Living with type 1 diabetes requires keeping track of a lot of details, from your blood sugar to your diabetes care supplies. On top of that, you might be tracking carbohydrates, trying to figure out when and what to eat next, and more. While there are different ways to deal with all of this, more and more people are choosing to use a phone app — or several apps — to help with diabetes management.

Here are some of the most common apps or types of apps that can help you get your life organized. These apps can improve your quality of life and your overall sense of well-being while living with type 1 diabetes. All of the apps mentioned here are available on both Android and iOS for iPhone.

1. The App That Works With Your Continuous Glucose Monitor

Many people living with type 1 diabetes choose to use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to monitor their blood sugar regularly without having to constantly prick themselves with a needle. This device may also be linked to treatment, such as an insulin pump that delivers doses when you need it.

Many of these devices, especially CGMs, come with their own apps that record blood sugar in real time and track it over time. Dr. Laura Levin, a physician at the Northwestern University School of Medicine who specializes in endocrinology, finds that these are the most useful apps for people she treats who are living with type 1 diabetes. She said, “The most valuable are probably the continuous glucose monitor apps. Those are telling you constantly what your blood sugar is.”

Some members at myT1Dteam have shared positive experiences with their glucose monitor apps. One said, “I’m so grateful to my glucose monitor app, which shows me trends that help me understand how my behaviors and different factors affect my levels.”

2. MyFitnessPal

Monitoring carbohydrates is an essential part of managing type 1 diabetes, and MyFitnessPal is a popular tool for doing this. While it’s best known as a calorie counter, the app also tracks food intake and provides detailed nutritional information. It can help with weight loss goals, monitoring fluid intake, and tracking sleep and steps. It also sends reminders to eat. Dr. Levin noted that MyFitnessPal is widely used by people living with diabetes.

When you live with type 1 diabetes, your pharmacy’s app can be a surprisingly helpful tool.

You’ll need to pay to access all features, such as the barcode scanner for quickly logging food. Many people choose MyFitnessPal for its large food database and additional features, including detailed nutritional information, customizable goals, intermittent fasting support, and the ability to upload your own recipes and export data.

3. Figwee

Figwee is another app that Dr. Levin sees many people use for carb counting. It’s especially helpful if you struggle with portion sizes. You can search for foods and see photos of a single serving. Then, you adjust a slider to match the amount you actually ate. The app also tracks daily activities, including everyday movements like cleaning and showering.

If you have trouble estimating carbs on the fly, Figwee can help train your brain to better recognize portion sizes, making it easier to estimate carb counts when you can’t weigh and measure everything. Like MyFitnessPal, Figwee has a free version and a premium version. The free version includes a food diary and food library. The premium version adds other features, including full calorie tracking, health tracking, and activity tracking.

4. Undermyfork

Undermyfork is a food app designed specifically for people who live with diabetes. You take pictures of your food and upload them to the app. You can also connect the app to your continuous glucose monitor. The app helps you understand how specific meals and foods affect your blood glucose.

While it’s best known as a calorie counter, MyFitnessPal also tracks food intake and provides detailed nutritional information.

The app also creates graphs and other data you can share with your diabetes care team. This makes it easier to talk about patterns, get medical advice, and plan next steps. Undermyfork works with several CGMs and glucose meters. The app is free to download with basic functionality, and more features are available through a paid subscription.

5. The mySugr App

The mySugr app can store a lot of your type 1 diabetes data in one place. It can connect to CGMs and insulin pumps to automatically import data, or you can enter your information manually. The app allows you to tag entries to note factors like stress or alcohol consumption. This can help you see how these factors can impact your blood sugar levels.

There are both free and paid versions of mySugr. The paid version lets you upload photos of your meals, sends reminders about your blood sugar, and offers challenges designed to support healthy choices based on your needs and type 1 diabetes. In some countries, the paid version also includes the Bolus Calculator, which can help you estimate how much insulin or carbs you need at your meal to stay in range.

6. Glucose Buddy

Glucose Buddy is another all-in-one diabetes app that Dr. Levin sees people using. You can connect it to your CGM or enter your data manually if you use a manual blood sugar test kit. The app offers personalized coaching based on your glucose and notes about your food. It can suggest next steps to help manage your blood sugar. In some cases, Glucose Buddy can also help order supplies when you’re running low. The app also features sharing options that make it easy to keep your healthcare team in the loop.

7. Pharmacy Apps

When you live with type 1 diabetes, your pharmacy’s app can be a surprisingly helpful tool. There, you can check when you last picked up medications or supplies, or order more. If you need to contact a healthcare professional for a refill or a prescription, the app will alert you. In some cases, you can send a request directly so the pharmacist can contact your provider for you.

"The continuous glucose monitor apps are probably the most valuable. They constantly tell you what your blood sugar is.”
— Dr. Laura Levin

If you’re not sure which app to use or how to use it, ask your pharmacist. They should have someone available who can help.

8. Happy Bob

If you’re feeling burned out by type 1 diabetes management or need motivation to track your blood sugar levels and take action, Happy Bob may be a good option. The app adds a “face” to your phone that changes expressions based on your blood glucose levels. It can connect to several CGMs. The goal is to keep Bob happy.

Happy Bob can also send you lighthearted messages when your glucose levels are out of range. The app also allows you to connect with friends who also have diabetes. You can earn points based on who spends the most time in range and create competitions. Happy Bob has a free version and a paid version. If you need an upbeat, refreshing way to monitor your type 1 diabetes, it might be worth upgrading to the paid version.

9. Gluroo

Gluroo is a helpful app for tracking diabetes data, sharing information, and using smartwatch features. You can track your food intake, insulin use, devices and supplies, and exercise in one place.

The app can connect to CGMs and insulin pumps. It also integrates with smartwatches, allowing you to track exercise and view blood sugars and insulin values directly on your smartwatch.

Gluroo lets you share your data with followers, such as family members who want to help monitor your health. The app also includes a data sharing feature to keep your healthcare team informed about your glucose levels and trends.

Join the Conversation

On myT1Dteam, people share their experiences with type 1 diabetes, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you found an app that works really well to track your type 1 diabetes? Let others know in the comments below.