech interested so doubt the work around for using Kardia on a computer would be straightforward for you - and not very portable. Apple are expensive but east to learn , and a doddle for Kardia. Maybe try to go to an Apple store and get them to help you set it up, but worth checking which network is best on your area if you are using it as a phone / internet. Enjoy the journey and expect to find it puzzling for a bit.

momist profile image
momist

All good advice so far. What I will add is, if you are going to use a six lead Kardia, rather than the slightly cheaper two lead one, it doesn't really matter which Android phone you choose. However, the two lead Kardia does not work well with 'top of the range' Android phones as their 'superior' audio circuits filter out the Kardia's signal as interference or background noise. Most cheaper phones should work.

Since you have never had a smart phone, and have no pre conceived ideas about how they should work, a cheap older iPhone would suit you very well. Many people swear by the iPhone4, which is small and a little like phones used to be before they were 'smart'. Of course, the larger the phone, the easier it is to read the screen though, which might be important to you.

bugswhiskers profile image
bugswhiskers in reply to momist

Thanks to everyone who replied about Kardia. It does seem like minefield to someone who throws a tantrum when they have difficulty changing the details on Casio watches. Must keep the users guides!

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to bugswhiskers

Sorry to tell you this - they don’t even give you guides these days - everything is online. Least it saves a few trees!

All I would add is always go for a latest version, 2nd hand fine but they update the operating systems so often & its normally thus that makes the phones obsoleet within 5 years.

bugswhiskers profile image
bugswhiskers in reply to CDreamer

Thanks for advice.

Griffin9 profile image
Griffin9

Most modern Android phones should work with Kardia. I've had no issues with mine.

Redmakesmehappy profile image
Redmakesmehappy

I don’t have, never had a smart phone but I do have a iPad and it works great with my Kardia, even mail to my EP to see when my heart was acting up. I suppose I could get use to a smart phone but for me, don’t see the need. I am 83. Day may be coming when we have to have one to do anything. Some restaurants now have their menu only on your smart phone, crazy, I think !!!

bugswhiskers profile image
bugswhiskers in reply to Redmakesmehappy

Thanks to you and Griffin9. I'll have to investigate further because technology is leaving me behind and I'm finding there are more and more reasons to buy a mobile phone.

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