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 invitation email 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.
1Install TestFlight
On your iPhone, open the App Store and search for TestFlight. Install it. It is free and published by Apple.
Do this before opening the invitation email. If you tap the invitation first without TestFlight installed, the link will not work properly.
2Accept the invitation and install Activis
Open the invitation email on your iPhone and tap View in TestFlight.
The invitation is tied to the Apple Account email address signed in to your iPhone, which you gave to your study administrator. If you are not sure which account your iPhone uses, open Settings and tap your name at the top. If it does not match, tell your study administrator rather than trying to work around it.
TestFlight opens and shows Activis. Tap Install. The app then appears on your home screen like any other app.
3Open Activis and enrol
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.
On the welcome screen, tap Scan QR code, and allow camera access when asked. Then 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.
4Allow 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.
5Pair 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.
6Everyday 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 invitation link does not work
- Check that TestFlight is installed, and that your iPhone is signed in to the Apple Account matching the address the invitation was sent to.
- 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.