# Ellume COVID-19 Home Test > Guided instructions and result interpretation for a home COVID-19 test kit. (iPhone/iPad app by ELLUME LIMITED.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ellume-covid-19-home-test/id1536213996 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [ELLUME LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1468219048) - Category: Medical, Health & Fitness - Price: Free - Rating: 1.19/5 from 1,823 App Store ratings · 54 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 17+ - Requires: iOS 12.2 · 60 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2021-02-11 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ellume-covid-19-home-test/id1536213996/reviews.md ## What is Ellume COVID? The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test App guides you step-by-step through using the COVID-19 Home Test kit (purchased separately). It will help you understand your result, know what steps to take next, and allow you to share your test result with your healthcare professional or employer. Do not use this test as the only guide to manage your illness. Please consult a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist or become more severe, or if you are concerned at any time. The App cannot be used without the Home Test, which is only available for purchase in the US. The App is only intended for individuals, including international travellers, in the US. ## Key features - Step-by-step test instructions - Understand test results - Next steps guidance - Share results with professionals - Healthcare provider integration ## What do users think of Ellume COVID? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - ⭐ Simple and easy to use - 💯 Accurate test results - 🔍 Provides clear instructions **Cons** - 🤖 Overly complicated app - 🕰️ Lengthy setup process - 🔒 Invasive data collection - 💰 Expensive compared to alternatives - 🔋 Drains phone battery - 🔍 High false positive/negative rates **Commonly reported bugs** - Bluetooth connectivity issues - App crashes and freezes - Inconsistent test results **Most requested features** - Allow manual test result viewing without app - Provide option to skip instructional video - Minimize personal data collection ## Recent user reviews (10 of 54) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ellume-covid-19-home-test/id1536213996/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Think of how wasteful this is… *2023-09-01* Each single use test must include a battery, a bluetooth transmitter and receiver, and an led… as well as whatever “fluorescent detection” technology they claim to use. Compare that with a normal covid test, which really only requires the chemicals that change color when coming into contact with covid antigens… I wouldn’t mind all of this overengineering if it were somehow multi-use, but this much waste for just one use? Really???? Additionally the user experience for this test is just horrible. While the packaging says that you can get your results in 15 minutes, in practice, it takes around 30 to download their app, answer all of their personal questions (including giving your address, name, and email), watch their unnecessarily long video (which is repeated later anyways when they give the steps in text), and finally do their test. When in other tests, the preparation normally only takes around 2-3 minutes, this test somehow managed to overcomplicate things to more than 10 minutes. It’s not like you can use the test unless you download the app anyways, as they don’t provide you the instructions and the app is required to even receive the test results. The test is also known to a high false positive rate, so I think it’s lovely that they’ve reported many false instances of covid to authorities. **Developer response:** Thank you for reaching out. Your feedback is important, and we’d like to talk to you about your experience. If you would like to discuss this further, please submit your details with our Customer Support team here: www.ellumecovidtest.com/customer-support and one of our team will get back to you soon. Thank you. ### 1/5 — The worst product I’ve ever tried! *2023-08-08* Reviews for this product are useless because if your downloading the app, and seeing the reviews, you’ve likely already bought this garbage product. Unnecessarily cumbersome, incredibly intrusive and unreliable. As a doctor I’ve used dozens of COVID tests from different companies, all without a complaint. This product forces you to download an app and Bluetooth the test to your phone in order to get your results. No option to perform the test without the app. The test I purchased would never connect! Complete waste of money and time. Additionally, had it connected and worked properly it required a lot of personal information, including my email, to receive the results. And the company says in it’s paperwork that it will share your results with the public health authorities, local, state and federal. No option to keep your results private despite the high incidence of false positives associated with this test. Any other home test that gives immediate results without an app can be done completely anonymously. This is overreach, over-engineered and over priced. Quite possibly the worst product I’ve ever purchased. ZERO stars **Developer response:** Thank you for contacting Ellume. We are sorry there was an error with your test. Please accept our apologies for any frustration and inconvenience the result may have caused. Please submit your details with our Customer Support team here: www.ellumecovidtest.com/customer-support and one of our team will get back to you soon. Thank you ### 1/5 — Worst idea ever! *2023-03-23* If I could give a negative star, I would! This is a typical example of how to execute an easy idea in a very complicated way! I have been using quick test kits for two years and tried different brands. All of them came in different packages and tools but the basic test process was the same. Easy and quick. But not this one! It requires an app which means that if you do not own a cell phone, then you cannot do the test! It also means that now if you want to do the test for the whole family, you have to do it one by one because the test kit needs to be connected to Bluetooth the whole time. How stupid is that!!!! I saw some reviewers say that the app collects tons of personal information. And the developer responded by saying only certain types of information was required but the rest was optional. Well, they designed the app in such a way that they did not explicitly tell you that you do not have to enter every information. Interestingly, they do bother to create a pop up window and ask you if you are sure that you do not want to enter your email address. To me, the goal to collect and sell your data to third party is written all over their faces. I cannot imagine that someone can make a quick test kit so complicated that it is not longer quick any more!!!! **Developer response:** We understand some people do not want an app with their COVID test. Our app provides support in the testing process and age, state & zip code are the only mandatory data. Please submit your details with our Customer Support team here: www.ellumecovidtest.com/customer-support if you wish to discuss this further. Thank you. ### 1/5 — Unnecessary-Privacy Invasion-Long Process *2023-03-15* This is quite possibly the dumbest idea any “healthcare” company has ever come up with. Why do I need an overly complicated box to send a signal to my phone when I am standing right there and should just be able to read the test on my own. You CANNOT read the test on your own or without a phone that’s mostly charged. If I wanted to send results (that are let’s be honest, accurate 50% of the time), to someone I should go to a doctor or get an actual PCR test done. This text took too much time. The video is slow and it won’t allow you to move forward through the mandatory instructional at an expedited pace. There’s no sound. Just a slow video that I didn’t need or want. Going back to the general process, WHY????! Again, the inaccurate results can be sent via email to third parties, but for the same credibility, I could just take a picture of a normal “low-tech” test. I will forever be cursing for selling this thing to me because I feel like I got ripped off. I wish this company would stop selling these. **Developer response:** Thank you for reaching out. Your feedback is important, and we’d like to talk to you about your experience. If you would like to discuss this further, please submit your details with our Customer Support team here: www.ellumecovidtest.com/customer-support and one of our team will get back to you soon. Thank you. ### 1/5 — Anybody used this app more than once would give it zero star *2023-03-03, version 1.7.22* Used this app a few times, I found the app truly wastes people’s time. Every time you would have to watch the same video again, absolutely no way to go to step by step direction directly. If so, what is the point to have step by step instructions. And now the app is telling me I have to charge my phone over 20%. Funny thing is, the phone is even on a charger. Funnier, while waiting to charge to 20%, phone went into sleep and the app, you guessed it, restarted and I have to restart the whole video watching process. What a genius! On another note, Which genius in the government made the decision to procure this products…? ### 5/5 — App and test kit worked as advertised *2023-02-22, version 1.7.22* Not sure why so many others have left low reviews and negative statements, but I’m betting a good fraction of them weren’t the fault of Ellume or the physical test kit but rather user error. Had no issues launching the app, or connecting to the analyzer via bluetooth provided in the physical test kit. Followed instructions slowly and carefully, making sure to wash and sanitize my hands prior to handling the test kit components. Waited 15 minutes after adding the processing fluid (mixed with the nasal swab sample) via the dropper, and received a negative result. ### 1/5 — Needs a few tweaks *2023-02-05, version 1.7.22* So the point of the app seems to be to collect location data and age demographic info after a test, which is super useful. BUT, there’s some stuff needs to be changed. This test is less convenient than non-digital/bluetooth tests. I think the test works fine, but there’s a few changes I would recommend so that people will be willing to use the test more: -Either get rid of the video or make it optional to watch. All the testing instructions get repeated a second time after the video anyhow. The video also cant be skipped or fast forwarded, so it just takes more time than it needs to in order to finally get to the test. -Add a red asterisk next to the required info users need to fill in. I keep reading complaints from other users that they need to add a ton of information before taking the test and its not true. The test only requires you to fill in your location, age, and something else (sorry I forgot). There’s a little text in each of the required entries, and I guess people don't get it or notice it. Add a red asterisk next to each entry space users actually need to fill in so its more obvious, or for good measure have a notice at the top of the page that says “Please fill in at least the sections that say ‘required’ “. ### 5/5 — Simple, Quick, Non-Invasive Don’t listen to 1 star *2023-01-11, version 1.7.22* I don’t know why people say the info you have to give is invasive. It’s pretty typical if you were going to a doctor to get a medical test done they’re going to ask for you name lol. Test took 20 minutes total. Got my results, with options to email them to whoever needed them for work. I’d say this is much better than long wait times at Hospitals, being swabbed by some nurse trying to touch your brain, and waiting 2-3 days for results. This test beats that experience by a long shot. Sorry so many people rate this 1 star, I don’t get it. ### 1/5 — I rather catch COVID than force to use this app *2022-12-30, version 1.7.22* Pretty neat testing tools but the app is just not user friendly. The app forces you to watch a 5 minute video EVERY SINGLE time you want to take a test. No skipping, not fast forwarding, nothing. The video tells you to NOT to do anything until the video is over because it’ll provide instructions afterwards. The first step is to connect the analyzer to the phone but once you connect the analyzer to your phone, it instantly starts to analyze the sample so you have to basically rush to get your sample into the device. Where were the instructions mentioned in the video? Just make step by step instructions that allow the users to hit next to move on to the next step and have the final step be connecting the analyzer. This app makes absolutely no sense and could be done so much better. It’s a chore just taking this test alone that I rather just use the old ones with the dropper and the test result strip. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. The Ellume COVID-19 Home Test team monitors our customer reviews in order to continuously optimize our product. If you’d like to provide further information, please submit your details with our Customer Support team here: www.ellumecovidtest.com/customer-support and one of our team will get back to you soon. Thank you. ### 1/5 — Return the product and buy a test that doesn’t require an app *2022-12-25, version 1.7.22* If you’re reading this turn back and return the test ASAP. It’s a waste of time and money. The app requires personal info for you to proceed to an unskippable video. By the time you download the app, fake your personal information, and slog through the video you could have the results of any other test on the market. And god forbid you want to rewind this unskippable video to watch a step again, takes you back to the beginning and it forces you to start over again. Requiring a smartphone app to get the results of a health test should be a crime. There are plenty of people that don’t have access to or can’t use smartphones. Screw the product team behind this product. I’m avoiding CVS in the future because of this. ## Frequently asked questions about Ellume COVID ### What does the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test App do? The app guides you through using the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test kit, helps you understand your results, and provides information on what steps to take next. It also allows you to share your test result with your healthcare professional or employer. ### Can I use this app without the COVID-19 Home Test kit? No, the app cannot be used without the Home Test kit, which must be purchased separately. The app is designed to work in conjunction with the physical test. ### Where is this app and test kit available? The app and the associated Home Test kit are only available for purchase and intended for use by individuals in the US. This includes international travelers who are within the US. ### What should I do if my symptoms persist or worsen? This test should not be the sole guide for managing your illness. If your symptoms persist or become more severe, or if you have any concerns at any time, you should consult a healthcare professional. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 10804 — 2023-03-31 Improved usability ### 1.7.22 — 2022-09-15 Improved support for iOS 16 ### 1.6.31 — 2022-06-09 Improvements when used on iPad, fixes issue where page may not show correctly after connection. ### 1.6 — 2022-04-20 Updates to the instruction text and video, and more information about common errors that might occur such as swabbing incorrectly. ### 1.5 — 2022-02-08 Share your result with your doctor or employer. ## Apps similar to Ellume COVID | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Kinsa](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kinsa/id1469151284) | 4.8 (45,132) | Free | Medical | | [Stanford Health Care MyHealth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stanford-health-care-myhealth/id922978966) | 3.9 (1,887) | Free | Medical | | [Carby Health](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carby-health/id1152807572) | 4.8 (16,066) | Free | Medical | | [Scanwell Health](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scanwell-health/id1360761030) | 4.6 (81,631) | Free | Medical | | [On/Go](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ongo/id1565398009) | 4.8 (51,979) | Free | Medical | | [Sutter Health My Health Online](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sutter-health-my-health-online/id1103892054) | 4.5 (15,600) | Free | Medical | --- *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.*