# COVIDWISE — user reviews > 50 indexed App Store user reviews of COVIDWISE by Virginia Department of Health, rated 4.39/5 from 980 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/covidwise/id1518059690/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/covidwise/id1518059690.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 785 · 4★ 36 · 3★ 30 · 2★ 23 · 1★ 108 ## What do users think of COVIDWISE? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Repeated notifications are annoying - 🔒 Privacy-focused design - 👍 Useful exposure notifications - 💡 Ability to report positive test results **Cons** - 🐛 Incomplete or unclear exposure information - 🐛 Repeated notifications for the same exposure - 🐛 Difficulty obtaining PIN to report positive test - 🔋 Battery drain issues - 🔒 Limited support for older devices **Commonly reported bugs** - Bluetooth connectivity issues - Repeated notifications for the same exposure - Delayed exposure notifications **Most requested features** - Provide more detailed exposure information (location, time, duration) - Allow users to acknowledge/clear previous exposures - Integrate with health department systems for seamless reporting - Expand to nationwide interoperability - Add more data and metrics to the app ## Newest reviews (14 of 50) ### 4/5 — Repeated Notifications are Annoying *2022-01-15, version 1.6* I was notified of a possible exposure. With the Omicron variant, I am not sure that was all that useful since it seems to be everywhere, but I was glad to be notified. That said, the app continues to “notify” me of exposure, and when I check the date of exposure, it is the same exposure. I got it the first three times, no need to keep notifying me. ### 3/5 — VDH behind? *2021-10-02, version 1.5* My gripe isn’t so much about the app, because it did notify me of my exposure - 11 days after I had been exposed. I tested the very next day, and due to backups in the labs, got my results 6 days later. So 17 days after exposure I found I was positive. I immediately went to COVIDWISE to notify of my positive result. I need a PIN from VDH to do so. Today is day 3 I have been trying to get a PIN to notify others of my result. VDH says my record doesn’t exist. No one from VDH has contacted me via phone or text. I’m starting to see why I didn’t get the COVIDWISE notice of exposure until 11 days after exposure. I had 11 days that I wasn’t aware I had been exposed and was not taking extra precautions (I’ve been vaccinated and wear a mask, distance & wash hands so precautions beyond that). Until they figure out the backlog problem of allowing positive users to immediately notify, this app is not going to do much. Still trying to get that PIN so I can let whomever I was in contact with for 11 days know they’ve been exposed. ### 3/5 — Was once helpful but now not so much *2021-08-26, version 1.5* App was a great tool to be able to track cases and up to date info during pandemic but now it doesn’t have any of that. In a time where delta variant is running rampant, please make it so we can see daily summary again! ### 4/5 — App suggestions for anxiety reduction *2021-08-11, version 1.5* I’ve had this app since it came out, no issues until I received my first exposure notification (which surprisingly occurred outside of Virginia, happy that this seems to work elsewhere) 1. Received notification of possible exposure (have since tested negative) and now I get notified of the same exposure every single day. Will this stop after 14 days or ever? It’s really stressful. Can you add a button to stop the repeated notifications for a previous exposure? (“Acknowledged”, or “tested negative”) 2. The wording of when the exposure is estimated to have happened is too ambiguous, it would be better to report “on MM/DD/YY” rather than “x days ago”. Couldn’t decide if x days ago meant the exposure occurred on day 1 or day 0. Thank you for your work. ### 3/5 — No location or time stamp limits usefulness *2021-08-09, version 1.5* Got an exposure notification. But it doesn’t say where or what time of day, making it impossible to know where the potential exposure took place (to then notify someone else, say). Grocery store? So it’s minorly helpful but…not really. From a public health data perspective it uses anonymous tokens so why won’t it let you update with your vaccine status? Or test result? Even as an option? This would be good aggregate, non personally identifying data to have re exposure and possible breakthrough case rates. Such wasted potential for using technology to help track and sort. ### 3/5 — Needs to clear old notifications *2021-08-05, version 1.5* I got a notification, got three tests done, and several days later I got another notification… for the same exposure. Then two days after that, another notification… there needs to be a way to clear an exposure from the app so you’re not constantly getting worried when you see an alert pop up and it’s the same exposure you already dealt with and got tested for so you’re clean. ### 3/5 — Suggested changes *2021-03-26, version 1.4* 1. Show if person was exposed to someone directly - are they at high risk? 2. Show if person was exposed to someone indirectly i.e contact via second or third party - is the risk lower? 3. Show duration of contact in minutes- level of risk 4. Show range of contact in feet - level of risk 5. Show location of contact - store, house etc - is source location now quarantined 6. Make exposed people eligible for immediate vaccination single dose and or prompt medical care. 7. Followup with exposed to confirm status of any COVID symptoms, 8. Make exposed eligible for funding assistance to comp for lost wages 9. Provide access link to free testing 10. Allow reporting of negative test ### 4/5 — Battery drain issue resolved? *2020-12-23, version 1.3* The app drained 25% of my battery over 24 hours, according to iOS, even though I spent almost that entire period at home and did not go to any crowded places. Deleting and reinstalling the app may have fixed the battery drain, though that meant losing the potential contact information stored prior to that point. ### 4/5 — Add full date & go nationwide *2020-12-15, version 1.3* If it displayed the date it wouldn’t be as easy to spoof with a screenshot. It would also be nice to have nationwide interoperability rather than just virginia-specific tracing. What’s a dc person supposed to do? (Update just in time for holiday travel, the devs write: “COVIDWISE now participates in the National Key Server...” so that’s improved. ### 4/5 — Great Idea - One Bad Problem *2020-11-25, version 1.21* Love the app and idea. Especially since I’m a GrubHub and DoorDash driver. But this app conflicts with both GrubHub and DoorDash. When Covidwise app is running the GrubHub and DoorDash new order alarms don’t work. So, Covidwise is unusable when I need it most. Please fix this. Also, how do I find the installed version number of Covidwise? ### 2/5 — Needs more data *2020-09-08, version 1.21* I am a data guy, so naturally I would like to see more data. This App doesn’t show anything until maybe when you are positive or in close contact with someone who is tested positive. This makes using the app not “rewarding” at all! Can’t we just show a few interesting metrics such as how many encounters you have each day? I am in VA, yet I don’t know how many people have the app, and in a normal grocery shopping how many possible encounters that I can have. ### 3/5 — Is this going to work for non-Virginians? *2020-09-03, version 1.21* What happens when someone with this app gets exposed by someone from, say, DC or Maryland, who may have installed a different app? Rollout, communication on this were bungles. And possibly the technology also if exposure notifications do not work across borders, because let’s face it: people are mobile, whether state officials can imagine that or not. ### 2/5 — Can’t Tell if App Works *2020-08-27, version 1.2* Have had the app for a couple of weeks with no alerts, and there is no way to tell if the app is working. Some reviewers mentioned a weekly text saying that they had no exposure in the previous week, but I have not received any such report. I am not sure this app will be useful if it relies completely on exposed or infected people to self-report. At the very least users should be able to click somewhere to learn how many new exposures were added daily and how many exposure notifications the app has made. So that way we would have at least some notion that it’s working. ### 2/5 — Confusing... *2020-08-20, version 1.2* Received a (push?) notification in late evening saying I may have had a potential exposure. This notification even included a Bluetooth data listing for a number of hours previous (though did not appear to indicate when this alleged exposure occurred). In trying to look at this notification more thoroughly in the app, the notification was not in there. Furthermore, the “Exposure” section, indicates I have not had an exposure. So, why did I receive this (alarming) late night notice which disappeared? Did I have an exposure or not? ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Information is worse than useless *2022-01-04, version 1.6* This app provides incomplete information that can only make people worried. The app says I have likely been exposed to someone who has tested positive. But it doesn’t tell me WHEN I was exposed. It just gives a nebulous “6 days ago”. Six days from when? To be useful the app should give the date of the exposure. It should also say the time of day when the exposure occurred. The location of the exposure would also be useful, but that must be too much to ask. Now all I can do is worry. How do I count back six days? If I’m counting correctly the only thing I did that day was drop my bother at the airport, and I’m confident that I wasn’t close enough to anyone to catch it. But what if I counted wrong? Should I get a test? Or should I leave those for people who really need them? Thanks, COVIDWISE for increasing my stress level. I wish I’d never installed the app. ### 1/5 — Very disappointed *2021-01-13, version 1.3* This app is only as good as the contact tracing done to provide the information to it. My husband and I were exposed. We have both tested negative. The VA Dept of health never contacted our daughter who was positive. She never received a PIN so the app was never activated to advise people that had been near her to get tested. We have almost completed our quarantine and we still haven’t been contacted. This is sad. I really hoped it would work to help slow COVID. Please double mask through February. ### 1/5 — Not a help at all *2020-12-19, version 1.3* I have been on the Virginia Tech campus from august to November and had multiple confirmed cases in my hall. Not a single notification. I downloaded this app with the hope of keeping myself and those around me safe but all I got was stupid “weekly reports” that consisted of nothing. This app doesn’t work when no one reports. I reported when I came into close contact with a possible case but overall this doesn’t work. ### 1/5 — Took a bad turn *2020-09-06, version 1.21* Had it installed for several weeks with no problems. Suddenly, the last two days it drained my battery to zero (from 75%) over the course of 4 hours. Had to delete it today, because I can’t have my phone suddenly dying in the middle of a call, only to find out I have no juice left and leaving me recalling that last I looked it was @ 75%. Too bad; thought it would be a good tool to help out and stay informed. ### 1/5 — Fix the notifications *2020-08-19, version 1.2* I keep Bluetooth turned off when at home, only turn it on when I leave the house. Both for security, as well as battery saving. This app is CONSTANTLY bugging me to turn on Bluetooth - about once every hour or two. As if that’s not annoying enough, the app even bugs me IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!! Really?! If you want to remind me once, in case I really did forget to turn on Bluetooth, then fine. But any more than that, and it’s a real nuisance. And this nonsense with being repeatedly woken up in the middle of the night - every night - reminding me to turn on Bluetooth...I’m over it. Deleting the app; if you fix the notification issue, I’ll consider reinstalling. ### 1/5 — Bluetooth not reloading *2020-08-06, version 1.2* Not trying to bash, just trying to get this seen. Downloaded app this afternoon and saw it created a new Bluetooth connection- 4 capital letters. Went to connect to a Bluetooth speaker and my phone wasn’t connecting so I turned off and turned Bluetooth back on. The 4 capital letter Bluetooth connection is gone. I have tried cycling Bluetooth as well as closing and restarting the COVIDWISE app- still not creating that Bluetooth connection. If this is for tracking and helping people, it should re-create that Bluetooth to work ### 2/5 — Incomplete Data *2021-11-22, version 1.6* I received a notification that I had a possible exposure to a person who tested positive. The app said possible exposure was 4 days ago, but there is no date on notice. So don’t know if I saw notification when it was received or if it was a week old. App told me to quarantine and get tested. I called Virginia Health Department and they said if I am vaccinated, I don’t need to do anything unless I have symptoms. Also app said I was within 6 feet of a person who tested positive for at least 15 minutes. The Health Department said I was probably in an area that had a high percentage of positive cases. So this confusing information makes me feel very nervous about possibly spreading Covid, but I am not sure I have any reason to be concerned. App needs to provide better current information or it only adds to confusion. ### 2/5 — No support for iPhone 6 *2021-08-26, version 1.5* I’m all for the idea behind this app and I believe I even used to have it installed... However, as my phone is an iPhone 6 Plus, it doesn’t run iOS 13, which this app requires. That seems to mean I can’t take advantage of/participate in the COVID exposure notification enterprise at all. I realize my phone is “old” compared to what’s now available but it still works just fine and meets my needs, and I don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on an upgrade (nor any real interest in doing so, as I’m 69 years old and don’t aspire to TikTok my way to internet stardom or whatever). I suspect I am not nearly the only person out there still using an iPhone 6 Plus, and for such a large public health problem as COVID, I would’ve thought these “official” apps might better meet the needs of the whole population. ### 2/5 — Couldn't get a Pin ... *2021-07-14, version 1.5* Downloaded the app in 2020 even though many in my area of VA may not use it. I own a retail store thought it would mainly be for travelers that might be in our store. Didn't receive any notifications and that was fine and the app didn't affect my phone's battery. The problem was when I tested positive in January 2021. I did not receive a call, email, or text from the Health Department. My test was done at my local hospital drive-thru area on Friday morning (neg. rapid result then PCR swab for confirmation). The results indicating a positive PCR test result posted to my MyChart acct (good thing that app is on my phone) on Saturday afternoon and TWO DAYS LATER a nurse from my doctor's office called to inform me of the results. I tried multiple ways to get a pin # - calls, emails, through the app, etc. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ENTER A PIN # AND REPORT MY INFECTION IN THE APP. I consider this system a failure and I was wanting it to really work. App may give false security if you think you'll be notified of potential exposures. I deleted the app after my experience. ### 2/5 — Settings Are Difficult *2020-11-23, version 1.21* I wanted to turn on Availability Alerts but cannot. It is not listed in Location Services. The switch is grayed out in the app. When I went to the VA website for help, I got the following: [siteorigin_widget class=”WP_Widget_Media_Image”][/siteorigin_widget] Download Virginia’s free COVIDWISE Exposure Notifications app to help protect your community while protecting your privacy. [siteorigin_widget class=”WP_Widget_Media_Image”][/siteorigin_widget] Supported on iOS 13.5 & 13.6, compatible with iPhone. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — A Simple Lifesaver *2020-12-27, version 1.3* This has really brought be peace of mind. Downloaded COVIDWISE a couple months ago and have been able to tell if I have ever been exposed while out and about. If everyone where using this app, life could be a lot more normal! ### 5/5 — Great app! Everyone in the Washington area should use it! *2020-11-10, version 1.21* This app does a great job of maintaining personal data privacy and at the same time helps to do contact tracing and early warning of possible contagion. I just hope people are given incentives to install it on their phones since the more the merrier!!! ### 5/5 — Review from Information Security officer *2020-10-19, version 1.21* This is a great app, designed with privacy first in mind. There is no way for anyone to know your information. Let your friends and family know and ask them to download the app. It can save their life. The more people download it, the better it becomes. I had a colleague receive a notification about possibly being exposed. He went to get tested and sure enough he was positive. He did not have symptoms but he self quarantined and saved his elderly parents from exposure. Download and spread the word! We can fight this virus out together. ### 5/5 — The best option. *2020-09-25, version 1.21* While other public health departments have been notoriously slow to respond to Covid-19, it is great to see an exception. The Virginia COVIDWISE app is the best and only app to take advantage of the cross platform exposure notification platform developed by Apple and Google. A set it and forget it experience. Highly recommended! ### 5/5 — Great App - Hoping For Many VA Users *2020-08-13, version 1.2* The concept and apparent approach to contact tracking via this app will be great if Virginia can advertise to the state and get many people to use the app. Maybe VA can pass out a flyer with info on the app when someone gets tested for COVID-19. It was easy to install and setup. Would be great if there was a status indicator or counters that show that it is actually working. Maybe a status page with a counter showing past encounters with other app users or date and time when another user was nearby, ### 5/5 — I work in deep enterprise IT *2020-08-11, version 1.2* And I value my privacy! Nothing I see in this app worries me at all. It’s a solid, discreet implementation. Battery drain claims are bogus, no more than leaving your Bluetooth connection on all the time (which most do) for cars, speakers etc. ### 5/5 — PLEASE DOWNLOAD! *2020-08-11, version 1.2* Apple and Google already have your location through maps and all the other data they collect. So please at least give you data for a good cause. ### 5/5 — Help your community *2020-08-09, version 1.2* This anonymous app will help others understand if they have been exposed to someone who has tested and allow them to not infect others. Let’s all help one another for once ### 5/5 — Easy to use, great step in the covid fight! *2020-08-09, version 1.2* I’m proud to be a Virginian! I hope many people download this. The app took like 3 seconds to set up, is secure & anonymous. It would be great if the developer adds a content section with updates on covid-related recommendations, changes to local distancing/mask laws, and an updated symptom list, like the CDC Covid app has. ### 5/5 — Is it working? *2020-08-09, version 1.2* Hopefully I never receive or need the notification. I only wish there were some way to know it's working (e.g. Did I pass by another App user?). Hopefully, in time, the anonymous data can be shared so we can truly "feel" like we've made a difference. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*