Apple releases iOS 13.7 with Exposure Notifications Express

A month after the release of iOS 13.6.1, Apple today released iOS 13.7. The update brings improvement to the COVID-19 connect tracing and bug fixes.

Apple is launching Exposure Notifications Express, a framework that allows participating public health authorities to provide the Exposure Notifications System without a contact tracing app, in iOS 13.7. Previously, users were required to download an app from their public health authority (if available) that implemented the Exposure Notification API.

After activating Exposure Notifications via the Settings app on your iPhone, it lets you know if the feature is available in your country, state, or region through a contact tracing app. With the iOS 13.7 software update, the feature will work without an app in the areas that are participating in the Exposure Notifications Express program.

Developed jointly by Apple and Google, the contact tracing system is designed to inform if a person has been in contact with another person who is later diagnosed with COVID-19. It is done using a complex Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacon protocol to help ensure user privacy.

The platform launched for iPhone with iOS 13.5, and required public health authorities to have an app developed that used the Exposure Notification API. But with iOS 13.7, states can provide the necessary information to the company and with the auto-generated software framework it will perform tracing.

You can update to iOS 13.7 through Settings > General > Software Update on all eligible iOS devices. Apple also released iPadOS 13.7 but with bug fixes only.