Activis

Setting up Activis on your iPhone

Activis is distributed through TestFlight, Apple's app for study and pre-release software. It is not in the normal App Store, so you will not find it by searching. Setup takes just a few minutes.

Before you start, have these to hand

The join link we have sent you.

Your enrolment QR code, which is in a separate email. You will need to display it on a second screen, such as a computer or another phone, because your iPhone camera cannot scan a code shown on its own display. Printing it also works.

Your Polar Loop, charged.

1Open the join link

On your iPhone, tap the join link we have sent you. It opens a TestFlight page for the Activis beta.

The page shows two steps: first Get TestFlight, then View Activis IO Beta. Work through them in steps 2 and 3 below.

After tapping the join link, TestFlight shows a two-step page: Get TestFlight, then View Activis IO Beta.

2Install TestFlight

On the join-link page, tap Get TestFlight. This opens the App Store, where you install TestFlight. It is free and published by Apple.

Once TestFlight is installed, return to the join link, tapping it again if the page has closed.

3Install Activis

In TestFlight, tap Install. If you are asked to Accept the beta first, tap that, then Install.

The app then appears on your home screen like any other app.

TestFlight showing Activis with an Install button

4Allow Bluetooth

Open Activis. The first thing it asks is permission to find Bluetooth devices. Tap Allow.

Without this the app cannot connect to your Polar Loop.

5Scan your QR code

On the welcome screen, tap Scan QR code, and allow camera access when asked.

Display your enrolment QR code on a second screen and point your iPhone camera at it. The app will confirm enrolment and move on.

If you do not have a second screen available, contact your study administrator before continuing.

The Activis welcome screen with the Scan QR code button

6Allow notifications

Activis will ask to send you notifications. Tap Allow. The app uses notifications to let you know when something needs your attention.

The setup screen shows what is still outstanding, so you can see at a glance what is done.

The setup screen showing the notifications prompt and remaining steps

7Pair your Polar Loop

Make sure your Loop is charged and next to your phone. Activis will search for nearby Polar devices and list them.

If more than one device is listed, choose the one matching the ID on your own Loop. If you are not sure which is yours, contact your study administrator rather than guessing.

Once paired, your Loop appears as connected.

Activis searching for and listing nearby Polar devices

8Everyday use

Keep Bluetooth switched on. Activis needs it to stay connected to your Loop.

Do not delete TestFlight. Updates to Activis arrive through it rather than the App Store, and you will be notified when one is available.

If something goes wrong

The join link does not work: Check that TestFlight is installed, then open the join link again. It should open in TestFlight and show the Activis beta ready to install.
The app says the enrolment code is not valid: Check you are scanning the QR code sent to you personally, and that it is displayed clearly and in focus.
The Polar Loop will not connect: Check it is charged, switch Bluetooth off and on again, then close and reopen Activis. If it still will not connect, contact your study administrator.
Steps are not increasing during the day: Check Background App Refresh is on for Activis, and that your phone is not in Low Power Mode.
You declined a permission by accident: Open iPhone Settings, scroll to Activis, and turn it back on.
Anything else: Please contact your study administrator.