We have been made aware by NHSE National colleagues of the impending changes to the minimum versions of operating systems for iPhone (iOS) and Android phones that will be able to access the NHS App. Please accept our apologies for the short notice. 

Please see the full message below,

We would like to notify you and your systems of the impending changes to the minimum versions of operating systems for iPhone (iOS) and Android phones that will be able to access the NHS App. 

As you are aware, the NHS App went through a redesign last year and it is now a native App which allows us to better manage the information architecture of the App. We are now at the stage where we are moving people off the old legacy Xamarin application and onto the new native versions. This means a small number of users will no longer have access to the NHS App via an app and will need to access their NHS App services via their NHS Account using a web browser. You can do this using this link and find out how to do this watching these walkthrough videos.  

This will take place on the 3^rd February 2025.

This will affect people who use the following versions of iOS and Android operation systems:

·       iOS 12

·       Android 6

·       Android 7

These users will not be able to access the NHS App via the app on their phones and will need to access the NHS App via their web browser. We estimate that this will affect 6,500 iOS and 5,500 Android users who only have access to a single device.

Users using iOS 13 and iOS 14 on their phones, can upgrade on their devices to the minimum supported version, iOS 15.

In-App messages to the above users, since May 2024, letting them know they will need to update their devices to continue to have access to the NHS App on their device, alternatively they can continue to access the information in their NHS App by logging into their NHS Account via a web browser.

NHS App

Help and support about the NHS App device compatibility can be found on the NHS.UK website here,  which has been updated to reflect the minimum device support as follows:

"We only support the NHS App on:

·       Android version 8 and above, on devices with a front-facing camera

·       Apple iOS version 15 and above

Google has a guide on how to check and update your Android version.

Apple has a guide on how to update your iOS on iPhone.

The Surgery would like to invite you to use the NHS App

The new, simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

Download on App Store
Download on Google Play Store

To set up an NHS or Patient Access account you will need:

• an email address (with more than 6 characters) - this must only be used by ONE person, no shared or family email addresses can be used
• a mobile phone or landline number

Please follow these links for more information on the NHS App or Patient Access App

Once the preferred app has been downloaded, you will require:

• a Linkage Key (also known as Passphrase)
• an ODS Code (also known as Organisation Code or Surgery ID)
• an Account ID

Please contact the surgery to request the codes required. This can be done either by email to charlton.online@nhs.net (security questions will be asked to make sure the codes required are provided to the correct person) or you can do this in person at reception (please bring photo ID when attending in person).

Use the NHS App to:

• check your symptoms
• find out what to do when you need help urgently
• book and manage appointments at your GP surgery
• order repeat prescriptions
• view your GP medical record securely
• register to be an organ donor
• choose how the NHS uses your data

Patients at 95% of GP surgeries in England can now use all the features of the NHS App.

You can check if your GP surgery is connected when you open the app for the first time. If it's not, you can register your email address, and we'll notify you when they go live.

If your GP surgery is not connected, you can still download the app and use it to check your symptoms and find out what to do when you need help urgently.

When your surgery is connected, and you register in the app, we'll carry out checks to confirm your identity. The app will then securely connect to information from your GP surgery. To keep your access secure, we'll send a security code to your phone each time you use the app.